The adults went back to talking and the children were dismissed from the room. About someone's new job in the area. Mrs. Davidson had let them go play with Simon Wheeler. He looked at his mother as if it was some kind of joke. Instead Ben and his friends lead them outside to play.
"So what do you like to do?" asked Charlie, seeing as Genevieve and Ben were quiet. Ben was naturally quiet around new people as Genevieve was shy.
"I play chess," said Simon still not meeting their eyes. Ben couldn't help but think that Charlie could be dreadfully boring. Charlie looked like he wanted to laugh, he meant to add outside at the end of his question.
"Do you like horses?" asked Genevieve after a few moment of awkward silence. Normally it would be Ben to speak up next but she went and talked anyway. Her family made a fortune in buying, selling, and breeding wild horses.
Simon looked at her with a scowl on his face. "Why would I manhandle something as filthy as horses? Least of all be with those associated with them."
Genevieve gasped like she had been slapped. She loved her horse and was proud of her father's profession. One of her hands covered her mouth as her eyes welled up in sadness and anger. Ben only shot a look at Simon and then at Charlie to get him to do something. Genevieve was sensitive to those who bullied her.
But Charlie only stood there shocked as well at his sudden outburst.
"You know it's not nice to insult someone because of their likes," said Ben standing up for his friend. Genevieve only smiled weakly at him as a thank you.
Simon only rolled his eyes at Ben who looked mad.
"I have been informed about those who I am to be associated with. I am to be friends with a landowner's son, a horse breeder's daughter, and a shopkeeper's son. It's hard to say I'd rather form friendships with Mr. Davidson over Miss Sinclair or Mr. Rutherford."
Charlie, however, looked insulted even more. For once he was actually speechless. Genevieve started to twist her face into a mixture of anger and sadness. Ben looked mad as well. Who should he be associated with? He had known Genevieve since birth even sharing a pram together at one point. Ben had been friends with Charlie since they were toddlers.
Simon only looked at them with that face that could only read, well it's true.
"I will not be friends with you," said Ben. "You made Genevieve cry and Charlie speechless!" Simon only raised an eyebrow before heading off with what must have been a younger sibling. The little boy cried at being seperated by his friends.
Claire, Ben's little sister, looked up at him with a surprised look. The Davidson family consisted of 5 children: Ben the eldest being 10. Claire was 7, James was 5, Nathaniel was only 3, then the new baby being child number 5.
Simon is like Bananabelle! Like when she first meet Felicity: I won't work with a shopkeepers daughter! Quick other then Ben which of his friends should I expand on: Charlie or Genevieve?