Unknown L (Book 1)

~~ Training, Training, Training! ~~

They told her about all the things Matilda had done, and Mr Worcester said it seemed like she was on fifty cups of coffee and a sugar rush at the same time. L thought that sounded about right. She liked Matilda, but it could be a little much at times.

They were just discussing if she did want the cottage decorating when there was a knock on the door. L got up to answer it and saw Maeve through the window. She was slightly relieved until she opened it and found Matilda there, too, with at least five big sacks in her hands.

"L! You're back! Archie said you'd be out all evening!"

L tried to shush her, but she breezed past, and L was left standing at the door.

Maeve smiled softly and floated in, "She found me at the Council cottage and mentioned what she was doing. She's even bubblier than usual, and I didn't ever think that was possible." Maeve laughed and gave her a sympathetic smile. "I took the liberty of getting you all some food. I was planning to take it to the Worcester family at the Council cottage, but Matilda said they were staying here now."

L closed the door after her, "Yeah, I thought it would be nice to have them here with me. They just told me what Matilda's planning, but I like this place as it is. How do I tell her that without killing her plans?"

Maeve smiled more, and her face shifted, "Leave it to me." She winked, and they moved to the kitchen, which was filled with noise, mostly caused by Matilda.

Maeve placed two bags on the kitchen counter and cleared her throat. Matilda stopped talking, but she was still beaming.

"I had some food gathered for you all, and we'll have more brought in tomorrow, but hopefully, this should last the four of you. Matilda, we should leave them to eat, don't you think?"

Matilda's smile faded when she eyed the bags Maeve had brought, and then the Worcesters and L, and realisation dawned on her.

She put her sacks onto the table as well, "Sure! I'll come back another time and we can decide on patterns!"

She skipped out of the kitchen, and L mouthed a thank you to Maeve, who nodded and followed after her. L listened for the door closing, then let out a long sigh. Mrs Worcester moved over to the bags, and Robbie shook his head, staring at the door for a moment longer.

"I didn't think she'd give up so easily. She was relentless."

L smiled as she went to help Mrs Worcester unpack the bags, "She wouldn't have if it wasn't for the food. There'll be meat in here somewhere. She's not a fan of seeing it or smelling it, being cooked, or being eaten."

Robbie mouthed, "Ahh," then attempted to get up just as Mrs Worcester shook a pan at him that she'd taken out of the cupboard.

"Don't even think about it. You're not helping with your leg in that condition. Prop it up, and you can sort through those sacks Matilda brought. We need a change of clothes. And L, you're not helping either dear, we're going to cook for you as a thanks for letting us stay here."

L shook her head, "No, that's not necessary, I want you to stay here with me, not in exchange for anything. I should probably learn to cook real food at some point in my life anyway."

L had never seen much point in learning to cook while bouncing around foster homes. She just grabbed snacks or sandwiches when she wasn't eating their cooked food. It wasn't until she'd met Mrs Worcester that she gained any interest in it. She suddenly wondered if her Keeper abilities applied to this kind of task, too. It took a few more minutes of arguing until Mrs Worcester finally agreed to let her help. With a smile on her face, she told L what they were going to make and what she needed to do.