"Okay, sweetheart, put your crayons down for a minute and eat your lunch. Mummy needs to clean up."
Setting the bowl in front of her daughter, she turns back to attend to the dishes, but Arthur's voice draws her attention and she looks over her shoulder.
"Wait, wait, wait," he was saying quickly and hushed, stooping over to grab Scout's hand where her fork hovered mid-air.
"Arthur, what are you...?" Gwen rests a hand on her hip.
"I have to check if it's poison, remember?" he asks Scout solemnly, guiding the fork she held to his mouth to take a large bite of her mac n cheese.
Brows knit in concentration, he glances toward the ceiling and tilts his head from side to side as if waiting for something to happen.
"Is it okay, Daddy?" Scout asks nervously after a few seconds.
"I don't know, sweetie, I need to make sure. Give us another bite. That's it. Mmm, thank you."
"Is it okay now, Daddy?"
"Hmm. Yep, I think it's okay this time. Eat your lunch," he pecks her head and stands up to face Gwen's amused glare.
"If you want me to make extra, just tell me," she says accusingly.
Arthur looks offended. "Really, Guinevere? I'm a grown man. I don't eat that stuff. I'm just looking out for her well-being."
"How long do you think she's going to fall for that?"
"I've no idea what you're talking about." He turns away with a wink.