Molly turned to fetch a glass from the cupboard, careful to control her curious expression. She could remember lots of uncertain teenagers sitting at her table. Years of her own brood and their friends... and now this new generation.
"Of course, darling. It's more than okay. I was just thinking about how quiet it was here today. Arthur's working and Fred and Gideon are... Well. Who knows where they are?" She poured the glass full of milk and set it at the table, then transferred warm cookies onto a plate.
"You can be the official quality control," she said as she fetched her own tea and sat down. "And we can talk, if you like. How's school coming along?"