The sun had just begun to rise when Nanette awoke. Although she was merely 18 she jumped out of bed and walked to the kitchen where she would start making her bread. Within minutes she had the dough ready to knead into suitable loafs that she would be able to sell on the bustling streets.
Once Nanette had made a dozen loaves she got her tray and set off into the streets immediately running into the old aristocrat lady that lived on the outskirts of town. After offering her some of the bread, and being turned down, she set off towards the center of town where most of her Customers were normally in the mid-morning. As normal, Claudia, who had recently acquired a cane to help with her bad leg, set upon her.
"Oh Nanette, how are you doing these days? I know it is hard for you so close to the anniversary of the…well…I know it's a bad time," The dotty old lady said to her.
"I'm fine madam. It is alright it was near a decade ago when they disappeared it is easier," she replied trying to cover the awkward moment. She knew that Claudia was one of the people that believed her parents dead and the pitying look she gave her confirmed Nanette's suspicion.
"Well, this bread looks lovely I think I could do with a loaf," she said with pity remaining in her look.
"Thank you very much," Nanette said as they exchanged, and without another word Nanette walked away. She swiftly walked in her usual bouncy pace and realized a little too late who she was approaching. "Good morning Belle."
"Good morning madam," the odd girl replied in her dreamy voice.
"Where are you off to?" Nanette asked as Belle, watched obviously expecting a conversation. As she replied that she was going to the book shop, Nanette looked around and, seeing her assistant, yelled, "Marie the baguettes, hurry up!" She quickly walked away towards a group of friends before Belle could continue showing her abnormality.
"Bonjour Danielle, Gabrielle." Nanette said, "Odette," she continued rather coldly. "Would any of you like some bread?"
"No thank you I would rather not this morning," Danielle replied, Odette glared at her.
"Alright then," she was just about to turn and leave when they began talking about Belle.
"Yes that girl is very peculiar," Nanette agreed with the others.
"All that reading isn't healthy she has a dreamy look to her," Odette said
"True! Her nose is never out of that book, and look she even has a new one now!" Gabrielle laughed.
Just then Henri walked up. "Hello Nanette, ladies," he said staring at her.
"Bonjour Henri," she replied wearily, he had always been quite taken with her.
"Good day Henri," Gabrielle said suddenly overcome with giggles. Nanette knew that Gabrielle quite liked Henri and was hoping to leave them alone when Auguste walked up.
"Hello," She said beginning to blush.
"Um…good day, Nanette," Auguste whispered in his loud musical voice. "Good day Gabrielle."
"Good day," she replied shortly still trying to catch Henri's eye.
"Would you like some bread," she offered the two men.
"No thank you," they replied together. A sudden noise that sounded like wounded animals made her look around.
"Ah, it is those silly girls that go after Gaston," Gabrielle scoffed, As she said this Odette grabbed her bread.
"Madam, give that back," Nanette yelled. She immediately ran forward and grabbed it, snatching it out of her hand. Feeling that staying around where that terrible girl was, wasn't the right decision, and so she walked off to go find other costumers for the day.