Loving You

Chapter 8 | The Lunch and Hard Truths

Cathy woke up early the next day. She had to clean the halls and prepare the lunch. Her sister offered to help her but she rejected it. She preferred her to prepare for the day and not think too much about it.

She prepared breakfast for Charles before he went to school along with his playmate, Henry. After she finished dusting the chairs and furniture and replacing the burnt wood with new, dry wood in the fireplace, she went on the prepare the lunch. She had bought two chickens from the farmer who lived nearby. He had offered her a hearty discount as well. She was very thankful of him.

After making the lunch, she arranged the dining table. Then she went on to clean the bathroom and change the bedsheets in the guest room. By the end of the morning, she was tired and sat down to rest her body. Her arms were aching and she felt hungry. This feeling was not new to her. There had been many days when she had to sleep without food in her stomach. She only used to cook food that would suffice her aunt, sister and brother. If anything was left, she would have it. She did not want to waste her aunt's resources like that. However, after her uncle's promotion, she did get to cook a little bit more than she used to cook earlier and got to eat a little more than she used to eat. She could fill her stomach everyday.

Wiping the sweat from her neck, she got up and went to the bathroom to take a bath. She changed into the dress which she was mending last night. It seemed as good as new. It was her aunt's old clothes which she had given to her. She was grateful for everything she had ever done to her. She dried her hair with the towel.

She hopped down the stairs to see if she had forgotten anything. A big smile appeared on her face when little Charles ran towards her and hugged her legs.
"Do you know, the father praised me today."

She couldn't help but feel proud for him. "Very good. Keep on working hard. You are a good boy Charles."
The boy ran upstairs to his room.

"Cathy. I have something to tell you."
The voice belonged to her aunt. She was surprised at her calm tone. She was sure that she had some motive behind it.

"Yes? Do you need anything aunt? Do your knees hurt again."

"No. Don't speak so much. I just wanted to tell you that, do not, I repeat do not show yourself at lunch when Mr. Cavendish comes."

She was shocked, and hurt. "Have I done something wrong?"

"Don't ask me questions. Do as I say. And I know that you will never disobey me." She stroked her loose curls. "You do not want to cause trouble to your sister, do you? I do not want to take any risk."

"But, you do not have to worry, the two lov-"

"Don't you dare argue with me. Go out. Or look after Charles. Just don't come downstairs."

She nodded silently. Mrs Dudley stroked her cheek. "Good girl. It is for your sister's good."

Henrietta came running upstairs. "Mama, Mr. Cavendish is her. Cathy, he is here. Go open the door. Mama, do I look good? Oh no. I am having palpitations."

Mrs Dudley glared at Cathy. She coughed. "Cathy is not feeling good. She said that she wanted to get some fresh air. Am I right?"

She nodded with her face falling down. She knew very well that her aunt didn't want her to join them at lunch. She knew that she didn't like her. Henrietta was about to protest but she stopped her from doing so.
"I am fine, you go and open the door. I will go out from the backdoor."
She ran down and made her exit. Henrietta stood still. She knew that her mother had done something. But she couldn't say anything.

She ran toward the woods as she broke into tears. She could never earn her aunt's love. She did not need it. But why would she always treat her like a rag. What had she ever done to her. Could not even see her sister's fiance. Was she an I'll omen? Will she always be excluded from celebrations?