Among The Roses

Chapter 7: A Nice, Quiet Meal

"Thank you so much for inviting me to share your meal with you," Chiara said as everyone sat down at the brand-new table. It was gorgeous, solid teak, with matching chairs.

"No need to thank me, because I didn't, it was all my mum's idea," Andrew said succinctly as he reached for a container. He gave Chiara an even look as he began spooning food onto his plate.

Everyone else stared at him, too shocked to speak.

Ellie looked horrified.

"Well, it was to your mum that I was speaking, so I'll say it again," Chiara said, smiling sweetly. "Thank you, Ellie, for inviting me to share your meal with you, this is one of my favorite places to eat in Havorfield Village."

"My pleasure," Ellie assured her. "It's nice not to be the only girl at the table."

"So, Chiara, is that Italian?" Ned asked.

"Yeah, my grandparents emigrated here from Sicily when they got married," Chiara said. "My dad's English and everything, but he grew up speaking a little, and wanted me to have an Italian name."

"I think it's very pretty," Noah interjected.

"Thanks," Chiara replied.

She'd just taken a bite of her food when she let out a little squeak and jumped in her chair. She swallowed and cleared her throat.

"Are you okay?" Ned asked, leaning forward from his place next to her so he could see her face.

"Yes," she answered, nodding. "The dog? William Wallace, is it? He, uh, startled me, that's all. Under the table?"

"Oh god, Noah, Andrew, one of you please take care of the dog? Now?" Ellie asked, mortified. "I'm so sorry," she said to Chiara. "I don't even want to know what he did."

Noah jumped up and wrangled the dog, who was indeed skulking under the table, probably hoping for some tasty tidbits to come his way.

"I'm really sorry," Noah said to Chiara while he hauled the dog away from the table. He dragged William Wallace, who was protesting vociferously, into the laundry room, quickly shutting the door in the dog's face.

Noah sat back down, looking decidedly red in the face, and Chiara took pity on him. "It's okay, honest," she said, putting a hand on his arm. "I'm fine, I am."

Noah just nodded, unable to speak.

The only person who seemed unaffected by the dog's snuffling of Chiara's nether regions was Andrew. He continued to eat, spooning more vindaloo onto his plate and getting himself another bottle of water.

He sat down and looked around, as if asking why everyone was staring at him.

"What?" he finally asked. "What did I do?"

"Andrew!" his mother said. "I'm surprised at you."

"Mum, I'm not the one who snarfed at the gardener's crotch, am I?" Andrew protested. "That was your second born son's ill-mannered dog!"

Ned, who was in the act of taking a drink, spewed his mouthful of water all over the table at Andrew's words.

Ellie gasped again.

Noah, eyes wide, began to turn interesting shades of dark red.

And Chiara, lately of the crotch sniffing by William Wallace, just took a deep breath and sat back. She opened her mouth to say something, though she had no idea what, but Ned got in before her.

"What's the matter with you, mate? You're being damned rude to a guest in your new home!" Ned wiped his mouth with his napkin and threw it down next to his plate. "She's actually your first guest in your new home as well."