Chapter 14

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Warning!

TW: Slight abuse in this chapter...

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Charlotte sighed to herself as she wiped her forehead with her sleeve for the third time in the same hour.

She felt a splash of water hit her face, making her gasp at the low temperature that hit her face. If it was Summer, Charlotte would've been almost thankful.

But it was the middle of November.

"Have a nice bath, Sullivan!" a boy laughed as he walked away. 

Charlotte stood up and made her way to Matron, where she was cleaned up and was told to stay in the warmest part of the medical room.

"Do you want me to deliver Mr Ridley's morning tea for you?" Matron asked. 

Charlotte shook her head, "No, I can do it"

Charlotte made it to kitchen a few minutes, ready to deliver the tea to Mr Ridley's classroom. She set it on the table outside the door and knocked before picking up the tray and carrying it in. 

"Thank you, Charlotte," Mr Ridley smiled. 

Charlotte was just about to leave when Mr Ridley called for her. 

"Oh, Charlotte!" Mr Ridley said. "Could you quickly give Hutchinson a helping hand?"

Charlotte mentally screamed, but nodded and walked over to give Hutchinson a helping hand with a problem he was having trouble with solving.

They were halfway through when Hutchinson accidentally jerked Charlotte's hand as she was writing something down in his book. Her wrist hit the ink pot and it tipped over and onto Hutchinson's book.

"Look what you did, Sullivan!" Hutchinson yelled, standing up and glaring down at the 12 year old. 

"Me?" Charlotte replied. "It was an accident, and you jerked my hand"

Hutchinson then did the unthinkable. 

He slapped Charlotte right across her left cheek. The class gasped and Mr Ridley rushed over, quickly leading Charlotte outside as tears began to blur her eyesight.

"Hutchinson, you are to stay behind when the lesson is finished!" Mr Ridley said. "Baines, you're in charge until I return"

Mr Ridley closed the door and quickly led Charlotte to the Medical Room, where Matron quickly gave Charlotte a wet cloth to put on her red cheek. 

"Thank you, Mr Ridley" Charlotte cried. 

"Remember that I'm here for you, Charlotte" Mr Ridley smiled. 

Charlotte nodded, and Mr Ridley left to get back to the class. Matron quickly walked over with a letter in her hand. 

"Charlotte, this came for you this morning" Matron said. "Most likely from your mother"

Charlotte took the letter and opened it up, beginning to read.

Dearest Charlotte,

A lot has happened since I last wrote to you. I met someone a few days ago, and he is a very nice man. His name is James Wilson. 

I understand you may be worried for me, because of how horrible your father treated us, but please remember that not all men are horrible. They may have something going on in their life that they are too nervous to share. 

The factory is still working well, even if the payment isn't the best. But I promise that the moment I have enough money to buy a house and get a better job, I will be on my way to Farringham to collect you. 

I miss you more with every day that comes and goes, but that doesn't mean I will ever forget you. 

Mum xx

Charlotte smiled. 

The last few years had been tough for both her and her mother, but they were slowly making their way through. Sooner or later, they'd both make it to the end of the cave and emerge into the light. 

No matter how long that cave may be...

///

That same afternoon, Tim rushed after Charlotte, who no longer had a red cheek and had calmed down.

"Charlotte, wait!" Timothy called out, causing Charlotte to stop in her tracks and turn around.

"Tim, what's wrong?" Charlotte asked.

"I just wanted to say sorry for doing nothing earlier today," Timothy explained. "I should've gotten involved or gotten you away from Hutchinson"

"There's no need to apologize, Tim," Charlotte replied. "I understand it's hard being taunted by them, but you're a very good friend and I'm happy with that"

Tim smiled, even though he felt hurt.

Friend.

The word struck him like a dagger.

"Can you help me out with something?" Tim asked. "I need to collect some books and I don't think I'm gonna be able to carry them all"

"Yes, of course!" Charlotte replied. "Mr Ridley said I'm allowed to spend this evening off if I want to, since he's going out of town for a bit to visit his mother"

"I'll just have to hope my homework is done before then" Tim joked, making them both laugh.

"You told me to come collect that book, sir" Tim said to Mr Smith.

"Good lad, yes, yes!" Mr Smith said. "The Definitive Account of Mafeking by Aitchison Price. Where did I put that?"

"Shall I wait outside, sir?" Charlotte asked Mr Smith.

"Yes please, Miss Sullivan" Mr Smith replied, and beckoned Tim to come in.

Charlotte waited outside, still holding the five books and three notes in her hands. Suddenly, she felt herself being shoved over. The books and notes scattered all over the carpet.

"What your stepping, Sullivan" Charlotte heard a young boy said, followed by laughter.

Charlotte looked up to see three boys walking away, laughing at their cruel prank. Charlotte sighed, if only boys and girls could swap roles. They'd feel ashamed of everything they do.

Timothy appeared out the door seconds later, looking a little dazed and surprised.

"Are you alright, Tim?" Charlotte asked as she started to pick up the books.

"Oh, yes," Tim said quickly. "Here, I'll help"

"You don't need to, Tim," Charlotte said.

"Well, I want to," Tim replied, picking up a book and a few of the notes. Charlotte smiled.

"How many more books do we need to get?" Charlotte asked.

"Oh, this was the last one" Tim said, holding the blue book in the air. Charlotte nodded before following Tim up the stairs to his dorm.

"Thanks for the help, Charlotte," Tim said as Charlotte put the books down on the table nearby Tim's bed.

"Anything for one of my best friends" Charlotte replied. "I hope you can meet Pearl one day, she'd really like you"

"She sounds like a fun person," Tim said. Charlotte smiled before leaving through the door. 

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