As Edmund returned, he wandered into the kitchen, quickly realising that Nalsy was in an excellent mood which made him smile.
"Edmund!" Nalsy exclaimed excitedly. She was preparing dinner, and as soon as she noticed him, she smiled warmly.
"What happened?!" Edmund was taken aback by her unexpected enthusiasm. She was pretty much bouncing on the spot.
"Well, I've made a friend! I've met Anita! And she's such a lovely person! And I was invited for a tea…."
"No," Edmund cut her off with a cold, stern tone.
"Well, yes!" Nalsy furrowed her brows in confusion.
"No", he repeated once again.
"What do you mean?" Nalsy's excitement started to wear off.
"It's not safe for you to wander around."
"You're overthinking it. Anita is lovely, and so are her kids."
"You shouldn't be so trusting of strangers."
She might try to poison you."
"I'm still standing here," Nalsy answered with a hint of anger.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm quite obviously not poisoned. And I was welcomed with a tea and most wonderful cake!"
"You left the house?" Edmund looked at Nalsy with worry.
"Yes, I was invited for a tea, and I accepted the invite."
"What if something happened to you?"
"It didn't, though."
"You went with a stranger?"
"Anita is your neighbour, Edmund. There was nothing she did that was of any concern to me. Besides, I've seen her cut the cake up and pour the tea right in front of me, and she ate and drank them all the same." Nalsy said with slight irritation. Edmund looked at her for a moment in silence, then he passed by her and poured himself a glass of water. "I am not a prisoner!"
"I know. And as long as you're careful." Edmund concluded. "So, who's Anita?"
"She's your neighbour. I've already said it."
"I know. It's just that I don't know…." Edmund said in embarrassment.
"She lives in the green cottage. She's the closest neighbour to you." Nalsy quickly realised that Edmund had no awareness of his neighbours.
"She lives rather close. I'd suspect you'd still be safe around there," Edmund said cautiously. "I am still concerned for your safety. Frankly, we didn't get much from our investigation. We cannot be sure why you were targeted and who else might come after you."
"I am careful, and I can fend for myself."
"That's good." Edmund sat down heavily on a chair, as the food was already dished out and set before two chairs.
"You seem troubled," Nalsy noted. "Is it because of the investigation?"
"Slightly. We captured the men in your house but regardless of how many interrogating techniques we used, their mouths were sealed. We released them today. Their memories altered so that they thought that their mission was successful. They are quite likely in Tenebrae's capital, reporting to their commander."
"What does it mean?" Nalsy asked.
"We may have few options for you. You can stay here, under our protection. Or, if you desire, we can find a way for you to go back to Earth. It'll have to be a new location, possibly a new identity as well. We have few agents on Earth who might be able to keep a tab on you as you settled down to ensure that you weren't followed."
"Oh." Nalsy wasn't sure what to say. She didn't think what effect this would have on her life long-term yet. Somehow, she hoped that she'd wake up one day, her parents alive and well, and that she'd just return to her old life.
"I'm sorry that I'm not a bearer of any better news," Edmund said quickly, noticing Nalsy's face darkening.
"It's alright. Besides, how was your day?" Nalsy tried not to think of what awaited her.
"Caspian was a bore, as always," Edmund replied, understanding that Nalsy wanted a change of subject.
"Hang on, Caspian is that tall, handsome guy that I've seen in the hospital, right?" Nalsy tried to recall his image, but it was hazy as she didn't pay much attention to him then, which she regretted now.
"I wouldn't necessarily call him handsome..." Edmund said while looking a little disgruntled.
"No need for a long face! It's not like you lack in your looks" Edmund choked on his food at Nalsy's comment. "Are you alright?" Nalsy asked while passing him a glass of water.
Even though it was exactly what Nalsy thought, she was inwardly telling herself off for saying it out loud.
Edmund drank the water and eventually stopped coughing.
He had many admirers, of course, who would compliment him regularly. But Nalsy saying that he didn't lack in his looks meant more. It was genuine.
He knew that she didn't have any interest in his money or status. It wasn't an attempt at flattery for her gain. After all, he willingly gave her his money, and she kept refusing.
"Yeah, I'm alright." At last, Edmund muttered, a shy smile creeping on his beet-red face. "How was your day?"
"It was alright. I've cleaned the garden, or as much as I could for now. That's when Anita came over to introduce herself. Later, I went to visit them. Anita has two kids. Little adorable Alice who is very open, and Alex who is a little older and very shy..." Nalsy became enthusiastic again and chirped for the rest of the dinner.
Edmund prompted his head on his hand, and he watched her while eating. He was more concentrated on what she had to say than what was going into his mouth.
Edmund remained silent. His day was very different to Nalsy's, and it didn't make him the tiniest bit excited.
As he watched Nalsy talk, it dawned on him that she might be gone soon and that he might never see her again. He also realised that his evenings would go back to lonely and quiet dinners. There might be only a couple of days left, and then there will be no Nalsy in his life.
He kept asking himself the same question, whether Nalsy would still want to stay in touch with him once she returned to Earth, but he knew the answer. She wasn't living with him out of choice, and he doubted she'd be too eager to see him ever again. He also realised that he never willingly wanted to stay friends with anyone else.
He didn't let any of his thoughts show during the dinner as he smiled at her and nodded, acknowledging her story. But on the inside, he already missed her and felt a pit in his stomach at the thought that soon he would be welcomed by the dark, cold house.