Regenesis

Alexandra - home at last

Alexandra's imagination was running wild as the echo of the familiar doorbell died in the air. They would, of course, know that Alexandra was coming, and would have prepared for it. Her mother would have spent all day sprucing up the already immaculate house, so as to make the best impression possible. She would feel that she was under the microscope as much as her errant daughter, and would be judged. The whole house would smell of a mixture of air freshener, furniture polish and perhaps something sweet being baked in the oven. Alexandra's sister, Helen would have tidied up her own room, just in case it might be visited, and made sure that the towels were neatly folded in the family bathroom. Alexandra wondered what the sleeping arrangements might be. There was a spare room, next to her own room, which would presumably be offered to Miss Redwood, with a pleasing view of the back garden, similar to that of Alexandra's own room. But maybe there had been a change, and Alexandra's room given over to some other purpose. Her mother had always talked of having her own sewing room, and maybe this might have been the perfect opportunity.......

The unmistakable silhouette of Alexandra's mother loomed through the diffused glass of the front door, and Alexandra heard the familiar sound of the lock being turned and the door opened inwards. Her mother was standing there, in the hall, a nervous smile on her face, doing her best to look welcoming and well-presented. Alexandra imagined her hearing the doorbell and hurriedly taking off her apron and stuffing it somewhere out of sight, before giving her hair a totally unnecessary primp in the mirror.

"Please do come in, Miss Redwood. Hello darling, it's lovely to see you."

Miss Redwood strode in leaving Alexandra to follow behind, where she stood next to her guardian, facing her mother, but within a circle of protection offered by her guardian. Knowing exactly what was expected, Alexandra pinched her skirt either side between the forefinger and thumbs of both hands and executed a perfect curtsey, her head slightly bowed and her eyes lowered.

"Good afternoon, Mother. It's lovely to see you too."

Alexandra's mother opened her arms to hug her daughter, a huge smile on her face. Her daughter immediately looked up at Miss Redwood as if asking permission, who gave her a stern look as a warning. Instead of greeting her mother with a huge hug as one might expect, Alexandra stood ramrod straight, a look of pure terrified anticipation on her face. She longed to bury herself in the love of her mother's embrace, but she knew that such a show of affection would be frowned upon. Her mother's eyes were closed in joy, but when she realised that her actions were not being reciprocated, she opened them and hurriedly let her daughter go, a look of confusion on her face.

"How are you, Alex?"

"In my house she is Alexandra, Mrs Jenkins."

"Oh.....right. Of course.....Alexandra."

The silence that followed was intentional on Miss Redwood's part. Alexandra's mother fell into the trap and immediately jumped in to fill it.

"Well, er.....please do come in. Welcome. ......I hope you've had a pleasant trip."

"Very pleasant thank you, Mrs Jenkins."

"Oh, please....call me Alice...."

"I would prefer to keep things formal, if you don't mind, Mrs Jenkins."

"Oh......Of course, Miss Redwood."

And so, in those first few seconds, Miss Redwood had just taken charge of this household, as if it were her own. Out of the grown-ups' eyesight, but clearly visible to Alexandra, her younger sister, Helen peered around the door of the sitting room and raised her hand to her mouth in shock as she took in the scene.

Miss Redwood turned to her ward and lifted the strap of the felt hat from behind her head and lifted the hat from her head. She held it out and waited for her hostess to take it.