"Well, I did my best," Hattie said modestly, finally prying herself away from Delphina and taking her hand instead to lead her to the dining room. "Come and sit down and I'll go and get the stew, and then you can tell me all about the expedition while we eat."
She left her wife with a quick peck to the cheek, returning a minute later with the stew. Everything else was ready on the table, so she only had to ladle the stew into their bowls and make sure they could both reach the bread to go with it. "Now," she said. "Tell me, please?"