I own nothing.
The car ride felt like a long one to Jane and Lizzy who had only ever left St. Abbs to go to their school in Eyemouth, which was only four miles away.
"We're going to have to drive this everyday?" Lizzy asked with eyebrows raised.
"Yes we are." Her Da answered simply.
"Just think about how much earlier we'll have to get up." Jane had a slight frown on her face as she said this. She loved her sleep.
"Yes, and our darling sisters and mum will still be fast asleep." Lizzy sighed. She looked out the window at the fields passing by. To her right, on Jane's side, she could see the North Sea.
"We could always be loud." She added as an afterthought.
They were nearing Dunbar at last and the two passengers in the back were getting a bit fidgety. They had already put their hair in plaits, played a game of "I spy", eaten all their snacks, counted all the buildings that they passed on the road (which wasn't many), and had each asked their Da whether they were there yet, at least ten times each. The last time Lizzy asked he replied in the affirmative.
"Yes we are here." Hooray's from the back.
"Girls, we'll have to go to the school first to pick up your uniforms. I have some work to do, preparing for the first day and the like. But I don't want to keep you prisoners, so you can walk around town, get familiar with it. Alright?" Mr. Bennet looked in the rear view mirror to see his girls nod.
Lizzy's first impression of Dunbar was quaint. The houses that greeted them on the road from A1 were cozy looking and several of them had window seats, which put them in Lizzy's good books right away. Dunbar wasn't looking so bad. All they saw for a while were houses, but the multitude was a wee bit overwhelming for Lizzy and Jane.
"There's so many. Do they end?" Jane asked in wonder.
"Wait until you see Edinburgh. That will surly turn your head." Mr. Bennet said.
"Are we going to Edinburgh as well?" Lizzy asked.
"Not today. But someday in the future I'm sure you will."
"Yes, when I have the sudden urge to be pick-pocketed or something of that nature." Lizzy teased.
"Girls you do know that we aren't even in the center of Dunbar yet. These are just the outskirts." Mr. Bennet told them.
"You're kidding. How much bigger can it get?"
Apparently it can get a lot bigger. Once they reached the High Street it was so crazy. There were cars everywhere and so many people on only one side of the street. They passed shops, pubs, cafes, and all the while they could not recognize a single person. Lizzy in a way found it exciting, the prospect of meeting all these new people. She felt Jane slip her hand into hers. Squeezing it, she gave her sister a smile. They drove for only a few minutes more until finally, at long last, they pulled into the lot of Netherfield Academy. It was an imposing structure with turrets on each corner of the building and a grand stair case that led up to the main doors.
"This…is our school?" Lizzy asked. Her finger pointed towards the building while she looked up archly at her father.
"Because it looks more like a castle than anything else."
"I assure you it is a school." Her father smiled as he started walking up the steps to the doors. Lizzy and Jane took two steps at a time to keep up with him. The inside was even grander with tile floors and marble arches aligning with the different halls and door ways. The windows were stained glass and the ceiling had a mosaic of angels, cherubs and old Greek figures.
"Bennet! Good to see! The rest of the staff is nearly hear - Oh, hallo. And who have we here?" The man had appeared down the hall with a large file tucked under his arm. He was dressed casually so the girls weren't certain of his position at the school.
"These are my girls who will be joining us this year. This is Jane and Lizzy." As Mr. Bennet said their names he motioned to them with his hand.
"Of course, of course. You know I had nearly forgotten that your daughters would be hear. I'm Mr. Brodi, I teach science." He paused for a moment and looked over his shoulder. A look of annoyance passed his features for a second. When he turned back to the group he lowered his voice considerably.
"I don't want you to think me rude, but I don't know if it is the best thing for your girls to be here at the moment. You see the benefactress of the school is here and for some reason, only known to her, she becomes temperamental when she sees students when school isn't in session. She thinks there all vandals." Mr. Brodi said, with a slightly irritated tone.
"Not to worry. They'll just be getting their uniforms and be off." Mr. Bennet said.
"Right. Well I'll leave you to it. The meeting starts in ten minutes. Nice to meet you girls." Mr. Brodi said his good-byes as he continued down the hall.
Mr. Bennet led Lizzy and Jane towards the offices, which was the door Mr. Brodi had come from. The inside was a bustle of secretaries, professors, school nurses and stacks of papers, some of which were very precariously stacked. Mr. Bennet brought his girls to the front desk. The secretary looked up from her computer screen.
"Professor Bennet. Here for the uniforms? There just in the back." She pointed to a windowed room that had all the school uniforms with the assigned students names.
"Oh wait, Professor. You need to sign this form. I almost forgot. You girls can go in and find the ones with your names labeled on it."
