Call In An Old Favour

Kira woke up the next morning feeling drained. Austyn’s side of the bed was cold to the touch and unslept in. She got up, dragged herself into the bathroom and washed her face. The reflection that stared back at her from the mirror was haggard and wan. There were two huge bags under her puffy eyes. Breakfast was on the table by the time she came downstairs. Elsie had outdone herself again. Smokey bacon, potato and cheddar hash, spinach-mushroom strata, huevos rancheros, Risgrøt rice porridge, banana bread with maple mascarpone, coffee cinnamon rolls with maple cream cheese icing… There was enough food on the table to feed a football team. Kira had a mind to talk to the housekeeper about reducing food waste, but she held her tongue. She might no longer be living here in a week’s time. Let the new lady of the house worry about stuff like this. She sat down at the table. ‘Good morning, Elsie.’ ‘Morning, Young Madam. You’re right on time. I’ve just got your milk warmed up.’ Last week, Youn