The Royal Lacemaker

The Royal Lacemaker Read Free Page B

Book: The Royal Lacemaker Read Free
Author: Linda Finlay
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how you’ve walked anywhere in those boots is beyond me. Things have
     been difficult for you these past months and I’d liketo
     help. Seeing as I’m between situations, I’m free to suit myself, so why
     don’t you let me take care of things here while you work at Mrs Bodney’s
     cottage?’
    ‘You’d do that for
     us?’ Lily stared at her aunt in amazement. ‘Why?’
    ‘Because we’re family and,
     as I see it, a family’s like that lace you make. A single thread by itself is
     not very strong but when worked together with others it gathers strength. You
     won’t be able to manage everything by yourself but if we work
     together …’
    Lily’s heart almost skipped a
     beat. ‘What can I say? It’s such a kind offer and I really don’t
     know how to thank you, Aunt Elizabeth,’ she said and then frowned. ‘But
     if I take the job we don’t have enough put by to last until I get paid at the
     end of the month.’
    ‘Well, not having to pay out for
     my board over the past years means I have eggs nested,’ her aunt said. Lily
     looked puzzled for a moment, then realized what she meant.
    ‘But you can’t use those to
     pay our bills; you hardly know us,’ she spluttered. Her aunt looked at her
     sadly for a moment, then shrugged.
    ‘I can’t think of a better
     way to spend them than on helping my family.’ Then, as Lily began to protest,
     she held up her hand. ‘Call it a lend until you get paid.’
    ‘But where would you sleep,
     Auntie? Mother, Beth and I share the bedroom and, as you can see, Rob has his bed in
     here.’ Lily nodded towards the mattress.
    ‘My, my, Lily Rose. All you see is
     problems. As it happens, I visited my friend Grace Goode before I came here, and she
     kindly offered me a bed. If I’m going to stay in Coombe for any length of
     time, I’ll sort out something sounder.’
    ‘Thank you, Aunt
     Elizabeth,’ Lily cried, jumping up and throwing her arms around the other
     woman. Her aunt returned her embrace then, looking flustered, became brisk
     again.
    ‘Now, we really have to do
     something about those boots or your feet will be shredded. I left Doris in the back
     paddock; you can hitch her to the donkey-cart and ride to Bransbeer tomorrow.
     That’ll start you off on the right foot. Put her in the stable behind the
     hostelry, and if old Ned’s still there, tell him he’s to look after her
     whilst you’re at work.’
    Lily was hardly able to believe her
     luck. Only an hour ago her hopeful future had been threatened. Now, thanks to her
     visitor, her dilemma was solved.
    Smiling, her aunt Elizabeth gave her a
     quick hug. ‘Now, my dear, off you go to the land of nod. I’ll tidy up
     here and tell Rob what’s happening when he comes in.’
    Next morning, as the first streaks of
     grey were lighting the sky, Lily carefully steered the donkey-cart down the lane
     from Coombe, turning eastwards onto the sunken cliff track with its canopy of
     wind-bent ancient oaks. Seeing the splashes of mauve dotting the verges, she felt
     her heart lift. Wild violets were her mother’s favourite flowers. She would
     stop and pick her some on the way home. They’d be sure to cheer her up, she
     thought, as the donkey-cart began its descent down the cliff path towards
     Bransbeer.
    As she guided the cart into the yard
     behind the hostelry, old Ned, the stable hand, shuffled over and took the reins.
    ‘Aunt Elizabeth said to leave
     Doris here for the daywhile I’m working at Mrs
     Bodney’s,’ Lily said, smiling nervously as she climbed down from the
     cart.
    ‘Ah, come back, has she?’ he
     asked curiously, taking the reins and leading donkey and cart towards the
     stables.
    With excitement bubbling up inside her
     again, Lily clutched her lace pillow to her chest and made her way down the lane
     towards Mrs Bodney’s cottage, which stood close to Agent Pike’s house.
     Her thoughts raced as fast as her footsteps as she finally allowed herself to think
    

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