The Three little devils
Daisy and Petunia made their way to the nearest hospital in Cokeworth. The ride was tense, filled with unspoken fears and hopeful prayers. Petunia’s mind raced with memories of the future: Daisy’s warm smile, the laughter they shared, the void left behind when it was all taken away.
At the hospital, they met with a doctor who conducted an array of tests. After what felt like an eternity, the doctor returned, his face serious yet oddly relieved. “Mrs. Evans, I’m glad you came in. We’ve identified some significant issues with your heart. If we don’t act soon, the risk of a heart attack is very high.”
Petunia felt a wave of nausea wash over her. “What does she need?” she asked urgently.
“You will need surgery, and I’m pleased to say we’ve caught it early,” the doctor explained. “But the best surgeon for this procedure is in London. That’s where you’ll need to go.”
As the weight of the news settled around them, Petunia caught a glimmer of hope. But Daisy's face fell as the implications of their conversation dawned on her. “London? How much will it cost?”
The doctor hesitated, his expression shifting to one of concern. “It can be quite expensive, and I know many people struggle with the financial burden. But I assure you, this surgery is vital.”
Daisy’s hands trembled as she looked down at her lap, the vibrant yarn forgotten. “I can’t afford it, Petunia. I don’t have that kind of money.”
Petunia could see the concern etched across her grandmother’s face.
“Petunia, I think we should ask your father for the money,” Daisy suggested, her voice trembling slightly.
Petunia shook her head vigorously. “No, Grandma. Harold won’t be able to cover even half of it, and besides…” She hesitated, the words catching in her throat. “After relinquishing his parental rights, he’s uneasy around me. Rose might use this as leverage to take me back. I refuse to let that happen.”
Daisy’s brow furrowed, the worry lines on her face deepening. “Then what are we supposed to do?”
With a soft smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, Petunia leaned in closer, her voice low and conspiratorial. “I know exactly where to get the money.”
Daisy looked puzzled, and Petunia wasted, no time to grab the phone and she called her friend Emma “Hi Emma! Bring Titan. We need to take him to the school as soon as possible.”
Petunia’s thoughts spiraled around the upcoming confrontation with Mrs. Williams, the math teacher whose illicit activities they had stumbled upon. It was a risky gambit, but desperate times called for desperate measures. Petunia had always been a little mischievous, but now she felt a sense of empowerment coursing through her veins. She was determined to do whatever it took to save her grandmother.
The following day, she met up with Emma and Yvonne, her closest friends, and revealed the plan. “First, we need to hide Titan,” she said, her tone turning serious. Titan, Emma’s dog, had a reputation for being fierce and loyal. He would be their trump card against Mrs. Williams.
“Where do we hide him?” Emma asked, her brow furrowed in thought.
“There’s a storage room by the gym,” Petunia suggested, her mind already racing ahead. “We’ll keep him there until we need him.”
The trio worked swiftly, stashing Titan safely away before making their way to the gym where Mrs. Williams was known to hang out during her free periods. As they approached the gymnasium, a feeling of adrenaline surged through Petunia. This was more than just a confrontation; this was a stand for her grandmother’s life.
“Let’s go!” Petunia whispered, leading the way. They crept into the gym, their hearts pounding in sync with the thumping of the basketball on the court. They found Mrs. Williams, her back turned to them, leaning against the wall with a small vial in her hand.
“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” Petunia called out, feigning surprise.
The teacher turned, her face draining of color when she saw the girls. “What do you want?” she snapped, her bravado faltering.
“Oh, just a little chat about your… extracurricular activities,” Petunia replied sweetly, masking her anger with a veneer of innocence.
Mrs. Williams’ eyes darted around, calculating her escape. “You can’t prove anything!” she retorted, but her voice wavered.
Petunia stepped forward, the confidence in her demeanor growing. “What do you think will happen if we tell the principal about this? Imagine your career ending right here, right now.”
“Believe me, Miss Evans, if anyone finds out about this, you will regret it,” Mrs. Williams hissed.
Petunia laughed coldly, the sound echoing in the empty gym. “Oh, I’m so scared.” She glanced at Emma, who was holding Titan on a leash, the dog growling low in his throat. “How about a little encouragement from my dog? He doesn’t like drugs much.”
“Please, I don’t have the money!” Mrs. Williams exclaimed, panic creeping into her voice.
Yvonne chimed in, her expression fierce. “We know you don’t. But we do know your supplier does . Give us a name, and we’ll walk away.”
Mrs. Williams hesitated, her fear palpable. “They will kill me if I tell you,” she said, her voice trembling.
“Do we look like we care?” Emma shot back, tightening her grip on Titan’s leash.
In that moment, Mrs. Williams looked at Petunia with a mix of confusion and realization. “You’ve changed, Miss Evans. Ever since you woke up from the coma.”
Petunia took a deep breath, her resolve solidifying. “No, Mrs. Williams. I didn’t change. I just see the world in a different perspective now.”
