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For a while, the only sound in the room was the sizzle and sputter of the eggs and my half-stifled coughs.

‘You did not like the stew,’ Warden said.

I turned, wary. ‘What?’

‘The stew I made you was not to your taste.’ He kept reading as my eyes widened and my lips parted, as a quick denial leapt to my tongue. ‘Fear not. I knew from the first bite. However, I would be obliged if you could tell me where I went wrong.’

‘Wait, youknewI didn’t like it?’ I abandoned the pan to stare at him. ‘And you still let me eat it?’

‘I did.’

When I realised, my cheeks warmed. The glow in his eyes had been amusement, not delight at his culinary success. He had beenamused.

‘You utter—’ For the first time in days, I laughed. ‘How did you know?’

‘Perhaps I am growing more experienced in reading your expressions.’ He looked back at me. ‘I suppose you were trying to spare my feelings. Kind of you, but I would prefer to know how I might improve.’

I tried to think of how to phrase it without denting his enthusiasm. Warden watched me, head tilted in expectation.

‘Well,’ I began, ‘it may not have tasted of … much. Of anything. Which is fine, by the way. Some humans enjoy mild food. I just personally like a bit of flavour. A pinch of salt and spice. And foods are generally supposed to taste distinct from one another.’

‘I see.’ Warden folded the newspaper. ‘You had better show me, then.’

I raised an eyebrow. ‘You want me to teach you to cook?’

‘I was your mentor once. Now you can be mine. Besides,’ he said, ‘we have little else to do but wait.’

The reminder made me glance towards the window, at the laden clouds that were on their way.

‘Yes,’ I said, too low for Warden to hear. ‘Wait for Domino to collect its life debt.’

He came to stand at my side. Hitching up a smile, I reached into the cupboard and set out a few ingredients.

‘Right,’ I said. ‘This is pepper.’ I gave the grinder a tempting shake. ‘And we’re going to use it liberally.’