Vellichor

Chapter 2 - Yuputka

Even though Edith's... position... was somewhat more comfortable than the ordinary townsfolk of Molerton, she did not share her parent's view that the two groups of people should remain separate, nor did she agree with them that their wealth made them superior. In this way, Edith was well before her time - and her intelligence was by far her greatest gift, far greater than her beauty. She did not like to venture into Molerton too often, for the people knew of her family's feelings towards them, and as a result members of the Belmont family were not particularly welcome. However, on an almost daily basis, she did make the effort to enter 'Myrtle's Bookshop' - not because she had a need for books, as her own library had a far more extensive collection - but simply because she enjoyed the company of the fellow literary enthusiasts. 

Edith was just leaving Myrtles Bookshop one evening, when she recognised a girl standing outside, clad in wooden clogs and a patch-work dress.

'Alice!' She cried. 'How are you?'

'Oh, hello miss Edith! I didn't think I'd see you here. I'm well, thank you. What about yourself?' 

'I am very well too Alice. What are you doing out in the cold?' Edith asked.

Alice blushed. 'I'm just on me way home from work. I had to stay at the mill later than usual because we had a lot to finish off. But I always like to look through this window here, so I can see the books.' 

'And have you read the book I gave you yet?' Edith enquired. 'Do you like it?'

'Oh yes, I love it! I've already read it twice since then. I finished it in three nights and two days, but I loved it so much I just had to read it a second time.'

'That's lovely to hear Alice - I'm glad you enjoyed it. You must come into Myrtle's, so we can continue the discussion where it's warm - if you have time, of course.'

Alice smiled. 'I think I can spare a little bit of time. I should like that very much.'

They entered the shop, which to Alice was like entering the treasure trove she had always dreamed about. Despite the narrow shopfront, it went back along way and there was a second room at the back. Every wall was lined was books, and the high ceiling enabled tall bookcases in the center to divide the room into two columns. Edith led Alice to the back of the shop, where a set of narrow stairs led to the floor above. Here, there were stacks of cardboard boxes on wooden crates, and each was full to the brim with books. Edith introduced Alice to Geoffrey, an elderly man with a pair of round spectacles perch, who was sorting through one of the boxes, and Alfred, a tall middle-aged man who preferred to go by the name of Fred. He was the only publisher in Molerton, and Edith confided that she was actually writing her own book, and that Fred would publish it when it was completed. 

The room was warm and cosy, with a red carpet, and then a fluffy rug placed on top of that. Edith and Alice sat in two chairs in the corner, discussing 'Evelina' - what they thought of the characters, which was their favourite scene, and so on. 

'Did you know, that my surname is actually Belmont too?' Edith said to Alice. 

'No, I didn't! Do you live in the big house down the valley then? I remember a girl at the mill mentioning the Belmont family lived there.' Alice replied.

A hit of colour touched Edith's cheeks. 'Yes, I do. Although I spend more time out of the house than I do in it! The company of my family can get a little tiresome, and I like talking to the townsfolk here - they're always so friendly and down to earth. You know, Molerton is actually still inside the borders off our estate, which extends to the end of this valley - yet the rest of my family avoid it like it is infected with the plague. Surely we should take some responsibility for the people here - at least, that's what I think. I want you to know that I'm not the same as them Alice. I view you as an equal, not as a servant.'