The Tragic Tale of Teddy Woven

Chapter 2

I let my hands curl around the small creature and brought it over to the man next to me. He was able to lift Luna with one hand, allowing him to settle Luna on his lap with only her head peaking over the edge of the table. “Wash your hands,” he reminded me once he spotted me reaching over for my muffin. “Please.”

I pushed back my chair and turned on the tap. The water was icy cold against my fingers, and when I splashed it over my hand, I let my gaze fixate over the garden that was just starting to bloom with spring. The soap was poured on my hands, and once enough soap suds were spread all over, I knew it was time to rinse it off.

“Sela?” called out Teddy behind me. “Is this your full-time job?”

“Yes, it is.”

“For how long?”

“About a year and a half.”

The tap was just being turned off when I overheard: “Do you enjoy it?”

“I wouldn’t be here, if I didn’t.” I felt that statement was somewhat rude and looked over my shoulder to see his head bent downwards with pure fixation on his cat. “I never meant to be rude. Sorry, it was sarcasm.”

His voice was unbearably low as he uttered: “Sarcasm.”

“I’m sorry.”

His response was delayed, but eventually he spoke out: “It is forgotten.”

I let the dish towel dry my hands quickly, so I could return to my seat. Teddy never lifted his gaze from his beloved cat. I took a seat nervously and then reached forward to have my first bite of the muffin.

“Would you like it heated in future?”

“Yes, that would be nice.”

“I am not used to having guests,” he stated in an exacting tone of voice. “I like my house to be quiet.”

I chewed down on the muffin softly, hoping I wouldn’t do anything else to disturb him.

“I enjoy peace and quiet,” he continued. “I can’t bear the scraping of chairs, the prattling of people.” He lifted the chin of Luna, so he could see her light blue eyes. “Cats are quiet creatures, except when they meow.”

a light chuckle

me. I have…” He tilted his head to

“Frazzled?”

“Any little thing

was

confused,” he observed. “Don’t worry. I will make

“Excitable?”

sensitive to sounds,”

doesn’t

my nerves,” he rapped out carelessly. “How are you finding the coffee?” I

“Yes.”

off his lap, shooting down the kitchen to sprint down the hallway. I felt goosebumps rise at the back of my arms, but when I looked over my shoulder

to the cellars,” Teddy explained. “Nothing important

me. My hand trembled as I reached for the cup, noticing how

about this man, but I could not put

which means Daphne would be here by now. I will give you the keys to the shed, but please remember

“After my shift?”

lifted his mug to gulp down the last of it. “The key is near the front door, I will get it now. Once you are finished your breakfast, I expect you to be working

“Yes, of course.”

you know how to

“Absolutely.”

soft enough to not make a sound. Slippers lightly trod over the wooden floor, and soon enough he was gone from my view. I took to eating my food quicker, finding Teddy’s presence a little too much for me. He was an odd man, and for some reason I no longer felt safe alone with him. Daphne had worked for him for years and she had experienced no harm or discomfort, but still, would that be

a strange recognition since I assumed no one else was home. The creaking continued, going ever so slowly like a person that was

sharper as the moments passed by. “Yes,” was the

to show

“No.”

down at the remains of my muffin and wondered if it was worth finishing

his shoulder as if he feared someone would come, and then took a large step forward to

pushed away the plate, feeling a sense of defeat. “I am sorry I can’t wash

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