Simon's eyes met Zech's (because they had been staring all the time) and he smirked lightly as he finally got the attention he wanted. Then when Zech looked away at last, he took the bottle of wine, looked at the cork and put it back down. His father, meanwhile, turned to Simon suspiciously, while listening to Zech. Simon got up, muttered something about a corkscrew and left the cottage. His father seemed about to say something but then turned back to Zech with a reassuring smile as if nothing was going on.

"Oh yes, born and raised 'ere, as are all of these." He gestured at the children, who seemed even more tense now, than they had been before - except for the youngest boy, who, when his older brother looked up, nicked a piece of fish off his plate. "You are not from England originally, are you, ser?" Ben asked.

William looked down at his plate, confused.