𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋, thomas blake

05. Holding The Fort

「CLAUDIA JANE」

It was a chilly morning when I woke up from my short-lived sleep. I let myself lay in my bed for a few more minutes, waiting for my eyes to adjust to the light that was now shining through my curtains. The thought of being with Tom just a few hours ago was still running through my mind, I couldn't help but smile and reflect on what we had talked about for those couple of hours.

To avoid being distracted by my thoughts any longer, I jump out of bed and quickly made it to avoid the hassle of having to do it later. I grab some clothes out of my suitcase to wear, beginning to prepare myself for the day.

I step out of my room and stalk into the bathroom. I have a shower after brushing my teeth running my fingers through my hair. I decide to let my curls fall naturally today, not having the energy to style it any other way. I get dressed into my baby blue dress and trudge back out of the bathroom.

I quickly chuck my toiletries back onto my bed before heading downstairs. When I walked into the kitchen, I spotted Joe at the table eating his breakfast with Tom sitting across from him reading the newspaper. Both of them had looked up at me when they noticed my presence, "Morning boys."

"Hey, there she is." Joe said while crossing his arms over his chest, "how did you sleep?"

I leaned back against the lounge, my eyes quickly shooting towards Tom, Joe's words bringing the memories from earlier this morning back to my mind once again. It must have been the same for Tom because he looked up at me also before looking down at the table in front of him with a sly smirk.

"Not the best," I turned my attention back to Joe, "but hey, I'll get used to it after a while."

It wasn't long before Anne makes her way down the stairs with a small carry bag in her hands. "Claudia," she dropped the bag at the bottom of the stairs, "how are you, sweetheart?"

I gave her a warm smile in return, "I'm good, thanks Anne."

I watched her gather a few things together around the lounge room before she began to speak again, "So, I'm not sure whether the boys have told you but I'm going to my brother's farm for a few days."

I begin to nod my head in response, remembering what Tom had mentioned to me about having to give his Mother a lift today.

She continues, "And although I know they are both very capable, they are a few things that need to be done around here that I could trust you with a little more rather than the boys," she laughs and gives me a playful look.

I laugh along with her, being completely fine with her request, "Of course, not a problem. What can I do to help?"

She walks over to the coat rack that was placed next to the front door and began to pull one of her coats on, "Well, mainly just keeping an eye on these two, making sure they don't make too much of a mess of the place. But if you could water the garden for me and make sure the washing goes out on the line."

"Yeah absolutely, I'll make sure of it." I answer.

I watch Anne's face expression change after she had put on her coat, almost as if she had remembered something. "Oh also," she adds while walking over to the kitchen table and grabbing a sheet of paper, "The market is only a couple of minutes down the road, I was wondering if you'd be able to fetch me a few things, I've made a list."

I smile as she hands me the list. I fold the piece of paper between my fingers before she begins to speak again. "There is something else," She trails off in a worried tone which catches my attention.

"What is it?" I kindly ask, raising my eyebrows slightly.

She takes a deep breath, "It's about Tom's wound."