Storm and Silence (FANFIC)

18. Plotting and Planning.

The whole day I was cringing internally. He's going to sack me. I just know it. What have I done?! It was Tuesday and yesterday I did not go to work. I said that I wouldn't. And I didn't. Instead I met up with Patsy, Eve, and Flora and they were surprised to see me. I knew why, and made up a random believable story. They took the bait. I'm just gonna have to say that I was so terribly sick. So sick that I did not want to go to work and get him sick as well. He doesn't do sick. At least I don't think he does...

I rolled around in bed and hoped that I wouldn't get sacked. I didn't want to! I needed to help out Flora and do it all in a week. I had a deadline. I couldn't ignore her, not when she needed me - us all. The thought of Flora getting married was unimaginable and stupid. Actually, the thought or image of any of us being courted and then married was unimaginable. We didn't need men in our lives! We didn't need men to order us around, tell us to cook and wash the dishes and take care of the children! Stupid! Stupid, stupid, stupid! I did the wrong thing in not going to work yesterday. I should have gone! But.. Flora... I groaned into my pillow, feeling utterly conflicted.

I got up and went downstairs to eat breakfast. I kept repeating one sentence in my head over and over again. I am not going to go to work. I am not going to go to work. I am not going to go to work! I almost started to believe it, that is until Ella tugged on the sleeve of my nightdress. I shook my head and looked at her, and then at everyone else. "Is there something the matter?" I asked them.

"Well.. You've been staring off into space for five minutes now. Are you okay Lilly?" Ella replied.

"Yes I'm fine. I had just been lost in thought a moment there."

"Will you be out today?" Aunt Brank inquired.

"Aren't I everyday?" I responded taking a seat at the dining table.

"Oh.. well yes I suppose..." Aunt Brank stammered. I hardly paid her much attention. Leadfield appeared, carrying a bowl of porridge. I immediately starting chowing it down, not wanting to be late in reaching Green Park. We still had much planning to do, when each of us will speak, figuring out the right times to pause and let the information sink into Grandmother Belle's head. Flora had asked her if she would have tea time on Saturday and have Patsy, Eve and I join her. Grandmother Belle said that she would think about it, so that had us a bit worried. What were we to do if she said no? All this time... Wasted. And in the meantime, I'd probably get sacked.

I finished quite quickly and dashed upstairs, scrounging my closet and looking for my dress that I wore often. It was not in my wardrobe. I'll have to ask aunt what she did with it... I thought, and instead pulled out a different one. I put that one on with much difficulty, as Ella was still downstairs, and grabbed my parasol, and the remaining pamphlets we had. Walking quickly, I flew down the stairs and out into the streets of London. It's getting quite chilly... I thought, but I tried not to mind the cold so much.

I walked towards Green Park, only to find Flora there. "Hello Flora. What news? Has Grandmother Belle accepted our request?" I asked her. She looked up, startled to see me, then her wide eyes went forlorn.

"I'm afraid she hasn't acquired an answer yet, Lilly." She responded.

"How unfortunate! We must have an answer before it is too late!" I said, taking a seat next to her.

"Yes, I know. But it seems to me, that Grandmother Belle is... Avoiding me. I tried speaking with her last night, and asked her a simple question. She did not answer."

"How rude. Shouldn't she know of some mannerism?"

"She had been raised to, yes. Yet, I fear that she sees something wrong with me." Flora looked at me, eyes wide once more.