Someone had been in here.
It couldn’t be Jordy, she had moved all her things out already. It couldn’t be a new staff member who needed emergency accommodations as she had; Rika would have had them meet instead of just giving someone access to the room at night.
There was nothing definitive, but she was certain. Someone had been in here. Just as she felt someone had been watching her last night —
—Her stomach plummeted, as the kids narrowly escaped colliding with one another. Which only served to remind her. There was no time for daydreaming with the twins, who had to be monitored at all times. She immediately stopped her musings. Change of plans, before the two preschoolers succeeded in getting hurt.
She wouldn’t pack up the blanket and pillow now, but leave the items where they were and come back during a break, when the twins could be left at Staff Childcare.
“OK, let’s go and grab some breakfast,” she said brightly.
“Goody!” Clover bounced off Jordy’s bed and grabbed Lily’s hand. Brady took the other, and all three left for the Staff Caff.
There was usually breakfast for the kids at Staff Childcare, but Lily thought it would be a good treat for the kids to let them pick out their own at the Staff Caff. Even though, predictably, they zoomed in on the station featuring the sticky, sugary pastries.
“I want that one!” Clover stabbed a chubby finger at the glass. It was amazing how she was able to spot the donut with the most cavity-creating potential, despite her head barely high enough to peek over the counter.
Karen, the woman in the food service jacket smiled at Lily as she expertly speared the donut with a set of tongs, placing it on a small plate to hand to the little girl. “It’s so nice of you to take care of them for Rosa.”
Lily was about to respond when a familiar short, strawberry-blond girl with a round, freckled face pushed next to her and demanded, “You got another one of those for me, Karen?”
A look of distaste briefly crossed Karen’s face, before a bland expression took its place.
“Sorry, Jordy. That was the last one.”
“Hey, Jordy.” Lily said calmly. She could feel some tension between the two. The girl turned to her, stared blankly for a second with a frown, before recognition flooded her features.
“Oh, hey,” Jordy blinked at her. “Former Roomie.” She swept her eyes over the two preschoolers, who were clinging to Lily, before narrowing them slightly. “What’s going on?”
“Just getting the kids some breakfast. I’m watching them for Rosa.”
“Oh?” Jordy kept looking at them as if they were flea-infested dogs she needed to keep her distance from. “But not at Staff Childcare?”
“In addition to,” Lily said, as Brady started tugging at her hand.
Clover spoke up, with donut frosting smeared all over her mouth. “Katie’s staying with us.”
“Forever and ever!” Brady yelled.
Lily gave an embarrassed laugh. “That’s a slight exaggeration. I’m staying with them for the next couple of weeks to help out their mom.”
Jordy looked bored. “S’cool.” She turned her attention back to the pastries. “Gimme that frosted pop-tart looking thing over there.”
Karen’s eyes met with Lily’s. “Tell Rosa to feel better soon.” She was prepping Jordy’s pastry, looking all the world like she wanted to spit on it.
“I will,” said Lily. “And what do you say, Clover?”
“Fanks” the little girl said, her mouth stuffed with more of the donut. Karen laughed, and Lily steered the kids away.
If she was going to take a break to get the blanket and pillow from her room later, she really shouldn’t leave the kids alone at Staff Childcare two or three hours for tonight’s practice dinner date with Aylwyn, she decided. Even if TraceyAnn was cool with it.
And even if she wished she were really going to have dinner with Col instead.
