Chapter 17

It started when the tutor called her for the presentation, and she went in front of the crowd. Half of the ladies laughed at the way she dresses there in the workshop, and they burst out in laughter. She said in her mouse like shrill voice, 'I will not continue if you will laugh at me like this!' The tutor was surprised to listen to such sort of different voice, 'Oh my dear!' she asked, 'Are you alright? You do not look so well!' She came up with a plan, 'Ma'am, I have a bad fever from earlier a week, and I have not recovered from it. But I didn't want to miss this workshop, so I came here!' 'Oh, that is admirably tenacious of you!' said the tutor. 'Alright then girls, be kind and accepting! And why don't you take that veil off!' 'You may catch flu as well! If you want that then . . ..' The tutor abruptly stopped her from taking it off, 'No, no please keep it on! And continue!' Catherine couldn't contain her laughter and excused herself form the workshop for that instance. She laughed her breath out. She turned red and couldn't breathe. Rosalie continued with her presentation and acted with everything they were taught in that class. She was corrected by the tutor, 'We do not bow these days but only to the royalties! We just slightly tilt our head!' Nora was amused and made fun of her when she came back. The tutor pointed out Rosalie as the best of the presenters that day and all three of them laughed at her after the workshop, whether she is ignorant or is an utter simpleton.

Catherine and Nora met Richard for the first time, and they were both impressed by the gentleman's manners. He was kind to them and greeted the ladies. Nobody was suspicious of him but rather fond of him. He invited the ladies to lunch with them and Eliot joined them as well. 'Where is Rosalie?' asked Johnathan. 'Yes, where is she?' Nora repeated. Richard replied to their question, 'She must have returned home as she is busy with correcting her baking skills these days!' Nora said, 'I miss her as I have not seen her for weeks now!' Richard gazed at Nora with esteem and Catherine turned a bit green-eyed towards her. Before he could add something to it. Catherine invited him to the lake for boating. Johnathan joined them as they reached the restaurant and Richard briefed him about the boating invitation from Catherine. Johnathan added, 'Why not we invite Oliver and Eliot as well! Oh, there he is Eliot my friend you must join us!' Eliot sat beside them and replied 'Certainly, I will join you! It would be excellent!' Catherine was a bit off when Johnathan mentioned Oliver being there as she felt like she has developed a slight crush on Rosalie's cousin. He felt like the perfect gentleman. Catherine desire to hear more from her and she uttered, 'Richard! You were about to tell us something when I cut your words . . ..' Richard looked at her for a second and then said, 'Yes, alright! It was about Rosalie, she requested me to tell Nora to visit her soon and she wouldn't force her to stay like the last time!' Nora felt a little embarrassed and said, 'No, it wasn't like that I was homesick! How can I just feel off with my dear darling friend!' 'Rosalie, no! I don't think so she is a darling she is a little self-centered!' Johnathan gazed at him and asked, 'How so?' Richard continued, 'You know she cannot put up with anything if it is beneficial to her!' Catherine agreed to him and said, 'We are all like that!' Johnathan disagreed and further articulated, 'She is not all like that self-centered!' Richard smirked a little and then all of them laughed at John and Nora whispered, 'The desperate lover!'.

This was how they spend their days, off course, they had their work too even then they gathered there in the restaurant over tea and cakes after their workshop. Then the last day of the workshop where all of them had to exhibit a sample of what their business will look like in practice came. All the students on that last day were invited to the town hall. Rosalie vested the town hall and decorated Richard's stall. The encasement was brought there with the help of Uncle George and Eliot. He was quite satisfied with how it turned out to be. Rest of the students had different food stalls but his was brimming with lots of people as they loved the idea of bakery with pastries and cake. Not that Keswick didn't have any cakes, but the town didn't have a whole shop dedicated to it. Johnathan had his office settled there as well but it was there for anyone who looked to take advise and people went there and consulted him well. The three hours of the last workshop provided the new professional to be to experience what they yearn to achieve in practical life. It felt like a celebration and a fun experience for them. Nora, Eliot. Catherine. Oliver, Johnathan and Richard all enjoyed a lot and worked at the same time.

Catherine went to Richard's stall and stood there like she owns it, and Oliver couldn't help but notice her undue interest in him. He was quite envious of him and asked Catherine to join him at some other stall. She didn't want to, but she left with her now fiancé. Nora was aware of Catherine's interest in Richard and said, 'What do you think how long you can continue this Richard's guise in front of all!' 'I presume, tomorrow would be my last day because after the visit at the lake I will send him home back!' said Richard. Nora nodded in affirmation and continue, 'I hope it ends up well, because we had a great deal of trouble hiding it from Uncle George! You know what I mean?' Richard nodded and said, 'Yes that was quite a grand trouble, but it is just an outing everything will be alright! Don't worry!' Nora smiled and went to other stalls. The mayor of the town now came forward and thanks all the young professionals with all their hard work put into a display like that. He promised them to allow better facilities to host improved activities and programs like these and admired all of their effort. They were quite exhausted at the end of the day. As the program ended, Johnathan caught sight of Rosalie who was leaving with Aunt Angie. He approached her right across the street and offered them a lift. Rosalie was tired so she couldn't utter a word and Angie agreed to his offer. Both of them sat in his car and Johnathan asked, 'Rosalie, I hope you will join us tomorrow!' Rosalie replied, 'I would love to be I am not feeling well these days! So, I would not be able to join you! And Richard would be there . . .. so!' He interrupted, 'That's right but we would love to have you there! We will enjoy a lot!' Rosalie felt bad about denying but she had to so she told him that 'I can't come!' Johnathan was not pleased as he had not seen her for months now. It felt like she was gone, though he had a great time with Richard he sensed a familiarity in both of them, but John missed Rosalie, even though they never talked much but he missed her dearly.

It felt like a long silent ride to her home, but he was glad he saw her and spoke to her a little after so many days. He opened the door for her, 'Here, you are!'. Angie stepped out of the car and then Rosalie stepped out and faced him with a smile and said after a brief pause, 'I am extremely grateful for this kind service!'. He gave a gentle smile in response and requested her, 'I hope to see you at the lake side tomorrow!'. She titled her head in neither agreement nor disagreement. She requested him, 'It is almost dinner, kindly allow us to repay you!'. He frowned at her in a humous manner and said, 'May be someday, I will but that is not today! So, I bid you good-bye!' He watched her and she walked slowly to Angie waiting for her at the door. It was quite dark by now, but Johnathan looked at her till she vanished from his sight. He came back in town and straight to home.