Chapter 374

With the others, they walked to a larger building, long like their Manor Lodge but not even a third its size. There were no steps leading in, just two open doors and the floor was dirt. Mila stared at it in surprise.

Inside long tables ran the length of either side of the room with a short table at the end that ran between them.

'That's for the head family,' Nanny explained quietly to Mila. 'See how everyone knows their places?'

Like in the Manor Lodge everyone here went straight to their own seats, leaving Nanny and Mila standing in the middle of the room.

'Nanny,' Mila whispered. 'Where do we sit?'

'We wait to be greeted,' Nanny replied.

Nuia walked straight to the head family's table then turned and faced the room, raising her arms.

Everyone fell silent, eyes on her.

'Thank you all for your help with the washing. We will eat shortly, but first I wanted to introduce you to our guest today.'

Mila pressed tight against Nanny as all eyes turned to them.