He laughed at that, the nervous edge almost imperceptible. Almost. "It's not as if we have nothing to do," Neil replied with a grin.

And there was plenty-- last minute business for the play, making sure the arrangements they'd made due to the weather hadn't fallen through. Costumes to see to, nerves to soothe. A thousand little things his father would hate him for. Neil nodded, consciously avoided looking at Tom Perry.

"You're right. We should get going."