For the potential return of Mrs Higgins, Chéri was already imagining a potential reaction. After all, they were used to having to take things that officially didn’t or only half belonged to them. Chéri nodded. They pointed at Francis and repeated the French terms for “English” and “French.” They then did a gesture with their hand, inviting Francis to go on. What else was did he want to learn?

In the mean time, they very elegantly arranged the table, so that they could consume their food properly, while Francis made tea. Chéri was still getting used to the drink but, like all the food, they considered it a blessing, however it came.