Hope you don't mind if I close it up here! <3
It was Toby, her stepbrother, who interrupted them. Tall and blonde and six feet tall, Toby simply said, "Ahem." That's all it took to vaporize her fantasizing and pleasant conversation with Iris. Toby being there meant she was in trouble, and that was never good.
"Oh, Toby," she scrambled out of the booth. "What's wrong? Is Edith alright? Is -"
"Mother wants you home. You have chores attend to, mouths to feed."
"Of course." Alice nodded, knowing what that meant. Her stepparents wouldn't be pleased with her overdue absence. That could mean a beating, or worse. "I'm sorry, Iris. I must go," she apologized, gathering her drawing and charcoal sticks. Speedy as ever, she left the tavern with Toby and raced home.