The Teatime Fairy

Beginnings

"Remember to complete your homework on differentiation and integration, class. And, remember, no texting any questions after work hours!" Mrs. Singh announced. The class erupted in chuckles, not at how she wanted questions before 6 p.m., but more so at the fact that there would be none, as per usual. She closed her book and wiped the whiteboard as the last school bell rang. The students got up from their seats and walked out of the class gleefully, filling the corridor with their chatter and laughter. Footsteps trickled out the classroom as droplets of water do from a half-open tap.

"Kids these days, they don't know how to greet or say goodbye", muttered Mrs. Singh under her breath. She scrubbed the whiteboard extra hard with a vengeance, erasing the last bit of black ink on the gleaming board.

Suddenly, the hairs on the back of her neck bristled as if preened with electricity. An ominous presence occupied the space behind her. The classroom was utterly quiet.

"Goodbye, Mrs. Singh", a meek, soft voice spoke timidly, as audible as a screeching whisper.

"Aaah!" gasped Mrs. Singh in surprise. She spun around, only to bump into the petite girl of five foot eleven.

"Oh goodness!" Mrs. Singh cried out loud. "I deeply appreciate the thought, Pagesworth, but you ddn't have to...stand behind me like that."

"I see. I'm sorry", Audrey said.

"Oh, no need to apologise..." Mrs. Singh said, sighing. She put one hand to her forehead.

"Audrey, do you...do you have any friends?" She asked, looking down on the petite girl with gold-rimmed glasses as thick as pancakes.

"I try, miss", Audrey replied. Whatever else was she supposed to say?

"Well, maybe you can try less, and do more," Mrs. Singh said. "I hardly ever see you during recess."

"I sat beside you today, miss."

"Oh dear, did you? I'm sorry."

"It's alright."

A silence as awkward as ducks in the public pool ensued between the two of them.

"Well have a good rest today, miss. I will make a move first. Thank you for the lesson today." Audrey bowed slightly, and made a move for the exit.

"Goodbye, Audrey!" Mrs. Singh called after the last few traces of her tiny shadow as she disappeared behind the classroom doors.

"What a strange little girl," she thought to herself. "She really reminds me of Sadako from the ring."

~

"Mum, I'm home!" Audrey called out into the living room, placing the keys into the small ceramic dish atop the shoe cupboard.

"Ah, Audrey, welcome home! Dinner's on the table." As per usual, her mother replied in her soft, gentle, dreamy voice behind the balcony curtains. She was drinking again.

"Okay, mum, thanks..."

Audrey dropped her bag to the floor and went to the kitchen sink to wash her hands. However, no matter how hard she rinsed her hands, the dirt would not get out of her fingernails."

"Darn!" She muttered, before placing her fingers to her lips. It was not like her to swear. Father never liked it.

She removed herself from the sink and sat at the dining table. Gingerly, she removed the covers from the bowls. Today, again, it was tofu with rice. There was a bit of roasted seaweed this time.

"Itadakimasu!" Audrey announced, clapping her hands together. "Let's eat!"

Still, there was no response from the balcony. A light snoring travelled from between the sliver of gaps in the curtains.