During the night, Lyra didn't sleep very much as she was afraid the golden monkey or Mrs. Coulter would come back to hurt her again. Finally morning came around and Lyra had just gotten to sleep. Pan was extra clingy to Lyra and every sound and movement that happened outside the door they both jumped.
It was around 11am when Lyra finally came out of her room. To her surprise there was no Mrs. Coulter. Both child and dæmon walk to the kitchen to get something to eat as Lyra was very hungry. Lyra pulls up a chair and sits at the bench and just stares at the cook to see what he is making.
"Oh miss Lyra, I didn't hear you come in. Here is some toast and a cup of tea. Mrs. Coulter requested we give you chamomile to help calm you down"
Lyra just smiles and eats and her toast. Not wanting to drink the tea, Lyra pretends to drink it and walks to the sink and tips it out and puts her plate and cup in the sink.
"Thank you cook, it was very nice. I'll be off now"
"Wait miss, Mrs. Coulter left this for you"
Lyra grabs the piece of paper and walks back to her room while reading it.
Lyra,
When you've had breakfast and gotten ready for the day, can you please meet me in my study..... we need to have a chat.
Mrs. Coulter
"I wonder what she wants to chat about, I hope she's going to let us go. I don't know how much longer I can take playing prisoner this time round"
Lyra took her time getting ready, she had to have a bath since she didn't have one the night before. Once she was finally ready she slowly made her way down to Mrs. Coulters study. Lyra knocks and steps back.
"Mrs. Coulter?"
A few seconds pass and she could hear draws slamming and the golden monkey screeching. Lyra was ready to walk back to her room when the door opened.
"Come in Lyra"
Mrs. Coulter points to the single chair on her right for Lyra to sit and she sat on the left.
"Now. The reason I asked to speak to you was I need you to keep quiet about what you know about me and what I do for work. If you can do that, there will be no confrontation. Is that clear?"
Lyra just sitting there stunned and not sure what to actually say about all that.
"So why do I have to be held here? Why don't you just let me go..... I can go back to Jordan and I promise to keep your secret"
Mrs. Coulter lets out a big laugh.
"Lyra there are some things you will learn as you grow. You see, since you've been gone from Jordan for so long, Jordan and the master have forgotten you and moved on. The only place you properly belong is with me"
Hearing that, Lyra stood up trying to hold back her anger.
"You're lying"
"Interesting. How dare you accuse me of lying"
"The master would never forget me, I don't believe you"
Lyra fighting back tears and anger, she runs to the study door. As she was going to open it, Mrs. Coulter grabs Lyra by the wrist.
"I haven't finished talking, sit back down please"
Lyra obeying as she could see the golden monkey was eyeing off Pan and ready to pounce when his human gives the order.
"Lyra........ at the cocktail party did anyone else talk to you besides the reporter?"
Lyra thinking back to a day she wished she could forget.
"Yes, a lady said I was lucky to be living under your roof and how lucky I am to be going to the same school my mother went to. I don't understand as I never knew my parents...... till I found out that Asriel is my father"
Shocked, Mrs. Coulter leaned forward.
"What did this lady look like Lyra?"
"I dunno, I didn't pay much attention to who attended. I just served drinks like you asked me to. I was quick to correct her as I think she thought you were my mum"
Mrs. Coulter let out a laugh.
"That's absurd, I don't have any children, I don't think I'd make a great mother"
"Ah..... where are you going with this Mrs. Coulter? As I wish to return to my room. Are we finished here?"
Rubbing her fingers on her temples, Mrs. Coulter met out a big sigh and just pointed her arm to the door. Lyra quickly got up and left the study very quickly.
Once back in her room, Lyra stood by her window, the one she once used as an escape.
"Did you notice how weird Mrs. Coulter was acting and all those questions. It's like she cares but in another way it's like she's trying to control me. I'm Lyra Belacqua, no one can control me"
"Ah well except Mrs. Coulter....."
Lyra gives Pan a dirty look
"NO ONE CAN CONTROL ME"
Pan backs up a few paces and just puts his head down. He knew deep down that Lyra knew that Mrs. Coulter had a hold on them both.
For the rest of the day Lyra spent her day going in between her room and her favourite spot in the lounge room looking out the big windows that looks out to the terrace and over some parts of London. Not realising Mrs. Coulter walked into the same room, she jumped when Mrs. Coulter cleared her throat to get Lyra's attention.
"It's such a beautiful time of the day, would you like to join me out on the terrace to enjoy some finger food?"
Lyra was hungry but she was happy to wait till dinner, but all she wanted was to be outside.
"Yes I'd like that very much. Thank you Mrs. Coulter"
"If you behave I'll keep this door unlocked and you can have free range of coming out here again. Break my trust and you'll never be out here again. Do you understand?"
"Yes Mrs. Coulter"
Mrs. Coulter goes off to get the key to unlock the door. Lyra didn't leave her spot till she was told to move. When she stepped out onto the terrace there was a beautiful breeze and Lyra could smell the world around her. For the first in the last 24 hours Lyra smiled. Mrs. Coulter noticed and smiled too. The servants came out moments later and placed a plate in front of Lyra and Mrs. Coulter and the others came out with plates of sandwiches and some fruit cut up. Lyra didn't realise how hungry she actually was till she started eating quick and nearly choked on her food.
"Slow down Lyra, you'll chock if you eat that fast"
Lyra looked up and saw Mrs. Coulter staring, so Lyra slowed down her eating.
From being out in the breeze Lyra's hair got all messy and unmanageable. With great regret she went to Mrs. Coulter for help.
"Mrs. Coulter............ can you help me with my hair please. I can't do it on my own"
Mrs. Coulter put her papers down and looked up at Lyra. She uncrossed her legs and leaned forward.
"Come sit here on the floor and I'll help you"
"Thank you"
This was the last thing Lyra wanted but this was something she needed help with and couldn't leave it as she knew it'd get worse.
"Ouch"
"Ouch"
"Hang on. Stop moving Lyra"
Eventually all the knots were gone and Mrs. Coulter was done brushing Lyra's hair.
"Done"
It was getting close to Lyra's bedtime. Mrs. Coulter has made herself a pot of chamomile tea and made one for Lyra. She knocked on Lyra's bedroom door and walked in.
"Already for bed?"
Lyra just nods.
"Here I made you some tea. Don't worry it's not poisoned, I'm not a monster Lyra"
Lyra takes it and starts sipping it. Within seconds Lyra was slowly drifting off to sleep. That was one of many lies Mrs. Coulter has told. But would it be the last?