Doe (#Wattys2016)

Chapter Nineteen

She stayed in bed the next day, and missed the Meeting. Harri came to visit in the afternoon. He listened quietly to her talk, by this time she had gotten dressed, though she had not moved from her bedroom. He hugged her when she started to cry, comforting her by rocking her and shushing her. It made her feel like a child, and she liked that, as all her problems were so adult and alien. He was not as excitedly as she thought he might be, he remained silent, only agreeing to what she was positive about, and when she said she wanted to quit, he still didn't say anything. She was soothed by his reassuring presence, she knew he supported her whatever she did. When she had talked herself hoarse she fell asleep in his lap. He had a quick whispered conversation with Doe over the top of her head, which he massaged with his rough fingers.

"I couldn't believe how miserable she was," Doe told him, "Kitty told me the day went like all the others. Well, even."

"Too well." Harri murmured. "I thought things were getting better. How was the Meeting today?"

"Really awkward. I just said that she was unwell but I don't think they believed me. I'm not a good liar." Doe whispered, "Also Kitty told me that Draco had told her, that Francis begged him to marry her!"

Harri gritted his teeth, "he didn't get it at all then."

"It was so embarrassing. Though Kitty thought he was wrong to have gotten so angry about it. She would have said yes, if it were her."

"She wasn't asking him to marry her." Harri's voice rose slightly. Francis stirred, frowning a little in her sleep, "She was asking not to be played anymore."

Doe blushed and opened her mouth to say something but Harri shook his head.

"Let's go downstairs." He said to her. Gently he moved Francis into the bed, she moaned a little at the cold.

They both crept into the kitchen where Lucia was nursing a cup of tea.

"How is she?" she asked them.

"Asleep." Harri sighed.

"I don't think she went to sleep last night. She was tossing and turning so much." Doe added.

"Bless her." Lucia sighed.

"Lucia." Harri addressed her, "I mean no disrespect. But I think we should stop this now. Francis should leave that society, it's not good for her."

"Harri, you-"

"No. I'm sorry. I understand what opportunities you wanted for her. She's terrified. She's too young to get married. Do you really want to see her trapped in a marriage to her brother?"

"Her stepbrother."

"Whatever, it's still wrong. Whoever it is. She's physically ill from the dread."

"Well..."

"The only thing she's hanging on for is Draco. And it sounds to me like he can't or won't help her."

"He-" Doe started.

"She's safer with us."

"Listen, Harri."

"No you listen. She never wanted this. She never saw it like you do. This is her home and she doesn't want any better. Sure, she may get money but at what cost? Here, she can be a child for as long as she is one. She has a family here that won't force her into anything. People who actually care. Who actually love her. She's always known that. You've put her under too much pressure. It's gone far enough!"

"Harrison." Francis said from the stairs.

"It's true." Harri said to her.

"I'll decide what I'm going to do." She sighed, coming to the table, to her mother, "Don't talk to mother like that ever again, Harri." She gave him a warning look.

"I'm sorry." He murmured.

"That's alright, Harrison." Lucia stuttered.

"This isn't your fault, Mum." Francis put her arms around her mother's shoulders, "But I am going to take a break, to think things over. Tomorrow, I'll go to the house and ask for a few days off."

"If...if you're sure." Lucia said.

"I think so. I'll help you at the pub."