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You're my only hope

[ Anthony looked frazzled as he cast a careful glance over his shoulder before slipping back under what appeared to be a blanket fort so he could stare at his phone. ]

Ok look, bad week... shit happened. Lots of shit happened, most of it was my fault. Got engaged, broke it off the next day, had to spend most of the rest of the time at the hospital looking after a sick relative. The visit from the creepy alien hunting suit was incredibly spooky... But none of that compares to this!

[ He swallowed and hushed his tone so he wouldn't be overheard. ]

Mum is here. Actually here in my flat right now, cleaning everything and making dinner because she says I look unwell even though she has done the magic heat sensing mum hand trick three times already and I don't have a fever. What do I do!? I can't tell her about even half of this stuff without--...

[ A second voice, much sweeter and calmer broke in to ask... ]

What is this?

[ And Anthony paled as he and phone broke free of the covers to see his grey haired mom holding that conspiratorial message from the mysterious MMF. Never had a man shot so quickly from a blanket tent to snag the paper, crumbled it, and chuck it into the nearest bin. ]

Nothing! Just some chain letter, probably thinks he is being funny by sending weird notes... Nothing to worry about at all! I told you everything is fine!!

[ His mum merely gave her poor highly strung son a sympathetic look and once again set her hand to his forehead. ]

Honey, you really need to calm down. I know what will help!

[ She turned and dug through one of her many bags until she found a tattered old teddy bear wearing yellow wellingtons. This was pressed into Anthony's arms as he was ushered back to the blanket covered sofa. ]

Its Mr. Yellow Boots! Now you and he can sit here all cozy until dinner is ready.

[ Anthony was sulking but he sat back on the sofa and looked helplessly after his mom until she was well out of ear shot. ]

Send help. Anything... I need her to stop worrying.

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[He checks his phone while she retreats in lieu of just awkwardly standing there]

It's cool, but I kind of made it here a few minutes ago. Should I just make an excuse to leave or?

[Elliott just manages to finish hitting send when she reappears]

Oh uh.. well, I mean if you don't mind. I don't want to intrude..

You're there already? Damn. Thought I could catch you before you arrived. Did you tell her the cover story anyway? I mean, couldn't hurt now and it would make it seem more believable. Up to you really. I mean if you are up for cookies you could stay for a bit, she will probably offer you a dozen.

[ No sooner had the text been sent then... ]

It's not an intrusion at all! Actually I was going stir crazy cooking away in here and talking to myself like I had any business to! Come, sit, have a few of these while they are still warm and you can tell me all about how you and Anthony met.

[ Which was then followed by another very timely warning. ]

Oh and watch out. She will want interrogate you. By now she has to be getting suspicious as there hasn't been any reports of a fire on TV. I owe you.

Okay. Uh, thank you.

[He follows her in and closes the door behind him, then takes a seat on the couch and only manages to glance over his received texts before he's accepting the cookies she pushes his way]

I've been a student at the Gardens for a few months. I'm planning to go to college for nature conservation, so I've actually been planning to ask him about maybe getting a job there this summer.

[And is actually the whole reason he agreed to come out and help, if he's honest. ..At least assuming he won't already be working full-time for the Bureau..]

[ Like magic he would find himself with a fresh cup of tea and the promised freshly baked shortbread cookies. ]

Are you dear? Well, I think that's a wonderful idea. I find working in gardens to be some of the most satisfying work one can do. It just so nice turning up the soil and getting all those wonderful buds to flower. Oh, I'm sure my Anthony will help you get a job there! Do you have any idea what sort of job you would be happy with? I understand they can be rather specialized these days, you know, some one to look after the desert garden, another one to look after the orchids.

[ Suddenly she paled. ]

Unless the fire has gotten to the greenhouse.

God, I hope not.

[Though he's 95% sure there's not really a fire]

But I want to work in forestry, so I'd like to work a lot with the trees if I can. Of course, I'd be happy doing almost any job there, really- even if it's just cleaning or something. I'm jealous there are people that are paid to work there.

