HOPE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER FIVE

(Continued)

The boy scuffed his eyes with his pyjama sleeved and deepened his voice to sound more manly. "I can get our neighbours. They said to call them. Who are you anyway?"

Smart boy Leaf silently appraised him. "Listen," she gently replied, "I know a little about nursing. Maybe I can help?" 

Reluctantly, Tom slid the catch off the chain and relocked the door. Barefooted, he padded down a short hallway and into what was obviously his mother's bedroom. Aghast, Leaf hurried to the bed where Ayleen was tossing and moaning. "Get a bucket, Tom. Your mum may need to be sick. What happened to her?"

The boy rushed for a bucket, calling back "She just fell."

Quickly Leaf opened her bag and took out a thermometer, checking pulse and temperature. She frowned, debating whether to call an ambulance. Tom returned, wide-eyed as he saw the thermometer. "Are you a nurse? My mum banged her head. it was bleeding." He further explained about the neighbours then guiltily told her it was his fault and why.

"Listen Tom. I am Mrs. Reynolds and my children scatter their belongings. They are not meant to, they just forget."

"But I wouldn't talk to her and she was upset."

Just then, Ayleen opened her eyes. Her pupils were fine, Leaf was relieved to see.

"Who are you," queried Ayleen. "I feel sick," and she was.

Tom looked disgusted. "Get me a wipe or damp cloth, dear. I think your mum will be fine - and I can empty the bucket. Also a glass of water and I will help you with your mother. You need to sleep."

"Yes," Ayleen affirmed, "this lady is a friend. "I remember her voice. "Leaf, isn't it?"

Later, Ayleen woke as dawn was breaking. Leaf was curled up in a large armchair fast asleep near her. She had found a blanket.

Sonja and Jason came in. Tom had left the door unlocked. They soon assessed the situation, pointed to Leaf, raising eyebrows.

Ayleen nodded and smiled all was fine and they left to get ready for their work in town, waving goodbye, visibly relieved.

Hope was upset that Leaf was missing. She had come to rely on her as she did the Rileys. Maya tried to cheer her, but she was missing her mother too. Why couldn't she have asked someone else to help, she thought resentfully, but said nothing to Hope.

She knew better than to pull someone else down and her parents were very strict about gossip and criticism. Maya liked that both her parents were able to say sorry when they were wrong. Hope's dad did not do that, she guessed. Maya shivered a little, thinking of the nasty looks he gave her sometimes.

Hurriedly they began to run as they heard the school bell.