The House of Beardsley

Chapter Seventeen

It was the day for Ravensborough's Monthly Market.

That morning even Beth woke up on her own accord, decorating her short brown hair with ribbons and combing her bangs until they reached perfection, framing her eyes and cheeks.

"How do I look?" She stood up and swirled in a pink dress. "And I'm going to wear this over it!" She picked up a red coat and matching red hat. It suited her: she looked like Red Riding Hood. I said it looked nice, while Clo reminded her to keep in mind that it was cold.

"I'm done too, is everyone ready?" Clo stood up, already in a forest green coat that tightened at the waist and flared out at the hips. It was fashionable, something I expected from her, and it contrasted her skin nicely.

On the other hand, me and Rhiannon simply looked like we were going to buy some groceries at the market. We both dressed in drab coats, mine a light grey and hers a dark navy. My hat, though, was light blue while hers matched her coat.

"Oh, wait!" Beth looked in the mirror and pulled on her coat, which also had a little cape. The cape only reached her elbows, but added for a nice layer, and I noticed the collar was of fur. How did she afford all this?

"Shuyan, do you have everything?" Clo asked me.

I glanced at my black purse and then smiled.

"Yes."

I didn't plan on buying anything, but I still brought along what little I earned in case I wanted to buy something. The main thing, though, was exploring the outside world. I wondered how it felt like to be free—to be a normal working member of society, not "an orphan".

"Let's get going then,"Rhiannon said, closing the curtains, "today looks a bit cloudy so let's bring umbrellas."

"I don't have an umbrella," Beth said, once again to our dismay.

"You can share with me," I offered, "but you ought to buy one."

"Thank you, Shuyan, and I'll remember to."

I rummaged around in the wardrobe I shared with Beth until I found my umbrella and then joined Clo and Rhiannon, who were getting theirs too.

When we finally left, I was glad we did: the skies were grey and white, and the air humid. However, the outside air still felt good, and Beth seemed to really like it, as she kept taking deep breaths every minute or so.

"It's going to take a long time to walk to Ravensborough, so let's list what we want to do there and then make a plan accordingly to save time," Clo said. I nodded.

"That's a good idea."

"I want to buy some a hat," Beth said first, "And an umbrella."

"I want to visit the bookstore and buy a journal," Rhiannon said. "And some ink."

"I don't have anything in mind. What about you, Clo?" I asked.

"I want to buy some presents for my siblings," she said with a smile. "Maybe I'll find something at the bookstore."

The mood between us four felt good for once, and I smiled to myself as we walked, looking forward to my first visit in town.

After twenty minutes or so, we had covered a considerable amount of area and finally reached the outskirts of town. Establishments were in sight, and I gasped at the view.

Large stalls were set out in front of stores. There were food stalls, advertising rice milk, beer, and pig trotters. Further in were stores selling glass bottles of all colors and shapes, others selling cigars, and there were also candles, dried herbs, and accessories. Store owners advertised their products with bright smiles while customers haggled, shuffled about, and ate food outside in makeshift terraces.