Little sneak

[Kenneth Branagh]

[Past nrn]

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"...guild meetings every Friday night... the boys can go to Sunday school together..."

Ken speared a roasted carrot on the tines of his fork and brought it slowly to his lips, careful not to drip sauce all over his nice, clean shirt. He chewed carefully—at least twenty times, as prescribed by every adult he ever knew—and kept an ear open to the conversation, even if it didn't directly relate to him. His father taught him to pay attention at all times. That way, he couldn't be caught-off guard and he wouldn't appear silly. It was Very Important never to look silly, especially in front of people who mattered.

Seated between the one called Niall and his brother Daniel, Ken was quiet. He ate slowly and he kept an eye on his parents for clues—when to start on the appetizer, when to finish, when to begin the main course. Bolting down food was akin to a sin in their household, as his father insisted on sitting down to meals together and leaving the table together. Primly, Ken took a sip of water from his glass and ate another carrot. He liked the food; there was a roast, smashed potatoes, roasted carrots and broccoli, and crisp, warm rolls. Ken had a little of everything to be polite and was rewarded by praise from their host, to which he smiled—but not too much—and said his thank-yous the way his mother taught him.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught the swift motion of a hand going under the table. Ken turned his head very slightly and saw Niall hiding something into the napkin laying across his lap. It looked like a floret of broccoli, from what he could see. That napkin also looked rather full, as though Niall had been sneaking food that he disliked into it throughout the meal. A leg swung back and forth under the table and a pair of gray-green eyes flicked over to him. Something mischievous about his smile—as though he was trying to tell Ken to hush up about what he saw—made Ken stare at his own plate again, feeling complicit in his crime.

"Ah, dessert," said Ken's father, as their plates were cleared away and a large, imposing chocolate cake made its grand entrance into the dining room. Ken's eyes widened; he followed the advent of the towering delight. Chocolate cake was his favorite! Ken folded his hands in his lap primly as pieces were cut and doled out onto plates. A large piece was pushed towards him and he didn't hesitate to dig his fork into it, but no matter how much he loved chocolate cake, Ken still ate slowly. Beside him there was a flurry of activity and even the older boys seemed eager to inhale the delicious dessert. Soon, plates were cleared and longing eyes returned to the cake at the center of the table, but it seemed that children were only permitted one serving.

Ken had more than half of his slice left. He dug out a small mouthful, savored the flavor. When he went to take another bite, there was an obstruction on his plate. Another fork had come in search of cake, sneakily crossing the divide. Ken looked up, a little startled, and while he was surprised a piece of cake was taken from him. He opened his mouth as if to protest but it didn't seem like it would do any good. Niall's grin wasn't contrite in the least. Slowly, Ken took another mouthful. He ate it pensively as he watched Niall licking his fork as if to get every last bit of frosting off of it.

"Aye, the little sneak," he heard one of the older boys say disapprovingly, and felt his laser glare even though it was directed at the curly-haired ruffian sitting beside Ken. Almost imperceptibly, Ken eased his plate closer towards Niall. He didn't mind sharing but it would have been nice if Niall had asked because then... they might have had something to talk about...