I said my goodbyes to Ellie and Cole and jumped back into the car to make my way back home. The short respite from the rain was over faster than I had expected.
It was raining cats and dogs again. I glanced in the rearview mirror when I left the quarter as it faded behind me. I didn't know how much Enid knew about the foundation's work but she seemed pretty out of everything.
The lack of traffic made my drive home much faster than usual. Pulling in front of Northenhay, I dashed out of the car as fast as I could. I had already gotten soaked once and didn't plan on doing it again.
I didn't bother to call for Enid and hoped she was resting like she intended to.
When I walked into the kitchen, I involuntarily looked at the clock on the wall. It showed half past one. It wasn't too late for lunch and I felt much better. I hoped the storm would pass, so the soup kitchen could reopen.
With lunch ready, I placed everything on the tray and made my way to Enid's room.
Softly knocking on her door, just in case she was sleeping, I glanced around the corridor to keep my mind occupied, " Come in dear," The reply was instant.
Enid smiled, placing the book on the bed, and taking off her reading glasses as I made my way towards the bed.
" How are you feeling?" I asked placing the tray on the bedside table. I still felt guilty about leaving her in the morning and Ava's words haunted me and irked me to no end.
" I'm fine, dear," Enid rolled her eyes at me, like a fifteen-year-old.
" Now, now," I giggled " No need to be stroppy. I brought you lunch," I added, smiling and pleased that she was back to her old self.
" Thank you dear," Enid pushed herself up on the bed, shuffling to get comfortable.
" Did you get everything you needed?" Enid asked as she took her bowl of onion soup along with the bread.
"Mostly, yes," I sighed and picked up the other bowl " It wasn't much but luckily Ellie knew the ones who relied on the soup kitchen the most. Now, we have to wait for the storm to pass. I'm sorry, I left this morning," I owed her an apology. Enid hummed and frowned when I apologised.
" Don't be silly. I'm fine. I'm glad that you went. You did good dear. Now, eat your food," She cut me off before, I had a chance to reply. I was hungry and she was hungry.
" So, what do you think about the new habit that Ava has acquired?" I decided to ask Enid. She had been living in Morston for all her life and she knew its people better than anyone.
Enid shrugged " She is not something that I worry about, dear. She is after Mason, not me. It doesn't look like she will give up any time soon though. Why do you ask?" Enid posed the question with quirked-up brows and it was my turn to shrug.
" I don't know," I paused trying to come up with a reasonable explanation " She comes and goes whenever she likes. I know, that this is not my home and I'm not here most of the time but it bothers me," I led with that since the other choice was to tell the truth and that was out of the question.
Enid hummed " It is not the first time she does it. Last time, she only gave up because her father had sent her to study up north. But now she has all the time in the world, to get on everyone's nerves," Enid chuckled, and let out a drawn-out amused sigh. Oh, boy. It wasn't good. It was like shooting fish in a barrel. Sooner or later she would get what she wanted.
" In a month it will be Mason's problem since you will start at the academy, " That didn't ease my worries. I was competing for his affection with someone that had all the time on their hands, and I had none.
I hummed, placing the bowl back on the tray " Would you like a cup of tea?" I decided to let it be for the time being. I couldn't delve into it any further without making her suspicious.
" Yes, please," She grinned and handed me the soup bowl.
" I'll be right back," I said as I picked up the tray and made my way back to the kitchen to make tea. And get a look around to see what there was to be done. With the soup kitchen closed I had a bit more time on my hands. I needed to rest while I had the chance.