That night Flora couldn’t sleep her mind kept returning to the strange encounter at the curious little house she found. How strange. The woman she had met, why hadn’t she asked for a name. Flora turned onto her side and tried to find peace from her busy brain by staring at the little orange flowers on her wall. There was something about that woman. She let out a large sigh at this rate she was not going to get any sleep. She sat up. If she couldn’t get any sleep she might as well be productive. She crept out of bed and went to her desk. She picked up her favourite red pencil she had won at a fun fair on her last birthday. That was a great day.
Last year, Flora, Alfie, her mum, and her dad went to the local fun fair. It was the first time in weeks Flora had felt completely and utterly happy. They went round to every stall before Alfie decided he really wanted to try the hook a duck. Flora was slightly hesitant to give Alfred some of her money since he had spent all his so quickly but begrudgingly had handed it over.
She knew it had been worth it when she saw Alfie’s eyes light up as he hooked a small duck with a top hat. However, Alfie hadn’t realised that you don’t get to keep the duck and so before he burst into tears the stall worker gave it to him.
Flora watched the man wipe imaginary sweat off his forehead and she let out a quiet chuckle. The man noticed and asked if she wanted to collect her brother’s reward. Flora had giggled and said he seemed happy with the duck. He laughed along, then asked if she wanted it instead. He slid over a sparkly red pencil wrapped in plastic and Flora had gladly accepted it with a large smile that hurt her gums.
Flora grabbed a notebook and started to doodle, she began to think about the women once more but quickly dismissed the thought. She looked down and gasped. The crazy lady’s eyes stared at her through the paper as if they were real. Flora tore the paper from the notebook and threw it on the floor. She grabbed her curls and banged her head on the desk. Why couldn’t this woman leave her alone? Flora picked up the pencil again and started to draw once more.
Flora woke up to an echoing scream throughout her house. She grunted. Alfie must have ran out of his dino cereal. Flora felt something on her face; a piece of paper. She had fallen asleep drawing. Flora quickly swiped it off her face and felt her cheeks grow warm.
She got up from her desk, changed into a red dress with white polka dots and pulled up a pair of long, laced white socks. Then she swiftly grabbed a bobble and tied her curly hair back into a bun.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror. She looked like a mess with her acne and bloodshot eyes. I like your eyes. Flora grunted why couldn’t she stop thinking about her. She didn’t even know her name, she huffed. Flora gently picked up her pink glasses, rested them behind her ears and on top of her nose. She briefly looked in the mirror once more noting all her imperfections before running downstairs.
Sat at the table was her mum and brother. No dad. She sighed. Her mother looked up as Flora sat down.
“Morning Flower,” her mother murmured while wiping the milk off Alfie’s mouth.
“He’s eight mum he can wipe his own face,” groaned Flora. This comment was met by a glare which did suit her mum’s fair face.
“Mummy can we go to the park today,” moaned Alfie totally oblivious to the tension in the room.
“Of course, sweetheart,” smiled Flora’s mum, the look from before completely vanishing. Flora squeezed her left hand to stop herself from saying something that would have earned another glare from her mother.
Reaching across the table Flora grabbed a piece of toast. She plopped it into her mouth and quietly stood up. She looked to see if her mother noticed but she was busy cleaning Alfie’s mouth again. Flora sighed internally and walked out without bothering to say where she was going.
She grabbed her favourite brown boots and slid on a matching brown trench coat.
“Don’t be out too long,” called her mother.
“I won’t,” she replied bluntly knowing that was the only conversation they’d have that day.
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