ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔯𝔩𝔬𝔱𝔱𝔢 𝔖𝔲𝔩𝔩𝔦𝔳𝔞𝔫 ¤ 𝔇𝔬𝔠𝔱𝔬𝔯 𝔚𝔥𝔬

Chapter 5

Charlotte gasped in shock as the cold water fell over her body.

"I did say it was cold, dear" Nurse Anne said, grabbing a hairbrush. "But don't worry, we're almost done"

"Okay..." Charlotte croaked out, her body shivering.

"Don't worry, you'll feel warm as your little teddy bear" Anne said. "You aren't normally allowed to bring toys with you into the Hospital, but I think I might be able to sneak it past them. You just have to hide it somewhere only you will know, understood?"

"I understand" Charlotte replied. 

* * * * *

Charlotte stood in front of Nurse Anne. 

She was no longer in her brown coat and pink handsewn dress. She was now wearing a black dress that went down to her knees. A pure white apron rested on top. White socks and black boots replaced her brown boots that were once on her feet.

Charlotte's hair had been styled into two very messed up plaits. No matter how many times Nurse Anne had tried to brush out Charlotte's hair, it suddenly turned back into it's natural wavy hair, so Nurse Anne had to deal with the wavy hair and do messed up plaits. 

"Would you like to have a look at yourself?" Nurse Anne asked. 

Charlotte nodded. Nurse Anne picked up a small mirror and held it in front of Charlotte. Charlotte didn't know whether to laugh, cry or scream. 

"Can I go see the others?" Charlotte asked. "I would like to start making friends please, Nurse Anne"

"There's no need to ask for such things in life, Charlotte" Nurse Anne smiled. "Remember this: Life doesn't decide on you, you decide on life"

Charlotte nodded, but she didn't understand. Decide on life? 

Nurse Anne put the mirror back on the wall back gently took Charlotte's hand in hers. It reminded Charlotte of her mother. Her mother, who would most likely be on a train heading home. Home. The field and the old, fat pig in that pen that was too small for him. That pig never did seem to care though, always lying out in the sun. 

Charlotte stumbled on a few of the stairs as her and Nurse Anne walked higher and higher up the building. The stairs were quite steep and Nurse Anne was walking quite quickly. Charlotte's mother walked quickly too, but not as quickly as Nurse Anne.

"Alright, your class is over here" Nurse Anne pointed towards a blue door at the end of the corridor.

Nurse Anne knocked on the door and walked in, still holding Charlotte's hand. About ten or twelve other girls were in the room, each sitting at a small table. They all wore uniforms similar to Charlotte's. A woman was by the board, wearing the uniform too. 

"Hello, Nurse Taylor" Nurse Anne smiled. "This is Charlotte Sullivan, she arrived about an hour ago"

Charlotte could hear some girls whispering and giggling.

"Robyn, Izzy and Joanne!" Nurse Taylor bellowed. "Stop making fun of Miss Sullivan at once. How would you feel if you were made fun of the moment you arrived here?"

"Not good" a young girl with red hair said, her head looking down in shame.

Charlotte watched as Nurse Anne shut the door behind her. The woman who was called Nurse Taylor lead Charlotte to an empty seat at the front.

A girl who must've been about Charlotte's age sat on the seat next to Charlotte. Her hair was shoulder length and a dirty blonde colour. She had chocolate brown eyes and she had quite a silly smile. 

Charlotte smiled, trying hard not to laugh. 

"Now, let's continue the lesson we were doing" Nurse Taylor said. "Charlotte, do you know what this is on the board?"

Charlotte looked up at the board. A sentence was written on it in white chalk.

7 + 5 = ___

"Twelve" Charlotte said. She said it a little quiet, but Nurse Taylor heard her.

"Well done, Charlotte" Nurse Taylor said. "How old are you?"

"Six, Nurse Taylor" Charlotte replied.

"Well, you're a clever little girl" Nurse Taylor said, making Charlotte feel very proud of herself.

///

Charlotte followed Nurse Anne to a giant room with lots of tables. Boys and girls were sitting everywhere, chatting and eating.

"Do you want to sit with anyone?" Nurse Anne asked.

The second Nurse Anne said that, the girl with dirty blonde hair stood up and waved at them both. Charlotte smiled and gave a small wave back.

"Do you want to sit with Pearl?" Nurse Anne asked.

"Yes please" Charlotte said.

Nurse Anne lead Charlotte over to the table where Pearl. Pearl moved over to make enough room for Charlotte to sit down.

"I'll leave you two to have a chat" Nurse Anne said before walking away.

"Well, I'm Pearl" the girl said, holding her hand out. "Pearl Robins"

"I'm Charlotte" Charlotte replied, shaking Pearl's hand. "Charlotte Sullivan"

"Nice to meet you, Charlotte" Pearl said. "So, where did you come from?"

"London" Charlotte said, making Pearl nearly spit out her water that she was drinking.

"What?" Pearl gasped. "That's miles from here!"

"Is it?" Charlotte said.

"Yeah, we look at maps of England in class" Pearl explained. "London is very far away"

"Wow, I never knew" Charlotte said. "How old are you, Pearl?"

"I'm seven" Pearl said. "You're six, right?"

"Yes" Charlotte replied. "When is your birthday?"

"Next month, but I doubt Mother will get me anything" Pearl sighed.

"I could get you something" Charlotte said. "I could make something or find something and fix it"

Pearl then reached into her pocket and pulled out something. It was a small handmade kingfisher. It was a little torn up, but still noticeable.

"I've been wanting this to get fixed for months" Pearl said. "If you can fix it, then I'll happily accept it as a birthday present"

Charlotte gently took the kingfisher, hoping she wouldn't break it more than it already was. She looked up at her new friend and nodded.

"I'll get it fixed in time for your birthday, I promise" Charlotte smiled.

Pearl smiled back.