Alice Riverstone

Chapter 2

"You, joining Winterfield Academy ? You must be Joking !" Myrtle laughed as she brought a batch of hot, steamy meat pies on a tray and placed them on the table. Alice, who was sweeping the floors, stopped and looked at her. "No Mrs Raggs Iam not Lying or Joking ! Mr Phoenix promised me that I'd enter that school and he would help me."

"Now you're mocking me." Myrtle wiped her brow. "Not at all Mrs Raggs ! Believe me ! Mr Phoenix promised !" She practically screamed. Myrtle sighed and looked at Alice. "Alright. I believe you. But Iam no ready to let you go to that school." She brushed a bit of blonde hair away from her face.

"What ?! Why Not !!!" Alice gasped in disbelief. "Because Iam not ready to give up my only employee to that fancy schmancy place." She scoffed at Alice. "But Mrs Raggs ! Please ! This might give me a chance to live the life I had always dreamed of !"

"Oh really ? Tell Riverstone, What life did you always dream of ?" Myrtle placed her hands on her hips. Alice sighed and closed her eyes. "I always dreamed of becoming a Musician. Cant you picture me, with a Mahogany Violin, playing in front of thousands of people ?"

"No." Myrtle smiled and Alice gaped at her in complete disbelief. Did she think that this was all a big joke ?! "Mrs Raggs !" Alice frowned at her. "Alice. Sit down." She sighed and both of the sat down. "If you leave, I will have no one to talk to, eat diner with or help out with. If you leave , I will shrivel up into nothing !"

Alice looked at Myrtle's honey eyes. She was lonely. She was on the verge of poverty. She really needed Alice. She felt sorry for Myrtle Raggs and did not know that she meant A lot to Myrtle. Alice put her gloved hand on Myrtle's. "Mrs Raggs. I promise you, that I will pay you back for every thing you have done for me. Just, let me go this once. Please. I will come back and help you."

Myrtle gazed at Alice's stone-grey eyes and sighed. "Fine."

"Thank You ! Thank you so much Mrs Raggs !" Alice jumped out and Hugged Myrtles tightly. "Alice ! Dear ! Calm down now !" Myrtle laughed and patted Alice's head

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"Stop it !" Alice mumbled in her sleep. She felt someone pat her shoulder. "Stop it !" she mumbled again. "Alice Dear ! Wake up ! Mr Phoenix will come soon !" Myrtle whispered. Alice immediatley got up. She was sleeping on the carpeted floor in Myrtle's room. It was extremly comfortable and Myrtle wrapped a shawl around Alice so that she would not go cold.

Alice washed up and put an old, patched frock and loosely plaited her rusty brown hair. She raced down the stairs. For the first time in her life she was going to touch a Violin ! This was all too exciting. "Alice Dear !" Myrtle came in with a meat pie. "You are not leaving without breakfast."

Alice sat down near the window and slowly pushed her fork through the pie. She ate and stared at the window, waiting for Mr Phoenix. She could not believe this. Mr Phoenix was an Angel to do this ! Her prayers were finally answered. God sent down Mr Phoenix as her Angel !!!!

Alice's heart raced as she saw Mr Phoenix walking towards the Meat Pie shop. She wiped her mouth with a napkin and put it on the empty plate and ran outside. "Ah ! Good day Miss Riverstone ! How are you ?" He smiled and put out his hand for her. When she placed her hand in black gloved hand, he brought it near his lips and placed a small kiss on it.

"Good Day Mr Phoenix ! Iam very well, Thank you." She smiled widely at him."Please come inside. I want you to meet Mrs Raggs !" She literally pulled Mr Phoenix inside. "Mrs Raggs !" Alice called and Myrtle came out brushing away the flour on her skirt. "Yes Dear." Myrtle looked up and saw Alice Holding Jayce's hand. "This is Mr Jayce Phoenix. He will be my tutor." She smiled excitedly.

"Oh, Good Day Sir ! Thank you so much for this opportunuty you're giving Alice." Myrtle shook hands with Jayce. "My Pleasure, Ma'am" He smiled at her. "And I promise you, I will give her my full devotion and she will enter that school."

"But how can she ? We dont have any money at all." Myrtle's brow wrinkled. Alice looked up at Jayce, hoping for an answer. "Every Year, we search for ten talented children. Mostly from the streets. On the opening day, Many children are brought and our owner, Mrs Eleanor Winterfield will choose the best of them. Five girls and Five boys. I intend to train Alice till she can play the Violin well." He looked around and came closer to Myrtle and whispered. "Mrs Winterfield has a soft spot for violinists."

Alice looked at Jayce, her eyes eager to play the violin. "So. Do you want to start ?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Oh, you can use my room." Myrtle volunteered and showed him the way. Jayce smiled and looked around. It may be small but It was the best they had. "Perfect !" He smiled.

He placed the violin case on the chair and opened it. Alice stared at the beautiful instrument. Jayce picked it up and haded it to her. "Here you go." He smiled his, blue eyes gleaming at her. She smiled and picked it up, her finger gently holding the neck of the Violin. The Violin was a rich reddish brown colour, matching to that of Alice's. "It's Beautiful." She smiled gazing at the instrument.

She handed it back to Jayce and he played a lovely, little piece. She smiled and clapped after he finished. He smiled and bowed down. "Alright to. Let's start. This here is called the neck of the Violin." He pointed at it and continued Explaining. "Over here, is the pegbox." He explained and Alice carefully listened to each and every word he said. She gave her full attention to him and nodded in response.

"And you have to hold the bow properly. Like this." He showed her, and Alice tried it but dropped the bow. "Oh Goodness ! Iam so sorry Mr Phoenix." She picked it up immediately. "No Problem, Alice" He smiled.

She placed her chin in placed and slided the bow on the strings. But instead of a sweet melody, came out a screeching sound. "That was because you pressed the bow on the strings too hardly. You have to do it gently." He instructed and she followed.

She listened to every word and did as she was instructed. She learned the notes and the scale. "Well done Alice." He smiled and packed the violin up. "I shall be back tomorrow." He nodded and left. Alice smiled with content. Finally ! Finally she was able to play it ! But she would do her best and shine.