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Chapter Twenty-One
Confession
Esmerelda started work that next Monday and went straight from dropping the girls off at school to work. Her first day was just a taster day, she was shown around, introduced to the other staff and given her uniform, which was a white polo shirt and black trousers, Esmie didn't mind that, at least it wasn't an awful uniform. She was also told she had to put her hair up whilst working as it was long and Esmie thought that made sense and was looking forward to getting started.
On Tuesday, Esmerelda started work properly. Her first customer was a man who looked to be around in his forties. He ordered sausage and chips and Esmerelda took it to the counter where the cook prepared it and then served it to the man, thankfully she had not inherited clumsiness like Sybil had, or she would be smashing plates constantly.
The other staff members were quite nice, although she didn't have much time to talk to them as she was always rushing around, and she was happy because having a task to carry out stopped her worrying constantly about her sisters, of course she still worried, she was practically their mother she always would, but it helped her keep busy and take her mind of it. The only real part of the job she found difficult was remembering this was the non-magical world and not to show she had magic or she would be taken of to a mental home, but she knew that would be second nature before long.
Ethel and Sybil had both joined the same Drama club after school on a Thursday which allowed Esmerelda to finish at four instead of two, and it meant more money for her and her sisters. Ethel wanted to join because she liked being the centre of attention and in drama club no one could tell her off for showing off. Sybil on the other hand had being forced to join the club by Miss Drill, who was in charge of it, because she wanted to try and help the girl become more confident, Sybil had been really against the idea at first, she hated anyone looking at her and didn't want to put herself out there but Miss Drill did fun activities and Sybil enjoyed it now, she still didn't like having to speak or act in front of others but it allowed her to socialise with others outside of her friendship group and her sisters.
Esmerelda always had to pick the girls up in uniform now because she didn't have time to go home to change, on a Thursday Miss Drill liked Esmerelda to wait outside the hall because after the club she liked to tell her how Sybil was doing, as of course Sybil was in the club not out of choice. The first day she waited, Esmerelda saw the door open and a bunch of students from all different years fly out. Some looked at her disinterested and some looked at her confused as to what she was wearing.
"Hi Esmerelda" Felicity said as she exited the room and saw the blonde girl "What are you wearing?" the girl asked. Felicity always the one to be fashion conscious and noticed someone's clothes quite quickly.
"Oh it is my work uniform" Esmerelda said looking down at her clothes. Esmerelda did not have much time to say anything though as Miss Drill came out then and said she should come in.
"Sorry I just came here from work" Esmerelda told the woman, excusing her appearance. The woman smiled at her.
"Don't worry, I heard your sisters saying you had a new job, how is it?" the woman asked and Esmerelda smiled. She liked Miss Drill. If Miss Hardbroom had seen what she was wearing she probably would have told her she wasn't allowed in the school in a uniform that wasn't the Cackles one or something because it set a bad example, or something else just as ridiculous as that.
"It is going well thank you" Esmerelda replied as she walked into the hall and saw Ethel and Sybil sitting on the stage and waiting for her.
"Hello you two" she said with a smile. Both her sisters smiled and rushed down to her happily.
Miss Drill smiled watching them, she did not share the opinions that her colleagues did, she thought Esmerelda was a fine parental figure for her sisters and she could see they were finally getting the love they needed.
"They both did really well, I put Sybil with some girls she didn't know today and they managed to produce a little scene between themselves and act it out, Sybil did really well with it, the only thing I will say is maybe speak a little louder, I know you are nervous but try not to think off it" the woman told them, but smiled overall happy with the girl.
"I will try miss" Sybil said slightly nervously like she always was when speaking to one of her teachers.
"And Ethel you did really well too, your expressions are getting better and you spoke clearly but maybe let the other girls get their ideas across a bit more" the woman said knowing Ethel had a tendance to become bossy and take over. Ethel sighed.
"Sorry Miss, it is a habit" Ethel replied knowing she really did have to work on her teamwork with others.
"I know but we have time to work on it don't we? No-one in the group is perfect and they will never be either" the teacher told them, knowing they all had aspects they had to work on. Esmerelda smiled, overall happy with her sisters.
"Thank you miss, I appreciate you calling me in here to talk about how they are doing, I do worry about them" Esmerelda said and Miss Drill nodded, that much was obvious.
"I know you do, but no need to worry, everything is going just fine" she told Esmerelda who smiled at her before she turned back to her sisters.
"Thank you, sorry but we really should be going, I have to make dinner and these two still need to do their homework before bed" Esmerelda replied, not trying to be rude, but they had to be up early tomorrow.
"Oh of course, don't let me take your time, have a good evening" the woman said knowing they must have a routine and not wanting to get in the way of it.
"Thank you again, come on you two go and get your stuff ready we have to go" Esmerelda told her sisters as they both rushed to the store cupboard to collect their bags, coats, and broomsticks.
"We need your cats" Esmerelda told them just as Miss Drill transferred the animals, already in their carriers to their owners.
"Oh cool, thank you Miss" Ethel said picking up Nightstar and waving to the woman as Sybil did the same with Sparkle.
As it was winter it was already dark out when they got outside. Being out in the dark with her sisters scared Esmerelda so she wanted to get home as soon as possible.
"Come on it is late, let's get home" Esmie told them as she mounted her broomstick and set of, her sisters right behind her.
The journey was uneventful and they got home within half an hour. Knowing that they would be getting home late, Esmerelda had pre made some stew the night before and just had to heat it up. She left it cooking as she got changed and the girls went into their bedroom to do their homework before eating, luckily neither of them had much so twenty minutes later when their food was ready they had already finished.
"This looks amazing Esmie" Sybil said tucking in, starving as she had not ate in hours.
"Thank you, I hope it tastes okay" Esmie told them as they ate and chatted to each other quietly.
It seemed to taste just fine as the girls ate every scrap of it, Esmie was surprised the girls were eating so much better because they really didn't eat much when they used to live at home, but Esmie was starting to wonder if it was because their parents always got the same food and never branched out and tried new things because the girls were liking what she gave them now.
"That was great Esmie" Ethel said and Esmie smiled as she cleared the plates and the girls got ready for bed.
Sybil was asleep and Esmie and Ethel were having their quiet time, Ethel was in a talkative mood from the moment Esmie entered the room.
"Am I really bossy and controlling?" Ethel asked. What Miss Drill had said clearly playing on her mind. Esmie stroked her head and smiled.
"Well you do like to be in charge, and you are stubborn and don't like anyone telling you what to do, but that is okay, we all have flaws Ethie, it is what makes us human" Esmerelda told her.
"I don't want people to hate me" Ethel said sadly as she listened to Esmerelda's response.
"No-one hates you, you only think they do, but it is okay, your behaviour is much better now" Esmerelda told her and Ethel looked at her surprised.
"You have to say that you are my sister" Ethel said and Esmie shook her head.
"Who can't lie to save her life, especially to you and Sybil, you are amazing Ethie, and your flaws make you amazing, you will be just fine" Esmerelda said kissing her forehead.
"Come on it is late, time for bed" Esmerelda told her and Ethel nodded, getting off Esmerelda's bed to go to her own bedroom to sleep, but paused on the way to the door.
"I am glad you have taken over as our guardian" Ethel told Esmerelda with a smile as she smiled and then walked into the bedroom she shared with Sybil
Esmerelda had to stop herself crying in happiness. Ethel rarely would say how she felt about something, so Ethel saying she was happy with the changes warmed Esmie and made her so happy, she was doing okay, and Ethel was not as wild now as she once was. Esmerelda told herself as she followed Ethel into her bedroom to tuck her in.