Estie Gaumond

After the river

Alex doesn't come back to school the whole of that week. Obviously I'm worried. It's not that I particularly care about Alex, but I'm worried he's going to tell someone. I don't want anyone to know that I jumped into a fricking river in the middle of the night to save someone I don't even know. I don't want the whole school thinking I was making a weird romantic gesture or anything. In other words, I don't want the school to think that I'm a good person. Because I'm not. 

I manage to somewhat get myself together that week as well. I walk down to Tesco's and buy some food. It's not even all junk. I pick up a bunch of fruit and shit. I probably won't eat it, but I have to send Holly a picture of the receipt so she at least thinks I'm eating healthily. I even make myself cook one evening. I make tomato sauce and pasta. Not exactly the most complicated meal but I'm proud nonetheless. I send Holly a picture of it and she leaves it on read. 

The rest of the week I eat frozen chips and chicken nuggets. It gets very monotonous. But I keep wondering to myself about Alex. Did he get ill, maybe? Is he going to die tragically of pneumonia or something?  Would my efforts at dramatically saving him from the river be all in vain? I don't have his number to check, and my new phone hasn't arrived yet anyway. 

At the weekend I'm once again alone. The Bitch Cult are now officially against me thanks to my little physics episode with Tiffany. The only people who seem potentially friendly are the people next door. I could offer to babysit? I've got nothing better to do. 

I walk down their path, a little better dressed than the last time I saw them when I wore a moist, muddy jumper and smelled like a damp towel. I'm now wearing some flattering diesel jeans and a wrap top. It seems reasonably modest as I should probably try to set a good example or some shit. 

The same lady opens the door, looking considerably less dazed. 

"Oh! Esther, isn't it?"

"Estie," I correct, quietly.

"Of course! Did you reach Holly the other day?"

"Yes, thanks so much for that. I actually just came by in case you wanted me to play with the kids, as I've nothing to do."

She looks confused for a minute before remembering. 

"Oh yes! The kids aren't doing anything today. That would be lovely. I'm Helen, by the way."

She then gathers the excitable children with the effort it would take to gather a herd of maniacal  sheep. 

"This is Sarah, Josh and Leah. And guys, this is Estie. She's going to look after you for a bit."

They look at me with a sudden bashful and shy way. I probably shouldn't look after them. I can barely look after myself. 

Helen then glances at me and says: "How much per hour? How about seven pounds? Does that sound good? Actually maybe a tenner would be better-"

"Seven pounds sounds great. That's very generous," I add, politely. 

"Great. So how about you all go down to the park for a little while?"

The kids seem keen, so I wait awkwardly while they gather wellies and hats and scarfs. Then Helen wedges as many layers upon each small child as possible; until they are all as puffy as little penguins. 

"Alright then. Off you go. Sarah don't even think about taking your coat off. I'll see you in an hour or so? Let me know if their are any problems-"

"Oh... My phone doesn't work. I've ordered a new one but it doesn't arrive till tomorrow."

She looks at me curiously for a split second before smiling blandly and saying it doesn't matter. I have a feeling she's nervous about leaving her three little darlings with me. If I were her, I would be. I'm not exactly the epitome of Mary Poppins.