Molly-Jane Walter

Chapter Five

Someone was shaking me. I groan and try to roll onto my side, but whoever was shaking me didn't stop. "Molly! You have to wake up!" I groan again, and open my eyes, blinking quickly. "Gilbert?" I gasp. "You're not in the hospital ward anymore!" I exclaim. Gilbert shook his head, a big smile on his face. "I'm all better now. The doctors said I had recovered quite quickly. They wanted to keep me in the hospital wing for another night, but I told them it would be best if I slept in my own bed, so they discharged me." Gilbert announced. "But come, you must hurry. The bell rang fifteen minutes ago, and everyone is already down at breakfast." He said urgently. I gasp. "Fifteen minutes ago! Why did none of the girls wake me when it rang?" I exclaim, shock taking me over. If she hadn't already noticed, Miss Levouge would certainly have noticed now that I wasn't at breakfast. "Hurry and get dressed, I'll wait outside the door," Gilbert told me. I nod and race off to the wash basin. Splashing my face with water, I hurry to grab my dress, stockings and shoes, and put them on as quickly as I can. I race towards the door, throwing it open, and Gilbert and I ran as quickly as we could down the stairs to the breakfast room. Luckily for me, Miss Levogue had not noticed my absence, nor had she noticed that Gilbert had slipped upstairs to wake me. I sit down beside Gilbert in our usual spot, both of us quickly eating our now cold porridge. I immediately feel bad. Gilbert shouldn't have to eat cold porridge on my account. "Gilbert, you must have your porridge warmed. It isn't fair that you should have to eat cold porridge because you had to come and fetch me." I tell him, glancing quickly at his bowl and then back at him. But Gilbert only shook his head. "Molly, are you kidding me? Getting to wake you up this morning is way better than hot porridge." "How so?" I ask him, using what I hoped was my sternest expression. "Because of the rules. It was great getting to come in and wake you up, instead of having to wait for you at the bottom of the stairs." He replied, and winked. I shake my head, frowining. "Gilbert, you know it isn't proper! What if one of the teachers had seen you coming into the girls' dormitory? You would have been in so much trouble!" I whisper fiercely. But Gilbert only laughed. "Rules are made to be broken." He said, and shrugged his shoulders. I shake my head, grinning. Gilbert was usually well behaved, but as I mentioned to you reader, we liked to be a bit naughty every now and then.

My life at Lancaster School continued on through the years as a happy one. However, when it came to Gilbert's final year at school, my heart felt as though it had sunk like a stone. Indeed, we still had many months to go until he graduated, but it felt like he was being torn away from me. "Molly, you mustn't worry so much. I'll still be here every day. I know it won't be exactly the same, but soon YOU'LL be the one to have finished school, and then we can always be together." He told me, his best attempt to cheer me up. "Remember our promises?" He asked. I nod. A while back, Gilbert and I had promised that we would never be separated from one another. We would do everything in our power to stay together, no matter what the consequences. "Well, then we have something to look forward to. You can always come and live with us at Woodland Manor. I won't have you living so far away at any other place." Gilbert told me seriously. "That would be incredible, Gilbert." I say, grinning. "Woodland Manor...Yes, I quite like it indeed! Oh, how I WISH I could be graduated like you are." Gilbert laughed. "Six more years. I know it seems like a long time, but remember, I'll be visiting you every day." Even so, it wouldn't be the same not eating breakfast, lunch and dinner with Gilbert. We ALWAYS sat together. It would be a big change... "Come now, let's not worry anymore about my graduation. Let's just focus on right now, alright?" Gilbert asked me. I nod. "That's my girl." He smiled as he wrapped his arms around me, and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. We were careful not to let any of the teachers see the affection we displayed towards one another, for we would both immediately be expelled from the school, and then I wouldn't see Gilbert anymore. I'd have to go back to my aunt and cousins, and he would have to go back to Woodland Manor. We were always careful though, reader, so you have nothing to worry about. Trust me.

