Chapter 3

Six months later

I took a deep breath as I knocked on the fancy door. Finally, after months of effort, I was able to attain my certificate and find students to teach as a governess. After James was arrested, survival became difficult. He was held as a prisoner in a nearby jail. His trial had barely lasted two days before he was sentenced to hard labor. The bail was set so high that it was impossible to pay off. The best chance of getting him out was to hire a decent solicitor, but they also charged so many fees that it would take months to gather that amount of money.

So I had gathered any hope I had and worked hard. In the morning I would deliver baked goods that mother would make to nearby houses, and in the evening I would read books and articles to gain knowledge that will help me to eventually apply as a governess. I had barely slept in the past six months and gotten thinner because of the hectic routine. My eyes became hollow, and a girl who might be called pretty before became a shell.

My sister fared better. I had emphasized that she didn't need to work and should focus on her education instead, and become someone. Someone that wouldn't be defenseless and wouldn't be left to someone's mercy as I had. Times were changing and women were getting more higher education.

I grabbed the handbag filled with books tighter in my hands. Unfortunately, when poverty was the norm, many people weren't looking for governesses. After a month of searching and looking for advertisements in newspapers, I had finally landed a job teaching two young girls. Today was finally the first day.

I took a deep breath and knocked again. I finally heard shuffling inside and then the door was yanked open. A girl with the prettiest face and big blue eyes stared at up me and smiled.

"Are you our new governess!" She said excitedly and

I nodded.

I just stood at the door, not sure if I should proceed inside without being invited. After several moments had passed, an older woman came and glared at the girl.

"Mary! You aren't supposed to open doors! come on now, go inside." Mary pouted and hopped inside.

I smiled as I watched her go. The older woman looked at me and said,

"Sorry for that, are you Miss Simpson?" I nodded.

"Do come inside, Mrs. Harvey is waiting for you."

"Thank you," I said and followed her inside.

The house was beautiful and filled with fancy chandeliers and beautiful wooden floors, my old shoes and clothes looked out of place in contrast. The old woman led me up the stairs to a sitting room.

"Mrs. Harvey will come to meet you in a second. Do sit down."

I sat down on the fancy chair, not sure how to proceed, I stared at my hands.

"I am Edith by the way."

The old woman said, I smiled and replied,

"Nice to meet you."

As on cue, Mrs. Harvey came inside, dressed in an elegant gown, her back was completely straight and she had a beautiful face. Her hair was dark black and her eyes were striking blue. She reminded me of someone but I couldn't make out who. I stood up to greet her but she didn't look at me. She motioned with her hands for me to sit down. I looked nervously at her as she said,

"I have been searching for a good governess for months now. We moved here less than a year ago and I can't seem to find an adequate one."

She looked curiously at me.

"You seem young, do you have any experience teaching?" she asked raising her eyebrows.

"No, mam. I just received my certificate.... but I have acquired adequate knowledge and would try my best to teach your girls." I replied, praying to God she wouldn't send me away. I really needed this. She hummed, "Your recommendations are good...When will you get started?" She said enthusiastically.

Trying to hide my shock, I replied instantly,

"I can start right now, mam."

"Well then! the girls are upstairs in the schoolroom. Miss Edith will take you to them."

I followed miss Edith upstairs and was shocked to see the scene before me. The two girls had created a mess. Mary who was probably six, had chocolate spread all over her face and another girl, who was older, was licking the chocolate off the wrappers that had been thrown around.

"Girls!" Miss Edith shouted and immediately they straightened up and grinned sheepishly. I tried to suppress my smile.

"I am so sorry," Miss Edith said, looking embarrassed. "It's alright," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Girls, this is your new governess Miss Simpson. Behave yourselves please and start learning."

They both nodded. Miss Edith left and I looked around the beautiful pastel pink-colored room. There was a desk set right under the window. I walked to it and said, "let's get started, shall we?"

It was pretty late when we were done with the lessons, and both the girls were yawning loudly.

"I am tired, Miss Simpson."

"Call me Ashley and we are almost done," I said.

The older girl named Elizabeth muttered,

"I am bored, I wonder when uncle will come."

Excitedly Mary said, "Is uncle coming today?"

"No, he is out of town on business," Elizabeth replied.

Curious I asked, "Is your Uncle a lot of fun?"

Both the girls replied happily, "Yes!"

"Okay, then why don't you two learn your lesson well to make your uncle happy?" Both the girls groaned. Chuckling, I stood up.

"Okay, okay, I am leaving now. See you two tomorrow." Saying goodbye, I left the house quietly.

Home was a little far away, and I didn't suppose walking when it was dark out would be safe but I had no other option. Usually, at noon, I went to visit James in the downtown jail.

"We are all fine," I assured him. "I have got a job now!" I explained the details to him grinning.

"Good for you," He said surprised and then added,

"I will pray for those poor girls today," he murmured. I rolled my eyes and scoffed.

"The girls are so nice. The family moved here recently after the death of their father. They also have an uncle that lives with them but I haven't met him."

It was getting dark so I decided to head home after some time. I was still afraid to ask him what had actually happened, but looking at him, he always had some guilt in his eyes.

I hadn't seen Mr. Arthur since that wretched day. I had thought to contact him and to ask him to release my brother, but then I remembered what had happened. As if a man like that would ever listen to me. A man like that ruins lives and then forgets about it.

I bought some chocolates from a nice shop on my way home. I had some money saved up and now that I had a job, I could afford to lose some of it.

I shouted "Surprise!" as I entered the house and held the chocolates up.

Alis squealed and hugged me, "Best sister ever!" she kissed both my cheeks and took the chocolates away.

"Alis! Calm down!" My mother said chuckling from the kitchen.

"How did it go Ash?" she inquired.

"Pretty well" I paused, "it's just good to know for now that we won't have to worry about making ends meet," I said honestly.

My mother came and sat with me. "Ash, whatever the circumstances, we will always survive. You should be taking care of yourself more. All you do is work. You don't eat enough or even live enough," she said gently.

"Why don't you and Alis go to the market tomorrow and buy something for yourselves?" Sighing I stood up and shook my head absently, "We need that money for James."

My mother glared and said coldly,

"Your brother is fine. He should have thought his actions through, and now he reaps the consequences."

Stunned I said, "How could you say that! He doesn't deserve what that man is putting him through!"

My mother looked at me sympathetically, "Do you really think that James was completely innocent?"

I didn't reply as I went to my room angrily and closed the door. Does the crime really justify the punishment? I thought. Even if the crime was out of desperation. The thought echoed through my head as I closed the curtains. James could be subjected to prolonged hard labor or even be transported to Sydney cove. He could not stay in that prison for an extended time. I was pacing my room as I bit my lip. The best I could do was work, save up money, and plan for the worst. Eventually, I sat down with a heavy sensation in my chest and blew the candles out as I went to sleep. Dreaming of the day when all will be well again.