Doe (#Wattys2016)

Chapter Two

Francis and Doe quickly forgot about their adventures to the Town Hall.  Their dresses were hung in their mother's wardrobe out of sight. Their mother  seemed to be happier, she even laughed with the customers in the tavern and they were once again able to play outside in the streets with their friends. Francis told them that all the fuss was because a silly prince had wanted to marry her but she had vanquished him, her friends thought this a very good story and it sufficed as an explanation for the fancy dresses.

A week went past quite happily with Francis and her gang roaming around the Lab, playing at wars with other gangs and generally being a nuisance. It was while they were playing home that a motor drove up outside the pub. Francis was hiding around the corner from Harrison who was preventing them from getting home. Harrison's mouth fell wide open as the gleaming white motor pulled up alongside him. Francis stayed hidden and moaned quietly. Just as she feared, Lord Lurie and a manservant got out of the motor. He said something to Harrison who ran away, and then walked into The First Lab. A little while later her mother appeared at the door and called for them. Francis didn't move but watched Doe appear. Francis had made up her mind to ignore her mother; she wasn't going through this again. She just wished that stupid man would leave them alone.

"Don't you hear your mother calling you?"

She jumped almost a foot in the air. Lord Lurie's son, Draco was standing next to her as if he had just materialized.

"What are you doing?" she accused him.

"I wanted to see what you were playing." He shrugged.

"We're playing home." She told him.

"You better get home, she looks worried."

"You're the one that should be worried, people here hate people like you." She said spitefully.

His face didn't change its expression, though she thought she saw the corners of his mouth twitch as if he were about to smile.

"Anyway, it's only about you coming to stay with us." He continued.

"Stay with you? To live?"

"Kind of. You're to come round my house everyday, except weekends." Now he did smile, it wasn't very wide though and he didn't look happy.

"I don't want to go to your house."

"It's better than here."

"No it isn't."

"It doesn't smell for one thing."

"What a horrible boy!"

"Anyway you'll have to learn to be a lady and not a Lab rat that's all. You'll probably never live here again or see your mum or your sister once you're a lady." He went on and on.

"I want my sister to come with me!"

"Better ask them then."

She tore away from him and into the pub.

"Please let Doe come with me!" she cried.

"Francis!" Lucia scolded her, "Do not shout at the lord."

"Oh please Lord Lurie, take Doe too." Francis begged the impassive man.

Lord Lurie looked over his shoulder, as Draco slid in, he smiled. Then he turned to Francis.

"Well, that's a bit of an ask. She can't be brought up as a lady." He mused.

"Oh no, I won't go if she's not with me!" Francis had real tears streaming down her face now.