Sequel to Behind the front fence

The next morning, Elizabeth struggled to get up. She had been crying for hours last night and
had had terrible nightmares who had woken her up in the middle of the night. But she knew she
had to go out of her new room to try and understand what was happening to her, as she
couldn’t get her mind onto the purpose of her arrival here. As she touched the door handle to
leave, Miss Grainger burst in the room with a broom in her left hand. Elizabeth jumped, still not
completely awake, as the housekeeper started laughing.
-”Good Morning my child” she said with enthusiasm. “I hope you slept well, we have a lot to go
through today, starting with a tour of the property. I was about to wake you up, but I see you’re
an early bird, which will be very useful for your future around here. But first, we need breakfast.
Why don’t you come downstairs so we can have a nice coffee with a toast ?”
Elizabeth looked frightened, like she was about to burst into tears at any moment. But she tried
to keep her composure, as she knew complaints wouldn’t help her figure out anything.
She finally faltered some words, but they were so quiet that Miss Grainger didn’t understand
what she was trying to say.
-“ Come on, my child, if you’re gonna stay here for a while, you’re gonna need to speak louder,
and have your mind clear. What’s wrong ?” she asked with compassion.
Elizabeth hesitated for a moment, and finally confessed her trouble :
“-I just”-she stuttered- “I just wanna know when I’m going home. And what’s gonna happen to
me. I miss my family so much, my brothers need me cause my mom has a lot to do. Why am I
even here?”
Miss Grainger opened her eyes wide, as she was only realising the truth of the situation.
-“Oh, sweet child, they didn’t explain, did they?” She shook her head and sighed a little.
She went and sat on her bed, inviting her to sit next to her with a sign. She was thinking about
the way to explain to her the aim of her presence without hurting the girl more.
“You know, sometimes, life can take a path you didn’t think it would. One second you’re around
your family, and the next think you know things change. But change can be good, no matter
how hard or unfair it can seem. You’re gonna start a new life here, in this property, with a family
and a job. Well, not a job in the way you might know it, but more like an activity that will
guarantee you a place here. Don’t worry about the tasks you’ll have to do, I’m here to teach you
everything you need to know from now on.” She attempted to draw a smile on her face, to
reassure her, but she felt the distress Elizabeth was in and the confusion that emanated from
her. “I’m just gonna leave you for a while, feel free to join me in the kitchen when you’ll want to
take breakfast” she said very softly, as if it would ease the pain from Elizabeth, while she stared
into her eyes, quiet.
Miss Grainger then exited the chamber, leaving a strange atmosphere hovering on the room.

Lise Delsol 1g04