Tommy's Rose

Chapter 17: Wait... What?

"It has been many years since I have brushed a young girl's hair," Polly sighed as she brushed my long brown hair. "I used to love brushing your Aunt Ada's hair, she used to have thick wavy hair."

Polly was styling my hair ready for a party Tommy was throwing at the house. Many important people were attending so I was assuming it was a fundraiser for the orphanages Tommy had opened around Birmingham. The whole family was invited so everyone was getting ready; The men would be in perfectly tailored suits and the women would be in stunning dresses.

Just then the bedroom door opened. "Oh Polly stop brushing her hair she'll fall to sleep," Ada joked as she shut the door behind her.

I smiled brightly as Ada placed a medium white box on Polly's bed. "Is that mine?" I asked sweetly.

Ada smiled. "It's all yours," She told me. "All to fit perfectly!"

"Have you missed your Father?" Polly asked me.

I nodded. "After spending the last three days clinging to him, it's strange not having him around," I admitted.

"You miss his moaning and his swearing?" Ada laughed.

I hummed. "Well I don't miss that," I laughed. "I liked the last few days because he taught me a few things, I rode the horses more, we sorted some of the books, he showed me how to pick a lock which was fun-"

"Tommy showed you how to pick a lock?" Polly asked me.

I nodded. "Just in case," I smiled.

"Bloody hell," Ada chuckled. "Right I'm going to change and I'll meet you both down stairs in a bit."

Polly and I both went over to the white box. I pulled off the lid and smiled brightly at the white dress in front of me; Carefully I lifted the dress up and out the box so I could have a better look at it.

"What do you think?" Polly asked me.

I smiled. "I love it!" I stated with a wide smile.

"A proper young womens dress," Polly grinned then held up the shoes. "We are going to practice in these little heels when you are dressed."

I quickly went into the bath room and changed out of my night dress and into the white dress. I span around letting the dress flow and I truly felt beautiful!

With a little laugh I skipped back into Polly's room and noticed she was now wearing a sleek black dress with a white fur wrap over her shoulders. I sat on the bed next to Polly as she handed me the two little white heeled shoes, I carefully put them on my feet and tightened the straps so they didn't feel loose.

"Alright, walk to the window, turn then walk back," Polly told me.

I took a step forward and wobbled slightly on the heel; Oh right, this was harder than I expected.

I looked at Polly for help. "Walk slow and stand up straight."

I took a deep breath as I stood up straight, I took a step forward and slowly walked forward, one front in front of the other looking straight ahead then when I got to the window I turned and smiled at Polly, as she returned the smile I walked back over to her then I stopped in front of her.

"Beautiful!" Polly told me as she stood up.

Polly carefully placed two beaded necklaces around my neck, she lifted the back of my hair up then placed it back on my shoulders. Together we both left the bedroom then headed down stairs and into the living room where Ada, Finn, Michael and my brother Charles were waiting for us.

"Doesn't she look stunning!" Polly stated as she ushered me into the middle of the living room. "She'll be breaking hearts before we know it!"

"My God you look just like your Mother!" Ada told me. "She would be so proud of you!"