" Good morning " Enid walked into the kitchen, chirpy as ever, breaking the staring contest.
" Good morning, Enid" Mason and I chorused making Enid halt her steps and look at us with an inquisitive eye.
" Are we expecting guests for breakfast?" Enid asked as she took a seat at the table, with her cup of coffee.
" No," Mason was the one to reply as he piled up food on his plate, while I couldn't stave off the hunger anymore and dug in on the first that came across me. The unfortunate victim of my voracious appetite was a taste of everything that was on the table.
" Well, this is quite a spread. And you two are eating like you haven't seen food in days" Enid chuckled. I froze and glanced at Mason from the corner of my eye, who froze mid-bite.
I lowered my fork and cleared my throat " Apologies. Since I didn't feel very well yesterday. I didn't eat much, so I'm making it up for it." I lied with a straight face, making Enid frown but smiled after a few seconds. We were walking on thin ice.
" I had a guest and as you know I work up an appetite, " Mason did the same, and returned to eating his food at a slower pace.
Enid hummed " Speaking of guests, Miss Morston dropped by yesterday. She wanted to see you," Enid picked up her usual meal, pancake and golden syrup, smiling.
" What did she want?" Mason asked and stopped eating. The irritation in his tone wasn't easy to miss.
" Nothing. Just wanted to see you," Enid replied and took a bite out of her pancake.
" So the usual nonsense then," Mason leaned in his chair with furrowed brows.
" Yes. Well, you know the girl she has been chasing after you for quite some time now and you don't even give her the time of day." Enid chuckled, picking up the coffee mug, and watching both of us. I wondered if she knew.
" I'm just a whim. You know that. Like a dress that you buy just because it looks good on others, but it doesn't suit you." Mason calmly replied and returned to his breakfast.
" I know. But then again you've been sleeping with every other woman in Morston, except her." Enid countered. " Maybe she is feeling left out," She quipped and I was a bit taken aback that there was a whole other side of Enid that I hadn't seen.
"Maybe. But, still, I'm not interested in her that way." Mason glanced at me and then at Enid who smiled as if the joke was on us.
" I know," Enid raised her hands, resigned " What are your plans for today, dear?" Enid turned her attention to me after grilling Mason before the sun was even properly up.
" I'm going back to the soup kitchen but I will be back to cook dinner. I just need some things from the market. I was wondering if you could pick them up. " I asked as nicely as I could. After a long day at the soup kitchen, I didn't want to have to stop at the market as well.
" Of course dear. Just jot it down on a piece of paper." Enid replied as she placed her coffee cup on the table.
" Or we could finish this if Mr Kinnaird won't be home for dinner" Enid added waving at all the food that was left on the table.
" I won't be home for dinner. I won't come back till late in the night. So, don't worry about me." Mason took his last mouthful off the plate, glanced at his watch, and stood up. It was seven o'clock, he'd been leaving later as of late.
"I was wondering if I could take it with me to the soup kitchen" I flustered a bit, I had never done that before. I didn't know how Mason or Enid would take it.
" Are they short of supplies?" Mason asked as he picked up his jacket off the backrest of the chair.
" No. I don't think so. Ellie hasn't said anything, but Enid and I can't eat all of that in one sitting and it would go to waste." I felt put on the spot for a moment like they were questioning my judgement.
" Of course, dear" Enid reached over the table and patted my hand, while Mason nodded.
" Miss Abernathy, Enid. Have a wonderful day." Mason said his goodbyes and made his way to the door.
" You too," I shyly mumbled but I wasn't sure if he'd heard me but Enid most definitely did, and I realised what I had done when she furrowed her eyebrows at me and then looked over her shoulder as Mason strolled out of the kitchen. I never said that to Mason when he left.
" I best be going then. Have a good day Enid." I said as I rushed out of my seat, and beelined towards the door.
" Likewise, dear" Enid shouted because, by the time she got a grip of herself, I was already out of the kitchen, already stepping into the foyer. I was fast enough to catch a glimpse of Mason walking out of the front door.
My mood soured as I dragged my feet towards the bedroom to grab my bag. I wished we could share a goodbye kiss but then again that was just wishful thinking.
I threw my bag on my shoulder and made my way back to the kitchen only to find Enid still at the table, nursing her coffee.