The Narrowboat Orphans by Daisy Carter

Author:Daisy Carter [Carter, Daisy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-05-07T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

"I've never seen three such lovely girls in all my life, don't you agree, Bert?" Verity's eyes misted with tears of pride as Dolly, Gloria, and Amy stepped off the narrowboat onto the towpath. She clasped her hands to her chest and sighed happily with an approving nod, not only for their natural beauty but for their resilient spirit. "You deserve a lovely evening out. You've all been working very hard recently, so mind you enjoy yourselves."

Bert hobbled up the steps behind her, but he had a small frown of worry on his face. "Be sure to look after your sisters, Jonty," he warned. "Three beautiful maids like them are sure to attract attention. I trust the travelling community, but there are plenty of men who would take advantage of your sisters if they had the chance."

"Don't worry," Jonty said with an amused smile. "I won't drink any ale, and I'll be keeping a close eye on them. I won't let any ruffians or ne'er-do-wells steal their hearts, Uncle Bert."

As the four of them walked across the common, the sun was already sinking in the west, casting long mauve shadows on the ground. The three girls were unmistakably sisters, with their dark beauty. Dolly's hair was pinned up in loose curls, with tendrils framing her face. Gloria had twisted her hair into an elegant chignon at the nape of her neck. And Amy's curls tumbled down her back, held in place with a green ribbon which matched her dress. Several young men turned to watch their progress, even though the sisters paid no heed as they were too busy chattering about the evening ahead.

Verity had surprised them all a month earlier, offering to buy each of them a new gown for the event from the cramped shop called Second Hand Rose in Frampton. Since then, Gloria had worked wonders, turning up hems, sewing invisible tucks to take them in, mending tears, and then adorning them with artfully fashioned remnants of lace until they looked as good as new.

“It looks like it’s going to be a good turnout. The gypsy vardos are so pretty.” In the distance, the highly-decorated horse-drawn wagons were spread in a large circle near the spinney at the edge of the common, and she could see young children darting between the wagons, playing tag amidst squeals of laughter. Their two communities had an affectionate respect for each other, and she was looking forward to catching up with some of her travelling friends who she hadn’t seen for a year. Dolly couldn't remember feeling this excited for a long time, and the air of anticipation carried them over the undulating common faster than usual, all their weariness from the day's work forgotten.

The fair itself was being held in a flat area at the centre of the common, and there was a pyramid of wood in the middle, already starting to crackle as the flames took hold. “They’ve lit the bonfire already. I swear it’s the tallest one I’ve ever seen.

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