14. Friends?

Finn

I set the table for three and poured some wine. I had prepared to eat in the smaller dining room so that we were less likely to be overheard should the conversation turn to Everest. It was light sandy wood, with a black table and six black plush chairs. It had a view of the forest out of the floor to ceiling windows, which slid open to allow fresh air in. I’d changed into a fresh light blue shirt, since I’d spilled on the white one while cooking. I’d made a slow-cooked braised beef with roast potatoes and carrots with Yorkshire puddings and a caprese salad to start. I was no iron chef, but cooking was something mom and I used to do together, and it always calmed me down. It was an escape for me and something I’d hoped to do with Lupin as she grew up…however the girl could burn water, so it didn’t exactly pan out. But she loved what I’d made, so we would sit in the kitchen together while I cooked, and she would eat her body weight in food. Food was a ritual for both of us, me mak