Possibility (Gilbert Blythe)

Chapter four

I placed down teacups, adjusting them so they sat flawlessly on the old, wooden table. The plate underneath it made a noise as I set the last cup down, whirling it around so the handle overlooked the right side. I sighed and glanced over the table. Cakes and flowers made it look additional beautiful for afternoon tea. The sight of it all gave rise to my smile. It was the first time we had ever had visitors since I arrived. To me, it was both a delighted and dreadful sensation.

I wanted nothing else than to give a good impression, as this was what Miss Cuthbert expected as well. However, being someone that I was not, was disastrous to me. I did not want anyone to  to know this uptight version of myself, because it was not me, but I could not help but reveal it when the impression was to be made. I hurried inside of the food chamber and fetched the raspberry cordial. It was the final touch to my table. High on top of a shelf lit the red liquid, and I stretched up and nearly attained it. I made just a tiny, tiny jump and my hands clenched around the bottle, and I fell back down with success.

"I know how to make my way around in this world" I whispered to myself, looking at the glass bottle coloured in velvet by the raspberry cordial inside.

Returning to the kitchen, I placed the raspberry cordial down on the table and took a few steps back to take it all in. "Perfection" I hummed at myself.

"What an unusual habit" Miss Cuthbert short commented as she joined the room. Her voice did not startle but surprised me and my already anticipated heart jumped.

"What?" I asked her as I turned.

"Talking to yourself," She notified and strolled past me, towards the table. Her comment stung, but I knew she meant well and decided to not hang onto it for longer than necessary.

"Is the table alright, Miss Cuthbert?" I inquired her she studied it.

"It will do, Rachel will be here in some minutes. Why don't you wash your hands and sit down" She announced and I nodded my head with a successful smile on my lips, walking over to the sink. The cold water tingled on my skin as I washed my hands. Another trail of thoughts interrupted me, and I stooped back into my mind, thinking about a memory I thought I lost.

Then I glanced up and outside the window, beholding a woman standing by the gate as Mr Cuthbert unlocked it. I widened my eyes and quickly dried my hands, draining the sink. Then I brushed down my dress, making myself look exact enough for the impression. I sighed nervously as I sat down by the table. Taking another look at it, making sure everything was placed correctly.

Suddenly someone knocked on the door, and I assumed it to be Rachel of course. I smiled wide and bright, standing up from the stool, but before I could ever wander to the door, miss Cuthbert nudged me back to my seat and sauntered to the door.

"Sit down" she hissed, and I nodded gradually. It took every bit of energy, but I should not snap back at her. Miss Cuthbert inhaled a deep breath and then opened the door for Rachel to come in.

"It's a lovely day don't you think?" Rachel's voice rang as she came in the door. She was a plump woman, with grey curls hanging underneath her straw hat. To my first sight, she seemed like an oddly nice woman. Her bright smile to miss Cuthbert as she took her coat and hat provided me with a sense of warmth, until her eyes fell on me, and they darken.

"You must be Aurora" She snickered as she surveyed me the same way miss Cuthbert did the first time I appeared here. The nervous feeling appeared.

"Yes. It's very nice to make your acquaintances Rachel" I confided and passed her my hand to greet. She seized it and her face turned into a stunned look; one I did not see on miss Cuthbert the first day.