Sleeping on the Floor

2. Breakfast at Rigby's

How it works at Rigby Manor is:

Servants awake you with tea and warm towels for your shower. It is expected of you to be at breakfast, dressed for the day, by 8:30 a.m. (7 on weekdays). Breakfast is always a continental buffet unless requested otherwise. Breakfast is social therefore one must always be in their best spirits around the table and perfect table manners is a must (Salvatore is 3 and he can explain what each knife is used for).

The rest of the day follows a pretty relaxed schedule except for afternoon tea at 3 which is when the whole family gets together, no matter what they're wearing or doing, and drink tea in the sunroom. Dinner is usually served at 7 p.m. and everyone is once again expected to be there (in any appropriate clothing). 

I awake to the sound of the door gently closing. I sip my tea then slide into the shower - hottest and most comforting shower I've ever had. I wear a simple A-line dress Gem lent to me with the pearls I had on last night. 

I hear a small bell. Shit, I'm late. I hop down the hall while trying to put my shoes on and make my way to the dining room. Thank the Pope I'm not too late - I walk in as they Mary brings out the trays. I take my seat at the 16-seater antique oak table 3 places down from the head, next to Gem and across from John. 

"Morning, babe." Gem says as she laces her hand in mine and I respond with a wink and a smile. I reach my hand across the table to hold John's for Grace. Mary closes us in prayer and we tuck in. Mr and Mrs Rigby spark their own conversation up on todays news and us teenagers are naturally led to talk about other things. 

"How'd you sleep last night?" John asks while filling up a bowl of fruit salad. 

"Like a log," I reply and glance up from my plate to meet his eyes.

"Hey Gem, let's go shopping tomorrow? I realised I might need some new clothing..." I giggle. John taps my foot under the table. 

"Oh My Golly, Yes!" She exclaims. "And Summer is ending anyway, it's time for a nice wardrobe touch up." 

"What time should we leave to sort through the stuff?" John asks. We're now playing a full on game of footsie under the table. 

"After breakfast?" I ask and glance up to look for any objections. 

"Sounds good," Gem replies, "Then we can be back in time for tea." 

The rest of breakfast is just small talk on up coming projects and tests for school. Basically, my entire neighbourhood and the neighbouring one all attend the same school: Saint Kassia Diocesan College. It's private, of course. Reason being is that there's a huge class difference between the North side of the Bishops Avenue and the South. The Upper is a town that was settled by rich politicians that needed a get-away during the war. Most of the houses are over 100 years old and the so called 'hot spot' is the golf course and country club. Every citizen of The Upper belongs to the country club. All wedding receptions, birthday parties and formal dinners are held there and it's owned by the Mason family. They're a story for another time. 

The South, on the other hand, has nothing like that. There, they have bowling alleys and Diners. The kids go to school in casual clothes and play sports like Ultimate Frisby; they bunk classes and don't get in trouble; they take public busses to school and live in apartments - a completely different lifestyle. We don't know how they got here. 

My mom thinks the South is a disgrace and would replace the whole town with even an airport if she could (she hates the sound of airplanes landing - they're loud and obnoxious). My dad doesn't say much about it but I think he's on the same page. 

I was born at Bishops Private Hospital in The Upper, grew up in Mendel Mansion with my parents, my grandma and recently, Toby. He and Sal were born at the same time - the year Gem, John and I started high school. 

I've gone to Saint Kassia my whole life and went to Europe when I was 7, 12 and 15 on holiday. I went to the city once when I was younger on a school trip and flew across the country twice to visit our cousins on the coast. It was beauty on another level there but my parents aren't fans of change and so we never stayed longer than a week - never got to explore. Otherwise, my life has been lived in and around the borders of Bishops. It sounds like I've been around, I know, but truth be told: I haven't. It's rare for us to leave the town more than once a year, in fact, that hasn't happened and when your town is only 5 by 6 blocks big, you'll start to understand. 

As we walk out the dining room Gemma asks me, "Are you wearing that today?" 

"No, I think I'll change. We're going to be moving around a lot, what do you think?" 

"Same, actually. I'll bring you some stuff." 

"Thanks Gem," I smile as she turns to the grand marble staircase. She casts a kind smile over her shoulder as she makes her way up. 

I walk along the rest of the hallway and take the first right into my room for the next few months. The elevated floral-dressed bed is tucked into the far corner of the room and an oak dressing table sits against the wall next to it. 

I slip the dress off as Gem walks in, leaving the door wide open. She hands me a pair leggings and a T (deemed as 'Lazy clothing' by the Uppers). Gem takes 1, 2 steps up and flops onto my bed. I starts changing while she rattles off.

"You have the most comfortable bed in the house, I don't get it. Why would they put the best bed in the spare room..." 

I chuckle at her oddness and pull the shirt on as John walks past. He glances at a pantless me and gives me a smirk while walking to his room; the next one after this. I decide against telling Gem and finish changing. 

"... anyway, that's why I think Rigby Manor should get a pool." 

I look over to her, try to comprehend what she's saying, decide I won't figure it out and just nod in agreement. This girl is something else.