The kids oohed and awed.
Zach said, “Two-hundred-and-fifty-year-old cookies.”
Ben said, “Is this safe to eat, Dad?”
“Yep, I watched the shopkeeper bundle it up this morning!”
Magnus rubbed his hands together. “Twill taste wonderful with ice cream.”
Zach laughed and left for the kitchen to grab a carton and some bowls.
Hayley and Fraoch got up and cleared the dirty plates, James helped by stacking empty water glasses into a wobbly tower. Zach and Emma spooned out ice cream with colonial cookies on the side of the bowls and we all began to eat.
It was subtle, not very gingery, less sugar than I was used to, and a little dry.
Zach asked, “Do you love it kids?”
Isla said, “Best cookie I ever had.” Then she put down half of it and said, “Zoe, want to go watch tv?”
They rushed off.
Emma chewed and then sipped from her glass. “What is that, it’s like… not ginger.”
Archie said, chewing, “Do you think George Washington ate this?”
James said, “Probably, it was the most popular bakery in Philadelphia.”
Archie said, looking at the cookie, “It’s good, but needs more sugar.”
He and Ben ate their ice cream, Ben asking, “Dad, do we have any ice cream toppings?”
Zach said incredulously, “The gingerbread cookie I got you from the year 1775isthe topping! I don’t even know why I bother.”
Ben took a dainty bite. “It’s really good, Dad, I like it.”
Zach took a big bite and then with crumbs spraying from his mouth said, “Kind of dense though… a little dry.”
Magnus said, “Not if ye put a dollop of ice cream upon it.” He spooned ice cream on the cookie and chewed merrily. “Tis the way ye are supposed tae eat it. Isla!” He called into the other room. “Can I finish yer cookie?” He grabbed it off her plate before she even answered.
She came running back in. “Yes.” Then she leaned on the table and watched him put ice cream on it and pop it in his mouth. “You like it, Da?”
“Aye. But I haena ever met a dessert I dinna like, Isla, tis m’way.”
Lochinvar ate more than his share. “All cookies are good cookies. These taste like the ones that Auld Arthuretta used tae make and sell at the market.”
We finished dessert and cleared the table and Hayley remained in the kitchen washing dishes, demanding that we return to the table and leave her alone.
I took Jack to his bed and tucked him in.
When I returned everyone was deep in conversation, but changed the subject quickly when I entered. Awkwardly.
“What?”
Magnus said, “Nothing, just discussin’ what we need tae take on our trip.”
I sat down and kissed his shoulder. We had candles burning in the candlesticks, half burnt down, long drips down the pewter bases. The tablecloth was still messy, but most of the glassware and dishes were cleared away. In the kitchen I could hear the clanks and splashes of Hayley washing. She was playing music, “Complicated”, by Avril Lavigne, and singing along with it.
I glanced across the table at Fraoch, who was quietly nodding his head. He met my eyes and grinned. “Och, I love tae hear her sing.”
