Flutter

Flutter: Neuf (1/2)

Quinton cleared his throat before addressing the table. "Now then. Let's carry on with dinner, shall we?"

And they did. The dinner feast was excellent - and hefty - as usual. There was enough chicken parmesan for a couple of days, but of course this not too normal group guzzled their meals down - well everyone except Nora. The dinner conversation went well, though perhaps one sided. Charlene took charge of the conversation, only allowing people to speak if it was relevant to her. Charlene's presence agitated Nora. "I've never met such an overbearing women in my life.'" Nora thought, rolling her eyes at Charlene's raucous laughter.

"How did everyone enjoy their meals?" Quinton asked before taking the last bite of the tiramisu that was served for dessert.

"Everything was splendid, darling." Charlene said, reaching over Nora to cover Quinton's hand with her own. "I swear, the food gets better and better every time I visit."

Blaine sneakily held his hand to his head, imitating a gun shooting. Nora held back her laughter.

"It was delightful." Todd quietly agreed. The flighty, fidgeting cousin of Charlene hadn't spoken much at all, simply watching the others around him, his gaze resting on Nora for a few moments longer than made her comfortable. 

"Wonderful. I'll send the cook your regards. Now that everyone is satiated, we can retire to the game room for some rest and relaxation."

"Yes let's. I'm in the mood for a cigar." Blaine added.

"That's a good idea, Blaine. Come now. Everyone will join." Quinton said standing up. 

"Everyone." He emphasized that last word with a look in Nora's directions.

"Guess they're is no escaping this." Nora thought inwardly, unhappy to have to continue being surrounded with the likes of Charlene. Charlene had the personality that took up the whole room and that left little room for Nora who felt like shrinking into a corner.

The party walked back to the game room from whence the came. Nora trailed behind them all, dragging her feet. It was times like these that she disliked. Blaine was preoccupied and in deep discussion with Todd and Catherine, and Charlene had Quinton's attention. Where did that leave her? At the back of the pack - alone and overlooked. That was bad enough, but then Quinton forced her to sit through the torture. Bad turned to worse as Quinton took Todd and Blaine to smoke their cigars out on the veranda outside the game room. That left Nora by herself with the two harpies. They sat down across from each other, completely ignoring Nora. She didn't mind that actually.

"I hope they keep their attention from me for as long as possible."

Nora dawdled, gazing at pictures and looking at small momentos and objects that Quinton furnished the room with, wanting to go unnoticed. The tactic didn't last for long unfortunately.

"Nora... was it?" Charlene spoke. Nora paused in her tracks.

"Yes." She tried not to sound too sarcastic.

"Correct. How has your stay been here?"

"Decent." 

"What a... neutral evaluation." Charlene said, turning in her seat to look at Nora, who only shrugged.

"You must be very pleased with yourself."

"How so...?" Nora was not understanding what the woman was implying.

"Come now! You are the mate of Quinton Reeves! That's no small accomplishment."

"Funny. I don't feel like I've won anything."