The boy glanced at me with an apologetic wince. “Sorry.”
“I promise he was raised better than that.”
I shrugged. “It’s okay. My parents are Irish, but they lived in Hong Kong for work.”’
Jay nodded. “Very cool. This is my son, Jason Junior, but he prefers to go by Jace. Jace, this is Shannon, our new next door neighbour. Now, let’s eat this pizza before we all starve to death.”
The little girl ran ahead while I walked with Jay and Jace down the hallway and into a large kitchen where a dark-haired woman was setting the table. Jay put the pizza boxes down and went up to her, placing his large hand on her hip before bending down and pressing a kiss to her neck. She laughed affectionately and shoved him off. Just from the momentary interaction, I could tell they really loved each other. I’d never seen my parents be that way with one another, so easy and tender. Jay said something to her, then gestured to me, and she turned to take me in. She had the loveliest blue eyes I’d ever seen. They were full of kindness as she came and introduced herself.
“My husband tells me your name is Shannon and that you’ve just moved in next door. I’m Matilda, and we’re delighted to have you join us for dinner.”
“Thank you for having me, Miss Matilda,” I replied, dipping my head to her.
“Aren’t you just so sweet and polite,” she exclaimed. “But there’s no need for the Miss. Matilda will do.”
I nodded, a little embarrassed. Good manners had been drilled into me from the etiquette lessons I’d attended from ages seven to ten. It was second nature now.
“Shannon’s sitting next to me,” Jace announced as he pulled out a chair at the table and gestured for me to sit.
I lowered into it, feeling a strange fluttering in my chest that he wanted me next to him. I studied him while Jay and Matilda opened the pizza boxes and began sharing out the slices. The scent of melted cheese and fresh dough hit my nose, and my mouth watered. I’d barely eaten anything all day because I couldn’t stop worrying about Valerie’s son and praying he was okay. I’d only known my new nanny a short while, but she was kind to me, and having had a number of nannies over the years, that wasn’t always the case.
“I like your hair. Are you allowed to have it that colour at school?” I asked.
Jace shook his head. “No. Mam says I have to shave it off before September. I’m only allowed to have it for the summer.”
“That’s too bad.”
“Yeah,” he agreed glumly before he picked up the slice of pizza his mother had put in front of him. I watched in fascination as he folded it in half and shoved it in his mouth. I’d never, not once in my life, been permitted to eat food with my hands. Every meal was consumed with the appropriate utensils, alongside proper posture; otherwise, my mother would correct me.
“Yum! This is so good!” Francesca said as she ate the pizza just the same as her brother. Even the parents, Jay and Matilda, were eating with their hands. I stared down at the delicious smelling slice in front of me, but I just couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. Too many years of hardwiring prevented me.
“Are you okay, Shannon?” Matilda asked. “Not hungry?”
I licked my lips, sitting ramrod straight in the chair, and my stomach chose that exact moment to let out a loud gurgle. I winced in embarrassment.
“She’s definitely hungry,” Jace said with a laugh as he elbowed me in the side in an easy fashion, like we’d known each other all our lives. “Go on, dig in. It’s good, I promise.”
Finally, I said, “Would it be possible to get a knife and fork? I’m not usually allowed to—”
Something soft entered Matilda’s eyes as she shared a look with her husband. “Of course, dear. Let me go grab you some.”
“Thank you,” I practically whispered when she returned and handed me the cutlery. I cut a thin strip off the pizza and lifted it to my mouth. When I bit into it, I had to hold back a groan because it was seriously one of the best things I’d ever tasted. I closed my eyes just to savour it.
“You look you’ve never had pizza before,” Jace commented, and I realised he’d been watching me the whole time. In fact, the entire family was.
“That’s because I haven’t,” I replied, self-consciously tucking some hair behind my ear.
He stared at me, wide-eyed. Even the little girl, Francesca, seemed awe-struck. “You’ve never eaten pizza before?” she asked innocently.
I shook my head. “My parents are very strict. They don’t let me have any fast food.”
“B-but pizza is so yummy,” Francesca went on.
“It is,” I agreed. “My parents are clearly crazy.” I forced a smile, and she giggled.
Jay and Matilda were both looking at me, but I couldn’t quite tell what they thought of the fact that my parents forbade me from eating anything even remotely unhealthy. I was on a strict diet of organic vegetables, whole grains, fish and clean meats and was permitted a slice of gluten free cake only on Sundays.
A quiet fell over the family, and I began to feel like I’d made them uncomfortable by being so weird and uptight, but then, to my surprise, Jace addressed his mother. “Mam, can I have a knife and fork, too?”
