Serenity

The Rollercoaster

''Why, mama? Hyacinth, George and Megan are all going.'' Elizabeth pleaded over the dinner table that evening.

''Just who are those people?'' Ruth queried, then inwardly blanched. ''No, Elizabeth, you are not attending some carnival as though you are a common schoolgirl.''

''But my friends are going.''

''Then more fool their parents for allowing it.''

Rose remained utterly silent, knowing just that their parents would not know. Earlier in the evening, whilst preparing for dinner, Elizabeth had pleaded with Rose to take her. It would take place on the Spring Field and was set to be the most spectacular carnival seen for years. 'There is a rollercoaster,' she had sighed, 'even the servants and hired staff have the night off to go, and yet, we cannot.' Rose had watched her with sadness; a girl their age couldn't mingle and be with other people of the same youth to enjoy life. It wasn't written for them in the future.

''But Mama, this would be good for me.''

''It will not. Do not be ridiculous; you shall not be going, and that is final.'' Ruth ruled before changing her sharp gaze towards Rose. ''How was the modiste today after that French woman rudely shooed me away? I ought to take my business elsewhere.'

''We made some final decisions on the dresses.''

Ruth perked. ''Excellent.''

''I am indeed excited.'' Rose's tone stated otherwise, causing Elizabeth to glance and give a wry smile knowingly. ''So we must not change modiste now, it would be too last minute.''

Ruth sighed gravely. ''You are right.''

''We only ever speak of the wedding; let us exchange other gossip, as after the marriage, we shall have lots to talk about for a long time. Mama, what have you heard from the ladies about town shopping today? Any tidbits for us?''

Elizabeth was quite the actress at times, able to transfer all attention from one subject to the next. Soon, all attention was away from Rose, momentarily, as Ruth launched into a tirade about finding a hair in her cup of tea at Cafe Noir.

Mrs. Bell lingered long after Rose had 'taken' the pill, and she could only store it in her mouth, careful not to swallow it or move her tongue too much so that it dissolved. All the hired staff attended the carnival, and Mrs Bell had been left alone to tend to her and Elizabeth. She made it no easy feat, ensuring that each was fully ready for bed, hair brushed and all whilst keeping her witch-like features straight. Soon after she had left, Rose quickly made it to the bowl, disposing of the stupid pill and flushing away the evidence. It was still part of her nightly routine. Cal was attending business and would join them for dinner the next evening and the evening after that...back to the endless parade.

Rose returned to her bed, watching as the candle in her cabinet burned low. Suddenly, it flickered wildly as a draught came in from somewhere. She realised that Elizabeth had snuck in while she was in the bathroom. Elizabeth was now excitedly flapping about in a dark, sombre-looking dress that looked like it had been pulled out of stray bushes.

''Lizzie, you gave me such a fright!'' Rose exclaimed, clutching her hand to her chest before stopping to see what her sister was wearing. ''Why do you look like you're a maid?''

''Why can we not go?''

''Go where?''

''To the carnival?''

Rose gaped at the ridiculous attire and almost burst into tears of laughter. She had attempted to clothe herself, and the outfit was out of sorts. She clutched another similarly morbid-looking dress made for mourning in her fingers.