Deeds Not Words

♡⃕ chapter six: Gillson's homecoming

*later that day*

Mother knocked on my door, carrying a package neatly tied with a ribbon, I looked at it warily yet excitedly. "What is it Mother?" I asked curiously. "The trousers love" she answered simply, I stood up, beaming with joy.

I took a glance at the box once more and mother held it out in front of me, like she was asking me if I wanted to hold it without even opening her mouth.

I took it directly from her hands and took the ribbon off. I slowly opened the box to reveal my new pair of trousers, which had a swirly M.A inside for my name.

"Oh mother!" I threw my arms around her and looked at the brown shade trousers I had before me. They looked almost like breeches, but I wouldn't dare complain about it.

"There, there" she gave my back loving rubs. I let go from hugging her and gave her once last kiss on the cheek, and with that, she was out of my room.

I squealed in delight with my new trousers, I may just be the only "debutante" with them!
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*time jump*
*July*

Mother tied up a banner, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIGOLD" it read in Big Bold and Fancy letters, I smiled at it in awe.
"Happy early birthday" Mary said to me. In case you forgot, Mary was a maid who did all the housework. She was only ten, bless her, but her mother couldn't aford to feed her.

"Thank you Mary" I replied, smiling and gave her a hug. She smiled aswell and fixed her bonnet and coal-stained apron. She scurried off, duster in hand.

It seemed everyone was excited for my Birthday. But I was more excited for the return of Dear Gillson, even if it be for just a day or two, I was bound to be grateful.

There was madness with Mildred looking through recipe book after book to find the most delicious recipe for my cake, Johnny looking through my frocks to find a frock suitable for my Sixteenth, Father was Stressed out and My Benjamin was trying to contain the kids' excitement.

So I sat down at my writing desk, and looked at my newspaper and gasped at the headline:

MILITANT SUFFRAGETTE GOES ON HUNGER STRIKE
_______________________________________
Marion Wallace Dunlop is an adamant member of the WSPU and follower of women's suffrage. Today she shockingly went on hunger strike, a form of drastic protest to get the right.

I couldn't bear reading on, but my eyes filled with bitter tears. It shouldn't be this hard, we shouldn't be risking our health for this. War is the only language people listen to now. Change is a-brewing as they say.

Benji walked into my room, I could tell it was him by his shoes distinct pattering sound. He set down a lovely, colourful bouquet of flowers on my desk and smiled at me. "Now, that's not all your gonna get from me for your birthday, beautiful" he winked at me and kissed me sweetly. I blushed pure pink. As pink as the Pink Primrose in front of me.

"That's not like you to say something like that Benjamin" I said, chuckling nervously. "I'm practising being flirtatious" He smiled once more. That smile always made me feel loved.

I looked at him and shook my head. "That perfect head of hair" I said and ruffled his hair, he did the same to me, but completely ruined my hair.

"Benji! You're fixing it!" I demanded and he mimicked me. "Benji! You're fixing it!" He repeated making stupid faces. But he grabbed my hairbrush and brushed my hair slowly. "Have you heard the news?" I asked, desperate for a little chat with him. "Oh yeah, It's shocking. Ya'know Marigold, it's a troublesome world out there for young, pretty girls like you, especially you being a suffragette. Just know that I'm here, to protect you, now and always." He replied, letting out a drawn out sigh. We both stood up and I wrapped my arms around his neck and his arms were around my waist.