TWO - INTRODUCTIONS
"Hello" Rose smiled at the 3 children in front of her "Hi… I'm Jack" the children looked up at them, the younger 2 looking almost scared, the older one showed no emotion.
"Come on in" Jack moved to the side "I shan't stay. The children will introduce themselves. I'll be back to collect them when it's safe for them to return home" "Oh… OK" Rose said, shocked by the woman's lack of manners, watching her walk away.
"Come on through" Jack smiled as he led the children in to the living room, Rose following behind them "sit down if you like" the 3 children sat on the sofa, the young girl sat on the older girls knee whilst the boy sat right beside them. "What are your names?" Rose smiled "I'm Grace" the older girl said, still no emotion on her face or in her voice "this is Harry and this is Poppy" she said pointing to the other 2 children "how old are you all?" Jack smiled gently "I'm 13, they're 6… they're twins" Rose nodded and smiled at Poppy, who was staring at her intently "I see you both have teddy's with you, do they have names?" Rose asked, gesturing to the teddy's the twins were holding. "Pancake" Harry said as he held his teddy bear "that's a cool name" Jack smiled "what about your rabbit Poppy?" "Flopsy" she said quietly "lovely name" Rose smiled to the 3 of them.
"Would any of you like a drink?" "Can I have some water please?" Harry and Poppy said in unison "of course… Grace?" "Yeah, water please" she shrugged and Rose nodded "would any of you like a biscuit too?" Rose said as she went to leave the living room to walk to the kitchen "oh yes please!" Harry smiled. Rose laughed and went to grab 3 drinks before bringing them back in, passing them all a drink and biscuits. "I don't want one, thanks" Grace said, snapping it in half and giving half each to the twins. She was still yet to smile.
"So, where are you from?" Jack asked "New York" Grace said coldly "would you like to talk about something else, Grace?" Rose asked gently "yes" Grace replied. "Grace?" Poppy looked up at Grace "yes?" Grace smiled gently at her sister "can we go and play in the garden?" "Erm-" "we have quite a big garden, you're more than welcome to go in it, would you like us to come?" Jack asked "no… thanks…" Grace said, lifting Poppy off her knee and putting the twins coats on "don't go out the gate please…" Jack said, Grace nodded, half listening, taking Poppy and Harry's hands and walking out.
Once they heard the back door shut and were sure the children were outside Rose sighed "well, she seems like a delight" she said "she's probably just overwhelmed… I'm sure she'll come round" Jack nodded "well at least one of us is sure… seems the twins feel safe with her though" Rose said, to which Jack nodded.
—
Around half an hour later, Rose went outside "children, what would you like for tea?" "You can't even be bothered saying our individual names?" Grace asked with an attitude "this will be fun" she rolled her eyes. "Sorry…" Rose replied… "what's your favourite food?" Rose asked. "I'm not bothered, the twins like grilled cheese" "perfect" Rose smiled and walked back in to the kitchen.
—
Around 15 minutes later, Rose went back in to the garden "tea is ready" she smiled to the 3 of them who were sat on the grass.
Grace stood up taking the twins hands and walked in to the kitchen, helping Harry on to his chair first as Jack went to help Poppy on to hers "I'll do that!" Grace snapped "I don't mind…" Jack said kindly "no. I'll do it" she repeated "OK" he sighed quietly. After helping the twins on to their chairs she sat down. "Would you like some help cutting yours up, Harry?" Rose asked, as he was the one sat closest to her, he nodded "yes please" as Rose smiled and leant over to take his plate, Grace moved it away from her and cut it up herself "I'll do yours in a second Poppy" Grace said to which Rose sighed, all her and Jack wanted to do was to help Grace with the twins. Jack took the plate from Poppy, not asking Grace this time. He began to cut it up and Grace noticed "I said that I'd do it! You don't know how she likes it cut!" Jack sighed "I was just trying to help" "well don't. I know how to look after them" she snapped "we didn't say you didn't, sweetheart" Rose said to Grace "don't call me that" Grace glared at her.
