Secrets

Chris turned and sat down, looking at the broth in his bowl. He grasped the bottle of cider briskly and put it to his mouth, but stopped. Slowly, he took the bottle away and put it on the table.

Instead, he grabbed a piece of bread and dipped it in the hot liquid. He was determined not to have that drink - it would make him worse, no doubt. he was going to prove himself to Selene this time.

Selene glanced up just as he put the bottle down. "Something wrong?" she asked, frowning. If there was a problem, she wanted a warning so she could prepare to run. It was a sad thing, but she expected the violence now. Her own food was left untouched as she rubbed her cheek instead, almost as though she was awaiting his permission to eat. Truth be told, she hadn't eaten in days properly because so many meals had wound up on the floor or ruined, forgotten in the boiling pot as they argued.

Chris shook his head, and tore a mouthful of bread with his teeth. "I don't want to get drunk in the presence of my wife - is that alright?" he asked, looking up at her through his eyelashes.

Selene looked slightly shocked, before standing. She poured her own dinner back into the pot, deciding she didnt want it, then went out to the back and pumped some water into a jug, bringing it in for her husband. "Is that better?"

Chris looked up at Selene as she walked back in, as he was in mid-chew of a piece of meat. He swallowed it and smiled with as much warmth as he could muster, "Yes, thank you." he said. Being so kind to her was unnatural nowadays - it woudl take getting used too.

She looked at him distrustfully, before dropping her plate into a basin of water to sink. She had no idea what to say, this behaviour was so unlike him of late.