Patrick sat near Mairead, but not close enough that she might feel crowded. ...he hoped.
The moment the food was in front of her, Mairead started to shovel it into her mouth and Patrick watched worriedly as he at his own much more slowly. She had done this when she had come over once before and explained it away. But since then Patrick and Clio had seen her on a more regular basis and Mairead did not usually eat so desperately. Something had to be up.
"Cool," Mairead said as she ate, seemingly to not be impolite as Clio was speaking to her.