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Chapter Eight
Charlotte
I’m absolutely reeling after Rebel’s visit. As if the four of them turning up on my doorstep unannounced wasn’t bad enough, Mr Impatient just had to come back uninvited. Now he knows about Phoenix and although he’s promised to keep my secret, I’m worried that he won’t. Not out of malicious intent or anything, but because he’s got such a big mouth he probably won’t be able to help himself.
His kind words and promises to help, to not leave or go anywhere, have me tearing up. I doubt he means it, but the offer is so sweet.
I sigh and pick up my phone. Not long after I left last Friday, Ace texted me all of their numbers. I haven’t contacted them yet, but I think I need to arrange something soon. With less than a year of my degree left, it’s not like I can up and run away again. Besides, I have Phoenix to think about now and she’s settled in at a great nursery with a wonderful childminder who I couldn’t live without. The other option, going back to Cordelia for help, is not something I want to consider. Besides, the guys want answers, understandably, and I kind of want answers too.
I’m just about to rattle off a generic text to each of them - not ready to deal with them all in a group chat just yet - when the bell rings. It amuses me every time I hear that it’s still working. A quick peek out of the window shows it’s not bailiffs, phew, but a Tesco delivery man. He’s probably got the wrong flat. I can’t afford the luxury of shopping at the main supermarkets and I certainly don’t pay for the privilege of having my groceries delivered for me. I open the door and before I can tell him he has the wrong flat, he asks “Raven Deighton?”
Of course this is Rebel’s doing. I no longer go by that name and no one in my current life would know that alias.
“That’s me,” I say, because what else can I do? It’s not this guy’s fault he’s been told to deliver food to me. I’m pretty sure I can’t refuse to accept the delivery.
“Where do you want it? The items aren’t bagged, as per your request.”
“Oh, leave them in the doorway and I’ll quickly unload,” I want to smile at Rebel remembering how I feel about single use plastics. No bags definitely puts a brownie point in his favour.
“Okay, I’ll go grab the rest. It’s quite a large order so I’ll have to make a few trips.”
I groan when the delivery guy disappears out of sight. Bloody Rebel. I’ll stress about that later…First, I have a shit ton of food to find a home for. As the delivery crates pile up, I get more and more overwhelmed. I don’t have space for all of this. I’ll need a bigger kitchen for everything Rebel’s sent. When I get to the crates full of fresh produce - vegetables, fruit, berries, cheese - I almost want to weep. It’s pathetic, but Phoenix has never had real fresh fruit at home. Her nursery costs me a fortune but at least I know she’s getting a good meal there on the days that she goes. Now, thanks to Rebel, we’ll be eating like royalty for the rest of the month. At least. I’m already eyeing up the delivery and working out what I can cook and how I can stretch it to make it last. We’ll have to use up the fresh stuff first, but there’s loads more than that in the delivery, including all kinds of sweet treats that Phoenix rarely gets to have. When I pull out a tub of hot chocolate, I smile. I still love the stuff, but it’s a luxury I’ve not been able to afford in a long while.
Once I’ve packed away all of the food as best I can, I make myself a hot drink and sit down, eyes skimming over the delivery receipt for the groceries. I can see that Rebel has really thought of everything that we might need, and I’m touched by his thoughtfulness. I’m loathe to accept charity, but I’m not about to turn down free food, for Phoenix’s sake. I quickly text him my thanks and immediately he calls me back.
“Hey, thank you so much,” I say as I press the accept call button and raise the phone to my ear.
“What for?”
“The groceries?” I ask.
“Oh! Yeah. Cool. I thought you meant the other thing.”
“Huh?” I’m so puzzled. “What other thing? You don’t mean the...kiss, do you?” I ask, aghast.
“You can thank me for kissing you all day long, Princess,” he chuckles. “No, there should be...”
“Reb, I have to go, there’s someone at the door,” I quickly interrupt him as the bell rings. It gives a dying wheeze and cuts off. I knew it was too good to last, having an actual working appliance in this dump.
“Another delivery. That’ll be it. I’ll call you later. Bye!” He’s gone before I can question him so I put my phone down and head to the door.
“Raven Deighton?” I’m going to have to accept this aren’t I? Both the delivery and Rebel’s insistence on using my old name.
“Yes?”
“We have your new dining table and chairs here. We’ll just take the old ones out of your way and then we can bring in the new one and set it up.”
“Oh....erm, okay?” I move to one side and allow two workmen in overalls into the flat to take away my rickety old furniture.
I mean, Rebel did say he’d replace the broken chair, so that’s good, but to be honest, he could have just grabbed any old thing from the tip and I’d be happy. Matching chairs and a table is definitely too much for me to accept. I groan quietly as I realise these guys have their orders and a job to do, and that I should just let them do it. I can take my issues up with Rebel later.
It takes the guys a little over twenty minutes to set everything up and when they’re done, it’s clear what the problem is. The younger of the two scratches his head before turning to me.
“Excuse me, ma’am, did you not measure the space for the table before you ordered?” Rebel has somehow managed to order a monstrosity of a table big enough to seat twelve, although it ‘only’ came with six chairs. I blush.
“Erm yeah, but I’m moving soon,” I awkwardly stammer out a lie. Anything to stop the pair of them looking at me like I’m crazy. Or incompetent.
“Ah I see, you should have waited a little. We could have delivered this to your new place for you.”
