Wednesday has come around again and I’m happy to present this week’s flash fiction.
“I’m certain I don’t recall!” Josephine Maria Ziegler’s eyes widen as she stared at Ollie. No doubt in feigned shock. “I can’t believe you would accuse me of being careless with the health of those in my employ!”
Ollie snorted and crossed her arms. “Really, because when I first meet you the butler had a limp.”
Josephine pressed hand against her chest, fingers splayed. “I can’t help if the man was a clumsy oaf.”
“Ha! Even an acrobat couldn’t navigate that workshop without tripping.” She raised a finger and narrowed one eye to forestall argument. “And insisting on tea on the opposite side and up a landing.”
“Well,” Josephine said and stopped. “What does that have to do with this?”
Ollie glanced to where Alessia and Timothy sat inspecting fresh bruises. “I’m sure I’ve no idea.”
“Well, if you all were going to insist on course discourse, I had to distract myself.”
“Not with exploding mechanics!” Ollie flung her arm out indicating the soot covered windows and bits of metal strewn across the floor.
“But–”
“No!” Ollie’s fingers went to her pistol. “Unless you’d like walking be your distraction.”
Josephine glanced out moment, viewing what little of the dusty landscape was visible through soot. She huffed but relented retaking her seat on a bench.
“How in tarnation did she manage that from a couple gaskets anyway?” Timothy muttered, not mollified by her current contriteness.
Ollie rolled her eyes as Josephine rose to defend herself. So much for peace.
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