Rose and the Thorn (Fallen Tales series)

Chapter 35

Chapter 35
Jenson
It had been four weeks since Patrick and Rose had started to become something more than they were. And yet, they still believed I had no idea. Not much happens in this house without my knowing. I still don't know what made them go from haters to lovers when there was nothing between them to start off with.
Though knowing how they really felt was very important to me. I asked Rose some questions and she passed with flying colours. Just simple ones, like, "Have you seen Sir Patrick?"
I watched her face light up as she answered, "the library."
I asked, giving her some papers, "Can you give Sir Patrick this? Tell him to read through them."
She had done what I asked and given them to him. I watched from a far, but you couldn't miss the spark in their eyes.
Patrick was a lot harder to test. Mainly because he knew how to lie. But every time he was with Rose, echoes of their laughter filled the house. When I spoke about her to him, a smile would appear on his face. Something I haven't seen in five years.
But the next question was something that had been bothering me since Mrs Wall had told me four days ago.
I carried the breakfast tray to his room like every morning. And like I had been for the past four weeks, I was surprised not to found Rose next to him. What time does she leave each morning?
"Morning, Sir."
He moaned burying his face in the pillows like a child. It made me smile. I placed the tray next to him and took my post in the corner of the room.
"Sir, may I ask you a question about Rose?"
His head shot up like a watch dog as worry filled his eyes.
"What about her?" he asked.
"Nothing worrying really but, Mrs Wall, from the post office, has told me that Rose is mailing a great deal of money overseas."
He frowned, "How much is a great deal?"
"At least half of her pay."
I saw the confusion spread over his face as he thought about the question.
"She works hard here, she can do whatever she wants with her money," he told me.
"Of course Sir, but I hate to think that she's in some sort of trouble over there."
"I see," he answered as if he had come to a conclusion but he wasn't willing to share.
"Just talk to her about it, Sir. She'll talk to you."
He nodded as if he was finally admitting the connection between them.
"Don't say anything about this to her. We shouldn't worry her."
I smiled, "of course, Sir, we shouldn't worry her."
He chuckled as if knowing I had caught him out.
"No we shouldn't."

Patrick
I buried my face in Rose's neck taking in her smell. She rested her head in the crock of my arm with the sheet resting against her bare collar bone. I kissed her cheek as we lied in silence.
The question had been annoying me all day. Like termites in a wooden house.
I sighed, "The money is for your father, isn't it? I asked.
Her body tensed as she shifted away from me.
"h-how did you found out?"
"Does it matter, am I right?"
She sighed, "Yeah, I have to pay for his medical bill once a month."
"How much is it?"
"Around six-hundred dollars."
I groaned in frustration, "I wish there was something I could do."
She quickly pressed her hand against my chest, "Patrick no. My father, my problems."
"But Rose –."
"No, Patrick. You can't pay for my Father's medical bill."
"But I have so much money to spare. What if I donate money to research or something?" I groaned, "I don't want you to worry about how you're going to pay for your father's bill."
"I'm not. I earn thirty dollars an hour. I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I've been paying my father's medical bills for over a year. I can do it."
I hated how sure she was. I hated how she didn't need my help and didn't want it. I wanted to help her.
"Is that why you moved around?" I asked.
"I moved to where the best price was. In London, some places were just once a week jobs, so I was doing five different houses a week. And when a better offer came, I would take it."
"Then you came here."
"The money was too good to refuse. I'm all he has, Patrick. And if he doesn't have me then they can throw him onto the streets. And he's too confused to be on the streets. He doesn't even remember who I am."
"I'm sure deep down he does," I said wanting to make her feel better. She shook her head as tears formed in her eyes.
"He looked at me like I was a complete stranger. One time, he yelled and yelled at me. Who are you! Get out of my house! Rose! What have you done with my daughter! He just yelled."
Her voice was so bitter and ruff that it worried me.
"I knew I couldn't help him anymore."
I pulled her close feeling her wet tears on my chest.
"Shh," I said running my hands through her hair, comforting her.
"When will the pain go away, Patrick?" she asked.
Was I really the best person to be answering this question?
"It doesn't. It just gets easier."