laconic • t.nott ✓

32 ➺ do you like my legs

「 DO YOU LIKE MY LEGS 」

FOWLEY KEPT TRUE TO HER words.

Theo woke up late the next day and when he went into the kitchen, he was greeted with the rare sight of Blaise and Corben working harmoniously with Fowley. Well, maybe harmoniously wasn't the right word.

Blaise worked at the counter while Corben wrestled for the kettle with Fowley who insisted that she didn't need help in the kitchen and how scandalous it was that they would even dream of cooking when she was there. Theo imagined no one had ever offered to help Fowley in the kitchen. When he was a child, he had felt bad for Fowley once and tried to make breakfast, but his father had been quick to put him in his place and threaten Fowley with clothes for letting Theo into the kitchen. He hadn't tried to help her afterwards.

"We are not trying to steal your job, woman," said Corben with a tone that suggested this wasn't the first time he was having this argument. "We just want to help make breakfast for Theo."

"That's sweet," Theo said and walked into the kitchen. Both Blaise and Corben smiled broadly upon seeing him while Fowley rushed to him and looked up pleadingly.

"Master Theodore, will you tell them that Fowley does not need help?"

Theo smiled. "They know that. It's okay, Fowley. You can let them work."

Her face fell at the lack of support. "But it is not right. They should not be working. This is Fowley's job."

"It's just for one day," Theo assured her. "You can work with them. I'm sure they don't know where the dishes and ingredients are kept, so why don't you help them?"

Fowley looked like she wanted to argue but she was bound to obey orders and the indirect order from Theo moved her in the direction of Corben, who asked her where she had hidden the tea leaves.

Theo scuffed toward Blaise, who was beating a mixture of eggs - and some other things Theo couldn't recognise - in a bowl. "Can I help?" he asked.

"No, we're almost done. Sit and wait."

"You don't look like you're almost done," Theo remarked. "What are you making?"

Blaise abandoned the bowl and led Theo by the shoulders before pushing him down on a chair. "You'll see soon enough."

Theo wasn't wrong when he'd said they weren't almost done. It was another thirty minutes before they finally left the kitchen counter and brought the food over to the table, where Theo had already laid down the plates. They had made almond toast and tea. The intoxicating scent of burnt sugar stimulated his nostrils and Theo felt his hunger increase as he pulled a plate toward himself.

It was only when he was halfway through his slice of toast that he remembered. "Where's Father?" he asked Fowley.

"He left early," she answered. "You were all asleep."

Corben looked at her through a mouthful of toast. "Did you enjoy making breakfast with us, Fowley?"

She hung her head, though she looked quite pleased with herself. "Fowley is supposed to work alone. She isn't supposed to let anyone work when she's here. If Master Nott finds out -"

"Master Nott won't find out," Theo interrupted, giving her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "And if he does, I don't think he has time to care about who made breakfast."

"But you did enjoy working as a team, didn't you?" Corben asked, grinning. "I told you, it's fun."

"Fowley isn't supposed to have fun."