Mack walked over and opened what she thought was the right one. Looking inside the cupboard really brought home to Mack how much Flora’s mental health condition was a part of her life. There were rows and rows of carefully placed tins—like baked beans, soup, vegetables—all in perfect rows, similar to the sweets at the shop. She noticed how they were always ranked by size and type of product and alphabetically.

Flora said, “Not that cupboard, the other one.”

“Okay.”

Mack went into the other and found the glasses. They were also sorted into similar order. She picked two glasses and took them over to the table, then got the cutlery.

They chatted while the lasagne cooked. It was such a nice experience, being with Flora in her home, and just enjoying listening to her speak. Flora was so knowledgeable about everything, it seemed, and she might hide when she met a new person, but with Mack Flora was comfortable enough to open up and let everything spill out.

At one point Flora stopped and said, “I’m boring you, aren’t I? The Kings and Queens of Scotland is a bit of a dry subject to most people.”

“No way. I’m enjoying it. You know more than my teacher at school.”

“No, I don’t.” Flora felt her cheeks turn red. “You can tell the truth—I’ll still feed you.”

Mack laughed. “Don’t be daft. Honestly, I love listening to you.”

“I just get interested in subjects, sometimes random subjects, from history to the evolution of marine arthropods, and dive deep into every fact I can find. I doubt any women you meet at the club talk to you about that.”

“Hmm…no, but that’s what makes you different, Flo. You are the most unique, wonderful human I’ve met.”

“I’m weird, let’s face it,” Flora said.

“We’re all weird, Flo, and I like your kind of weird.”

The timer on the oven went off, and a blushing Flora jumped up quickly. She was just adorable. Mack would love her mum and family to meet her. Mum had been asking, but she knew she’d have to tread carefully and not frighten Flora.

Flora was lifting some dishes from the oven.

Mack asked, “Would you like a hand lifting anything?”

“No, no, stay there. I have a surprise.”

Mack was intrigued. “Oh, really?”

Flora shuffled over with the heavy casserole dish of lasagne and put it in the middle of the table. Mack smacked and rubbed her hands together.

“This is going to be so good.”

“There’s more.” Flora went back over to the oven and brought back a slightly smaller dish.

“What is it?”

Flora put it down next to the lasagne. “Macaroni cheese.”

“Mac and cheese as well?” Mack said with delight.

“Well, you said they were both your favourite foods, so I thought I’d make them both.”