Deeds Not Words

✯ chapter eight: Exciting News

My Birthday was nothing but spectacular. It was absolutely delightful.

Helen, Ethel and Angel even came over to visit. Ethel gave me a box of truffles, some with a toffee filling, others a caramel filling. I hugged Ethel awkwardly (only because Mother told me to). I got handed about 5 brown paper bags of some of my favourite sweets from the kindest sister, Angel. I loved the bubblegum bon-bons, the strawberry flavoured hard candy and the assortment of fudge. Helen, the oldest, gifted me some silk ribbons for my hair and a beautifully covered Girls Own Annual.

I would be telling a terrible lie if I said I did not like any of the presents I received, I was extremely fortunate to even get any presents from them.

They stayed for the birthday cake, which was delicious! My mum lit the cake's sixteen white and red candles with a match. The cake was coated thickly with vanilla buttercream frosting. There was purple icing around the bottom in a swirly design, and green flowers placed at the top of the cake. It read: "Happy Birthday Marigold" in thin, purple icing.

Ethel, Helen and Angel had to wrap their slices in a napkin as they had to go back home. I also gave their parents, Alice and Richie a slice of it, handing it to them with a smile.

Usually, birthdays would be a big extravaganza with our grandparents here and a whole array of friends here, but there was not. Which I was quite happy with. Due to the fact I would have to stand, holding a tray of food and sweets for the guests.

"Oh how unfortunate of the oldest daughter, she's very plain, my Archie wouldn't want to be on the make with her"

"she's such a plain Jane"

"Look at those long, lanky arms"

I would have to bear and listen to those nasty remarks. All rich people seem to think that girls want constant men falling at their feet, have the finest furs and gowns, to have curves and not receive education.

Not me though. I don't want to come across as arrogant but, I really want an education. To go to boarding school would be great! I guess the world is not ready for women to be on equal terms.

Another thing that happened was that Winnie came around, with a letter for me from my grandparents.

"Dearest Goldie,
We hope you have a great day today,

Best wishes,
Grandpapa and grandmama"

I truly wished  that they had wrote more because I really was expecting that. I don't want to seem ungrateful though.

We all sat in the living room, Johnny played some music hall songs on the piano. We had never been to one, Father (of course) thought that they were inappropriate places for us to go to. All because a woman would show her knee in a ballet costume, or a female singer had a low neckline on her dress or just because a man's sleeves were too short.

Johnny began singing "the boy i love is up in the gallery" It was very easy to follow along to, so by the second time we all knew the lyrics and the melody.

The next morning, Gillson packed up again and went back to boarding school. I gave him some money for food, as the train journey ought to be a long one.

"Promise you'll write more often?" I pleaded as he was walking out the door.
"I will, Marigold" he hugged me tight, one last time. I waved at him through the window as he walked out the street.

I walked back upstairs, slightly gloomily. "Oh Marigold I've got great news for you!" Mother was in my room, walking around excitedly. She had been out around an hour ago and already said goodbye to Gillson.
"Yes mother?"

"There's a meeting tomorrow, and guess what! Emmeline Pankhurst is looking for another woman to speak at it, I told her all about you and she says she'd love to hear what you have to say, she said to me that if you meet her tomorrow, you can discuss it!" She threw her arms around me gleefully.

"Oh wow, oh wow!" I exclaimed jumping up and down like a child.

Really! Emmeline Pankhurst wanted to meet me? I couldn't believe it. Emmeline has brought women together to fight for our rights and has  became a true inspiration.

"Isn't it amazing Goldie!" She smiled at me.

*

Later that day, it was nice, hot and sunny and Benji took me out on my promised picnic. He had to take Roger and daisy out, and Amelia too (though we had already planned on her coming)

Me and Benji strolled arm-in-arm to the nearest hill. He was carrying the basket in his free hand.

We flopped down and I delighted in eating the truffles, sandwiches, apples, biscuits among all the other foods. Amelia played with Roger and Daisy, running down the hill. I didn't even see the need in telling Daisy off for the grass-stains on her dress.

"So Benji, you'd never guess what!"
"What is it, doll?"

"Miss Pankhurst wants to meet me! Tomorrow at the suffrage meeting!" I said excitedly, looking at Benji with a gleam in my eyes.

"Really! Oh Marigold, how lucky are you eh? In 100 years time she'll be a legend, you can tell your kids, grandkids, perhaps maybe even great grandkids about you meeting her!," He threw his arms around me, "please tell her about me, though I think it might be a bit of a surprise about a male suffragette"

I laughed softly. Benji kept looking at me, gleefully. I kissed him then and there, just like we did when we first kissed. I still got butterflies and blushed a soft shade of pink.