Before long it was
suitcases on the bed, clothes strewn about in an orderly way of course, long
lists to tick off. You guessed it, packing for boarding school.
The list is long and
boring, just knows this; it takes a good 2 hours to make sure I have everything,
Nanny helps check and recheck. We cannot just pop back home if something is
forgotten.
Feeling excited yet apprehensive
on the morning of my departure, I bid Mother, Father, Nanny and Mr Bowfinger farewell.
The train is full of young people struggling with their heavy bags. Parents
waving on the platforms, some staff are standing back from the platform, some with
teary eyes and heavy hearts too.
As the train leaves the
station I settle into my seat after waving goodbye from the window.
Suddenly next to me
appears my very good friend Bethany Beaulie, a beautiful girl with very fine features
and green eyes that seemed a little too large for her face, but somehow made
her even more beautiful. Beth had locks of hair that cascaded over her slim
shoulders. Beth is not aware of her beauty, which makes her that more
attractive.
“Good afternoon
Winifred”
“Hello Beth, it’s
lovely to see you again, did you have a good summer?”
“Yes
thank you, Winnie”
At
this stage I am hoping that Beth does not ask me what I’ve done this holiday,
oh goodness, whatever am I going to tell everyone. They will all be exchanging
tales of their most wonderful experiences when we are all together in the
dormitory. I can hardly say “I met
faeries and have been tasked by their Queen to keep them alive.”
Whatever
will they think? Whatever shall I say? Subconsciously I tap the velvet pouch that
is tucked away under my winter coat. My heart is beating so loudly I’m sure
Beth can hear it.
Beating
her to the question I ask “What have you been doing this summer, anything
interesting?”
Beth
hardly misses a beat and goes on in rather too fine a detail about her holiday,
telling me an almost day to day account (as if she’d been rehearsing her
answer, in anticipation of the question)
of her very busy and exciting holiday.
Pleased
at my keen interest on her doings over the holidays and keeping her chatter
really animated, she drew in the other two students who joined us in our cabin.
The newcomers to the cabin were also girls of similar age. The 1st
girl introduced herself as Patricia Harvey, she was very well spoken and from
Dorset. She is slender athletic built girl with dark curly hair and beautiful
brown eyes that were framed by ample lashes. Her mouth is full and generous,
and she is easy to smile. The second girl is perhaps a year younger and doesn’t
seem quite comfortable in her own skin yet. She introduces herself as Vanessa
Townsend, she is pleasant. Her feet are larger than you’d expect from someone
with such a small frame and her clothes seem slightly odd on her. Her mousey hair
is tied up high on her head and appears slightly greasy, she has a few spots on
her face and her shoes on those somewhat large feet are unpolished. She has
grey-blue eyes, which are mostly downcast, and a shy smile. There is something
about her I muse to myself.
Before
we know it, we have arrived at the station and are transported to the schools
boarding house. There has been rumour of a change of house mistress and house
master over the summer break. I wonder what they may be like. I mostly hope
they are kinder than the former disciplinarians who held those positions.
As
I step down from the carriage, lugging my very heavy suitcase behind me, I
happen to glance up. My heart turns to lead and drops.
NO!!!
It’s impossible… It can’t be??? Can it??
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