Impressive. And it comes with an invitation

The dining hall is about a third full. Students fill their plates from a buffet along one wall, while others are seated in chattering groups around tables. A handful of teachers dine at a head table. You and Brian take plates and make your way down the buffet line, conscious of the glances cast your way by the gossiping schoolgirls.

The buffet would be the match of a good hotel or restaurant, and you're impressed by the variety and quality of food, despite only helping yourself to some toast and eggs and filling a cup of coffee. Brian takes some of almost everything, even considering getting an omelette from the station at the end of the line. You smile at his appetite as the two of you turn towards the head table.

You see Donna Considine waving you over, inviting you to join her group. She's sitting with Lorri McKay and Mr. Sharp, the history teacher you met the previous night. Nudging Brian, the two of you make your way there and join them.

"Not hungry?" Lorri McKay observes, eyeing your plate.

"I'm not much for breakfast," you reply, taking a sip of coffee.

"Unlike the Coach here," she chuckles, seeing Brian's laden plate. "You eat like you're still a growing boy," she says to him with a grin.

"I worked up my appetite with a run this morning," he smiles. "That's a nice path around the lake."

"So I hear," Lorri answers with a laugh. "I know a few people jog there. I'm not built for running."

As you listen you see Grace Mathewson take a seat at nearby table with some other girls. She glances at you, a smile quirking the corners of her mouth for a moment. She pulls her skirt up and makes a show of examining her thigh, before flicking it back down and letting her eyes slide coquettishly over your face. You wonder how long it will be before she loses all sense of discretion and causes a disaster.

"Lorri and I want to invite you three gentlemen, and Dean Hawkfeather as well, to dinner at our cottage tomorrow night," Donna Considine says. "It's part of our attempt to make you feel welcome, even if some of your colleagues have forgotten their courtesy."

You share a look with Brian and Mr. Sharp, then smile and nod. "I'd be delighted. And thank you very much. Can we bring anything?"

"A better appetite than you bring to breakfast," Lorri snorts. "You start picking at any food I serve like you doing with that toast and I'll go upside your head." Her grin is fierce but the chuckle that follows it is embracing and friendly.