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Chapter 15: An Unfortunate Run-In

Mother's words rang true; by the time noon rolled around, there was already a throng of people around the counter, anxious to place their orders. Mother was working in the kitchen, cooking, while Josie (who proved to be very diligent and dedicated to her work) walked around to pour water and assure customers in her little-girl voice that "The food will be ready in moments, sir!" Danny and I were given the task of taking orders, running the register and delivering people's platters. This job became less stressful when Gem returned from her errands and twelve-thirty, but was nevertheless exhausting.

Danny and I worked tirelessly to scribble down orders as fast as possible and send them back to Mother with Josie, all the while managing payments and keeping the counters tidy. Finally, around one-thirty, the torrent of people squabbling for lunch like seagulls over a crab leg slowed to a manageable speed, and we were able to stop and rest every now and then.

I surveyed Biddy Milligan's; the restaurant was full, the customers were happy, and my heart had finally recommenced beating at a normal rate again. All was well—or so I thought. Danny walked over to me with an I-cannot-believe-we-made-it-through-that smile just as the bell on the door tinkled for the umpteenth time. I looked up, and my heart plummeted.

It was Lillie. I hadn't seen her since—well, I couldn't even remember. Ever since Danny and Josie had come into my home, I had been completely focused on them. Stay calm, I told myself, sounding like someone out of a scary novel. Just act as you normally would.

"Hello, Lillie!" I said cheerfully as she reached the counter, her mother not far behind.

"Hello, Elle!" She responded, equally cordial. "Long time, no see."

"I know! It's been too long." Danny, clearly remembering what I had told him about Lillie's less-than-friendly opinions about him, wisely turned away and began to wipe down the dirty glasses that had begun to pile up.

"It really has. It is busy here today!" She exclaimed. It was strange talking to Lillie after all this time; while we were civil to one another, there was a clear distance between us yet to be breached.

"Yes, it is," I replied, nodding. "Listen, Lillie. How have you been?"

"Me? Oh, I've been fine." There was something in her airy voice and aloof behavior that I didn't like.

"Lillie, I know it's been a while since we last spoke, but—"

"A while? I can't even remember the last time we saw each other! I mean, we've spoken in passing, I'm sure, but…" she trailed off.

"I'm sorry. How about we get together sometime this weekend? I'm sure I'll be able to get a break from work at some point." Just then, my mother came through the door to the kitchen with three platters of the chicken breast with basil sauce.

"Elle, take this to Mr. Harlington's table; he's in the back. Hello, Lillie!"

"Hello, Ms. Dawson," Lillie replied, quickly pasting on a smile. "Fine day, isn't it?"

"Yes, a fine day indeed! Elle, the plates?"

"Yes, Mother. I'll be back in a moment, Lil." I quickly delivered the platters to their appropriate table and returned to the counter. Lillie's mother was placing an order with Gem, and Danny was still busily cleaning glasses, waiting for the coast to be clear.

I returned to see, with a jolt, Josie talking to Lillie. I rushed over. "Uh, Josie?" I said, my voice a little more strained than I'd intended. "Why don't you go and see if Miss Tannenberg wants another cup of tea?" However, not getting my hint, Josie continued to badger Lillie.

"Would you like some water, ma'am?" Josie asked innocently. "Or how about some coffee? I know how to pour it without spilling, don't worry." Lillie looked politely disgusted as Josie opened her waitress notepad, as if she thought Josie carried some kind of contagious disease.

"No, thank you," Lillie replied somewhat rudely.

"Okay!" Said Josie, not insulted in the slightest. She skipped away to the nearest table, while Lillie turned to face me, cold anger burning subtly in her eyes.

"Was that—?"

"Yes," I said sheepishly. "That was the little girl you saw; her name's Josie. She and her brother Danny are living…here," I finished lamely. At the sound of his name, Danny turned round and came to my side.

"Hi," he said to Lillie, clearly trying to make a good impression by holding out his hand, "I'm Danny Whisten. Elle here was kind enough to let me and my sister stay here. Our father is, ah…"

"On a business trip," I supplied.

"Yeah, that," Danny agreed, arm still outstretched. Lillie took it with a forced smile, looking once again as if she feared for her health.

"Charmed, I'm sure," she said stonily.

"Well, I should get back to work," he said cheerily. I respected Danny for trying so hard with Lillie, and mentally scolded the latter for being so rude in return.

"Lillie!" called Lillie's mother. "Come sit down!"

"In a moment! I can't believe, you Elle!" she hissed under her breath. "You promised me you wouldn't get involved with them!"

"Sometimes promises have to be broken."

Lillie looked as if she had been slapped in the face. She was shaking with anger; I could tell from the way her tight ringlets quivered around her shoulders that it was taking every inch of her self-control not to start shouting. "You deliberately disobeyed me."

"Oh, I'm supposed to obey you now, am I?" I whispered incredulously.

"You're supposed to keep your promises!" she retorted.

"What do you have against them Lillie, what? You've been absolutely horrible towards them from the outset. Why?"

Lillie's mother called her again. Lillie sighed. "I just don't think you should go mixing with the lower class," she said so only I could hear. "Nothing good ever comes out of it, you'll see!"

"Then I guess I'm worthless," I hissed. Lillie, not knowing my mother's story, could think of nothing to say. She settled for tossing her hair over her shoulder and flouncing off to join her mother.

Danny appeared at my shoulder; I could feel his warm skin even though we were inches apart. "Well, isn't she a charmer?" he said, his voice light. I burst out laughing.

"You have no idea."

Well, there you have it! Mobile updates from Starbucks, haha. Anyway, I'll try and write more over the next few days and as soon as the power comes back on, I'll update again! Feel free to REVIEW!