Letters, Losses, Loved ones.

"What you don't know."

I glared at Mrs. Gobble-wart.I felt a rush of sadness and disappointment. "But...." I began. A knot formed in my throat once again, though I wasn't quite sure why. "I thought....that maybe if we were friends....I would f-feel less lonely.....l-less homesick." I said sadly. Mr. Gobble-wart sighed, and stared at his wife, who was staring at me sympathetically, holding her hand to her heart. "Oh, John!" she cried, "Look how Forlorn she is? She must be terribly lonely and homesick and.... " "Mariam, I..." interrupted Mr. Gobble-wart said, slowly losing his patience, but then his wife said these words which entirely changed his attitude: "Remember how miserable her father was? At least he had someone to play with!  He had someone to talk to." "Oh, oh, Miriam, we have been through this." he said, although he knew this would not change a thing. "John, just look at her! Don't you think she ought to have a friend?" she cried. Mrs. Gobble-wart was a very persistent and strong minded woman, who would fight to the end for what she believed was right, and yet, I easily persuaded her to let me have my way. "Oh, alright!" Mr. Gobble-wart snapped. "Let the child have her way, even if it means having a lower-class acquaintance!" he said, stabbing his steak with a fork. "Wonderful, very well done, dear." His wife laughed, and leaned over to kiss the old man on the cheek. I grinned, overjoyed and grateful. "Oh, thank-you! Thank-you!" I beamed and felt like hugging them both. I turned towards April, who left for the exit, quietly chuckling to herself, as if she had never seen such a delightfully funny scene. 

***

Finally the dining room was peaceful and quiet. I was served steak and vegetables, with bread and butter as a side dish. "This is delicious." I complemented, and continued to eat. When I had finished my meal, I was beyond satisfied. "Just wait until you try our cooks deserts, absolutely marvellous, i say." said Mr. Gobble-wart as he chewed the meat. "Uh, er..." I stuttered, hesitantly. "Speak up girl," said the couple sternly. "I wanted to know..," I said more confidently, "What was my father like?" "Ah, now there is a question we can answer with four words, no more no less," said Mr. Gobble-wart cheekily. "Look in the mirror." "Oh, stop it, John." said Mrs. Gobble-wart, waving her handkerchief at his face. "She asks a serious question." Mrs. Gobble wart said turning to me. "Do forgive him, dearest." "Yes, you are right, Miriam. I apologise, Abigail." He said, ashamed. "Oh, thats alright. It was quite funny actually. But, I would really appreciate it if you told me more." I said, solemnly. "What has you're mother told you already?" when the old woman said this, I felt a sick, churning feeling inside my stomach. "Not much, really." I said un-energetically. "She did say that he was an orphan, that he...escaped from the war as a child, and fled to london. That....he was a german." "I see," said Mrs. Gobble-wart thoughtfully. "Did she say anything else?" "Yes," I said, trying desperately to remember what happened before the bomb had hit our home. "She said that he fought against the germans and lied to both governments. And, also, that she married him not knowing the truth. But, later found out his true identity, the day he disappeared. Mother told me one more thing, though its something I don't quite understand, or want to believe." "You can tell us dear, we are family... and we care about you just like we care about your parents." these words came as both a comfort and a shock. Nobody apart from my mother or my late best friend had ever truly cared about  me or treated me like a family member. "Th-thankyou." I stuttered awkwardly, unsure how to react. "Well...before we were hit, she managed to say a couple of words..." I hesitated, "She said we were in more danger than anybody else." "I see...and she was right, I am afraid. But before we explain what she meant, let us tell you what you don't know." At this, I pushed myself closer, eagerly listening to what she had to say. "You're mother has shown you the outline of the picture, yes?" I nodded. "Very good. Well now its time for you to see the full picture...hear the whole story..."