"Yes, the soup kitchen is flooded. I just came home to change clothes and get some things. I'll be back after lunch," I kept it short, trying not to give Ava more reasons to scoff.
" Playing the saint, are we?!" Ava mocked, placing her cup on the table with a drawn out amused sigh.
" No, I care about the people living in the quarter," I firmly replied, trying not to let Ava get to me.
" Oh, please. The slump is a lost cause. If they could just die, they would be doing the world a favour." The coldness and the disdain weren't anything new when it came to her. Coming from her didn't shock me.
" Wouldn't you like that?" Enid chimed in, smirking, fiddling with her cup. It was unreal, how unbothered she was by the way Ava behaved.
" Yes, I would. Very much so," She replied as she pushed herself off the chair, to stand. She was leaving and that made me so happy.
" I best be going then. I have important things to do. Much better than rolling in the pig stye." She threw a jab at me, picking up her little purse.
" After all, if you roll with the dogs you get the fleas," She added as she made her way out the door, incredulous. And I knew that was another jab at me.
" I will let myself out," She said over her shoulder, smirking, conceited.
" Oh, no. Don't let anyone stop you," Enid amusedly said, as she leaned back in her chair, staring at the door.
" I swear to god, that girl is worse than the plague," Enid amusedly added looking up at me. The worst week on record. I thought to myself and dearly regretted my decision to play nice. I didn't think it would have made any difference to her if I would have agreed or not to be friends with her on that fatidic night.
I puffed my cheeks, " Tell me about it. Actually don't, " I hurriedly said " I need to change clothes. Do you need anything? Would you like to come with me, since you're feeling better," I asked, shedding the checkered shirt I was wearing, making me glance at the pool at my feet.
" I'll clean that," I amusedly said, as I made my way to the counter to pick up a tea towel.
Enid chuckled, "In this weather? You must be crazy," She amusedly added " I'm going back to bed and read a book. Hopefully, I will fall asleep, since Princess I'm too good, woke me up," She stood up letting out a heartfelt sigh.
" Alright. I won't be long. I just need to get some things and I'll be back to make us something to eat," I followed Enid out of the kitchen.
" Alright, dear. Just be careful in this weather," She said as she turned around the corner making her way to her room.
Slipping out of my wet, I hurriedly changed into some clean ones and grabbed all the money I had. I had a vague idea of what was needed.
The exchange with Ava left me bitter, and wondering whether she was on point or not. Was I playing saint? I didn't think, I was. Indeed, the only reason I joined the soup kitchen was because it was my punishment but I didn't have to, not anymore. I had grown to care about the children and its people. I didn't know all of them but the quarter was considerably sized.
When I reached the town centre, I was glad that the rain had relented, and it was only drizzling. It was a good window to get everything done without getting soaked.
After going from one shop to another for almost two hours, I had to stop since there was no more room in the car. I sighed, content with the results.
I jumped in the car, and battled for a little bit with the bags that kept tumbling down, but eventually prevailed and managed to get them to sit still.
The drive back to Morston Quarter was slow but uneventful. I was glad that not everything went wrong that day. Ava came again into mind, making me wonder, how big of a threat she is to me. Mason had made pretty clear that he didn't want anything to do with her but I knew if she kept going at that pace she would wear him down. He would agree just to get her off his back. That would be troublesome.
I enjoyed my time with him and I didn't expect much. That thought made me frown. What if I changed the rules of the game? That question terrified me. The results were unpredictable. It was a risk that I wasn't willing to take. Not yet.
I shook my head and pulled over in front of Ellie's house. What was I thinking? I loved him, I just hoped that with time he would come to love me back.
Crestfallen, I stepped out of the car and made my way to the door. Things were good, we were having fun. Why was I complicating things?
" Hi Lily," Cole squeaked, brightly smiling at me.
" Hi Cole," I answered as I stepped inside " Hi Ellie," I said when she appeared from behind the curtain.
" So, what was so important that it couldn't wait, young lady?" Ellie waved me to take a seat while Cole pushed the door to close behind me.
" Well, I went and got some things. I have no idea if it is enough but if not I could do another run," I sat down, looking up at Ellie who frowned at me. Either confused or worried. Maybe both.
" What things?" She sat down opposite, with quirked brows.
" Food," I replied, feeling the angst creeping in on me. Maybe I shouldn't have. I felt like I had overstepped.
" Oh, I see," Ellie sighed " It will take some time to distribute it among the barracks but I can help," Ellie stood up " Come Cole. Grab your jacket, sweetheart. We are going for a walk," Ellie picked up her jacket and made her way to the door hand in hand with Cole.
I was relieved that I had some help since the exchange I had with Nicholas and Hazel. I wondered what brought that upon but I didn't ponder too much on it.
We roamed through the quarter from house to house and gave everyone a little bit of everything. I knew it wasn't even close to enough but that was the best I could come up with, in such a short time.