by Lucie Shores

Created on: September 09, 2010

The woman had appeared silently at her elbow and retrieved the lid Elfie had just dropped on the floor.   "No problem. We're always dropping things in here!  That's chicken soup...the children like me to add a bit of butter to go with the breadsticks". 

"So sorry, but I am pleased we could have this visit.  It's so important for me to know the caregivers.  It's hugely important for the children feel welcomed, safe".  The  woman pursed her lips and raised her eyebrows,  "I suppose they do!  At least they don't complain to me".  The sound of the bus signaled the new arrival. 

"There he is.  Look at him.  I'll have to add more butter to the soup to keep his clothes on him!"  Elfie watched the woman take hold of the boy's shoulders and steer him to the front door.  "Now for tea".  

"I brought something for the house".  The boy handed her a box containing a small chocolate cake. 

"That's lovely, Charles.  Give me your lunch box too so I can save your leftovers".

"Is it alright if I have a bit for a bedtime snack?"     

"Tea!"  She startled Charles. 

Two children entered and climbed up to the table.  A lanky older boy seated himself across from him saying, "You're new".  

The woman entered then with a cart of bowls full of steaming broth and placed them on the table along with a basket of breadsticks. "Now you three make Charles feel at home.  Mind your manners". 

In the kitchen she skimmed fat from the soup to pour over her vegetables. Her plate contained chicken, vegetables, bread, butter and half the chocolate cake.  She listened to the voices a moment.  Charles said, "That's a neat shirt...."   The woman was satisfied.  She dipped her food in melted butter and hummed as she chewed.

"...it must have belonged to a bodybuilder!"  Charles joked.  The littlest chlld said,  "Our clothes used to fit us very well!  Auntie says they must have stretched in that old washer".    Charles tasted the soup.  "Bloody Hell...."    

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