Lizzy and Jane went to the back room and found that it was much larger than it appeared from the window. There were a few students in there already trying to find their own uniforms.
"I wonder what the benefactress would say to all these vandals in the office." Lizzy whispered to Jane. Shushing her sister, Jane tried to find her uniform. But it was in vain, there were simply to many to sort through.
"You know, for such a grand place as Netherfield Academy you'd think they would be a wee bit more organized." Jane said. She was going through her fifth pile of uniforms.
"Honestly, they're not even in alphabetical order."
Lizzy was having the same luck as Jane, but her attention was soon caught on a model ship that was sitting on the top of a very tall filing cabinet. The cabinet was next to one of the windows and in the reflection she could see a label with the name Elizabeth Bennet.
"Ooh. I see mine. But how on earth am I going to reach that?" She looked around for a chair, there was none.
"Yours might be up here too Jane. Let me see, maybe if I jump - ugh…" She tried the jump, and was very unsuccessful.
"Here, let me help." A new voice said. Lizzy turned and saw a tall man. A very tall man. She stepped back to let him reach for the uniform. Easily grabbing it, he handed it to Lizzie. He reached up a second time and was rewarded with two more packages of uniforms.
"Are any of these you?" He asked Jane.
"Yes. Thank you." She replied. Responding with a slight nod, the man left the room just as quietly as he had come in.
"Who do you suppose that was?" Lizzy asked.
"Probably one of the professors."
"Well, I'll say this. I would not mind being in his class."
Mr. Bennet was gone by the time Lizzy and Jane came out of the back room. The receptionist told them that they were to meet him on the steps of the school at three o'clock. With girlish excitement of having free reign of an entirely new town, Lizzy and Jane floated down the steps of Netherfield Academy.
"So, what do you want to look at first?" Lizzy asked of her sister.
"I saw this café, Longbourn Café, I think it was called. We could try that."
That morning Mr. Bennet had given both his girls 50 pounds each. His new position was already paying off, literally.
With Jane leading, Lizzy looked to her left and right, and took in everything. There was so much traffic, she thought. There were actual stoplights at every corner. They passed a book shop that Lizzy made Jane promise they go to afterwards. Maybe they had books on sailing or fairy-tales. One or the other would please Lizzy very much, indeed.
Longbourn Café seemed to be made for Jane. There were pastries and meat pies in every window. The tables and chairs were pink and formed curly Q's. White drapery hung from the ceiling and there were numerous paintings depicting romantic scenes. There was only one bloke that Lizzy could see, but he was on a date. However, she did have to admit that the smell that was emitting from the kitchen was mouth watering. They were shown to a table by the window and their orders taken. A plum pudding for Lizzy and a treacle tart for Jane. Treacle was her one weakness. The taste of the sweets were as savory as the smells.
"I don't care. I do not care. I will gladly come back here again despite all the girly frilliness." Lizzy declared, her mouth full of pudding. Just at that moment the professor that had helped them with their uniforms, walked by their window and saw Lizzy with her mouth full. Swallowing fast she gave him an embarrassed sort of smile. He kept on moving, however, without a second glance.
"I know," Jane answered to Lizzy's comment, "this tart might even beat Lady Lucas's. Should we bring Da here?"
Lizzy had to check her laughter since her mouth was full with another bite of pudding.
"Da in a place like this? Oh Jane, come on."
"Well I know it's a bit girly -"
"A bit?"
"But the food is delicious." Jane continued.
"The day I see Da in Longbourn Café is the day mum doesn't speak."
The book shop was not as big as Lizzy was hoping, but she did make three exciting finds. Being close to the North Sea, the shop had a few books on ships and sailing, and she even found one about historical pirates.
"Shiver me timbers. Are ye going to turn roguish on us Miss Lizzy?" Jane asked in an attempted pirate voice.
"Aye. Only if I that means I can escape that sound."
"I thought it was pretty good. Let's hear yours." Jane said.
"Argh! Where's me booty gone?!" The girls laughed as they approached the counter to check out.
"Now where shall we go?"
"I heard some one in the book shop talking about a park." Jane said.
"Ooh. A park, I like the sound of that."
Meryton Park was a beautiful place. It had picnic areas and a beach area where Lizzy could see surfers. Many of the park-goers were walking their dogs, which slowed the process of the girls making it to the beach area, since Jane wanted to say hi to every dog they passed. Finally Jane met one dog that was attached to a leash but the leash was not attached to an owner.
"I can't leave her here. You go down to the beach, while I find the owner. I'll meet you down there."
