Evil Thing by Serena Valentino

Author:Serena Valentino
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Disney Book Group
Published: 2020-05-05T16:00:00+00:00

Before I knew it, the school term was over and Anita was to return home. Back to Belgrave Square, where she belonged. With me. And with her extended family, my servants. Anita had always been close to them, and since our holiday meal together I had felt closer to them than ever before. Mrs. Baddeley and Jackson had kept me sane throughout mother’s husband-hunting season, what with Jackson’s commiserating looks and my sneaking down to the kitchen to talk with Mrs. Baddeley about the awful bores my mother was throwing at me. But now I would have my Anita back. I couldn’t wait. The day had finally arrived.

I stood in the entryway for what felt like an eternity waiting for Anita to arrive. I couldn’t just sit in the morning room waiting for her to be ushered in and announced by Jackson. She wasn’t a mere guest. She was my family. My only family, now that Papa was gone and Mama had all but given up on me. Then I finally heard the car pulling up out front. I didn’t even let Jackson open the door entirely before I dashed over to give her a hug.

“Oh, Anita! I am so happy to see you!” I threw my arms around her.

She looked more radiant than ever. We wrapped our arms around each other, holding on tightly before letting go. She had the most beautiful smile on her face. She was home.

“Cruella! Happy birthday!” she said. I had almost forgotten it was my birthday. I was too excited about her visit.

“Miss Anita,” Jackson said, “I will have your things taken upstairs. I’m sure Mrs. Baddeley is eager to say hello if you’d like to go down and see her. I think she might have a little surprise for you.” He gave her a little wink.

“Oh, yes,” said Anita. “Come on, Cruella.” She took my hand.

“What are you up to?” I asked. “Why is Jackson ushering us downstairs?” Anita just laughed.

“It’s just as he said. I’m sure he realizes I am excited to see Mrs. Baddeley. Come on.”

I remember holding Anita’s small hand in mine as we walked down the stairs. It reminded me so much of walking down the stairs with Miss Pricket when I was a little girl. I almost felt giddy. There was an excitement in the air. It was almost entirely dark, but I could hear the giggling of the housemaids, and Mrs. Baddeley shushing them as I was taken from the kitchen to the servants’ hall. The scent of chocolate filled the air.

“What’s going on? What’s wrong with the lights?” I called out into the dark. And then, with a spark, they switched on.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CRUELLA!”

Everyone was there. Jean, Paulie, the footmen, and Mrs. Baddeley. Within moments, Jackson joined us. My family. They were all there. “Oh, Anita! Did you arrange this?” She smiled and patted Mrs. Baddeley on the arm.

“Along with Mrs. Baddeley, and of course Jackson. They did all the work.”

And they had gone all out. The room was beautifully decorated with black and white streamers and balloons.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.