CURIOUSITY

The next morning Scarlett set out with Margaret to the village hall, leaving Zoey at home "go early to the shop, I must meet you there" Scarlett told Zoey "of course" Zoey nodded.

' Okay, granny's gone' Zoey thought as she made her way towards the kitchen, 'let's try again', she knelt in front of the cabinets and tried opening them, the first was occupied with sugar, flour, milk and some other ingredients, the second was was locked and the third one was filled with metal flasks "she didn't lock this one today" Zoey said to herself as she searched further in the third cabinet, 'it has only metal flasks'... "metal flasks for what exactly?" she mumbled as she tried to open the second one to no avail 'she was definitely pounding early this morning ' 'where's the mortar?' Zoey stood up and climbed a stool to reach the top cabinets but they were all locked "urgh!" Zoey grumbled in frustration.

"She never leaves them open! what in the tarnation does she use the rotten veggies for!" "something's telling me it's definitely the veggies that she always pound... but what for exactly?" "even when I enter immediately she unlocks the kitchen, I won't find anything, not even a whiff of something strange".

'If I ask her she just says it's her secret recipe for her delicious foods' "who the hell uses rotten veggies as a secret ingredient!?" Zoey yelled to herself as she slammed the cabinets close in frustration and stepped out of the kitchen, finding zero clues once again.

"Since when did you say Reverale has been doing this?" "since his parents travelled sir " Margaret said with a small bow "and that was?" "two full moons ago" she answered " that's a long time ago, you've been enduring that for two full moons? that's two months!" the village head said in shock "she said something about them being her benefactor so she couldn't go against their son" Scarlett said with a sigh.

" Okay. I have filled the report, Reverale will be apprehended right away", "have you written to his parents?" he asked Scarlett, referring to the Redwoods "yes, I did that at night and went to the post office this morning before I came here, it's on it's way " Scarlett answered.

"Good, I'll deal with the rest, the first step is putting him in custody " the village head said and reached for the telephone on his table, Margaret could not get her eyes off the telephone as it was the first time she had seen one since only a few people had it as it was advanced technology and very expensive at the time.

" The officers are on their way, and Scarlett, Margaret will be in your care until the Redwoods return " "you don't have to tell me that, Smith" Scarlett said with a smile "okay then, we're done" "thank you very much sir village head, I appreciate your sense of justice and thank you too mama Zee" Margaret stood up and bowed, " you're welcome... and thank you Smith" Scarlett smiled again and left the building with Margaret.

" You lose again!" Margaret laughed out as she won Zoey again who had been losing the game, Margaret had already one four times in a row!.

Zoey pouted and rolled her eyes " I'm just going easy on you Maggie" Zoey lied with a dismissing wave " you hungry?" she asked, Margaret nodded " I know right? I'm really in the mood for pork sandwich" Zoey was speaking louder than normal and rubbed her belly, throwing a glance at her grandmother who was knitting beside them "ah, you two sure have a big appetite" Scarlett joked and gave them some money to go get what they want.