“Sorry . . . ,” repeated Cherry, embarrassed. “It makes me feel . . . unwell.”
Daniel clapped his hand on his head. “It’s my fault. Sorry, Cherry. Mum asked me to check. I completely forgot.” He looked contrite. “I thought it would be okay.”
“I’m so sorry,” said Laura, standing and taking away her plate.
“Poor you,” said Howard.
Laura went to take the plate into the kitchen. “Moses can have it.”
“The cat,” explained Daniel.
“Well, I thought it was delicious,” said Howard, scraping the last from his dish as Laura reappeared.
“Very nice, Mum,” said Daniel.
“Glad you liked it.” She ate her own portion and looked regretful. “Sorry, Cherry.”
She was being kind, but Cherry was mortified. She heard herstomach rumble and pulled the muscles in quickly so it wouldn’t be noticed.
“And you’re hungry!” said Howard. “Can we get her anything else?”
“I’m fine, honestly.”
“Are you sure?” continued Laura. “I feel like I just tried to poison you or something! Some melon? Or I think we have a bit of pate in the fridge.”
“I was ill on mussels once,” said Howard, “never been able to face them since.”
Cherry wished they’d all shut up about it. Daniel put a comforting hand on her leg under the table.
“Thanks, Dad, don’t think we need any reminders of that one.”
A mewing sound came from the kitchen. Laura stood. “Moses,” she called, “are you still hungry?”
“Always have a pet,” said Howard. “Green garbage cans. Although, I am more of a dog man, myself.”
“Why didn’t we get one, then?” asked Daniel.
“Your mother wouldn’t have it. Reminded her of the cocker spaniel she had as a child.”
“He was run over,” said Laura. “It devastated me. I had nightmares for weeks.”
“Shame,” said Daniel. “I like dogs.”
The cat mewed loudly and came prancing in, then rubbed himself against Laura’s legs. “Don’t listen to him!” she said. “You’re our favorite.”
Cherry looked at the animal with immense dislike. It was irrational, she knew, but even the cat was conspiring against her. Everyone but Cherry liked the bloody soufflé. Why couldn’t she be a soufflé-liking person like these people?
“Fillet steak and sauteed potatoes for the main course?” said Laura tentatively to Cherry. “Is that okay . . . ?”
Cherry gave an overly compensatory smile. “Sounds great.”
“What’s for dessert, Mum?” asked Daniel.
“I wondered when you’d get to that.” Laura smiled. “Presumably, you know all about Daniel’s addiction to chocolate, Cherry?”
Cherry smiled again, a big beam to match the conversation. She didn’t.
“I have to hide it when he’s home,” said Laura.
