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He made porridge like he played cards.
It was a grey, gloopy gruel. Lumpy too. When Percy sat down, all four of them looked at their plates in silence.
Des was the bravest, taking a mouthful first. His look of curious horror made Albie laugh, and Robert grinned... until he tasted it.
“Tell me,” Albie said. “Have you ever made porridge before?”
Percy shook his head. “Uh, no.”
He looked a little embarrassed, so Albie knocked his knee to his under the table. He gave him a reassuring smile before taking his first spoonful.
It was... not good. But to everyone’s credit, or perhaps more of a testament to their hunger, they ate it, washing it down with a lot of tea.
“So,” Robert said. “If I can make a suggestion. While I appreciate any food the good Lord puts on this here table, I’d appreciate it a whole lot more if maybe Albie cooked breakfast and Percy cooked dinner.”
Des laughed, and even Albie chuckled. He knocked his knee to Percy’s again, and when Percy looked up at him, he relented a smile. “It was pretty bad, wasn’t it?”
“It was fine,” Albie said.
If fine was terrible, that is.
“So,” Des said, changing the subject. “Robert and I will go bring in the yearlings, then this afternoon, we can put Bandit in with them, see how he goes. Start getting him used to cattle.” He looked right at Percy. “How does that sound?”
Percy glanced at Albie as if seeking permission. “Uh, sure! That sounds great.”
Albie gave a nod. “That’ll give me and Percy time to clean up here and change bedrooms.”
Percy shot Albie a wild look as if he would dare say that in front of Des and Robert. Albie looked at Robert and explained, “I’ve decided I should take my father’s bedroom. There’s more room and a desk for me, now I’ll be doing the books. Then Percy will take my old room so he can actually manage to get some sleep.”
Percy was back to being horrified. “Oh, it’s just that... I don’t mind, it’s no problem. I didn’t mean to?—”
“Percy, it’s fine,” Des said. “I know Robert’s snoring is bad.”
Robert gasped and turned to Des. “You’re the one who snores the worst!”
Albie snorted, giving Percy’s knee another knock under the table.
“Actually, you’re both as bad as each other,” Percy said, grimacing. “It’s like having competing logging teams at opposite ends of the room.” He grimaced again. “For eight solid hours.”
Albie laughed, and both Des and Robert quit arguing, admonished even. But eventually, Des fought a smile. “Well, we better get started. We’ll be heading to the western range,” he told Albie. “Shouldn’t be longer than two o’clock.”
“Okay,” Albie said. “I’ll have lunch waiting.”
Des and Robert left and Percy began clearing away breakfast. Albie helped and came to stand beside him at the counter. “I told Des about you taking my room,” Albie said quietly. “Like I told him about you helping me with reading. It didn’t feel right keeping that from him, should he wonder why we might spend time together. I don’t know if he’ll tell Robert. I suspect not. I’ve known Des most of my life, and he’s a good man.”
“Will you tell him about—” Percy turned to look at the pantry. “—about other things.”
“About us?” Albie almost laughed. “Oh, heavens no. Just as I assumed my father never told any staff about his personal doings, I don’t expect private matters made into public discussion.” He shrugged. “Reasons for your spending time in here helping me and not out there doing chores is a matter for Des to know. What we do when it’s just us, that’s no one’s concern but ours.”
Percy gave a nod, still not really meeting Albie’s gaze.
“Can I ask you something?” Albie’s stomach was suddenly soured, and it had nothing to do with the terrible porridge.
Percy stilled. “Yes. Of course.”
“Are you comfortable with me?”
Percy’s eyes shot to his then. “Yes, why would you ask that?”
