With the arrival of spring, Eva and Elias began to spend their days at the local farm. It was hard work, taking care of the crops and the children often returned home smelling of sweat with their eyes half closed. At least there was a chance of a little extra to eat, a few berries or an apple that wouldn't go noticed. The spring weather fluctuated from heavy rain to hail, yet still the children kept up their work. Well, Eva did. Elias was prone to taking the odd break!
Elias made up for his laziness on the stall, selling confidently to most people that came his way. He had the gift of the gab and knew it too. Eva didn't mind, she preferred working in the fields. People made her nervous unless she knew them quite well.
The little pond on the farm slowly defrosted as the weather grew warmer and Eva tried to spend a bit of time fishing each day, even though she didn't really enjoy it and honestly, she wasn't very good at it. Fish brought in fairly good money however, especially after a winter of eating shrivelled up boiled vegetables and eggs when they could be got.
"Elias, are you taking a break again?" Eva called, without looking over her shoulder.
"Oh, um no, I was just standing up to stretch my back," Elias offered. He realised he had been watching Eva work for about five minutes. Lately, he seemed to be watching Eva a lot. Ever since she had been so unwell at the end of winter, he felt worried about her almost all the time. It was silly, but he really couldn't help it. Perhaps his own illness had damaged his brain!
He turned back to the crops, shaking his head.
He didn't see Eva trying to climb the apple tree, all he heard was the thud and Eva cry out.
"I really banged my head," Eva answered, sadly.
"You daftie, you are supposed to climb the tree not fall out of it!" Elias said cheekily, hoping to see her smile. He helped Eva to her feet.
"I'm so fed up of that tree!" Eva said, crossly. "In fact, I'm fed up of the fields. I'm fed up of the stupid chickens. I'm fed up of Sunday keeping us up all night!" She burst out, angrily.
"Hey, the chickens aren't stupid! One of them told me a joke about a chicken crossing a road!" Elias teased.
"Oh, shut up Elias, chicken's can't talk. They just walk about clucking all day," Eva returned, walking off to the public toilet to clean herself up.
Elias waited for Eva to finish then went in to make sure she was okay. She looked so angry but mostly sad. He guessed she was pretty exhausted to be getting angry, it wasn't really like her. Or perhaps the bump on the head had made her crazy, he pondered.
"Why are you always making jokes Elias? You never take anything seriously! Why don't you go and find your imaginary dragon!" Eva flung at him then burst into tears.
"Oh come here," Elias said gruffly and gave her a hug. "If I didn't make jokes you would just be all mad and grumpy all the time! Like my dad!" He giggled.
"You are such an idiot Elias," Eva said then burst out laughing. "Your dad really is mad and grumpy though!" She said against his shoulder.
"Me too Elias. Just one night without Sunday screaming would be great," Eva said wistfully, as they made their way home. "You're so lucky your little brother is a good sleeper."
Sunday was not in good form when Eva got home. She was cutting her back teeth and it was hurting. As much as Eva moaned about Sunday, she did love her very much. Some nights, Eva would take Sunday into her own bed and cuddle up to her, to help her settle and get some sleep. Eva's mum did her best but she was still regaining her strength after the dysentery.
"Come on Sunday, let's see what there is left to eat," Eva said hopefully. She checked the pantry and found some cold pottage.
Eva thought Sunday was even happier than herself, when she placed a bowl in front of her. Eva wondered to herself when Sunday might have last been fed.
"Thank you Eva, you are such a help," Eva heard her mum say behind her. Turning round, she gave her mum a tight hug.
"It's okay mum, I like helping," Eva said. Her mother's hug made her feel warmer inside than Eva had felt all day.
Eva finally settled herself into bed and was just about to drift off into a deep sleep when she heard angry voices nearby.
Eva realised it was Elias's parents having another one of their rows. Lissie would have just got home from the tavern and Luke would be telling her what a terrible wife she was. Eva thought about Elias. She hoped he was okay. Maybe he was asleep already. She thought of the warm glow she got when her mother hugged her. "Poor Elias," Eva thought to herself sleepily. "I bet no one gave him a good night hug tonight".
That night, she dreamed she was asking a chicken how they cross roads.
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