It had been two days since Elke had spoken about the letter to her father. He had gone very still and silent when she first mentioned it. She had waited for a time when Anneke had gone out to the market place; she did not want her sister to see her father get upset. It took a few repeated questions before her father replied. When he did, his voice was measured and controlled, yet Elke could hear the undertones of fury.
‘Do you not trust me to provide for my own family? First your mother, now you. You will not go anywhere. You must stay here and look after your sister. Anneke needs you here.’
He broke off, coughing. Elke took a breath. Her own temper began to rise. How dare her father blame her for his problems? And yes. She did not think he could provide, because they were living on bread and a few old vegetables. His own health was deteriorating, how much longer could he continue working as hard as he did? Of course Anneke needed her. But what good would it do if she got ill? The weather was unrelenting and their cloaks had been patched up many times over.
Her father had closed his eyes as he sat on the wooden stool. Elke thought she saw him wipe hie eyes, as if he were crying. Her voice softened.
‘Father. You know I must go. For your sake, and Anneke. I am not leaving you forever. I will come home when we have enough to live on, for ourselves. And I will write you, as often as need be. Please, I need your consent. Mother would know I need to go.’
‘If your mother were here you wouldn’t need to go anywhere!’
‘But she is not here. Not anymore. This is why I must go. The de Bloots take well enough care of their servants. Griet will be there too. If anything, I will be better looked after there. Anything I earn I will pass to on to her family, and they will send it to you.’
Her father sighed. Then he got up and walked over to her.
‘You are right. They will look after you well, and there is nothing for you here. You will have to tell Anneke you are going. If you need anything, or do not like it there, you must come back immediately.’
‘Yes father.’
‘When must you leave?’
‘In two days. I have what I need to take there. The de bloots will send someone to escort me there. I will tell Anneke when she gets back’
He quickly put his arms around her, in an embrace. Then he left the house. When Anneke came back a few hours later, Elke showed her the letter. Her sister cried, begging her not to leave, and Elke held her in her arms, rocking her to and fro like their mother did.
Now Elke had her bag packed, with what few clothes she had, a drawing of her and her sister that Anneke gave her, and with her mother’s cross around her neck. Her father stood before her, eyes misty. Anneke still clutched tightly to her hand, refusing to let go. For the first time, Elke wondered if she should really step out the door and leave. Then she looked around her home, the slightly damp walls, brought to existence with the small patch of sunlight that streamed through the broken window. The bare walls and cold interior reassured her, along with the thought of her father and sister finally having something warm to wear, and going to bed satisfied- not hungry or cold. With that thought, she hugged them both, before stepping out the door to meet her future.
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Sorry it took so long to update. Wish I could say I had a lot to do... but i was just plain lazy, so... sorry. Thanks for reading though. Will try to update more frequently. Have a great day people ;)
