Chapter 22: You know how to cook?

"So, my lady you still haven't told me why you are here," he questioned looking back at me. "I was just picking some apples. And when did you arrive here?" I asked. He looked sheepishly at me and muttered "I was hungry and noticed that the door to the kitchen was open so I walked out and found myself here. And saw a young lady wearing a dress trying to climb a tree. Not the best outfit to wear when climbing a tree,". I blushed and used my hands to brush my hair. He looked at me and said, "Let me help you,". I watch him walk up to the tree and pluck the apples. He threw the apples down to me and we spent the next ten minutes playing catch. I caught most of the apples but missed some. It was a fun time. In the end, we plucked 30 apples more than we needed to. I gestured at Ryan for him to get off the tree. He gently jumped off the tree as if it was an easy thing.

He helped me place the apples wrapped in my cloche. We walked back to the kitchen and closed the back door behind us. I placed down the apples alongside the eggs and began rummaging for some pots and pans. Ryan placed the apples alongside where I put mine and asked what I was doing. "Looking for pans," I stated. "What for?" he questioned. I looked up and muttered, "To cook,". He pulled a face and asked, "You know how to cook?". I turned around faced him and retorted "I grew up in an orphanage, of course I know how to cook,". Technically, that's not true. I learnt how to cook after Aunt very happily insisted on teaching me. At that time I hated it. However, I guess I should thank her now.

"What are you making?" Ryan asked watching me was the frying pan. "An omelette," I replied. He pulled another face and questioned, "What's that?". Gosh were they that behind in times? They knew what mac and cheese was but not an omelette. "It's a dish of beaten eggs cooked in a frying pan and served plain or with a savoury or sweet topping or filling," I explained placing the pan on the hob. At this time there were no electric hobs so we had to light them ourselves. I had managed to find some firewood and some matches. I tried two but it wouldn't light so I made Ryan do it for me. After the pan got hotter I dropped some buttermilk into the pan and cracked two beaten eggs into the pan. The buttermilk would make the omelette tastier and have a nicer aroma. Ryan found a chair as he sat down and watched me. After a while, I flip the omelette onto the other side.

#At that moment Damian came in and looked quite surprised to see me cooking. He came in and sat next to Ryan whilst asking "You know how to cook?". I turned my head to look at him and replied "Yes. I learnt in the orphanage,". Why does everyone look so surprised that I know how to cook? After I finished cooking the omelettes Uncle Roberts arrived inside the kitchen. "Anna why're you cooking?" he asked. I looked at him and replied, "We were all hungry so I decided to cook something for them all,". He looked surprised and asked again How I knew how to cook. I looked at him and asked, "Why're all three of you so shocked that I know how to cook? Where I lived you had to cook for yourself if you wanted to eat,". Everyone around me looked sheepishly and with a tint of pity. What I said was somewhat true. I had to cook for myself back in my world. Ah