Lemonade for Lindsey

Chocolate Profiteroles

I follow Edmund through the crowd, Lindsey still clinging onto my back. After a few minutes of walking, we reach Edmund's house. It stands out from the other tall, unshapely building because although it is tall, it is also stout and is completely detached from the building either side of it.
It is also a different colour. It seems there is three floors to his house, and each one has been painted a different colour. The first is a pale yellow, the second a duck egg blue, and the top floor is a beautiful light pink shade.
"What do you think?" Edmund laughs, seeing me marvelling over his glorious house. " It's wonderful!" I swoon. What fool I am making of myself. Lindsey seems to like it too, because she utters a small "Wow." Over my shoulder.
"Well, there's no washroom on the outside!" He chuckles. "Come on, let's go in!"
We follow him through the large, white front door. The window panels in it are made of stained glass. "Follow me upstairs, I'm afraid you'll have to meet my family if you're to use our facilities!" This boy can't say anything without turning it into some form of joke. It's a talent, really.
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The house is simply decorated, but homely. Edmund's family are on the second floor. They sit comfortably in front of a fireplace, most of then reading what looks like novels.
Edmund clears his throat. "Mama? Papa?" A woman and a man look up from their books and see us. The woman has raven hair, just like Edmund himself, but the father's is a light brown. "Good heavens boy!" His father says, the shock apparent in his tone. "Who are these girls?"
"Father, these are..." He stops in his tracks, realising he never asked our names. "Sorry ladies, could you repeat your names?" He looks embarrassed. It's not his fault, we never told him out names. I think it best to lie from the purpose of being on the run.
"My name," I begin "Is Lilith Fleetwood, 14, and this is my little cousin Dorothy Jones, 6." Nice one, I think to myself. "You're the same age as me!" Says Edmund. This comment is most likely directed towards me, not Lindsey.
"And why are you here?" It's Edmund's Mother's turn to speak up now. "They just need a place to stay. I found em' in the street an they look mighty in need of a washroom, a good meal and a sturdy bed, dontcha' think Mother?" Edmund gave a good speech there. Hopefully it will be enough to persuade them to let us stay.
"Oh enough of this bother! Welcome to the household girls. You may call me Mr.Pointer and my wife here Mrs.Pointer. These are Edmund's siblings, Matilda and Rose. Go use the washroom, will you." I fling my head round at Edmund and shoot him a beam, which he returns. I can't believe we're really allowed to stay!
Two young women rise from arm chairs. These must be Rose and Matilda. They nod and smile. One has cascading blonde hair, and the others is a glorious dark brown. They're also both very pretty. "I'll help you find the washroom!" Says Edmund, grabbing my hand.
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The washroom is very stylish. There is a beautiful boat pattern painted onto the tiled walls. Once we've finished up, it's getting to the evening and we join the family for dinner. Their dining table is a lovely Mahogany. I sit with Lindsey one side of me, Edmund the other. I can hardly contain my excitement at having something nice to eat as a beef stew is placed before us.
"So," Mr.Pointer sparks conversation. "What were you girls doing alone in the street?" Oh no. I hadn't prepared an answer for this one. My mind races.
"We used to live with our evil uncle in London." It's not my voice, but Lindsey's. "He kicked us out after me and Lilith refused to clean the inside of his personal toilet." The family's faces are pictures of shock and disgust, and it's hilarious. "He kicked us out, and we travelled and travelled but we had nowhere to go!" Lindsey finishes her story at the same time as her stew.
"My!" Cries Mrs.Pointer. "That's awful, child!" Lindsey nods: a very convincing little nod. She should honestly be an actress, she's a world better at lying than me.
"I should think you are relieved you took them in after hearing that." Edmund smiles and looks over at me.
Rose disappears into the kitchen and reemerges with a platter of chocolate profiteroles. It doesn't seem as if they have a maid in this household. "My goodness!" I say when I see the dessert. I can hardly contain my excitement.
The family laughs and I help my self to four once they're placed on the table.
After finishing our dinner, Edmund leads me and Lindsey to our room on the third floor. "Sorry you'll have to share..." He says, almost embarrassed.
"It's perfectly fine by us! We've always shared a room."
"Well that's fine then." He beams at me again.
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The room is a fine room. Not quite our nursery back home, but a fine room all the same. Edmund leaves the room and me and Lindsey slip into the blue nightdresses they have given us.
"Oh Lola." Sighs Lindsey. We crawl into our beds. "This is a marvellous house, isn't it?"
"Yes." I say. "With some very gullible people in it!" I giggle. Lindsey doesn't look amused, though. "Mother will have realised we're gone by now. What is she's sent a search party that we don't know about?" She's right. But...
"Lindsey, I don't think Papa would allow her to send one. He probably wants us out the way, and now he has it that way, I'm certain he wouldn't want it to change!" Lindsey still looks concerned, though.
Se drifts of quickly and I reflect in the day we have had.
It's incredible to think that we woke up in that barn only this morning. I wonder if Mother really is looking for us? But that only sparks worry, so I force it out of my mind.

I fall asleep in minutes.