The doorbell jingled as Laura pushed it open.
Inside, the garment shop smelled like starch and pine wood.
Bolts of cloth sat neatly on shelves along the wall.
By the window, an old sewing machine was set up.
Sarah’s hands trembled slightly.
This was her chance to find a job.
Also a way to stay hidden.
The curtain at the back slid open.
An old man emerged with a tape measure hanging around his neck.
Heavy glasses perched on his nose.
He moved slowly.
He smiled when he saw Laura.
“George,” Laura said, gesturing to Sarah.
“This is the woman I told you about.”
Sarah stepped forward and greeted the old man.
“Hello, I’m Emelia.
Thank you for seeing me today.”
George adjusted his glasses and gave Sarah a good look.
Laura had already explained Sarah’s situation to him days ago.
His eyes then shifted to the small children clinging to her skirt.
He gave a smile and didn’t ask why she was raising them alone or why her face was scarred.
“Laura said you can sew,” he said.
“I do, sir,” Sarah answered.
George nodded, then gestured to the old sewing machine on their left.
“Why don’t you show me the stitches you can do?
Your children can stay with Laura for now.”
Sarah turned to Alec and Abby.
“It’s okay, Mom,” Alec said, holding his sister’s hand.
“Abby and I are going to sit on the bench with Aunt Laura.”
“You can leave these two with me, Emy,” Laura added.
“I’m sure we can do something while waiting.”
Sarah thanked her and sat down before the sewing machine.
Discarded cloth scraps sat in a box beside her, clearly left for her to use.
Sarah made different stitches using the scraps.
Later, she picked up a needle and held the white thread up to the needle’s eye.
The thread hook made it easier to thread the needle.
Relying on her muscle memory, she started stitching the scraps with ease.
George folded his arms and leaned against the nearest shelf.
He didn’t say a word and simply watched her work.
Sarah’s hands moved.
Her stitches had to be perfect.
She couldn’t afford to fail.
Not now, not when her children were watching.
She worked silently, her stitches simple and neat.
Each stitch was perfectly even, with the right tension against the cloth.
She set the samples down and waited for George to see them.
The old man stepped closer and picked up the samples Sarah had done.
He brought them close to his glasses, then ran a thumb over the seam and stitches.
Then he tested them by pulling the thread to feel the tension.
“You know your way around needles and threads.
That will do.
When can you start, Miss Larson?” he asked.
Sarah’s face lit up.
She wasn’t planning to stay too long in Costa Verde, but she didn’t want to become a burden to her old nanny, so she insisted on finding a temporary job.
Laura kindly referred her to one of her old friends who ran a garment and repair shop in the area.
“Whenever you need me, sir,” she replied.
George looked past her toward the bench where the twins sat, talking with Laura.
“Are they yours?”
“They’re mine,” Sarah confirmed.
“Those kids are well-behaved, I can assure you.
They won’t cause you any problems here in the shop.”
George hummed, then adjusted his glasses.
“Laura’s place is quite far from here.
If you are willing, you and your kids may move to the vacant room upstairs.”
Sarah held her breath.
“I cleared out the old boxes and shelves from last season.
You can stay there if you like.
I only ask that you keep the shop clean and check the locks before bed.
Don’t worry about the utilities.
I’ll consider them as part of the maintenance expense.
You’ll have to cover your food and personal toiletries, though.
If something happens, I live three blocks from here.”
Sarah’s hands trembled.
Her heart pounded against her chest.
Staying in the shop would mean she and the twins wouldn’t need to go outside often.
Fewer chances of being spotted by any Moretti men or family members.
She doubted Adrian and his family would even set foot in a place like this.
“Thank you, sir,” Sarah said at once.
“That’s so kind of you, but please allow me to at least pay for the rent.”
George shook his head.
“You already have two children relying on you, Miss Larson.
Use that money to dress and feed them well instead.
Laura told me your husband wasn’t in the picture.
I know how hard it was to raise children alone.
You had two, which means it’s harder for you.”
The twins saw the test was done and stood up.
“Why don’t you go take a look with your children?
See if the little ones don’t mind the place.
If they agree, then it’s yours to occupy.”
Alec was already on his feet with Abby right behind him.
Sarah leaned down and told them, “Sir George said we can stay here.”
The twins’ faces lit up instantly.
“Really, Mom?”
“Really.
He said we can take a look.”
They grabbed her hands and pulled her toward the staircase at once.
Two rooms sat on the second floor.
One was filled with bolts of cloth and supplies.
The other was empty—a narrow room with a window facing the street and a tiny washroom attached.
Abby ran straight to the window and pressed her face against the dusty glass.
“Mom!
Look!
You can see the train tracks here!
Does that mean we can see the trains passing?”
“We will.” Sarah nodded.
“It might be a little uncomfortable at night, though.
The last train is at ten.”
Alec checked the walls and the small washroom.
There was even a small double-size bed and a built-in closet where they could store their clothes and personal belongings.
It was better than the ones they lived in before.
There was no draft and no leaks.
They didn’t even have nosy neighbors who always asked what their mother was up to and where their dad was.
Seeing her son’s reaction, Sarah couldn’t help but ask.
“Do you like it here?” she asked.
It would save her a lot of money and trouble if they could stay here, but if her children didn’t like it, Sarah would need to turn down her new employer’s generosity and find another place to live.
“We love it, Mom!” Abby answered in her brother’s stead, hugging Sarah’s leg.
“This will do, Mom,” Alec agreed, knowing their mother’s worries about their living arrangement.
“Then don’t forget to thank Sir George for allowing us to stay.
Let’s not cause him any trouble during our stay.”
The twins nodded and ran out of the room.
Sarah stopped at the door and glanced back at the empty space.
Four walls.
A window.
A roof that didn’t leak.
It wasn’t much, but it was theirs.
Nobody knew they were here.
At least for now.
She closed the door and followed her children down the stairs.
She didn’t know that across the city, a man was already looking for her.