She felt a small glimmer of hope that things might be alright. "You guard your secrets well, Barnabas. I didn't even realize who you really were until Roger told me just a few days ago. Let alone that you recognized who I really was until just now. You never let on."
2/2

It surprised Laura that he had not shared what he knew about her. Barnabas and Julia seemed....close. She glanced down at the hand over hers. Truly a Collins hand -- soft, never a day of hard work. Yet there was a persistent, if hidden, strength in it. Her shoulders relaxed a little.
1/2

"It's just that...no one has ever learned my secret—and lived. And now I find myself surrounded by people who KNOW. Don't take that as a threat," she hurriedly added. "I didn't mean it that way." Laura grasped the tin of tea much more tightly than necessary. Everything was coming out all wrong.
2/2

"Oh Barnabas, without pretensions how would people like you and me bear to face life?" Her voice was light, as though it were all a joke, but she didn't feel that way at all. His composure unnerved her. Laura's eyelids fluttered and she had to force herself to look back at him.
1/2

She watched Barnabas pick up the tea kettle and smiled inwardly, remembering a time when the Collinses would never have deigned prepare their own anything. The kitchen had hardly changed in the 200 years since she'd seen it. Smoke still rose from the now antique stove. "Let me get the tea tin."
2/2

Laura followed Barnabas to the kitchen, leaving Roger and Julia to talk. She hoped the doctor could help her husband...former husband. She absentmindedly twisted the engagement ring on her finger. They hadn't managed to get married again—with Roger dying and all that. Death was so inconvenient.
1/2

Oh, this is lovely! Just the right balance of intensity and subtlety. I won't have to set you on fire like that other painter, after all.

Oh, that was taken care of long ago!

Well, if that's really what you'd like to do. Sure there isn't some𝘰𝘯𝘦 that you'd prefer to toast?

We ALL understand that move.

Yes, I wouldn't want to burn that dashing red couch you were so fond of. Or perhaps I would...for a start.

//Laura does not get remembered often enough!

What were you up to before I came back, @uncleroger1966.bsky.social ?

This is Collinwood, after all.

Dr. Hoffman was looking at them in such a strange manner as she opened the door. Perhaps she still did not feel well. Laura attempted to sound cheery, but her voice felt hollow. "I'm afraid things have gotten even stranger since we last spoke, doctor. May we come in and talk?"