That Makes Three

Chapter Fourteen

Cutlery clanged on plates in the over sized dining room that was used by three people. Of course, now it occupied five. Peter and Roman sat opposite Shelly and me, leaving Mrs Godfrey at the head of the table. No words were spoken as we eat. Though every so often my eyes would close and I would suppress the feeling of another vision.

I scooped up some chicken and chased it down with some spinach. When I looked up I saw Roman trailing his pinkie finger along the rim of his wine glass. Glancing at Peter I was surprised to see he was already staring at me. He looked weird, I noticed. His posture was impeccable and he was using both his knife and folk. When his eyes flickered away and back to me I frowned, as if to say: What? His eyes did the gesture again and this time I realised he was trying to get me to look right.

Casually I turned my head and felt a jolt up my spine as I realised Mrs Godfrey was looking at me. I held her gaze and smiled. She sat perfectly still and held my gaze back, her eyes crinkling ever so slightly as she smiled spitefully back.

"What happened to you dear? You seemed awfully upset before dinner. " She asked, her old British accent ringing in my ears. I let my hand fall into my lap and dug my nails into my palm. I gave a small laugh.

"I get migraines. Pretty bad ones - I forgot to take my medication." I said without hesitation. Something about her was beginning to piss me off. Was it the slow drawl in her words that made you think you were dependent on her every word? Or was it the way her eyes judged you? Either way I felt myself relaxing into the chair. She didn't intimidate me. I watched as she picked up her wine glass and sipped it generously.

"Silly girl." She murmured, her eyes still on me. My smile widened.

"Actually I'm quite clever. Straight A's - yes ma'am." This response seemed to surprise her, though only for a second. I refrained from rolling my eyes and instead returned to nursing my chicken, completely aware that Roman was Smiling as he took a bite of cauliflower. At the growing sound of scoffing, Mrs Godfrey cleared her throat.

"Shelly dear, we have guests." She said silently. Shelly either didn't hear her or ignored her, and continued to use her giant folk to shove a piece of steak into her mouth.

"Shelly slow down!" Mrs Godfrey barked, pounding her fist on the table. Shelly made a breathless sound before lowering her head, her skin flaring blue. This seemed to bring a sense of satisfaction to her mother, which made my blood boil. Before I knew what I was doing I shoved more garlic flavoured spinach in my mouth, along with some chicken.

"Mmmmm - Mrs Godfrey this is really good! Is that oregano? Paprika?" I squealed delightedly, stuffing my mouth quickly and chewing loudly. At the sound of slurping I saw Peter doing the same thing, his posture and knife disappearing as gravy began to dribble down his chin.

"No, M, I think it's the cherry sauce." Peter said enthusiastically, licking his fingers.

"Have you tried it with the pea juee?" Roman asked, picking up the small bowl and spooning a heap onto Peters plate before sliding it across the table to me. I simply stuck my finger into it and licked my finger clean, moaning. Mrs Godfrey got up at once, her long pointed nails digging into the wooden table. She looked like she was about to explode.

"Very comedic." Mrs Godfrey said, rolling her eyes and walking off. I nudged Shelly gently once her mom was out of earshot.

"We got your back." Shelly smiled and happily continued to eat.

"You okay Shell?" Roman asked, dabbing his mouth with a napkin. She nodded. I breathed slowly, my eyes drooping until I had to close them.

"We gotta go." When I looked to Peter he was rising from his feet, his thumbs swiping quickly across his phone screen.