Eastern District School

Chapter 17 - Too Much Curiosity!

"So you want to hang out with me now? Why, what's he done?" Benny scoffed.

She was right, if she hadn't known that he was happily married she would have thought he was jealous. It was almost the I'm not your friend anymore childhood regime. She had missed two lunches with him. Two! It wasn't as if he hadn't seen her for weeks. In fact, when they weren't working, it was often far longer than two weeks without talking. 

"Come on Benny, you know there's a lot going on here. Things I can't talk about really." her voice lowered and she glanced around the yard. Before letting him argue or even start to question, she continued, "So do you want to come...it's my treat!" she added. 

Benny's eyes widened, but then a frown flashed upon his face. "Is that because you haven't had to pay for anything to eat for the past couple of days?"

Even though she knew he was only teasing her, she was hurt by his words. Perhaps because she was always used to paying her own way and did not like the way Rich seemed to take over with the bill. It was stupid to admit, but it made her feel lesser, vulnerable even. She shook her head and told herself to get over Benny's words. He wasn't there to hurt her. 

Perhaps Benny realised he had hit a nerve, as he didn't pursue his teasing. They started to walk, and she leaded him down the road towards the Cafe', she had eaten at the past two days.  As soon as she was far enough from the yard and she was convinced  no one was around, she began to tell Benny, as briefly as she could what had been happening. Benny was angry to say the least. His words were rather colourful, and she knew he was only angry because he was trying to protect her.  

"So there's probably a spy around? Is that what you're telling me? Or someone sneaked onto site to leave you that message?"

"I really don't know, Benny. But I really think it's because of what we've found in that chest. That's what I'm being warned about."

"So you're being warned about finding out about your own history? That's pathetic. Someone really needs to get a life!"

She couldn't help but laugh at his words, even if he was right. She opened the door of the cafe and headed in, still with a large smile on her face. Benny followed her in and they took a seat next to the window. She passed him the menu as Karen approached them. 

"What can I get you today a panini, or another breakfast?" she smiled at Rose. 

Rose caught the motion of Benny's raised eyebrows towards them.

"Actually could we have a few minutes and I'll come up."

"No problem, give me a shout, I'll come over, I need the exercise!" she joked and walked away.

"So do you, with the amount of food you've apparently had here!" he said sarcastically.

Rose gave him a quick shift kick in the shin. "I haven't eaten that much here. Oh and may I advise against the mega breakfast...it'll kill you!"

Benny coughed a laugh. "I'm not as greedy as some. I'll go for the omelette and chips, I think. Oh with a coke...better make that a diet one!"

Rose smiled and rolled her eyes. 

Karen must have been on the lookout this time, as she saw Rose start to get up and quickly came over to them. Half expecting her to be wearing roller skates, Rose glanced down briefly toward her feet, but then returned her gaze to the waitress and gave her their orders. 

"So let me get this straight," Benny said staring at her as Karen walked away. "You're going to go and see the grandmother of someone you only met a few days ago?"