Something was very strange in this place.
I finished my food and caught the kids yawning. It had been a long two days for them. I bet all they wanted to do was curl up in bed and sleep. Sadly, for them, it was too early in the UK to do that. If I allowed them to sleep now, they’d be up all night.
“How was your meal?” Trudy asked, approaching.
“Fantastic, the pies were wonderful,” Rina replied.
“Good. Let me clear your plates, and then we can look at tomorrow’s menus. Julie has a stew cooking for tonight with freshly baked bread, if that’s okay?” Trudy asked.
“Perfect.” Rina smiled.
“Okay, give me five minutes.”
Trudy began clearing our dishes.
“Can I take the kids out to play in the snow?” Walker asked Rina.
“Sure, I don’t see why not. I wonder if it’s okay for the children to play outside, though.”
“Of course it is. Stick to the enclosed beer garden. We have a river out back that isn’t fully iced over. Another two days and it will be fine, but the children need to keep within the fenced area,” Trudy said.
“That’s great, thank you,” Rina replied, and I grunted.
With the heat searing my leg and my belly full, I was feeling more relaxed.
“Mariah and I dug out some items from the attic. We have some sledges, snowshoes, and skis. There are some other bits and pieces that the children can play with,” Trudy offered.
“That sounds wonderful. If we don’t wake them up, they won’t sleep tonight.” Rina smiled at the kids. I noted how they returned her smile. Far different from how they looked at me. That hurt. I didn’t have to ask if I’d been such a grouch; it was clear in their eyes.
“Come on, kids,” Walker announced, and they trooped after him.
“What well-behaved children they are,” Trudy said, but I heard her silent message. Why aren’t they behaving like normal children? I was finally seeing my kids through a stranger’s eyes, and I didn’t like it. Callum, Xander, and Zoie didn’t run around or make noise like other children. They were overly quiet, cautious, and miserable. They were afraid of setting my temper off. For a different reason and without meaning to, I’d turned into my father.
Rina held my gaze when I sought her eyes for reassurance, but I didn’t find it. She knew that our kids weren’t reacting normally.
“Go outside and play with them. No snowmen, though. I’ll help them build one tomorrow,” I said softly.
Rina’s eyes widened, and she glanced at Trudy. “Go on, babe. I’ll sort the meals out and rest this damned leg of mine. Go have some fun with the kids.”
Rina didn’t hesitate and shot off upstairs chasing after the kids to ensure they were wrapped up warmly.
“So, Mr Maddon, tomorrow. Julie tends to make a full English. Does anyone have food allergies?” Trudy asked. She looked like she expected me not to know, but I shook my head.
“Zoie is convinced that mushrooms are poisonous and won’t eat them or anything they’ve touched. Other than that, they should be fine. But none of that… black pudding, I believe it’s called?”
“That’s fine, Mariah and Benedict aren’t keen on it either. As for Zoie, we do a buffet-style breakfast, and each food item has its own compartment. Tomorrow lunchtime is going to be soup, the one that was on offer today, and dinner will be cottage pie and seasonal vegetables again.”
“That sounds perfect, although is cottage pie, shepherd’s pie?”
“No. Cottage pie is made with beef, while shepherd’s pie has lamb,” Trudy explained.
“Ah, okay, I guess we can learn something new every day. But those choices are fine.”
“Thank you, Mr Maddon, can I fetch you a coffee?”
“Please, it’s Adam. And yes, I’d love one. Although is there anywhere I can watch the children from, please?”
“There is a rear parlour, and the back dining room overlooks the beer garden,” Trudy replied.
