Emmie 20

Emmie moved into the living room and switched on the light by the door. Yasmin stood by the hob in the kitchen.
" I've put the kettle on, " she said.
" Have you indeed?"
Yasmin turned to look at Emmie and Emmie saw the bruise over Yasmin's left eye.

For some reason Emmie remembered a phrase from a story she read the children: , " Who hath dared to harm thee?" The phrase repeated in her head as she took Yasmin into a kindly. almost motherly embrace. "The Selfish Giant" it was. She remembered the picture of children under the tree.
" What happened?"
" It's nothing to worry about. Just a foolish mistake, just a glancing blow because I said no." She smiled. " It won't happen again."

" I'm glad to hear it. I think we might have that cup of tea now. I see the bag is back."
" Yes, I am quite settled now. The university have awarded me a special access scholarship grant. I have had all the interviews my grades were better than expected and ...
" What ave you opted for?"
" I have decided to do physiotherapy. I have a good chance of getting on an accredited NHS funded place which comes with a bursary. The teaching hospital is just down the road from the Uni and they have found me a place to live with a family. Some domestic chores will be involved but it is supervised by Student Services, so I should be ok."
" I presume you had help?"
" Yes Mrs Evans and Jenny's mum." .
" Well you know you're always welcome here. And what about the family?"
" They have sort of disowned me but not disowned me. I think it will work out in time. I am going to stay with Jenny tonight and tomorrow and go back on Monday. It's good Jenny and me are settled but she has a place in hall which could be handy."

They spent the next hour with tea and buttered scones and a discussion on clothes, uniforms and materials. Yasmin then left for Jenny's with an extra twenty pound note in her pocket and instructions to get in touch if things started to get too much.

JL Oct 28 16:27