[And really, the more he talks about it, the more he really wants to jump the gun and ask Anthony about it the second he can]

Forestry is a delightful profession. I can see you are very passionate about it.

[ To Evelyn is seemed like the little guy was about to wiggle his way off the sofa, he got so excited talking about it. ]

I could speak to Anthony after you have brought it up to him, put in my two cents about how interested you are in the job? It might help.

[There might be actual sparkles in his eyes if she looked closely]

That's- that would be really great! I- uh, if- if you wouldn't mind, I mean.

[Elliott crams a cookie in his mouth to shut himself up, then blinks, swallowing] These are really good, by the way.

[ No one who had a look at those sparkles in the boy's eyes could have doubted for a minute that he was deeply in love with the idea of working with the trees and they had quite the impressive collection of them out there! He would love it, Evelyn had no doubt of that! ]

You're quite welcome! I don't mind helping out such a nice young man. And I'm so very glad you like the biscuits. They are an old family recipe passed down from my grandmother's side of the family. Oh! This is silly! I'm just sitting here chatting to you and worrying... Would it be too much to ask if you could go down to the gardens and see what is really going on? You can text me about it? Anthony won't think to. He will be too busy with whatever is going on. And it won't be dangerous. I'm sure if there is a fire they will have the whole place roped off by now.

Yeah, sure. I want to know what's going on too, so that works out.

[Elliott briefly wonders if Anthony has had enough time to do whatever it was. Had he said a few hours? But he couldn't exactly refuse, either. Anyway, the guy definitely wasn't at the gardens, so he'd just text him and catch a bus home.

He stands with a smile] Thanks for inviting me in- and for the cookies.

That's wonderful! I would go myself but I think it would be best if I stayed here in case either of my boys returned. They both need looking after, you know.

[ Evelyn clapped her hands, happier than she had been all morning, as she was up and bouncing around the room in quick time. Her phone number was written on a slip of paper and tucked neatly into a small bag of cookies which were handed to Elliott in a neatly wrapped little bundle. ]

A snack for later, since you enjoyed them so much and to thank you for looking into this for me. Anthony can be such a handful.

[Elliott nods, starting to feel a little bad for the mild deception now. She's such a sweet lady.]

Thank you, ma'am. I'm sure your son is okay, but I'll let you know what's going on as soon as I get there.

[He leaves with a wave, then closes the door behind him and sighs. Checks his phone for the next bus and texts Anthony once he reaches the stop]

She sent me to check on the gardens and let her know what's going on. I'm heading home now.

Give it like a half hour and tell her it was a false alarm. Sorry I wasn't there when you arrived, heat of the moment escape plans, I had to go when the opportunity came up. I do appreciate any trouble it put you to. If you need anything to make up for it, money, lunch, just let me know.

No worries.

[He considers asking about the garden job thing, but he didn't really do all that much. It feels like a lot to ask for so little. ..Maybe he'd bring it up more casually later.]

I'm good though, thanks.

Edited 2020-05-28 15:54 (UTC)

Right. Thanks again. (Smiling devil emoji)

[ It would be left there then, but once Anthony returned home his mum would remember to tell him about the nice young man who visited and his desire to work at the gardens. ]

Sure thing!

[And half an hour later, a short series of texts chime through to his mother]

Hey Mrs. Crowley, this is Elliott.

...Did I introduce myself? I'm so sorry if I didn't!!

Anyway, it looks like the Gardens are fine! A false alarm, thank god. But yeah, seems like everything is okay after all. Sorry to have worried you!

[ Elliott's texts were answered in a likewise short series. ]

What a relief!

I was beginning to wonder as there has been nothing on the TV or internet about it.

And I forgot to ask your name! I'm sorry. It's been a rough few weeks.

Thank you for checking for me. You are an angel!

No problem! I hope things get better for you.

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You're my only hope

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