The math teacher laughed darkly but eventually relented. “All right! My supplier is Duncan Fortescue—the mayor of this town!”
Petunia’s heart raced at the mention of the name. Duncan Fortescue was a name she recognized—he was the father of her sister’s best friend from the future, Alice Fortescue. This connection ignited a flicker of hope within her. “Thank you, Mrs. Williams,” Petunia said, her voice steady and low. “Now leave, and never come back.”
As the teacher scuttled away, Petunia turned to her friends, the weight of their victory settling on her shoulders. “We have a lead. Now we just need to figure out how to approach Duncan Fortescue.”
Emma looked at her excitedly. “What’s the plan?”
Petunia smiled, the fire of determination igniting within her. “First, we gather more information about him. Then we figure out how to confront him—whether it’s through a meeting or some other way. We’ll do whatever it takes to save Grandma.”
Together, the three girls began to plot their next move, their hearts beating with a shared sense of purpose. They were ready to take on the world, one step at a time, in a quest not just for money, but for family, love, and a second chance for Daisy Evans.
Xxxxx
Petunia Evans adjusted her apron and stirred her famous vanilla latte, the sweet aroma wafting through the kitchen. Her friends, Emma and Yvonne, perched on the edge of their seats at the kitchen table, their eyes wide with a mix of excitement and trepidation.
"I can’t believe it—the mayor himself! I mean, my dad is a police officer. How is it possible that he didn’t notice?" Emma exclaimed, disbelief painted on her face.
Yvonne, ever the voice of caution, interjected, “Petunia, we can’t keep going after Duncan Fortescue. He’s dangerous! What are we? We’re just eleven-year-old kids.”
Petunia lowered her cup, a glint of determination sparking in her eyes. “Calm down, Yvonne. We’re not going to barge into his office and demand money. We’re just going to sneak in through the window and take what we need.”
“Petunia, please!” Yvonne begged, her voice rising in anxiety. “I know you’re doing this for your grandma’s surgery, but it’s dangerous! What if he finds out you stole his money? We’ll all be dragged into this mess.”
Petunia’s gaze softened for a moment as she considered her friends’ fears. “I know, Yvonne. But I don’t have a choice.” She glanced at Emma, whose expression reflected a mix of concern and curiosity.
“Well, I hope you have a plan, Tunny,” Emma said, biting her lip.
A sly smile crept across Petunia’s face, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “I heard from the neighbors that our mayor bought an abandoned warehouse three years ago. And now, my dear friends, why do you think he bought that warehouse?”
The girls widened their eyes in realization. “No way! That’s his drug den!” Emma gasped.
“Exactly,” Petunia said, reveling in the thrill of their discovery. “But for now, we need to focus on sneaking into his office and stealing some cash. There’s a competition in a week—I’ll be playing the violin. After the performance, we’ll sneak into his office. Who knows? Maybe we’ll find some dirt on Fortescue.”
Just then, Petunia’s grandma, Daisy Evans, entered the room, her silver hair catching the sunlight. “Ah, girls! What are you all doing here?” she asked, her voice warm and inviting.
The girls exchanged panicked glances, and Petunia plastered on a sweet, deceiving smile. “Oh, nothing, Grandma! We’re just enjoying our vanilla latte,” she chirped, her voice filled with innocence.
Daisy Evans raised an eyebrow but smiled back, oblivious to the secret plans brewing in her granddaughter's mind. “All right, girls. Enjoy your time together. I’m going to take a shower.”
Once Daisy left the room, Emma’s face shifted from shock to admiration. “Sometimes you scare me, Petunia.”
Petunia tilted her head, a playful smile teasing the corners of her mouth. “How exactly am I scaring you? I don’t remember doing anything that could harm you, Emma?”
Yvonne sighed, the weight of their plans hanging in the air. “She means how you change your attitude so easily, Tunny. One moment, you’re sweet and innocent; the next, you’re plotting a heist.”
Petunia laughed lightly, the thrill of the impending adventure coursing through her veins. “It’s all part of the act, Yvonne. We need to be smart. If we want to get in and out without getting caught, we have to play our roles well.”
Emma looked uncertain, but the spark in Petunia’s eyes was infectious. “Okay, fine. But we have to be careful. I don’t want to end up on the front page of the newspaper as the kids who tried to rob the mayor.”
Petunia clapped her hands together, a plan already forming in her mind. “Alright! Here’s what we’ll do. We’ll meet at my house after school every day this week. We’ll plan our route to the office, figure out the best time to go in, and we’ll scout out the warehouse too. We’ll be like secret agents!”
With that, the girls set to work on their plan, driven by a mix of exhilaration and nerves. Unbeknownst to them, the journey they were about to undertake would alter the fate of Alice Fortescue, the future Lady Longbottom, and unveil secrets far more profound than they had ever dreamed. As they devised their strategies, the weight of their predicament became increasingly apparent—beyond the excitement of the heist lurked a menacing danger, and within the heart of Cokeworth, shadows ran deeper than they could possibly conceive.