Hi readers,
I hope you enjoy the story, and feel free to review and constructively criticize.
Thanks,
DustyPhoenix
ELIZABETH'S POV
I had known ever since I could read and write that my future had already been planned out for me. I would spend my childhood in the orphanage, and when I was old enough, I would go work for the Lady's Maide (A prominent ladies clothing store in town). I would work there forever, I had no where else to go after all. I have no choice; the orphanage won't be able to support me forever.
Finally, the day had come for me to leave the confines of the orphanage, hopefully my mistress would be kind, but I didn't get my hopes up too high.
Sister Alberta took me to the shop, at the heart of the city of Kirell. The bell clanged as we entered and a rather plump looking lady in her mid forties turned to face us.
"Is this the girl?" the lady asked Sister Alberta.
She continued without bothering to wait for an answer.
"She'll have to do"
"Of course she will" said Sister Alberta. She had always been the nice one. I was scared stiff at the thought of having to work under this intimidating woman, I squared my shoulders and held my head high; I had to be strong for myself.
"This is Mistress Caldor, Liz" said Sister Alberta, introducing me to my new employer.
"How are you Mistress Caldor, I'm Elizabeth"
She didn't look too happy. "You will learn soon enough, that at the Lady's Maide, to be successful here you must work hard. Even in these times, we aren't too well off, the harder you work, the more you'll get."
"You lot, get back to work, and stop goggling" she said, turning around to face some of two girls who were peeking out from a door at the back of the shop."Those two are Madeline, and Lydia. Jane's is the one serving the customers near the silk rack. Your room is upstairs; you'd better get your shop dress done before you decide to come down. Up you go! I have work to do!"
I gave Sister Alberta one last parting glance, and scurried away. I found my room upstairs, but someone was already inside. She was a pretty girl, pale skinned, with fair blonde hair that fell in perfect ringlets. She was wearing a bright yellow dress with a low square neckline, pulled tight at the waist, with a baby blue ribbon. She had beauty that every woman could be envious of. God I'm jealous I thought.
"I'm Reagan, Mistress said you'll be sharing the room with me, I hope you don't mind?"
"No, no, it's fine..." I mumbled, I hadn't really been outside of the orphanage, and I hadn't met that many people before. So you could say that I wasn't exactly a social butterfly, and found it rather hard to meet new people.
" I really hope we'll be friends..." she said "Gosh aren't I rude babbling along like that, I never even asked your name!"
"I'm Elizabeth, you can call me Liz"
"Gorgeous. Now, you'd better get your shop dress done. Otherwise you'll be stuck up here all day, which is no fun. Personally I think all the good ones are downstairs" she said, giving me a playful wink.
"Well, you'll some of this yellow silk, and ribbon, the basic pattern is on the table, and it's only a matter of hard work and..."
"Well, you'll need some of this yellow silk, and ribbon, the basic pattern is on the table, Mistress Caldor might come off as strict most of the time, but she's got a warm heart, and provides us with the best. You've got the basic pattern, but she lets us add our own touch to our dresses. She says it shows how varied our clothing styles are. So, it's only a matter of hard work and-"
"REAGAN! You're needed in the shop!"
"-time... Well good luck, I'd better go!"
I watched her leave the room, and heard her rushing down the stairs. Maybe this place wasn't so bad after all.
A day later...
Finally! I've got it done! After many pricked thumbs and weary eyes, I twirled around to give Reagan, Lydia, Madeline, Jane and Mistress Caldor a better look. I gave the dress a low-ish v – neck, and an empire waist that came in with the standard blue ribbon. I swept down the staircase, and came to stand in front of the little bunch of girls, she didn't say a word. I turned around slowly so she could see my handiwork.
"You can start work, the ribbon rack is along that wall, and all the fabric is along the next two. We'll start you off with just organizing the deliveries. The afternoons when the shop is closed, you and the rest of the girls are expected to be in the back room sewing. Don't make me regret taking you in!" she said, as the rest of the girls gathered close and began complimenting my work, but as she turned, I thought I could see the hint of a smile.
Any reviews and/or critiques are welcome. Don't be scared!
DustyPhoenix
