She had rolled the tomatoes around her salad so much that they were now coated in the dressing. She stabbed at one with her fork. So intent was she on the salad before her that she jumped a little at Hamish's voice. Though familiar, it had been completely unexpected. "Oh!" she said. She was about to say that the seat was free for him, but of course he just made his way into it. Typical Hamish.
Elinora put her elbow on the table and leaned in toward Hamish with a smile. "Oh, I don't know," she said. "Really, I think you're humoring me. I really don't like these early lunches. They make me so lonesome. So perhaps I need you to humor me out of the low mood this past five minutes have given me." She made sure to move everything so that Hamish had more than enough space.
"I'll try to amuse you anyway, but I'm not sure I will do a very good job of it. But I'll start with the most mundane of questions, as I am wont. Please don't run away from the blandness of it. How are you?"