The beach was Lizzy's favorite place of Dunbar so far. It was a hot day and the coolness of the ocean rushing up to her feet was most refreshing. She started digging in the sand with her toes, making different designs, when suddenly pain shot through her foot. She had cut it on a rough barnacled shell. Hopping on one leg, she made her way to where she had left her books and uniform. She plopped down in the sand and began investigating the cut. It wasn't that deep, but she knew that she should probably wash it. She lifted her head and scanned the area for Jane or a first aid. She saw neither. However, what she did see was a young man hurrying over to her.
"Are you alright?"
Startled at his attention, Lizzy didn't answer for a moment.
"Oh. I just cut myself on a shell. I'll be fine. Thank you though."
"Can I see just in case? I've surfed enough to take even the slightest cut seriously."
"I - uh. Sure." Lizzy felt a little embarrassed by letting this stranger examine her heel, even though he was very good-looking.
"It's deeper than I would like." He said after a moment.
"Will you allow me to get some peroxide and a plaster. It should be fine after that."
"Uh sure. If it's not too much trouble." He looked up at Lizzy and gave her a smile.
"No trouble at all. I'm Wickham by the way, Georgie Wickham."
"Lizzy. Nice to meet you." They laughed as they shook hands.
"I'll be right back." George said. And he was as good as his word. In a few minutes he was back with the proper aid. The peroxide stung and Lizzy had to clench her teeth, but as soon as the plaster was on the sting subsided.
"Thank you again."
"Don't worry. I do every bit that I can." George now sat down next to her. "Are you here alone?"
"No, my sister is here somewhere trying to return a dog to it's owner." Lizzy told him.
"That's nice of her."
"Yeah, she's always like that. Very kind and considerate."
"Well, while you're waiting for her, would you like to join me and my family?" George asked, smiling. Lizzy became a little skeptical.
"Where are they?" She asked.
"Over there." He pointed to a distance not very far away. He waved to the group who returned the gesture.
"Alright. If they don't mind."
"They won't." And taking her hand, George led Lizzy to his family.
"Aunt, uncle, this is Lizzy. She can join us for lunch, can't she?" He was asking a question but it came out more like a statement.
"Yes, please sit down. We'll have the food ready in a moment. I'm Harriet and this is my husband, who goes by nothing else than Forster, even though it is not his first name. And these are our nephews: Denny, Sanderson and you've already met George."
Lizzy perked up a bit.
"Forster? As in Colonel Forster?" She asked.
"One in the same, but I'm afraid I don't know you." The colonel said, turning his attention to Lizzy. Her cheeks coloured a little.
"My village heard about your moving to Dunbar. We're quite a small village so it practically made the front page." The Forster's laughed.
"And what village do you came from, lass?" The colonel asked.
"St. Abbs. It's about a half hours drive south, Sir."
"Ach. No, sir. Please. You'll make me out to be an old man. Forster is much better suited. But St. Abbs you say? Yes I have heard of that fishing village. You get tourists there don't you?"
"Yes, for the diving. Although, the diving is just as fun for the locals." Lizzy said. The three nephews were listening as well, but were more interested in their aunt Harriet who was preparing the food.
"What are you doing in Dunbar?" Asked George.
"My Da is going to be the new history teacher at Netherfield Academy and he was able to get me and my sister a scholarship. We were picking up our uniforms today." Lizzy motioned to the package next to her. Denny, one of the nephews, whistled low.
"That's one of the best schools. It's amazing that your Da was able to get you in." He said.
"Did you go?" Lizzy asked, hoping for some advice.
"No, I most certainly did not. But George, here, he knows a thing or two about old Netherfield." Denny said, patting Wickham on the back. George only smiled but didn't say anything.
"Clear the table. The food's ready." Harriet said. A quick scrabble of pulling things to the benches and the table was soon cleared. Harriet had been preparing a multitude of sandwiches. They went round the table and down the pallets of the consumers in a manner of seconds. Lizzy ate a little slower, only for the reason that she had had that plum pudding earlier. With pats to their mouths with napkins, lunch was over and done. But Harriet pulled from her basket many different snacks and sweets. Lizzy, however, was to full to eat anymore. Apparently George felt the same, he asked Lizzy if she wanted to go down to the water. She replied in the affirmative.
"You can leave your things here, Lizzy. We'll watch them." Harriet said.
Lizzy and George pulled the bottom of their pants up and stepped into the water. They were silent for a couple of minutes, until the latter started talking.
"I should tell you, you'll want to watch out for a bloke called William Darcy when you go to Netherfield. He's in his final year. You?" He turned his head towards Lizzy.
"Yeah, me too. But why? Do you know him personally?" Lizzy asked.
