Five Sisters Read Free

be on a giant cruise liner just like Ethan and Brook. They believed they would be dining on a ship fit for royals and arriving in Brighton in no time at all. But unfortunately, their imaginations had run away with them. Only Mary and Sara understood how little money they had when compared with the Lindseys and how difficult it was to find a room on a cruise liner in such little notice. In truth, they had no idea how they were ever going to get to Brighton.
    Mary thought of asking Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey for the money, since they had so much to spare, but Sara quickly dismissed the idea. They'd already taken the Lindsey's charity by accepting the offer to live in their house for the next few years, and Sara felt that if they were to retain any pride at all that they mustn't accept more money.
     
    Although she stood firmly by her decision, that night Sara couldn't sleep a wink. With so little money and so little opportunity, she began to wonder if they'd ever reach Brighton.
     
    *****
     
    "But we'll stay anywhere on board!" Sara pleaded, "It doesn't matter where. We don't need anything nice. Just give us a few cots in the boiler room and we'll be fine, I swear!"
    "I'm sorry, miss, but I've told you once and I'll tell you again- There is absolutely no room left on the ship. No matter how much money you have or how long you stand here and beg , you aren't getting on the ship. Period!" screamed the secretary, stamping her foot upon the floor. She was fuming by now and quite sick of seeing Sara St. James in her office everyday, asking if there was any way she and her sisters could board one of the cruise liners in the marina the secretary worked for. It simply could not be done. Each and every room was accounted for and there wasn't a room left to spare.
     
    "But what if we just live on one of the little lifeboats? No one would ever even see us! Unless the ship started to sink, of course . . . . Oh please, ma'am! Please! We'll do anything! We just need to get to Brighton!"
     
    "There's nothing you can do! There just isn't any room left!"
     
    "Not even a cupboard? Because I swear if you'd let us try . . ."
     
    "Enough!"
     
    "We could work! We could work on board, in the kitchen or something. We could be maids! We're really very hard workers, honest! We'll do anything you ask!"
     
    "I'm asking you to leave!"
     
    "Oh, but please, ma'am! Isn't there anything?
     
    "Nothing!"
     
    Located on the coastline, in a marina filled with bobbing ships, the secretary's office was surrounded by the sounds and smells of the sea. Through the open window, one could view the pale blue sky and navy waters, as well as entering and departing ships. Seagulls, darting by with their snow white feathers, squalled and shrieked as they passed and the salty ocean air rushed into the building with every gust of wind.
     
    The office was nearly empty, with only Sara, the young secretary, and a man sitting near the back of the room as its occupants. The man, it should be said, had been watching the animated conversation for some time now. He couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for the poor girl.
     
    "Please, ma'am!"
     
    "There isn't anything we can do, Miss St. James."
     
    The man jumped, as though startled, when he heard the name. Long ago, when he was just a schoolboy, his closest friend had gone by the name St. James. With wide, curious eyes he watched the girl.
     
    "Now get out of this office now!" shouted the secretary, getting to her feet, "Get out of my sight and I don't ever, ever want to see you in here again! Do I make myself clear?"
     
    Sara sighed, "Yes, ma'am."
     
    "Thank you," the secretary said calmly, regaining her composure and sitting back down, 'I wish you and your sisters the best of luck. Goodbye."
     
    Sara's head hung low as she walked out of the office, "Goodbye."
     
    The man watched her exit with a frown, biting his lip unsurely. She looked so familiar, and yet . . . . No, she couldn't be. She just couldn't be. But how could