The Fox & The Crow

Chapter Twenty - Three

"I have an old friend; he owes me a favor. He knows our situation and has agreed to take you and Violet in." Mrs. Rufis sips slowly on her freshly brewed tea, the strong scents of clove and ginger waft towards me. I turn to the water basin in front of me where Violet's grimy clothes float among bits of crushed rosemary and small chunks of soap already collecting bubbles.

"Where is his estate?" I do not turn away from my work, I'd feel guilty showing Mrs. Rufis how eager I am to leave. I have an affection towards her, of a sort, but I want Violet to grow up somewhere safe. Somewhere green.

"The country. It's been advised to start sending children away since it's the cities that are being targetted."

"And when do we leave?" I hold my breath.

"I have tickets for tomorrow morning. If complications arise it can be moved around."

"There won't be any complications," I turn quickly, my tone surprising both of us. I don't meet her gaze, afraid that she'll see the shame in my eyes. "A-and maybe we'll come back."

Mrs. Rufis looks up from her tea, the steam creating a halo around her head. I stand from my position by the basin and take her hand.

"We'll come back when this is all over."

"Please, dearest, you can't make promises like that." Her voice is raspy.

"I'll make sure of it."

"Go out and live a beautiful life, okay? You of all people deserve it, Elaine."

A pair of small feet race down The Last Standing Home's creaky stairwell, dust and chipped paint rain onto our round, wood table. I turn from the wash to see a flustered Violet round the corner into the cozy kitchen.

"Elaine, have you seen my other sock?" She's out of breath and I smile when I notice one bare foot poke out from her oversized trousers.

"This one?" I lift a soaking wet sock from the water basin. Unnaturally grey soap slides off a stretched-out brown sock that has a slight yellowish hue to it. A hole has claimed the spot where the big toe should be and string unravels itself at the top.

"Oh my fucking god." Mrs. Rufis covers her mouth immediately, sharing a glance with me as we both look to Violet.

"Elaine! Oh my fucking god." She points to the sock. "It's foul looking."

Mrs. Rufis and I gape at her.

"Language, Violet!" I stand up, still holding the ragged sock.

"But Mrs. Rufis said it."

"Yes and she's an adult AND she had good reason to. This sock is vile!"

"So I can't say it because I'm not old enough?"

"Exactly. You can say 'fuck' as many times as you want when you're grown, but if I catch you saying that word again I'll have to scrub you down with this nasty sock of yours."

"Elaine! Language!" Violet puts her hands on her hips. "Hand over the sock, little missy."

"Oh! You wouldn't!" I cry out, faking my fear. The repulsive sock slips from my hand and Violet snatches it. "You wouldn't! Violet! You couldn't!"

"Watch me!" She cries out, lunging forward, whipping the tattered sock at my legs. I jump out of the way as she chases me, all of us laughing in the steam-filled kitchen.

Echoes of our laughter ring in my ears and I turn around, no longer seeing Violet or Mrs. Rufis. The steam blocks my view and I walk with my arms outstretched.