Watching Enid, pace back and forth in the kitchen, aggrieved with her hands up in the air, berating me for my puny sense of self-preservation. I had stopped listening, nonetheless, that didn't stop her from lecturing me on how reckless I was being. Unbothered, I carried on eating my biscuits, accompanied by a cup of coffee. At the other end of the table, Mason sat just like me with his cup in his hand, stifling a smile each time Enid's voice went high and kept saying that she couldn't believe it. To a certain extent, I enjoyed being admonished. It showed she cared." Lily. Are you even listening?" Enid asked, slamming her palms on the table, jolting me awake from my reverie." Yes," I replied, sipping on my coffee. Truth be told, I had missed spending time in the kitchen like we used to." Aren't you going to say anything?" Enid turned her attention to Mason, who straightened himself in his chair and cleared his throat, wiping the subtle smirk off his lips." I was just waiting for you to finish," Mason replied, clasping his hands in front of himself, elbows on the table. That gesture made me curious since his table manners were impeccable." Go ahead. I'm finished," Cross as a bear, Enid pulled the chair and took a seat at the table, waiting for Mason to begin his sermon. Which I had no intention of listening to, he was in no position to preach to me." Miss Abernathy," I bit my tongue at his choice to use the honorific, " Lily," Better, I thought," Enid is just concerned about your wellbeing, and frankly so am I. You have acquired a taste for danger," The corner of his mouth slightly quirked up," Before doing anything remotely dangerous, I urge you to think twice," He finished as he leaned back in his chair, holding his cup of coffee." That's it?" Enid was in disbelief," That is all you have to say?" She rubbed her forehead, shaking her head, looking at both of us." Mr Kinnaird," I stood up, and made my way to the counter to refill my cup of coffee," Enid," I returned to the table, smiling," I appreciate your concern, and I'm grateful to both of you for everything. It was not my intention to cause any worries, but since you, both, have made it very clear that you care for my wellbeing, I'll make sure to be more careful from this day onwards," I sipped on my coffee and leaned back in the chair, and locked eyes with Mason.
" We do," Enid's ruffled spirits calmed, and the loving woman finally made an appearance," You have been behaving a little strange lately. I'm...worried Lily for you," Enid lovingly said and reached for my hand." I'm sorry if I worried you, Enid. You shouldn't...I'm just exploring more of the outside world. So naturally, I will get some bruises and grazes in the process" I smiled, trying to reassure her as much as possible. It was somewhat true." If that is all there is, then," Enid sighed, I guess relieved," Make sure that you don't do anything stupid," Too late for that, I thought. " I'll be more careful," I patted her hand and returned to nursing my coffee." Since this has been settled," Mason stood up and picked up his jacket, " I have a business meeting which I need to attend. I'll see you both later," He picked up his suitcase and nodded when Enid sighed, sullen. " Have a good day," Enid said as she pushed herself up to stand. I watched him saunter out of the room, smiling. " I need to go to the bank. Would you like to join me? I'm not sure if I should leave you on your own," Enid said as she picked up her bag and the car keys. Oh, no. I'd rather walk to the end of the earth and back than go in the car with Enid." How about we take a walk?" I suggested, as I pushed myself up, and placed the cup of coffee in the sink, " And maybe after we can go out for lunch,"
" You know what,...that it is an excellent idea," Enid said as she threw the keys back in the bowl, and hooked her arm into mine.
" I'm glad you're using the chart, I've made you," I casually noted, as we slipped out of the kitchen.
" Yes. It is quite handy. I have made one to keep on my bedside table. Dr Button is very pleased," I hummed, as we stepped outside Northenhay and into the bustling streets of Morston District. I had no idea what it was, but I felt good. For once, I took in my surroundings and looked at the people on the street with different eyes.
" Hello Enid," A woman greeted in passing, smiling.
" Hello Gemma," Enid replied over her shoulder.
" Is it her?" I heard the woman whisper to the man she was with, making me glance at them over my shoulder.
That question echoed in my head several times, as I tried to understand the meaning behind it. If what Mason had said was true then the answer was more than evident.
" I'll be back shortly," Enid said, as she let go of my arm, and made her way up the steps of the bank.
It was hard to ignore the furtive looks, and the subsequent whispers of the ladies passing by. I wasn't a genius, but it wasn't hard to put two and two together. I was more worried than ashamed, even though I knew I had no reason to be.
Did it matter what other people thought? In our case it did. Taking a deep breath to steel myself from letting fear take control, I furiously glared at the woman who walked past me and smirked.
The ship had sailed and it was blazing. There was no stopping the whispers.
" Ava," I hissed through gritted teeth when I caught a glimpse of the buoyant blonde walking on the other side of the square.At that moment, I sorely regretted the day, she and I crossed paths