Under_The_Whispering_Door_by_TJ_Klune

“I really am.”
Wallace looked back out the window. “I don’t see what’s so bad. Surely
he just wants to make sure the tea shop is clean, right? Why would he have it
out for Hugo?” A terrible thought crossed his mind. “Jesus Christ, is it
because he’s Black? Of all the—”
“Oh, no,” Nelson said. “Nothing as loathsome as that.” He leaned
forward, dropping his voice. “He asked Hugo out on a date once. Hugo said
no. He wasn’t happy about it and has been torturing us all ever since.”
The skin under Wallace’s right eye twitched. “What?”
Nelson patted his shoulder. “I knew you’d see it my way.”
“Mei!” Wallace shouted. “Bring back the knife!”
Mei burst through the doors again, now carrying a knife in each hand.
“No knives!” Hugo barked.
She turned around and stalked back into the kitchen.
The door to Charon’s Crossing Tea and Treats opened.
“Hmm,” the health inspector said with a grimace as he looked around.
“Not off to the best start, are we, Hugo?” He sounded as if he were affecting
the most atrocious British accent the world had ever heard. Wallace despised
him immediately, telling himself it had nothing to do with the fact that this
man apparently wanted to climb Hugo like a tree. Even though this man
couldn’t see him, Wallace would remain the consummate professional.
“Harvey,” Hugo said evenly.
“Harvey?” Wallace exclaimed. “His name is Harvey? That’s ridiculous!”
Hugo coughed roughly.
Harvey stared at him.
Hugo held up his hand. “Sorry. Something in my throat.”
“I can see that,” Harvey said. “Probably all the dust that seems to coat this
place. I do hope you’ve made a better attempt to keep things cleaner this time
around.” He sniffed daintily. “At least we don’t have to worry about that mutt
any longer. Pet dander around all that food? Bloody bollocks if you ask me.”
Apollo barked angrily, spittle flying from his lips and landing on the floor.
“He’s from Seattle,” Nelson whispered. “Went to London once a few
years ago and came back talking like that. No one knows why.”
“Because he’s ludicrous,” Wallace said. “Obviously.”
Hugo held himself together, insults about his dog notwithstanding. “I’m
sure you’ll find that everything is as it should be, just like it was when you