I cook, Maria plots

We got back home and we greeted Emily who was now a little more dressed, to both Emily and I's disappointment.

I explained that I would start cooking and I sent the girls out to the balcony with a bottle of wine.

I was tempted to go out to check on them but thought it was best to leave Maria to it and to just focus on the cooking. Soon, however, the food was getting ready and I plated up our dinner.

As I brought the food outside, I saw the two of them sitting outside deep in a lively conversation. The bottle of wine was almost empty so I went to get another before sitting down and joining then to eat.