Life continued on at Lancaster School. Gilbert had graduated some years before, and now my graduation was fast approaching. I had just turned eighteen, and graduation was a little over a month away. Gilbert had continued to visit me throughout my schooling years at the school, and I enjoyed his visits immensely. Although each time he left, my heart would ache just that little bit more. I hated to see him go, but I hated even more that I could not go with him. Preparation for the upcoming graduation assembly was in full swing, and before I knew it, the day of my graduation had finally arrived. I was wearing my best school dress; not a wrinkle could be found on my apron, and I had done my hair in a simple, but fashionable plait. Those of us who were graduating were waiting in our dorm room awaiting Miss Braxton's call for us to come down the stairs and enter the Great Hall. Five minutes later, Miss Braxton stood at the bottom of the stairs. "Alright, ladies, we are ready for you now." Came her gentle voice. One by one, we descended the stairs in lady-like grace. And then I remember; Gilbert would be here. He had managed to have the whole front row of seats on the left-hand side reserved for him and his family. The thought of seeing his family for the first time made my heart beat fast. In a straight line, we descended into the Great Hall and were met with a smattering of applause. The boys were already lined up side-by-side on the right-hand side of the room, and Miss Braxton motioned for the girls to stand on the left-hand side. It was customary for the families of the graduates to attend the ceremony, but I had not expected my aunt or my cousins to attend. Walking up to the front of the room, my eyes land on Gilbert, who had the biggest grin I had ever seen. Next to him, I assumed, were his mother and father, and next to them, were his two little sisters, Lillian, who was four, and Charlotte, who was six. I smile back nervously and stand tall, with my head held high. "Ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you to our beloved school. Today is a very special day. Today we say farewell to our graduating students." Miss Braxton said. "One by one, each student will be called by his or her last name, to receive their certificate." Miss Levogue continued. She nodded at Miss Braxton to begin calling out names. After about twenty students, my name was finally called. "Miss Walter." I feel so nervous as I make my way toward Miss Braxton. She gave me an encouraging smile as she shook my hand and congratulated me on graduating. I smile warmly at her and make my way back to my spot in the line beside the other girls. I look over at Gilbert, his face full of joy. After the ceremony, tea and cakes are laid out in the breakfast room for the families of the graduates. I find Gilbert with his mother over by the lemon biscuits. "Ah, so this must be the famous Molly I've been hearing so much about." Gilbert's mother said. "Pleased to make your acquaintance ma'am," I say, curtsying. "Oh my! How well-mannered she is! And how beautiful! Gilbert has been telling me the most charming stories about the two of you." Gilbert's mother told me. Gilbert smiled. "May I introduce my mother? Mrs. Harding, Lady of Woodland Manor." Gilbert informed me in his most polite voice. "My lady, it is an honour." I smile at Gilbert's mother. She was quite beautiful. With raven hair and bright blue eyes, just like Gilbert's, she was the picture of beauty. Her character was warm and friendly, not at all like the coldness Miss Levogue showed towards us. I could see that Gilbert got his personality from his mother. "Oh no, you must call me Mrs. Harding. Gilbert has always been too formal and polite. I insist! Call me Mrs. Harding." Mrs. Harding told me warmly. "Mrs. Harding it is then," I reply, grinning. "Mother, where are father, Lillian and Charlotte?" Gilbert asked, as he looked around the room. "Oh, I'm sorry, dear, they had to leave early. Lillian wasn't feeling very well and had to go home to rest." Mrs. Harding explained. "Oh, not to worry. You shall just have to meet them when you come to stay at Woodland Manor." Gilbert winked at me. I look at the floor, blushing. "Oh yes, Gilbert has been quite excited at the arrangement of you coming to stay, dear." Mrs. Harding exclaimed. "Of course, if it is alright with your family." She added, and began to look around the room, in search of them. "Oh, my aunt will not care where I go Mrs. Harding," I inform her. "My aunt and cousins are not here today," I add, wishing to put an end to her search. "Oh, you are sure, dear?" She asked, concern splayed across her face. I nod. "My aunt only wished for me to go to school. Once I had finished, she told me she no longer wished to know of my whereabouts." I reply, looking down at my feet, my face burning. Gilbert, who seemed to sense that the topic of my aunt was making me uncomfortable, changed the subject to all the things we would do once I came to Woodland Manor. While he and his mother spoke, I can not help but gaze at my one true friend at this school. How could my life get any better than this? I was at the best school around, I had an incredible best friend, whose mother seemed to like me, and I was going to stay with them at Woodland Manor. Life was quite honestly, a fairytale.