68 Chapter 68

An undertaker?

Wasn't that going a little far?

Clunking down the steps two at a time into the bustling street-no mean feat with Gabe's shoes falling off her feet and these spectacles blurring her vision-it seemed this couldn't have gone more wrong if she'd pulled off the jacket in the center of the hall and shouted, I am a woman! But she would sort it.

"Splen..." Gabe's maroon necktie bobbed into view.

"The damn cheek of him. I mean, did you just hear him?" She spat the words. "Be there at dawn."

"Oh, I think the whole hall heard his nibs." He leapt in front of her. "Splen... I know what you're thinking. And you can't. Do you hear me? No, listen-"

"Can't, can't, can't. It's what you all say to me. Of me. Sapphire and Amber, and all the other girls. Can't steal. Can't sew.Oh, and let's not mention my cooking. I couldn'tdo anything apparently but sweep the floors and sleep on the scullery floor. When I can. Now, get out of the way."