"I used to. You see, his father, owned a large estate near the town of Ratho. The estate is Pemberly and I used to live there. My own father had been the grounds keeper and best mates with old Mr. Darcy. William and I, as boys, would get into the worst mischief you could imagine."
Lizzy could hear the smile in his voice as he recalled the past.
"We were almost like brothers. Anyway, when I was only a lad of ten my father passed. My mother had died when I was only three and my uncle was abroad, he wasn't yet married to Harriet. With no where to go, old Mr. Darcy took me in and treated me like his son. I believe it was then that Will truly became jealous of me."
"But you were an orphan." Lizzy interrupted.
"Indeed, I was. However, I found an adopted father in old Mr. Darcy. He had a daughter as well, Georgie, she tolerated my presence but it was soon clear to me that my only friend was the father. This past year he suffered a fatal heart attack. I was invited to the funeral, but pretty much the day after, Will told me I had to leave."
"How horrible! Did you?"
"With Will now the master of Pemberly I couldn't refuse him. Thankfully my uncle was now back and was married. I soon learned that they were keeping my cousins and asked if I could join."
"Oh, George I'm so sorry." Lizzy said turning her whole body to face him.
"I hope I never meet Will Darcy." She added.
They looked at each other a moment longer.
"Lizzy, may I visit you in St. Abbs?" George asked suddenly.
"I - " Just at that moment Lizzy heard her name being called. She looked up the hill to where the picnic benches were. Jane was there waving to her. Once she saw that she had Lizzy's attention she pointed to her watch. Lizzy turned back to George.
"Sorry I have to go. I have to meet my Da." She started running towards the Forster's to gather her books and uniform.
"But may I?" George called after her. Lizzy quickly turned.
"Yes."
The girls hurried to Netherfield Academy. Both were wearing colour in their cheeks.
"What took you so long?" Lizzy asked.
"I was talking to the owner of the dog."
"Good, you found him. What were you talking about?" Looking at Jane, Lizzy could see a blush spreading across her sisters face.
"This and that. But he goes to Netherfield Academy and he's in our year." Jane said, smiling.
"Name. What's his name?" Lizzy asked getting excited.
"Charlie. And do you know what he offered."
"What?"
"He said he would watch out for me on the first day and guide me around the school."
"Jane has a boyfriend." Lizzy said in a sing-song voice.
"Shh." Jane was laughing though.
"What does he look like?"
"He has green eyes, reddish-blonde hair, quite tall. A beautiful smile -"
"I'm happy for you Jane, but don't get all girly on me, please."
"You asked me what he looked like." Jane accused. They were now passing the book shop and could see the school.
"I know, but you start to loose me when you enter the realm of 'beautiful smiles.' "
"Just wait till your eye is caught. Speaking of which who was that with you?" Jane asked remembering. Lizzy saw their Da sitting on the steps and hurried forward.
"It's about time. Where have you been?" Mr. Bennet asked. He stood up and they started walking to their car.
"Sorry we lost track of time." Lizzy apologized. Mr. Bennet grunted his forgiveness.
"How do you girls find Dunbar? Is it acceptable for the Bennet girls?"
"It's very charming." Jane said.
"Yes, it's won my approval." Lizzy added.
In the car they told their Da what they had done and the people they had met. Lizzy's news of George Wickham made Jane and Mr. Bennet share a knowing glance.
"When this Wickham comes to visit, make sure he doesn't steal my daughter away." Mr. Bennet teased.
"Da! It's not like that. I just met him." Lizzy said exasperated.
"If you say so." Her Da chuckled.
They finally arrived home, and after the hectic life of town, the small village was a welcome sight. Mrs. Bennet and the two youngest girls wanted to know everything, and when Lizzy told them of her meeting with the Forster's and their three nephews, the three travelers were almost deafened.
"Lizzy, dear. You good, good girl! Oh, what happy news. I feel quite overwhelmed. Tell me of Mrs. Forster. What was she like? And the three nephews and one to come here. When is he coming? Lizzy did he say when he was coming? Oh well, I guess we'll be surprised. I do hate surprises. But as long as he's coming that's all that matters I dare say. Oh, Lizzy good girl!" Mrs. Bennet continued to prattle away, never requiring a response.
A/N: Hello to the world of Fan Fiction! This is my first story that I've posted and I was quite shocked to see that I already have followers. To those of you who added my story to your favorites and who are following, thank you so much. You don't know how much encouragement that has given me. Also to explain a few things. Treacle tart is a pastry in the UK, a plaster is a band-aid, and 50 pounds is the equivalent of about 80 US dollars. That's all for now. I'll write soon.