Doe (#Wattys2016)

Chapter Twenty

Doe was sent the next day alone to the manor. It was too time consuming to have Francis travel there and back again. However, she was armed with a letter written by Francis the evening before, it was addressed to Lord Lurie. It was with much trepidation that she kissed her sister goodbye at the bus stop. The first task was to explain Francis' absence to her fellow commuters. This went surprisingly well, however, Thom sympathised with Francis very much and assured Doe that Lord Lurie must agree, as everyone needs a holiday once in a while. She tried to trap some of Thom's optimism in her own shaky smile.

At the entrance she asked the butler, Samson, if the Lord was in.

"I'm afraid Miss Bullire, he is not. He is due to return at noon."

"Oh okay."

"Is it something important?" Samson raised an eyebrow.

"No. I suppose it can wait."

"Are you sure, Dorothea? You've never asked for anything before." Samson looked slightly worried.

"No. It's perfectly all right, Samson. Perhaps you can deliver a letter to him when he returns?"

"Of course. I can." Samson smiled at her.

"Great. Thank you so much." She gave him the letter, "Have a nice day, Samson."

"You too, Dorothea."

She entered Kitty's room and was surprised to find her awake. Recently, she had grown lazy from staying up too late. There was something not quite right about her, she looked a little green in the face and was acting odd. She was not her usual bouncy self when she saw Doe.

"Are you well, Kitty?" Doe asked her.

"Yes, a slight tummy ache." Kitty sighed.

"Well, you should get into the shower. It's Lit first, isn't it?" Doe said, laying out her brushes.

"No. Mummy says I can have the day off today." Kitty sighed dramatically again.

Doe looked at her questioningly. Registering that Kitty was sat in an armchair she never used. Her bed had also been freshly made. Doe thought she knew what had happened, but also knew that Kitty would want to tell the tale.

"Are you sure there's nothing wrong?" Doe asked, trying to sound anxious.

"No nothing, just what comes from being a girl. It's always inevitable."

Doe hid her smile at Kitty's nonchalance; it was a new approach for her.

"What do you mean?"

"I've started my menstrual cycle, Doe. It's nothing life threatening." Kitty told her, "It's just that Mummy suddenly remembered that she is a mother. So now wants to make it an excuse to spend time with me." Kitty sighed.

"Oh, well that's nice."

"Not really. It's fuss over nothing. And too late for me and Mummy."

"Don't say that. She'll always be your mother." Doe cautioned, "And when she tries, you should too. Now into the shower."

"Aren't you curious about it, what it's like?" Kitty asked, as she got up reluctantly.

"I have a mother."

"No. Being a woman."

"I already know, Francis tells me every month." Doe rolled her eyes.

"Oh." Kitty looked disappointed.