T.S.

Diana aged 15: September 1912

Ada screams joyously as she crashes into my arms. I had been away for the summer and the 14 year old girl had grown several inches coming right up to my own height. Her short cropped hair tickled my cheeks as she hugged me tight. I take Charlie's hand as I step off the boat and beckon Jayden after me. She's shy and meek. Their brown hair is longer than Ada's and they come up to my shoulders. She looks smaller but in actuality she's just hunched over a little. The dress she has on is a black pinafore with a white blouse underneath; It's terribly grown up and I felt a little jealous of her beautiful backless slippers with their flowers but I swallow down the envy. Mama said that they'd send her in the most beautiful clothes to convince us to move back. Their (Jayden's) face is flushed and pale at the same time and I can't work out if it's from seasickness or if it's from embarrassment. She comes off the boat making quiet conversation with Curly who does half the talking for her. I look at Charlie and smile. Behind him leaning against the stable is Tom with Greta Jurossi. My stomach twists; It was just Greta, for Christ's sakes. Tom and her had always been close. But the way he chuckled at her and the way she would playfully brush her hand against his forearm made me feel ill. What's worse is he hadn't even said hello or acknowledged my presence. Charlie sees me and gives me a small smile. He turns around and begins ordering Tom around in an effort to separate the two. I turn back to Jayden. She smiles at Ada.

"Hello." they're shyness causes them to look away a bit but Ada hugs them all the same, making Jayden blush. We walk up to my house and I carry Jayden's suitcase in my hand and Charlie carries mine. The older man knocks on the door and greets my mother with a hand held to his forehead. She thanks him for bringing us back safely. Her English had been getting better with the passing years. I smiled and so did Charlie as he waved and went back in the direction of the docks. Ada, Jayden and I step into the small house and I pull them into my house. We had moved last year into a bigger house on the Shelby family's street. Upon Father's death, we had inherited all the money he had kept from us and bought housing that wasn't comparable to a slum. Like the Shelby's we had 5 rooms, One for me, another for mum (although she often shared with me) and a sewing room for her too. The last 2 rooms remained .

I pull Ada and Jayden into my room. Mum had done up the room with some lace from her job on the bottom of the curtains and put a small vase with flowers on my bedside cabinet. I take my suitcase and swing it onto my bed, springing it open. We all walk into the next room and I place Jayden's suitcase down. I stand atop her bed, "I have an announcement."

I grin at Jayden pulling her onto the bed, "Jayden Grey will be living in England for the next few years or until she chooses to return."

Ada claps happily until my mother's voice sounds through the door,"Tira os sapatos da cama limpa."

I jumped down pulling Jayden off too, "Sorry mama."

Ada giggles, "I knew your shoes would get you into trouble Di."

"What can I say? I'm just a troublesome little thing." I tease

Suddenly, Ada looks nervous, "She knows english right ?"

"Yes." Jay replies, "I passed all my English tests at school and can speak very well. I just need to finish off school and start working. I can speak, I'm just shy."

Ada grins and nods, linking arms with Jayden.

"When does school start?" asks Jayden

"Tomorrow." My mother says through the door startling all of us. "And tomorrow Diana will start work at the tailors." She pauses letting us take in the fact we had mere hours to have fun together," But go. You want to go party. I will come to Pollyanna's tomorrow all the same so it's no pain on me."

We all beam at her and squash her into a hug sending a million thank yous her way as we run out the door. Ada pulls us into her house and she hands Jayden some boots.