This Twisted Game - A Hamilton Retelling

Aleyshan

Peggy bustled into the carriage. Wearing a bright – lemon yellow silk dress. Eliyana's eyes widened. Aleyshan's almost popped out of her head.

'You like it?', squealed Peggy, spreading out the skirts over the cushioned seats, 'I feel like sunshine'.

'It is – quite – bright', said Eliyana.

'Peggy, did you ask Mama before you wore it?'

'She did not because she knew I would not approve', said their mother as she entered the carriage. She settled beside Aleyshan, carrying the scent of jasmine into the carriage with her, pink pearls luminescent at her throat, her long hair undone down her back, standing out from the peach coloured dress she wore, looking gorgeous against her chocolate – brown skin.

'Well, I think I look pretty', declared Peggy, 'All the other dresses looked terrible, and the colours were absolutely dull. Like blue. Who wears blue? Blue for babies'.

'I'm wearing blue', said Eliyana, eyes narrowing.

'Yes – but it's a pretty blue', said Peggy hastily 'Lik e– like'.

'It's teal', interrupted Aleyshan, not wanting to listen to peggy for one more second.

She opened her mouth to say something more, but shut it.

Heavens. She had no idea how the night was going to turn out.

The carriage set off, away from the house and along broad street, past rows of houses, other carriages..

Half an hour into the journey, their mother spoke.

'Remember the rules – don't talk too much, don't eat too much, and absolutely do not drink the champagne they serve out'.

'Does that mean I can have the wine?', Peggy asked in an innocent voice.

They all glared at her.

She put up her hands, 'I know – I know – I was just kidding, no alcohol, just orange juice!'

'And last of all', said their mother, 'Don't get too friendly with any boy'.

'I thought that is why we are going there', said Peggy, grinning, which melted away at their mother's glare.

In and out. That was why they were going. In and out.