"Miss, these are the books I managed to find in the storage room," the young man's voice broke through her astonishment, tenderly presenting her with two volumes. Evie carefully placed them in her basket, expressing her gratitude. "Thank you, Mr... library-man," she said, turning abruptly to leave.
As Evie walked away, she couldn't shake off the feeling that the mysterious figure had been more than just her imagination. The dim lighting and musty scent of the library seemed to linger in her mind, making her wonder if she had really seen someone, lost in her thoughts she mistakenly bumped into someone.
As she turned to apologize, she found herself face to face with... no one. The bustling market square was crowded, but there was no one in front of her. Confused, Evie looked around, wondering if she had just imagined the bump.
Shrugging it off, she continued on her way, her mind still preoccupied with the mysterious figure from the library. The encounter had left her with more questions than answers.
As she walked, the sounds of the market square faded into the background, and Evie's thoughts drifted back to the books she had just borrowed. She couldn't wait to dive into the stories and forget about the strange occurrences, as she walked home delighted her gaze failed to fall on the milk colored card lying inside her basket.
Evie got home and gently placed the basket on a small table.
Evie headed to the kitchen to pour herself a glass of water, shaking off the lingering thoughts of the day. As she lifted the glass to her lips, the cool liquid soothed her parched throat, refreshing her senses. For a moment.
With her thirst quenched, Evie felt more centered, ready to tackle the rest of her day. She glanced around the kitchen, taking in the familiar surrounding.
As Evie turned to leave the kitchen, she noticed Anny entering the room through the back door. Anny's weathered face creased into a warm smile as she set down the heavy basket of vegetables on the counter. Her black hair, now streaked with threads of gray, was tied back in a neat bun, revealing a face etched with deep lines and wrinkles. Despite her advanced age, Anny's eyes sparkled with a youthful energy, and her hands moved with a gentle, practiced ease.
Evie rushed to help Anny, concern etched on her face. "Anny, you're too old to be carrying heavy baskets like that," she said, trying to take some of the weight from Anny's hands.
Anny chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I'm still as young as ever, Evie," she said, her voice warm and soothing. "I can still handle a little hard work."
Evie smiled, knowing that Anny would never admit to being too old for anything.
"You never listen you old geezer."
Anny's eyes sparkled with mirth as she playfully scolded Evie for her cheeky remark. "And you never stop worrying, young one," she replied, her voice laced with affection. Evie chuckled, knowing that their banter was a familiar and comforting ritual between them.
"Since you're working very hard, I bought you Mr Gerald's tomato, today's own are fresher than those of yesterday, but you would only have them after dinner."
Anny's face lit up with a warm smile as she accepted the gift. "Ah, thank you, Evie," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. "You always think of me, don't you?"
Evie smiled, feeling happy that she could bring a smile to Anny's face. "Of course, Anny," she replied. "You're always working so hard, taking care of our garden and cooking delicious meals for me. It's the least I can do to bring you a fresh tomato."
As they began to prepare dinner, Evie and Anny stood side by side at the kitchen counter, their hands moving in tandem as they chopped, stirred, and seasoned the meal. The aroma of cooking vegetables filled the air, and the sound of sizzling food created a cozy atmosphere.
Their conversation turned to the recent magistrate who had been brought to the village. Evie's voice was laced with frustration as she spoke about the man's inefficiency. "He's always getting things wrong, Anny," she said, shaking her head. "I've seen him mismanage cases and make decisions that benefit no one but himself."
Anny's expression was thoughtful as she listened to Evie's concerns. "I've heard similar complaints from the other villagers," she said, her voice measured. "It seems he's more interested in lining his own pockets than in serving the community."
"I've seen him take bribes from wealthy merchants," Evie continued, her voice growing more animated. "And he's always favoring the wealthy over the poor. It's like he thinks he's above the law."
Anny nodded in agreement. "I've heard rumors of him embezzling funds meant for the village's infrastructure. It's a shame, really. We needed someone who would truly serve the community, not just their own interests."
Their conversation was punctuated by the sounds of cooking and the occasional clinking of pots and pans. The kitchen was warm and inviting, filled with the scent of fresh herbs and the promise of a delicious meal.
As they continued to cook, Evie and Anny's discussion turned to the potential consequences of the magistrate's actions. "If he continues to mismanage the village's funds, we'll be in trouble," Evie said, her brow furrowed with concern. "We need someone who can manage the village's resources effectively, not someone who's only looking out for themselves."
Anny nodded in agreement. "We should speak to the village elder about this," she said, her voice firm. "He needs to know what's going on and take action to correct it."
The hours passed, and the sun began to set outside, casting a warm glow over the kitchen. Evie and Anny worked together seamlessly, their movements practiced and efficient. They were a well-oiled machine, working together to create a meal that would nourish both body and soul.
As the dinner neared completion, Evie's thoughts turned to the tomato she had bought for Anny. She smiled.she was tempted to bring them out,but then thought that it was better Anny ate them later.
Finally, dinner was ready, and Evie and Anny sat down to enjoy the fruits of their labor. The meal was delicious, filled with the flavors of fresh herbs and the love that had gone into its preparation. As they ate, Evie and Anny's conversation turned to lighter topics, their voices filled with laughter and warmth.
After dinner Evie brought the basket that had both her books and the tomatoes.
As Evie placed the basket on the table, Anny's eyes landed on the books peeking out from beneath the fresh tomatoes. "You've been to the library, haven't you?" Anny asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
Evie nodded, a smile spreading across her face. "Yes, I borrowed a couple of books. I'm excited to dive into them."
Anny's gaze lingered on the basket, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in the sight of the milk-colored envelope peeking out from beneath the tomatoes. "What's that?" she asked, her voice measured, pointing to the envelope.
Evie's eyes followed Anny's gaze, and her expression turned puzzled. "I don't know," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't notice it before."