DECEPTION - enola holmes 1&2 (tewksbury)

eleven

CHAPTER ELEVEN:
[ o11. i live on. ]

HANNAH WAS VERY AWARE of the boy that had coincidently looked in her direction every few minutes. She has caught him five times over the span of the two hours that he has been in the shop, which is normal for him, he's a regular. He usually reads a little under half the book before he decides he wants to buy it or not.

She has spoken to him about three times. One time outside, as she was debating to come inside, which is a story for another time. Second, when she was the one at the front, doing register. Another time, when she was cleaning up the shop and he asked her if she knew where a book was, she did of course tell him, she knew exactly where every single book was.

A lot has changed. Hannah is thankful for every bit of change. Because she loves her life. It's simple but pleasant. She loves her friend. She loves her home.

But there's that one missing piece of her puzzle. One she still hasn't figured out yet. One she's sure she'll never find, but she has a belief that she likes it that way.

( months earlier. )

Hannah had no idea where to go. She didn't know who to ask, she knew nothing of London, and last time she asked someone, that someone ratted her out.

But she was glad she didn't take his offer. She wouldn't have been able to live with herself if she had. Living with him, in the same house with her. It hurts even imagining it. Right now, he thinks that she's out there, without any need for him, and she liked that. She liked that he thought she didn't need him, because it gives her something. Something out of the nothing.

Lady Tewksbury made her take the reward money, didn't give her the option actually. It was either take it or I will make someone make you take it. It was a whole thing, one she wanted to end quick so that she could leave.

Tewksbury had been the first to ask, Hannah refused, but then Lady Tewksbury hurried towards her and well you know the rest.

She liked Lady Tewksbury, basically only when she wasn't worried about her dear old son. She was quite kind, thanking her for taking care of her Tewksbury and then also for bringing him back. It almost made Hannah laugh when she thanked her for that. Mostly because she knew it wasn't true. She had no part in that. But she didn't correct her, neither did Tewksbury.

So then she took the money. Now, she has money, but no idea where to find a place to live. Her first option was thrown out of the window, she couldn't ask the first person she saw, knowing what happened last time.

She has learned one thing after running away.

Trust no one.

"Hannah, is it?" A voice said.

She winced, already knowing who it is.

Hannah slowly looked up from her book, already too bored and annoyed that he took her away from her reading. He should know a thing or two about how one would feel about getting interrupted while on the last few pages.

A fake smile reached her face. Be nice— she told herself —he's a loyal customer after all.

"Yes, it is Hannah, glad you remembered, Alfred." She responded with a slight nod.

He laughed, a laugh that showed that he found what she said funny, which was something she didn't quite intend.

The boy... or man, she wasn't sure. He looked in his very early twenties, a few years older than her. His hair was a hit of bright red, eyes as green as the deepest part of the forest. Freckles sprinkled his cheeks and most of his face. He had a bright smile, a good one to say the least.