Lost trust

Things Start Getting Better.

Upon arriving back at the house, we receive a warm welcome from the lady. As I hang my coat up on the wall, I apologise for not asking her name sooner. "Jaden," she replies with a smile.

"Have you eaten yet?" Heather asks Jaden. There's a slight lilt to her voice that only I notice; it means that she's got a plan.

"We haven't. You can eat with us if you'd like."

"I actually have a proposal," Heather says. I try to catch her eye, but she doesn't look at me. "Ruby and I would like to cook for you and your family as a thank you for letting us stay with you."

"Oh no, I couldn't ask that of you. You're our guests." Jaden shakes her head.

"I agree with Heather. You didn't have to take us in. You were gracious enough to let us stay the night, the least we can do is cook for you," I chime in. Jaden looks between the two of us, thinking. After a moment, she agrees.

Heather and I head into the kitchen where a chicken, some vegetables, a chopping board, and a set of knives sit on the wooden countertop. We put on aprons and tie our hair up. Just as I turn the tap on to wash my hands, the blonde boy from earlier enters the kitchen. He freezes for a second, then swivels to his mother. "What are they doing?" He demands.

"Don't be so rude, James," his mother scolds him.

"We're cooking for you, as a thank you for letting us stay," Heather says cheerily, seemingly unbothered by the boy's outburst.

"What are they doing here in the first place," he continues, his voice rising with anger.

"They're staying the night."

"And where are they staying? Because they're not having my room."

"We'll sleep on the sofa," Heather says hastily.

I grab a knife and start chopping carrots. The slamming of the knife on the cutting board fills the tense air.

"They had better," James spits.

I whirl to face him. "What's so wrong with us being here, huh? Are we hurting you? No. Will we be here for more than a few hours? No. So what's your problem?" Heather glances at the knife in my hand and tentatively takes it from me. James notices too and narrows his eyes at me. Heather gently places the knife down on the kitchen counter and places a firm hand on my shoulder. That's her way of telling me to calm the heck down.

James and I glare daggers at each other for another moment. I reluctantly tear my eyes away and force a smile on my face. It's not fair for Jaden for me to pick a fight with her son.

Thankfully, the father chooses this moment to come into the kitchen. "Hello, it's nice to meet you. I'm Sam." He reaches over to shake both of our hands. His hand is large and warm, almost enveloping mine whole. "I'm Ruby, this is Heather." He nods at both of us, kisses his wife on the cheek, and leaves.

"Come on now, James. Leave the girls to their cooking," his mother says, ushering him out of the room.

I stick my tongue out at him as he leaves. A look of surprise and disgust passes over his face, and then he's out of sight.

"That was childish," Heather states, her brows creasing. "You're eighteen years old and you just stuck your tongue out at another eighteen-year-old."

I just roll my eyes. "Am I not allowed to have fun?" I sound unintentionally bitter. Heather notices and gives me a pointed look.

We continue chopping in silence, but not even the loud sound can drown out the animosity in the air. Heather turns to the hob and dials the heat up, plopping her potatoes in a pot.