Finding Wonderland

A Matter of Extreme Importance

I felt my eyes water as I jabbed my needle into my finger for another uncountable time, drawing blood that stained the crisp white velvet I was working with. I sighed and discarded the half sewn fabric onto my scrap table. I shoved my bleeding finger into my mouth and sucked it. I could feel the warm, metallic tasting liquid drip onto my tongue as I absentmindedly stared out of the window at the busy London road below me. Although it was pouring with rain (as usual) it didn't stop the people going about their daily business. Unfortunately for me, the rain had made people feel no need for a new hat and so, business had been quiet for the past few days.

Despite the lack of customers, the rain had given me a chance to finish off a special creation for Lady Eleanor Quickly. It was to be a small diamond shaped fascinator made of white velvet and trimmed in various shades of green taffeta, organza and tulle ribbons. It would have been fairly simple if I hadn't been so clumsy. I jammed a thimble on top of my finger, the bleeding had subsided by now, and turned to take the bolt of velvet off the shelf to cut some more for the hat. I heard the bell on the door in the shop jangle merrily. I dumped the bolt on top of my work bench and ran down the stairs. I threw back the dirty red curtain that hid the staircase from view, put on a smile and prepared to greet my customer. However, to my dismay, there was my sister Catherine standing in the doorway, shaking the raindrops off her umbrella before closing the door,

'C-Catherine,' I stammered nervously. Whenever my sister came to call there was never good news, 'what brings you here?'

'This is an urgent matter, Jonty, you might want to sit down,' she said quietly, leaning her umbrella in the stand by the door. I swallowed and crept around the counter to the big leather armchair in the corner. Catherine came and knelt down in front of me, the look on her face made my heart begin to pound uncomfortably.

'What's happened? Oh Lord, has someone died?' I asked desperately. I hated it when people kept me waiting on matters of importance.

'Jonty, I am really worried about you,' she whispered, staring into my eyes with her penetrating grey ones.

'Why?' I asked.

'Tell me, when was the last time you went out?'

'Yesterday, I had to sign for a new load of fabric...'

'Going out your front door to sign for a package doesn't count.'

'Oh, well, um... Last week then. I had to go and do the shopping. Surely that counts?'

'Did you see anyone?'

'No, well, what do you mean?'

'I mean, did you see anyone you knew, did you talk to them?' What on earth was she going on about?

'Um... No,' I said hesitantly. Catherine gave a heavy sigh, and looked at me, tears brimming in her eyes,

'I'm sorry... I just... I'm sorry,' and to my dismay she started to sob. I stood up and pulled out my handkerchief and tried to wipe away her tears. But she turned me away and continued to weep behind her hands. I did not know what was wrong and so I could not think of a way to comfort her. All I could do was just stand and stare at her helplessly. No matter how much she bullied me, no matter how much she worried me whenever she came over, she was till my sister, and I loved her. Suddenly, she leapt  to her feet and grabbed me, pinning my arms to my sides. She looked deep into my eyes, her own half fierce and half sorrowful.

'Do you trust me?' she whispered, her voice raspy.

'Of course I do,' I said, what kind of brother did she think I was?

'Do you trust that I would always do what is best for you no matter what it was?'

'Well, yes I...' I began but she cut me off,

'Good, well, I'm sorry to bother you,' she said, walking straight to the door, picking up her umbrella and leaving without saying another word and without looking back. I shook my head and turned the key in the lock. I may as well have shut up shop now as the rain had gotten heavier and there were now less people outside. I couldn't understand why Catherine had acted so oddly. What on earth had she been going on about? What did she say about doing the best for me? I wasn't sure. I would stop thinking about it tonight and give it another go in the morning when things always made more sense.