“Yes?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
We stood still, letting the chirps of the night join our conversation. With one more nod, Sophia idly gazed back at the rooftop. “Right.”
I studied her expression, eager to find out what she was thinking. But then, I hesitated. Her freckled skin was ghostly pale, cast blue under the veil of a dying dusk. A faint, purple glow over the treeline was all the light that was left. Without a word, I slipped past and proceeded up the steps. I heard her footsteps follow shortly behind. It was not proper to leave the guest waiting for an invitation. Neither would it put on a convincing face.
Safe inside the cottage, we sat down at the dining table for one last course of tea and dry biscuits. Confined to the island of light, shut away from the restless vitality of the outdoors, we really felt each other’s company. I was restless myself, fidgeting with a spoon while I was at the stove, waiting for the water to boil. Sophia sat silently at the table. I had my back turned, so I was not aware of what she was doing. The silence was awkward at first. I did not know if she was watching me or not. In addition, we were coming in on the heels of a heated discussion and an unfortunate sighting of the spirit. I wondered if she was still out there, somewhere, waiting to come in. It still irritated me, how incompetent she was this time at staying hidden. I forced myself to set the spoon down, forgetting it by the stove when I returned to the table.
“It’s getting quite late. Wouldn’t George be worried?”
“Nay. Like I said, he expects me home late.”
Taking a sip, I let the warm tea coax my mind. A surge of warmth radiated from my belly, leaving me lethargic. “I didn’t realise you meant this late. Do you go to sleep fairly late?”
“Some days. Not usually. Though George always goes to sleep later than me.”
“Ah. I reckon work is keeping him busy?”
“No, it shouldn’t. I mean, I wouldn’t know for sure. Certainly would be off the clock. He does fret a lot.”
I leaned forward, resting my chin in my palm. “About work?”
“Probably. You never know with that man.”
“He doesn’t talk to you about it?”
“George would pass it off as fine, even if things aren’t fine. You can tell if he’s worried about something. He’ll seem rather muted or whatever. And sometimes they are! And he’s just tired! I don’t know! It’s confusing enough as is.”
In a sudden manner, Sophia scooped up her cup and took a sip. She seemed quite comfortable, undeterred from the troubling situation that hung around in my mind, at least. Meanwhile, I was finding it harder and harder to keep my eyes open. My choice of lavender tea for this evening did a little too much to settle me down. She kept talking for a while before she noticed my weariness.
“Oh, sorry. Are you dozing off? When’s your bedtime?”
“Uh… a bit…” I admitted. “Sorry, I—”
“No, no! No need to be. Shameful of me to not realise you have a different bedtime from me!”
“Not the right tea to drink at this time…” I tried to laugh it off. It felt like I sounded a bit too giddy, like an intoxicated girl. The humiliating image drew me back.
Sophia responded with a breathy laugh herself. “Right! Well, better than sitting awake in bed, unable to sleep!” Finishing up her drink, she got up from her chair. “I had fun today! Wouldn’t mind for another tea time some other day.”
Lifting my head, I stayed seated for the moment. “Certainly.”
“Maybe stop by my place next time. Allow me to treat you to something!”
“I will consider it, yes.”
At the door, she slipped into her boots with ease. I noticed they were the kind that fastened to the side, and she only fastened the top few buttons. Straightening, she looked at me one last time, sober once more.
“I don’t mean to dwell on it any further, but… are you sure you’re all right? With that human-looking spirit frequently visiting you?”
I remained poised. “Yes…” Though I searched for more to say, I debated whether it was a good idea to say anything else. Anything more runs the risk of deepening her suspicion.
“Well, if there’s any trouble, speak out, all right?” She turned towards the door while keeping eye contact with me. “Doesn’t have to be me. Just anyone you can trust.”
I simply nodded.
“I’m just… concerned for you, you know.” Sophia knocked on the door frame, then pulled open the door. “As a old friend. Not like, an overseer, or anything of the sort.”
“I’m fine.” Nodding again, I tried my best to look as genuine as I could to convince her. And perhaps, convince myself. “I know myself well enough, living out here all these years.”
She held onto the frame as she raised a foot behind to adjust the fit. With haste, she lowered it with a stomp outside. And with that, she hurried away. “Well, won’t keep you awake any longer! Bye now!”
“Take care on your way back!” I shouted after her.
“Will do!” she replied with a wave.
I watched her until she disappeared into the trees. Closing the door and locking it, I kept my hand on the lock, blankly gazing down at the door. I sighed.