Peculiar ♡ Alma Peregrine

Chapter Three - Flour

Two weeks had passed since the picnic beach trip, and we'd all mostly stayed home. Other than a few walks around the area, we all kept to ourselves. Except for Alma and I. I would usually sit by her while she worked or read and read my own book. She never minded so I just kept doing it.

"Alma?" I asked, knocking on the door to Alma's study. I heard a hum of approval to enter, but I didn't plan on staying there long so I just cracked the door open and stuck my head in. 
"Is there something you need?" she asked, placing her pen down on the desk beside her work.
"Less something I need, more just telling you so you know where we are." I said. "Emma, Olive and I are going out to the present world to get gifts for everyone. Don't worry, we won't get them anything that will make them want to leave the loop," I added on when I saw the look she gave me. But when I said that, she nodded. 

"You girls have fun, and please don't worry about getting me anything. I know how you can be," she said. I nodded - not at all planning to leave her out - and ran to the door where Emma and Olive were waiting. I had my wallet with current time money in my pocket, and that was all we needed so we left the house and started walking to the loop exit.

"What are you gonna get everyone?" Emma asked as we walked through the cave to the current world. We had to be careful on time so they didn't age forward and die in front of everyone.
"I'm not sure. There's a limited selection, but I'll do what I can," I said. There weren't too many stores to choose from, but I was sure I'd be able to find something for everyone. And I was right.

For Enoch, I got a set of "toy" surgery tools - that's what we would say to the younger kids if they saw them anyway. For Fiona I got some seeds for some flowers that she really liked. I got a lot so she would have a bunch for ages. For Hugh, I got a new bee net since his old one was starting to fall apart and a jar of honey for his bees. For Millard I got some light clothes, since he hated to wear clothes so much. For Bronwyn I got a new dress and a book. It was a picture book about some animals that there was no way she knew about. I also got a dress for Claire, but this one more poofy and pink with a ribbon around the waist. For Horace, I got clothes. More fancy than any clothes I'd bought for anyone. I got new masks for the twins, both of them white but with some patterns on the sides. While Emma and Olive weren't there, I got them something as well. I got Emma a necklace encrusted with gemstones and Olive a new pair of gloves and a bracelet. I also let them pick out some things for themselves and others.

Lastly, for Alma, I got a necklace. It had a small, blue, bird shaped gemstone charm, a new book that I thought she would like and a candle with a foresty scent. Everything matched her. I showed Emma and Olive the items, but told them they were just for me. We all went back to the loop, I held two bags, and the other girls held one each. Claire, Bronwyn and the twins were so happy when we got back. They all begged us to come and play with them, and we told them we would in a minute after we gave everyone their things. We gave them their things right there. 

I saved Alma's gifts for last, knocking on her door for the third time in twenty-four hours.
"You're back! How wonderful. Was there something else you needed?" she asked. I nodded and slipped into the room, closing the door gently behind me. 

"I got you this," I said, handing her the little white box. She took the lid off the box and looked at the three things inside. She took them out one by one, placing them down on her desk after she looked at them. Along with the candle and book, I'd put some extra little bits and pieces that I thought she would like. When she was done, she put everything back in the box, but before she could say anything I held up a finger to her, signaling her to give me a second. 

I fished around in my pocket until my hand curled around the small, velvet box with the necklace. I pulled my hand out and handed her the box, being gentle with it even though it wasn't likely to break. She looked at me questioningly, but none the less, opened the box.
I couldn't see her reaction too well as I was feeling quite dizzy, but her little happy gasp was an indicator that she liked it. I felt proud, I'd picked something out that I'd known she'd like.