The Royal Lacemaker Read Free

she
     heard raised voices coming from the adjoining bedroom. Before she could ask what was
     going on, a figure appeared in the doorway.
    ‘Lily dear, you’re home at
     last.’
    ‘Aunt Elizabeth,’ she gasped
     in surprise. ‘What are you doing here?’
    ‘The children I’ve been
     caring for are being sent to school and my services are no longer required. Having
     time to spare, I decided to pay a visit, and not a moment too soon from what I can
     see.’
    ‘Is Mother all right?’ Lily
     asked, noticing her aunt’s flushed cheeks. ‘I’ll let her know
     I’m home,’ she said, turning towards the door.
    Aunt Elizabeth pursed her thin lips.
     ‘She seems, well, distracted, is the only way I can describe it, so I’d
     let her be, Lily. When I arrived back from Exeter and heard about the dreadful
     accident, I was that upset I came straight over on the donkey-cart. Really, your
     mother should have let me know.’
    Lily put her hand to her head, wishing
     she could wipe away the memory of that terrible time. Nightmares of the heavy roof
     timbers and cob wall crashing down on her poor father’s body as the byre
     collapsed had haunted her ever since.
    ‘Why, child, you look fair worn
     out,’ Aunt Elizabeth said, patting her arm. ‘Sit down and warm yourself
     by the fire. I’ll go and see if there’s anything to rustle up for
     supper.’
    ‘Tom gave me these fish.’
     Lily handed over the parcel, then sank thankfully down on the floor beside the
     blaze.Beth came over and snuggled against her. Smiling, Lily put
     her arms around her and pulled her close.
    ‘All right, little one?’ she
     asked, kissing the top of her silky, fair hair.
    ‘Sing me a song, Lily,’ Beth
     whispered. Although she was exhausted, Lily could tell her little sister was
     unsettled and so softly she began to croon the lullaby that usually sent her to
     sleep. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before she felt her sister’s body
     growing heavy, her breathing deeper.
    Still cradling her in her arms, Lily
     leaned back against the chair. The crackle of the logs and warmth of the room
     relaxed her and soon she felt her own eyes growing heavy.
    Waking with a start, she peered round
     the darkened room and saw her kindly aunt sitting watching her.
    ‘Where are Rob and
     Beth?’
    ‘Beth’s in her bed, bless
     her. She didn’t even stir when I took her from you. Robert’s checking on
     the chooks. Poor fellow; that accident has left him weak as a worm, hasn’t
     it?’
    Lily nodded. ‘It’s certainly
     taken its toll on him. He gets frustrated not being able to do the things he did
     before.’
    ‘Well, your insides must be
     gnawing, my dear. Here, I’ve kept your supper warm. Eat up and then you must
     tell me what’s been going on.’
    Gratefully, Lily took the plate of dabs,
     their appetizing smell reminding her just how long it had been since she’d
     last eaten. She ate hungrily and then, hands cradling her mug of hot milk, spoke
     about the terrible accident and the struggle they’d had to keep the cottage
     going. Unable to help herself, she gave a yawn.
    ‘Poor child,
     you’re drowsy as a dormouse. I’m guessing your mother’s been no
     help?’
    ‘She’s been out of her mind,
     Aunt Elizabeth. The shock of losing my father brought on the nervous prostration and
     she took to her bed. She’s seldom left it since.’
    Her aunt pursed her lips as she glanced
     around the sparsely furnished room. ‘Judging from this mess of a muddle,
     I’m guessing not much cleaning’s been done either.’
    Following her gaze, Lily’s eyes
     widened in horror as she took in the mud on the stone floor and the string of
     cobwebs festooning the low beams and fireplace. A thick layer of dust had settled on
     the dresser, which housed their few bits of crockery, and the old blankets covering
     their two rickety chairs needed washing. She also saw that the cover over
     Rob’s straw mattress on the other side of the room