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Chapter Thirty-Seven
Another Meeting and Pain
After the disaster of a trip to the supermarket, Ethel did not like going out, she always ended up getting upset at people's harsh words or actions. Esmerelda though knew she could not just let Ethel stay inside, not only was it bad for her to isolate herself but her legs would only get weaker if she did. As the supermarket was to upsetting now, Esmerelda took Ethel and Sybil to the local park, during school hours there was no-one there so Ethel was free to enjoy the fresh air and practise her walking in peace.
"Two more steps Ethel, you are almost there" Sybil said to her sister with a smile, she was stood near the bench, which they had made as the finished line. Ethel forced the last two steps but managed it, before she sat on the bench to have a break.
"Well done Ethie" Esmerelda told her handing her a bottle of water. She looked at Ethel and knew that ten minutes of walking today was enough, she could tell when her sister was done and right now she looked exhausted. Everyday was different and today she was just not up for walking much.
"Let's break for a bit before we go home" Esmerelda told her sisters as she sat on the bench next to Ethel with a smile. It was only a short walk back to the flat but Esmerelda did not want Ethel collapsing from exhaustion before they got there.
After a break of fifteen minutes, to make sure Ethel was not overly tired anymore, they started heading back to the flat. It was also quiet around the flats at this time, as it was a weekday and the majority of people were out. They were just heading for the lift when Esmerelda stopped and smiled.
"Miss Hubble" Esmerelda said seeing Julie walk up the stairs that were next to the lift. It was strange because even though they lived in the same flats they never normally saw each other, what with Esmerelda doing the school routine and being at work and Julie being at work as well they just were never all home at the same time. The woman stopped and smiled, noticing the girls.
"Oh hello!" Julie said, beaming clearly happy to see them out and about. "I didn't know if you had come home yet" Julie told the girls, happy they were not having to stay in the hospital any longer.
"We got released last week, the girls aren't back at school yet though" Esmerelda told her, smiling back.
"Well Ethel has had a big injury, it would be dangerous for her to return to school to early" Julie said knowingly, she was after all a nurse so she knew about taking small steps in big injuries. Esmerelda was about to reply when Ethel tugged on her sleeve and gave her a look. Esmerelda knew she wanted to leave because she didn't want to be speaking to her. Esmerelda gave her the same look back.
"I have your tub from the cottage pie in our flat, I hadn't gotten a chance to drop it round yet, do you want me to fetch it quickly?"" Esmerelda asked, looking at Julie patiently.
"Oh you don't have to worry about it" Julie said. In all honesty she had forgotten about the tub. "Keep it, it might come in handy" Julie went on, thinking if Ethel had to have more medical treatment they might use that tub if she had to stay overnight.
"Oh I couldn't..." Esmerelda said, feeling bad about not giving it bad.
"It is only a tub, I have loads of them, just keep it, it is fine" Julie told Esmerelda thinking the girl had enough on her plate without worrying about a plastic tub.
"Alright thank you" Esmerelda told Julie gratefully. She could sense Ethel next to her fidgeting and knew she was getting uncomfortable standing up. Over the last month she had come to understand some actions of Ethel's. Fidgeting meant she was starting to get uncomfortable and her back or legs were starting to hurt.
"Sorry we are going to have to go, Ethel needs to rest" Esmerelda said knowing it was cruel to keep her out so she could chat with their neighbour. Some people might say she was faking it but with the fact they had been out for a whole she doubted it.
Julie looked over at Ethel and saw her slowly swaying, clearly unable to keep still. It was clear the girl was restless, and by the fact they were out Julie suspected the girl was overtired. She didn't want Ethel to become worse because of her so she replied.
"Oh no of course I understand, we don't want her to get worse do we? Don't worry, if you need me just stop by the flat, It is 20B" Julie told the girls, knowing it might give them peace of mind if they had somewhere they could go if they needed too.
Esmerelda smiled again gratefully, she was glad Julie at least was being supportive of their situation when no-one else seemed to care.
"Thank you, that gives me peace of mind, come on you two, let's get you home" Esmerelda told her sisters.
"Bye!" Sybil said happily. The youngest liked Mildred and was friendly with her so she didn't mind talking to her mother.
"Bye love" Julie said smiling at the youngest. Ethel said nothing but turned away to follow her sisters, still not trusting the woman.
"Next time why don't you invite her in for some tea, I mean it seems you two are best friends now!" Ethel said as they walked away from Julie. Esmie rolled her eyes, Ethel was a nightmare when she was in this sort of mood. She thought everyone was out to get her all the time.
"Don't be silly Ethel, it is called being poilte, she did come visit when she didn't have to" Esmerelda told Ethel, putting her arm over her head to unlock the door of the flat.
"So what? She barely knows anything about is other than our names, we don't need her" Ethel said defensively not wanting Julie to start meddling into her family life.
"She is our neighbour Ethie, we should try to be civil with her" Sybil said as she walked into the flat.
"I don't want to be civil with her, Mildred Hubble has ruined my life" Ethel replied storming into the room angrily, walking faster than normal because she was annoyed.
"Ethel calm down" Esmerelda told her, knowing it was not good for her to stress herself out. Her body didn't function well when she was annoyed.
"No I will not calm down, you two are getting all buddy with the Hubbles of all people so I..." she stopped talking then and started to hiss instead. She felt a horrible shooting pain in her back and legs, which happened when she put to much strain on herself, or when she had overworked herself, that was when the pain got worse and she could feel it. Esmerelda rushed towards her, not replying to her last comment.
"Come on sit down" Esmerelda told her. Gently leading her to the sofa, knowing she was in pain now.
"I am sorry…..I didn't..." Ethel said before she moaned again in pain. Esmerelda gently sat her on the sofa, not going to say I told you so because it would not help matters.
"I know Ethie it is alright" Esmerelda said as she grabbed the pillows and put them behind Ethel's back and on her legs, cushioning them. She had found it helped with the pain when it was bad. Sybil helped, setting up a mini bed for Ethel, when the pain was bad she had to heal, there was no point making her do much else but letting her rest for a while.
"Lie down Ethel, you need rest" Esmerelda told her as she set her up on the sofa. Once Ethel was lying down she kept talking.
"I am going to get you some painkillers, just try to relax Ethel" Esmerelda told her with a sigh. She knew Ethel had made it worse by becoming so annoyed but the pain would of come regardless, Ethel just brought it on quicker, but that was a big reason she hoped therapy would help Ethel with her temper she was doing more harm to herself.
"I am sorry Esmie...I didn't mean it" Ethel told her, knowing she should really work on her temper.
"I know don't worry, Sybil and I will look after you now" Esmerelda told her as she kissed her on the head, needing her to know she was being cared for. She told Sybil to sit with her as she went to get her medicine and to shout if she got worse. She then left the room and closed the door behind her, letting tears escape. She didn't think she would ever get used to Ethel in pain.