Garret turned away immediately after those damning words left Daphne's mouth, so he didn't see her shudder which mirrored his own perfectly. Here he was humouring her by calling her darling, and honestly... it was just a joke. He had only said it out of anger, in an attempt to throw her own words back at her...

But Daphne Hopton, as always, had taken things too seriously.

She was probably right this second, naming their children and planning the decor in the second guest bedroom. He wanted to dive into the freezing cold Black Lake and force Barty to swallow him whole. That way he wouldn't have to deal with breaking the news to Daff later... that they weren't actually a couple.

How on earth was he going to be able to do that without ruining their friendship forever? He let out a whimper, which sounded oddly like Copernicus. He needed the wise Ravie's words of advice right now.