Only Her

Chapter 2-Settling in

"Before we get to work, I will show you the sleeping quarters" Martha's big feet stomped as she led Raven across a gravel walkway and into a big grey building. They stooped to pass through the low hanging doorframe, and up a flight of narrow wooden steps.

"The maids, butler, the gardener, and I have our beds in this building. You will be sharing a room with another girl of your age."

They reached a plateau which led onto a small hallway and took an immediate left, stepping into a room with just enough space to fit two small beds and a window.

"Here we are...your room." Said Martha, definitively as the tiny wooden door swung open with a creak.

She led Raven in, and stopped by the edge of the window.

"We keep this netting over the window at night to stop the mosquitoes from getting in." She said, as she roughly tugged the netting across.

"I would say put your things down but...well, you have none." She shrugged.

"But do not worry! We have everything you need here. I put away a spare nightgown and hairbrush just in case something like this would happen. Hoh ho!" She chuckled.

"Wait here, I will go and get them immediately!"

She turned to leave, just as another young girl entered the room.

"Oooh!" They both exclaimed in surprise. The girl bounced off Martha's large chest as they collided.

"Tabitha, really...do try to be more careful, girl."

"So- sorry ma'am" The girl replied and curtsied to her senior.

Tabitha was a gentle looking girl. She had curly pale reddish-blonde hair, and dimples in her cheeks. Her face, which was round, had light blue eyes, soft freckles on her nose, and milky white skin. A large black bow was tied neatly on top of her head, and matched her black and white servant's uniform.

"Tabitha, this is your new room-mate. Her name is Raven."

"How do you do." Tabitha curtsied again.

"I was just off to get her some living materials. Please get yourselves acquainted with one another."

"Yes ma'am" Nodded Tabitha as Martha left the room.

"Why do you do that?" Asked Raven.

"Do what?"

"Bob up and down like that."

"You make it sound as if I'm a sail boat." Tabitha laughed.

"It's called a 'curtsey'. You do it to show someone that you respect them." 

"Oh...should I do that too?" Asked Raven

"Well, yes...at least to anyone superior."

"Superior? I thought that was something you put in a bowl.

Tabitha laughed again.

"I think you mean soup...superior is something quite different...it means someone who has more power than you...a position of authority."

"Oh...I see." Raven nodded.

Tabitha watched, with an eyebrow raised as Raven crossed one foot over the other and squatted awkwardly to an invisible ladyship.

"I'm practising." She said.

Tabitha smirked and shook her head

"You're funny...I like you!"

"I'm ba-ack!" sang Martha.

"I have some clothes, a brush, a nightgown, a bow so you can tie your hair up like Tabitha's, and-" she stopped to take a breath.