Page 15 of Twisted Paths

Then, Luke starts unpacking.

Not just a sandwich. Not even a neat little lunchbox. No, he’s got full-on Tupperware organisation happening.

One container of roast chicken, sliced neatly. Another with fresh salad, properly chopped. A bread roll that doesn’t look like any I have seen around the village and I have a suspicion it may be homemade. It’s the kind with a golden crust that suggests actual skill.

Mrs Higgins and I both stare at it.

Luke frowns. “What?”

Mrs Higgins gestures vaguely. “That’s… rather civilised.”

I glance at my limp sandwich and feel instant regret. “Did you make all that this morning?”

He shrugs. “Yeah.”

Mrs Higgins sighs dreamily. “Now that is a useful skill.”

I brace myself.

“A man who can cook,” she continues, shaking her head in admiration. “You don’t see that often.”

I shove another bite of BLT into my mouth, hoping it’ll stop me from being dragged into whatever this is.

Mrs Higgins isn’t done. “Wouldn’t that be a wonderful thing, Nancy? Having someone in your life who knows their way around a kitchen.”

I choke slightly. “You are relentless.”

She ignores me. “Especially when certain young ladies don’t have the same talents.”

I freeze mid-chew. “Excuse me?”

She gives me a knowing look. “You can’t cook, love.”

I scoff, straightening up. “That’s not true.”

Mrs Higgins lifts an eyebrow, chewing thoughtfully on her non-shop-bought sandwich. “Mmm. You say that, but I seem to recall a certain cake incident at the winter book club.”

Oh no.

I glance at Luke, who is now watching with vague amusement, clearly intrigued. I shake my head slightly, warning her not to continue.

She continues anyway.

“Lovely idea, bringing a homemade cake,” she says, voice dripping with innocent nostalgia. “Shame about the burning.”

I groan. “It wasn’t that bad.”

She turns to Luke, eyes sparkling with glee. “We all politely ignored the smoke coming off it.”

Luke’s eyebrows rise. “Actual smoke?”

“It was slightly overbaked.”

Mrs Higgins beams. “Only on one side! The other side was completely raw.”

Luke’s mouth twitches. “Impressive.”

I huff. “That oven is temperamental.”

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