Page 3 of Building Haven
“What are overlockers used for?”I lean to Riley, who’s looking at Vera in amusement.
“They make it easier to sew with stretchy fabrics.If she wants to make clothes for herself, for her changing body, or for babies or little kids, stretchy fabrics are the way to go.There are other uses, but that’s the main reason most people have one.”
“And they’re pricey, right?”Now that she’s explained what they’re for, I think I remember hearing about them years ago.
“Not per se.”Riley laughs.“They’re slightly pricier than a normal sewing machine, but have different functions.If she’s planning to make a lot of clothes, it might be useful to pick one up.”
I look around, finding only the shop’s assistant near the checkout and Miles, one of Derrick’s men who’s tasked with keeping us safe when we’re out in public, standing in the doorway to the fabric part of the store.“Where are the other two?”
“Looking at the fabrics, I think.They were curious if this store sells anything ‘unusual’ that they can have turned into a fancy suit, or something like that.Unless they snuck out and decided to go somewhere else.”She shrugs.“Derrick is with them, he’ll make sure they come back safely.”
Them returning safely isn’t something I’m worried about, I was hoping they could maybe get Vera back on track with what we’re here for, picking out a sewing machine, as Riley and I are failing at it spectacularly.Vera is now looking at other machines, these look bigger than the sewing machines or the overlockers and have multiple spools of thread on top in various colours.
“Do you know what you want?”I eye Riley, who’s reading the technical details of a sewing machine at her side.
“In general or do you mean which model from this store?”She sounds slightly distracted, but answers my question, so she’s paying some attention to what I’m saying.
“Second one.Unless they don’t have something you like.”
“Oh, no, they do.They’ve got a lot of good machines, more variation than they have in most places and all from reputable brands too.”She smiles as she looks at me.She wasn’t immediately interested in buying a new sewing machine, she’s got one at home and argued that if she goes back to pack up her things, she can take it with her.But when Mathew told her she could choose whichever one she wanted and that he’d pay for it, she was all-in.
“These?”I point to the ones in front of us.
She shakes her head and then nods to a table two rows over.“We’ll probably want one from that area, good balance of price and what they offer.We don’t need something fancy, especially if we’re only using them for sewing clothes or other things around the home.And if we’re picking up an overlocker too, we definitely don’t need something with too many options.Only makes it more complicated to use.”She starts walking and I follow her.
When Vera notices that we’re moving, she comes over and grabs our arms, holding us both, her eyes bright and excited.“Do you know what we’re getting yet?”
I shoot her a look.“You’resupposed to choose one.I have no idea what you need or want.”
She shrugs, unbothered.“One that works and can handle a lot of different fabrics is good enough for me.I’m not that picky.They all look good.”
I feel like this might turn into a very long day...
Well, it’s keeping us out of the house, which is good, and it’s quiet here, which Vera wanted, but it might be more tiring than planned.
“We should have broughtthe bigger van.”Derrick stares at the back of the car, which is nearly full with the sewing machine, overlocker and two boxes of fabric, and we’ve got two more boxes at our feet.And that probably won’t be all, since Vera, Jorge and Riley have disappeared into the yarn store next to the fabric store.They’re clearly on a shopping high...
Mathew leans against the side of the car, staring at me, smiling.“We can see if someone can bring over the van.That should solve the problem.”
I glare at him.“I don’t know if I like the feeling of having to get a van to transport some ‘crafty shopping’.”Though, he’s probably right, depending on what they’re picking up at the yarn store.
He comes closer, smiling broadly as he nods to a store across the street.“We probably should, as that looks like a store where we might be able to pick up some storage solutions, tables, chairs and other things we’ll need once the contractors are done.”
I let out a deep sigh.I’d seen the store when we arrived, they sell wooden furniture and I had a suspicion that it would be hard to leave without at least one person wanting to check it out.“You want to go in without the others?”
He grins.“You don’t think that’s the safest idea?If we let the others in there, we won’t leave for another week.”
“Very true.”I turn to Derrick.“You heard the boss.”
He glares at Mathew, then looks at the store.“Let me know if you find something for kids.We’ve got a birthday coming up and could use some bigger furniture.”
That makes Mathew laugh.“I’ll check.You wait here for the van.”
“I will.”Derrick pics up one of the boxes and puts it nearer the car.
It feels strange to go to the store without Derrick or anyone else of the security team, but I guess since I’m technically Mathew’s bodyguard too, this should be fine.
We cross the street and as soon as we’re inside, we’re surrounded by the scent of wood and my eyes fall on a large table made from a thick piece of wood.Like a slice made from the middle of a tree.
