Page 2 of A London Little's Bunny

It was the last of these that Essie was going to work on.

“In the book,” explained Briana, “there’s really only one bunny, called Bunny. But for the display, I’d really like it if we could have a whole host of bunnies. And Hope’s are going to donate them to a children’s hospital once the display is done.”

Essie nodded, thoughtful. “In that case, these bunnies have two purposes: one, to brighten your display and attract the eyes of little ones; and second, to bring joy to little children afterwards.”

“That’s right. I spoke to Susie, and you’re more than welcome to work here, if you’d like. We’ve plenty of materials and we’d pay all of your expenses, of course. It would just help me to be able to see what your ideas are, so I can adjust mine accordingly.”

“Sounds like a plan!” Essie’s fingers were itching again, to grab her sketchbook and start drawing out ideas. “I’ve read the book already—Susie sent it over with the brief—but I didn’t realise that you wanted lots of stuffies. I thought you just wanted the eponymous Bunny!”

“That was the original plan,” Briana looked slightly sheepish, “but when I realised that we’d be donating the bunny to a children’s hospital, it felt a bit mean to only donate one. I’m hoping for ten, so we can give one to every child on a ward for premie children.”

The backs of Essie’s eyes burned and she cleared her throat roughly. “Yes, that makes sense. Ten bunnies it is.”

And then she let herself slip into hyperfocus and sketch sketch sketch.

“Miss Bell?”

Blinking blearily, she looked up from the page where she’d been working on bunny number four into cool grey eyes that were clouded with concern.

“Oh!” She pushed back from when Ben Jyles’ face was surprisingly close to hers and almost fell off her chair. “Hello. What are you… I mean, hi, I guess…” she let her ramblings drift off into silence. Took a deep breath, collected her thoughts, and started again. “Hello Ben, how can I help you?”

“Briana tells me that you’re going to be working here for the next couple of weeks.”

“That’s right,” she nodded, sneaking looks back at the page, eager to continue.

“So I thought I’d show you where the canteen is.”

“That’s okay, I’m working.” Essie thought that might have dissuaded him from continuing the conversation, but he didn’t go anywhere. Apparently, he was really very set on showing her the canteen. “Seriously, I prefer grabbing lunch at my desk. I’ll make sure I bring a packed lunch with me.”

His brow furrowed, and she had a sudden urge to sketch him like that, all ruffled up and confused. “But it’s two pm, and you haven’t eaten yet.”

She blinked. “What?” Rustling through her papers she found her phone and it was indeed two pm.

“Miss Bell, I must insist that you have some lunch. On us, of course. You can’t keep working without eating something.”

Well. Two could play at that game. “Well I must insist that you call me Essie. Miss Bell is far too formal.”

Ben cleared his throat, and met her gaze unflinchingly. “Very well. Essie, I insist that you eat something.”

And all at once Essie felt her face flush and she really wasn’t thinking about work at all.

Chapter Two

“I really do prefer to eat at my desk,” Essie said, and then, because for some reason she felt like she owed this quiet man an explanation. “Canteens are usually far too noisy for me. Too many conversations at once and far too much banging and clashing. I promise I’m not being difficult.”

“If you would permit,” said Ben, still formal, “I will get you some lunch and bring it here for you, as you don’t appear to have brought a packed lunch today.”

Essie heard Briana laugh from across the room, and Ben shot her an unimpressed look. “She has to eat something Bri!”

“Oh I agree,” said Briana, in a tone that held no small amount of bemusement. “She definitely does. Very sweet of you to go to the trouble of looking after her.”

“She is right here,” said Essie, pertly. “Please don’t talk as if I’m not in the room with you.”

Briana just laughed again, but Ben looked mortified. “Miss Bell, I mean Essie, you are totally right, that really was very rude of…” He stumbled over his words, and she put a hand out and touched his arm gently.

“It’s okay, Ben, really. I was half teasing.”

His look of relief was so all consuming, that Essie thought that Ben Jyles deserved to always have someone alleviate his stresses. She’d do it. He could pet her. Feed her until he burst, if he wanted. Anything to stop him looking so concerned.

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