The Ragman's Daughter by Eliza Lawley

Author:Eliza Lawley [Lawley, Eliza]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-11-15T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 9

The tent fell silent, another successful show complete.

Briar stood on the darkened stage, staring out at the empty seats, feeling as content as was possible for her anymore. Three years had passed since she had been taken in by Mr Carter, and they had been good years for the most part. With the company, Briar had travelled to some of the largest cities in England and seen things she would have never dreamed of as a penniless girl from Cripplegate, digging through ash piles or stealing from the pockets of the rich, just to survive.

She was no longer that little girl, though, and good riddance.

That girl had suffered under her father’s abuse and been betrayed by the Fosters and their low-life Family.

That girl had lost her childhood love to the strong arm of the law and could do not a thing to save him.

That girl had spent so many nights beaten and hungry that she lived by her instincts and her wits alone.

The woman she was becoming was smarter and more guarded, but still accepting of her situation. She still didn’t feel like this place was her home, but she had come to feel more settled within its flexible walls. She felt more connected to the others. More satisfied with her lot in life. Clementine was still terrible, and she still missed Jack every single day, but she had honest work and a place to lay her head at night.

She reminded herself daily that she had more than a lot of people could ever ask for.

Tearing her eyes from the empty seats, she gripped her broom with both hands and began to sweep the stage, just as she had after every show since she had arrived. Briar didn’t mind working into the late hours of the night as much as she first had. The stillness and quiet were always welcome after a day full of commotion and movement. She didn’t have to deal with Clementine, as the star was fast asleep by now. There was no-one to bother her or demand her attention.

She could think.

She could breathe.

She could sing.

She had discovered a love of singing, and despite Clementine’s horrid treatment of her, Briar was inspired by the girl’s beautiful voice. Every night, as she swept the stage, she would sing one of the songs Clementine had performed just to see if she could. At first, she had been terrible, even to her own ears, but as time had passed, she’d steadily improved.

Taking a deep breath, she opened her mouth and let the song flow from her lips. Tonight’s performance had featured a somewhat sad tune that had touched Briar’s heart. It was not the first time Clementine had sung it, so Briar knew the lyrics well. That always made it easier for her to sing with her whole being, right from her soul, as she didn’t have to think so much about the words. She just let them escape from her throat.

Soon, she was lost in the song, and the world around her melted away.

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