“Unpack,” Rebecca mouthed much like a guppy. “Oh, thank you very much, Ms Pollock but Paul--Pauline and I should be able to manage.”
“Really?” Ms. Pollock asked with a critical eye to the stuffed interior of the vehicle. “It looks like you have quite a bit in there. And you’ve come such a long way, I insist you have some help unpacking.”
“Oh you are really too kind, Ms. Pollock,” Rebecca was in full plead mode. “But we can handle it, me and Paul--ine. Ain’t that right sis?”
The briefest of confused looks passed over Paul’s face until it was discarded. “It’s fine, ma’am,” she said cooly, “we Spillums can handle things just fine.”
“Yesss,” Rebecca added. “We Spillums are hard, dependable workers up for any challenge. No need to bother any of your other staff we’ll have this done in a flash. We’re really self-sufficient.”
“Famous Spillum Self-Sufficiency,” Paul added in a slight mocking tone. She bonked her fist on her sister’s arm. “The prodigy here has her method.”
Rebecca nodded, trying not to wince because that punch had not been playful in the slightest. “Yes, I have a method, process rather for moving everything in, honed over those years of travel. I’d be much obliged to get my affairs sorted myself, so I can get to instructing your girls tomorrow all bright and efficient.”
“Oh,” Ms. Pollock said, a little less warmth to her usual tone. “Well I wouldn’t want to impede on your ‘process’ Miss Voll-Spillum. Provided the two of you aren’t hampered by this unpacking before your respective lives at Buttercombe Academy begin.” Without further argument she circled the address of Rebecca’s new teacher cabin and passed her the key. She was all smiles again about looking forward to both of their performances as a new instructor and student.
The whole drive to Rebecca’s quarters Paul did not stop scrutinizing her older sister. “What was all that back there?”
“Nothing,” Rebecca said, feeling a dryness in her throat that wished for a refill on her spent beverage.
“That’s a load of bull and spunk,” Paul replied. Realization shone on her face as she exited the vehicle. “You brought IT didn’t you?”
“No! Well yes, but, please sis.” She quickly followed Paul to the hatchback, hearing the determination in her sister’s voice. “She’s been my only company for a long time, I can’t just think of leaving her. But I didn’t know how to broach the subject during my interview”
Paul ignored her sister’s plea, opening the hatch. It had been weird when they were loading up the car in the wee hours of the morning, Rebecca had tasked her with only dealing with the backseat. Sure enough, Paul’s hunch had played right when she noticed the corner of a cage. Some of that older sister awe Paul once had towards Rebecca had quickly faded when she realized how hopeless her sister could be sometimes.
“You’ve officially graduated to basket case,” Paul said as she shifted luggage aside. Burying a pet under a mound of moving day junk, honestly. Rebecca was lucky she hadn’t crushed or smothered or starved…
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