Loving You

Chapter 4 | The coming of the soldiers

"So, do you want to go to the market with me Charles?"

Cathy secured her hair up into a bun and put on her bonnet. She was adorned in her green dress, over which she wore the sweater which her uncle had given her as a gift last year. She was busy with the list of errands she had to run.

"Would you buy me some sweet bread?"

Cathy smiled at the little boy's innocent question. "Yes I will, only if you promise me that you will be a good boy."

"I am a good boy and I will continue to be one. Also, I want to go to the market. I feel so bored in the house."

"One does feel bored if they stay inside for too long. I agree with you on that," she said thoughtfully.

She picked up the basket from the table and held her hand out for Charles, which he grabbed so enthusiastically. She rubbed his hair and with that the two made their way to the market.
The market was crowded with people. It was quite evident that they were shopping for Christmas. The vendors were calling out for customers. People of all ages were gathered, as they smiled and bought gifts from the stores. Charles trotted along with Cathy's pace.

"What do you think would aunt prefer for Christmas," Cathy asked Charles.

"Probably something like a sweater or something really fancy. Mama loves fancy things," Charles said nonchalantly.

"I think that I would buy a bonnet and some hair accessories for Henrietta. It would complement her beautiful hair and she would look prettier than ever."

Charles nodded. "And what about me?"

"That is a secret," giggled Cathy, as she said so.

Charles looked at her with his innocent eyes. "Please, pray tell me what is it?"

"Charles, be patient. Santa doesn't give gifts to naughty children. Be a good boy and you'll get whatever you want." She patted his head and held onto his hand.

The two made there way to the fabric shop. The owner was a fat, amiable woman in her forties. She greeted the two with a big smile on her face.
"Welcome to my store dear. Let me see who that pretty boy is." The woman waved and bowed at Charles. "Good afternoon sir," she said with amusement.

"Good morning miss," greeted Charles. Cathy felt proud at how well mannered charles was.

"What would you like miss? Do you have anything particular that you are looking for?"

"Oh, yes!" Cathy searched through the shelves which were overflowing with ribbons. "I would like to see those," she said as she pointed to a bunch of green ribbons.

The lady nodded and brought them to the counter. Cathy's eyes shined with enthusiasm. It has been a long time since she had went to shop for Christmas gifts for Henrietta. She picked and looked at each of the strands of ribbons carefully. A royal green ribbon would look perfect against her sister's hair.
Meanwhile, Charles was walking around the store and gawking at the coulorful ribbons around him.
Suddenly, she came across a beautiful ribbon. It was velvety with white beads sewn on it. And it had little yarns of silver as well, which made it look even more shiny.

"Excuse me my lady, how much is this?"

"Oh, what a wonderful pick. It would be 2 shillings. Such a beautiful ribbon. You do have the eye of an artist."

"Oh Miss. It indeed is a beautiful ribbon. Could you please pack it. I would also like some matching hairpins. I want to buy it for my sister as her gift."

"Oh, the bond between siblings! I would pack it and some matching pins. That would be 3 shillings in total."

Cathy nodded and made the payment. The woman handed the bag to her.

"Do visit us again," the woman said.

"Sure," replied Cathy. "Charles, come here," she said, extending her hands for him. He came running to her direction and accepted it.

As the left the store, they saw the people standing on the sidewalk of the road. They seemed excited. Especially the groups of young women.

"Oh, the soldiers are coming today. I hope I impress one of them," on of the girls said.

That's when she realised that today was the day when the soldiers from the border are coming to town, to celebrate the Christmas holidays for a week. She looked at a confused Charles.
"Charles, the soldiers are coming back from the borders. That means that your papa would be home as well!"

The little kid's face seemed to lighten up. "Papa will be home for Christmas?"

Cathy nodded vigorously. Mr Dudley was a nice person. He treated her like her own daughter. He never treated her like a stranger. He never let her feel as if she did not have a family.

The two stood at the sidewalk and waited with the crowd. "They are here," exclaimed someone. Soon the sounds of the trumpets could be heard accompanied by the sounds of the heavy boots of the soldiers who were marching down the road. Everyone started waving at them.

"Welcome! Bravo!" Everyone cheered. The group of ladies threw their napkins at them, hoping that someone would pick it up. But no one did. This made them angry. Cathy chuckled at that. Charles waved at them. He seemed to have attracted a group of them.

"Salute little fellow," a soldier said, as the two saluted each other. He was a handsome young man. He looked like he was Cathy's age. "Where's your mother?"

Charles pointed towards Cathy. "There is my sister," said the little boy. This brought Cathy's attention.

"Good afternoon soldier," she curtseyed as she said so. "Thank you for your tireless service. It is because of you that we get to sleep soundly."

The soldier seemed to be lost for a second.

"Oy Jack, what is happening," one of his colleagues shouted. That seemed to have brought him back to his senses. "Thank you my lady. I will have to go. But I hope we meet again. Could I get your name my lady?"

"I am Catherine Shaw. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Jack Arthur. Pleasure to meet you. I hope to have your acquaintance sometime soon."

"Yes surely," she said. The two waved at each other as he joined the parade.

Cathy saw a woman glaring at her. Had she done something wrong? Was she even looking at her. She didn't know. All she knew that her uncle would be coming home soon and she had to start the preparations of welcoming him. But first, she would have to write a letter to Henrietta about it.

"Charles, let us head back to our home. We will have to prepare to welcome uncle. Are you not excited?"

"I am excited. I want to hug Pa and tell him whatever happened at school and how the teachers love me."

The two made there way back to the downtown. The noise of the market became fainted and fainter.