Lizzie's Wish by Adele Geras

Author:Adele Geras [Geras, Adèle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd
Published: 2015-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

In which Lizzie and her mother are reunited

The interior of the cottage was so dark that Lizzie found it hard to make out the familiar furnishings and features of her old home. But there they were: the shabby armchairs next to the empty grate. Why had no fire been lit to take the chill off the room? The table still stood beside the window. It was covered by the plush cloth that Lizzie knew was almost as old as she was. The mantelshelf over the fire had nothing more decorative on it than a clock.

“To what do we owe this unexpected visit?” Mr. Bright enquired, looking as though the visit was far from a pleasure.

“Young Lizzie here was worried about her mama. She has not written for some time, and knowing that she is in a delicate condition, we were concerned for her welfare.” Uncle William looked around the dark, chilly room and stared at Mr. Bright out of his one good eye. Lizzie, meanwhile, was edging towards the stairs. She could no longer keep silent. Her eagerness to be reunited with her mama was almost overwhelming.

“Is Mama upstairs?” she asked. “May I go up? And where is Annie?”

“I have dismissed Annie. Her wages were a drain upon the household. And besides, she was growing quite old and infirm. It was a kindness to her.”

“But,” Lizzie was almost speechless with distress. “Why did Mama not tell me? How could you send Annie away before I could bid her goodbye? And how can Mama manage all on her own? I want to see her. Is she in her bedroom? I must see her!”

“Your mother is resting. She is asleep, I’ve no doubt. Perhaps you would wait while I go and see.”

“Nonsense, man!” Uncle William burst out. “Can’t you see that Cecily would much rather be woken by her daughter than by anyone else in the world? How can you be so cruel as to make her wait after such a long journey? And you can see how distressed she is. Go on, Lizzie. He’s not going to stop you.”

Lizzie could see that Mr. Bright was taken aback by being spoken to in this manner. He took a step backwards and let his mouth fall open in amazement. She decided to leave him to Uncle William, who would doubtless know how to deal with him. She tiptoed upstairs as quickly as she could, and knocked on her mother’s bedroom door. There was no answer.

Lizzie stood outside on the little landing in some confusion. She hesitated to wake her mama, if indeed she was asleep, because everyone knew that when you were expecting a baby, you grew very tired and needed rest above all things. But Mama would certainly want to see her. Surely she’s missing me, Lizzie thought, as much as I’m missing her? She decided to knock once more and go in.

The sight that met her eyes when she opened the door nearly made her cry. Her mother was indeed

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