The Frangitelli Mirror by GR Thomas

Author:GR Thomas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: GRThomas
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

ose and Martha crested the hill back towards Rutherford House. Mary was no longer on the balcony now that the rain pelted hard drops down Rose’s neck. They made haste, leaving the garden gate ajar as they rushed to the back door.

Rose’s boots skidded on the gravel path; she grabbed her stomach, and leaned against the house; the vine that seemed to hold it all together now held her up too.

She groaned at the sharp sting slicing through her guts.

“Not now,” Rose whimpered as wetness seeped through her undergarments.

The backdoor hit the house as Martha wrenched it open, only turning when she heard Rose cry out in pain.

“What is it, Lass? Hurry up out of this weather!” She didn’t move, but when Rose’s tear-filled eyes looked her way, a knowing look softened the hard angles of Martha’s face as Rose pressed between her legs.

“Is it your courses?”

Rose nodded, unable to speak.

Martha dashed back, put an arm around Rose and guided her back inside.

Once in the laundry, Martha sat Rose on a stool, pulled a basket from a far shelf, rummaged through it until she had a pile of pressed linen cloths. She filled a bucket with water, sat it in front of Rose and passed over one of the cloths.

“Clean yourself up.” Martha’s mouth softened, almost into some form of sympathetic smile. Rose took the cloth; she didn’t know what was worse, the humiliation of having her drawers down in front of Martha, or each stabbing pain that bent her double.

“I had bad ones back in the day too, no one likes to talk about such things, so most of us women tend to find these things out the hard way. My Ma took me to a doctor who diagnosed me with hysteria, much like Mrs Rutherford, damned doctor wanted to lock me up. Fools are men. Wouldn’t know a womanly pain from the back o’ their arse!”

Rose stopped mid-twist of a cloth as she dipped it in the water. Her mouth pained, trying to repress a giggle.

Martha shook her head, and soaped up a fresh cloth for Rose. This time, a smile did lift her cheeks, her eyes held a wistful gleam. “Luckily my Ma was a sensible type, she had me sent away to cousin Edwina; that’s how I found my way into service at Norlane Hall. Edwina taught me how to cope with the bad monthlies when they visited.” Martha emptied the washbasin into the trough and Rose quickly removed her undergarments and balled them up so as the blood was hidden and dumped them in a soaking bucket next to the copper. She wiped fresh blood from her thighs, but it flowed on; the sight of it made her nauseous. She leaned forwards, elbows on her knees.

“I’m sorry, Martha, it comes unexpectedly and not often.”

“Don’t need apologies, just a solution. Edwina knew a thing or two about nasty courses. Runs in my family… perhaps yours too.” Martha handed Rose fresh undergarments and an older uniform in a pale shade of grey.

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