Just like what Jonathan said, Ellen was ecstatic to welcome Elliot and his family at her home. Delicious food was prepared and served. Clean sheet and bedroom were set up. Ellen made sure that everything the guests needed were ready.
The house has become lively. Laughter and chatter filled the house of Bowman's family. The joy did not only belong to the adults, but also to two children who just form a strong bond in a span of time.
Mosley showed Bartholomew her collection of books in the library which she had read only with her father.
"Does your Mother not read to you?" Asked your Bartholomew.
Mosley shook her head. "Mother doesn't like reading. She likes cooking delicious meal." The girl grinned making her cousin chuckled.
"She is indeed a great cook." Remarked Bartholomew. In his hand, he held one of the books that Mosley had in her collections. Its cover was in dark green colour. The tittle of it was written in golden as it said, 'Fairies of Our Land'.
Coming from a middle class family, Bartholomew had privilege to learn to write and read from a governess. His mother had made sure that he was educated and resourced enough to be successful.
"Do you believe in Fairy, Mosley?" Asked Bartholomew, his eyes were still fixed on the book in his hand.
"I don't know." Came the truthful answer from Mosley. She then sit in front of Bartholomew. Leaning forward, she put both of her hands on her knees. "Do you believe in fairy, Barthy?"
"I need to see one to believe in them." Bartholomew smirked. He opened the book in his hands and went to the page eighty nine. His fingers pointed at the last paragraph on the page. "Look. It says 'They are among us, hiding and mingling in the society. When the night falls, they go behind the tree and chant. Wings appeared on their backs, spreading as they start soaring into the sky turning into firefly.'"
Mosley stared at Bartholomew without blinking. This whole time when Mosley was listening to Bartholomew, she was amazed that Bartholomew read as great as her father. Although she could read, she still was not able to read as fluent as them. Not to mention there were still some words that she was not able to decode yet.
"Oh, there you are, children." Someone suddenly came to the room. It was none other than Ellen, who had been looking for them. "We will have our dessert now. Come!"
Mosley nodded at her mother who left right away to go back to the dining room. She stood up and was about to follow her mother when she realised Bartholomew did not make a move. The girl then asked, "Are you going to eat the dessert?"
"I will. You can go first. I still want to have a rest here." The boy smiled at her and made himself more comfortable on the chair he was sitting on.
Mosley did not want to miss the dessert that her Mother prepared. Se shrugged and quickly left the room, half running to reach the dining the room as she was afraid that the guests might devoured all of the orange pudding.
It was true that Bartholomew wanted to have some more rest. The journey for the capital to Fairfield exhausted him. However, he also had another reason to stay back in the library of Bowman's house. It was the book in his hands that stopped him from leaving the room.
The boy was five years older than Mosley. With education that he received, he had come to know and understand many things better than the rest of the boy his age. He was more intellectual than others and he knew a few things that people did not know.
He flipped the pages, skipping a few pages before he stopped at chapter fifteen of the book. This was not his first time reading this book. There was the same book back at his house but he could not read it to the end as his parents seemed to be hiding the book somewhere he could not find after finding him reading it. Now that he had his hold of the book, he would not let it go.
Meanwhile in the dining room, the four adults and Mosley sat on the round table, enjoying their orange pudding. Ellen was showered with compliments as Elliot and Louise ate their orange pudding, while Mosley devoured it.
"I can see that your daughter is loving it very much." Exclaimed Elliot. He was amused watching his niece eating up the pudding.
Jonathan chuckled. His eyes looked at his daughter adoringly. "This is one of Mosley's favourite."
"Remember to save your cousin some, Mosley." Ellen patted Mosley's head lovingly, smiling. "Does Bartholomew like sweets?"
"He does." Said Louise. "And I'm sure he will love this, Ellen. You've made an exceptional one."
"Thanks, Louise. I'm merry that you love it."
"I better get the boy before Mosley eats all the pudding." Joked Elliot who earned chuckled from the others.
Mosley shook her head vigourously. "I won't be greedy. I promise, uncle Elliot."
"Why don't you ask Bartholomew to come down then, Mosley?" Suggested her father.
Mosley quickly got up from her chair and ran to get her cousin. Halfway through the corridors, she was greeted with her cousin who was walking towards her direction. She grinned at him. "Come on, Barthy. Your parents and mine are waiting for you."
The boy walked quicker and grabbed Mosley's hand. "Come." Innocently, Mosley followed Bartholomew to the dining room, letting him holding her hand.
When they arrived at the dinning room, Jonathan's grey eye fell onto the inkling joining hands of his daughter and his nephew. His eyes narrowed at it but chose not to say anything. He then looked at the boy who was already looking at him and offered him a warm smile.
Bartholomew bowed to everyone in the room without letting go of Mosley's hand. "I'm sorry I have kept you waiting."
"It is alright, my dear." Came the sweet voice of Ellen. "Come and take a seat. I've made you orange pudding."
"Thank you, aunt Ellen." Seeing that the tow empty seats were one between his parents while the other was between his uncle and aunt, the boy let go of Mosley's hand and took the seat between his parents.
Mosley sat on her chair and finished her pudding merrily. Her father suddenly rubbed her head gently. She turned to him and smiled.
"It seems like you and Bartholomew enjoyed each other company." Remarked Jonathan.
"He said we're friends now." Mosley told her father.
"That's good." Uttered Elliot who was glad seeing the children were good to each other. "Bartholomew sometimes doesn't like the company of another child. He prefers the company of adults."
"Only for studying, Father." The boy verified. He then turned to Ellen whose face held no other expression other than joy. "This is very nice. Thank you, aunt Ellen."
"It's my favourite dessert, Barthy." Declared Mosley.
Bartholomew glanced at the almost empty glass bowl in front of the girl. He grinned. "I noticed."
Mosley giggled and could not help herself but to take another small bowl of pudding.