Nanny Diaries 2 - The New Litter

Pledging My Devotion

"I beg your pardon, Pastor?" I exclaimed, not exactly sure that I had heard him properly or understood his intent, for that matter. I had been having twice weekly sessions with Pastor John for seven weeks by that stage as I prepared to become a full member of the Church of Christian Reform, but he had never mentioned my future status in the community before.

"Rules are rules, Miss Scott...as an unmarried female in this community, a maiden, with no family of your own living here, you must have a guardian to manage all your affairs and ensure that you conduct yourself appropriately according to the doctrine. Mr Hughes is willing to stand as your guardian, and your parents have agreed to it...as a maiden, you do not technically get a say in the matter. But it is really no more arduous than your previous situation...you live with Mr and Mrs Hughes already, after all...it is really just a simple question of considering yourself as a ward to Mr Hughes, rather than an employee...a maiden in common parlance. He would be responsible for you, to the church and to God, of course."

"But I am an adult, Pastor..."

"In the eyes of the law, most certainly...but once you take your vows of obedience, you are a maiden in the eyes of God...is that a problem?" He asked, frowning at me. I had decided to join the church after we dealt with the Wellman issue. Everyone had been so supportive, and I felt so loved, not just by the girls but by Mr and Mrs Hughes and all the other friends I had made in Meadvale. The Sunday after we shot the video, I had been sitting in the church as usual with Caris on my lap and Philippa and Georgina on either side, listening to the Senior Pastor talk about the strength of the community and how our shared faith in the doctrine made us all one in the eyes of God. He had gone on a bit, if I am honest, but his general theme struck a chord with me. I really loved living in Meadvale, and ever since I had started dressing like a traditional Reformist, I had felt even more a part of the place. That was why I was sitting there in my own cream and blue gown, learning more about my chosen faith, with my brand-new corset, an instrument of torture made to measure for me, cutting me in two. Candy Wellman's attack had really knocked me back, but Meadvale was putting me back together.

"No...I want to obey the doctrine, Pastor." I replied, because I did, really. I had been talking to all my friends in Meadvale, and my parents, ever since the realisation hit me that I was and wanted to be part of the community. Learning more about it, actually studying the doctrine my friends lived by and my girls were being brought up to respect, was the obvious next step, and that was why I started meeting with Pastor John. And of course, like any outsider, to use the term Mrs Deacon had used about me, I discovered that my actual knowledge of the Reformist movement was hopelessly superficial and naïve.

"So...you must reject this idea of yours that your age entitles you to independence or indeed any rights within the community." Pastor John, a man not much older than me as far as I could tell, said solemnly. "Your life has phases, which have nothing to do with your age. You are a maiden here, no longer a child, serving the community in an appropriate capacity where your reputation can be protected and your piety ensured...but the major decisions in your life should be taken by your parents and your guardian...ideally in conjunction with you, but primarily in your best interests...as is the case with Miss Arabella Deacon, of course."

"I always talk things through with my parents, Pastor...and listen to their advice." I replied honestly, because it was true. I was an only child, and I was close to my parents. I had discussed my intentions with them, and my father had talked to the Pastor, to assuage any concerns he had about my burgeoning faith in the doctrine. "And I trust Mr Hughes...I feel like part of his family here already and I love my litter..."

"Then why do you hesitate to pledge your obedience?"

"Because I live in a world where my right to self-determination is sacrosanct...I suppose."