This chapter is a bit all over the place I know. I am trying to get the parts of the film done quickly so I can move on. :)


I walked towards my bedroom and looked through the doors of my siblings. Most of them were in their nightclothes and sitting under their bedcovers. I walked into my room and Rolfe was lying on Louisa's bed, reading The Hounds of Baskerville.

" So where's everyone sleeping," I asked.

" Rupert and Werner are in with Kurt and Friedrich. Charlie and Ben are with Marta and Gretl. And Anna, Pippi, Louisa and Brigitta are in the spare room," he said, not looking away from the book. I nodded and grabbed my nightgown off my bed. I slipped into the bathroom and changed quickly. I lifted the new catalogue from the store off my desk and sat on my bed. I flicked through it looking at all the dresses.

" What do you think of this one," I asked, holding the catalogue up. Rolfe looked up and smiled.

" It's nice. What colour is it," he asked.

" Blue with a white sash or white with a yellow sash. I'd prefer the blue though," I said. " I have enough money to buy it but it's a party dress. I'd never get to wear it."

" You'll be invited to a party eventually," Rolfe said.

" Not if Father has any input. We aren't allowed to do anything," I said.

" You're exaggerating," he sighed.

" Am I? We aren't allowed to play when he's home and he got rid of my guitar and he locked the piano away and I don't know where the music is. He must want us to feel like prisoners," I said.

" He doesn't mean to. He's just depressed and doesn't care. He will soon," he said, smiling. There was a knock on the door then it opened. Fräulein Maria walked in and looked at us.

" Lights out," she said with a small smile.

" Yes Fräulein," I said. I got up and turned the lights off then climbed into bed.

" Goodnight Liesl, Rolfe," she said before she left.


" Liesl," Louisa yelled, waking me up. I lifted my head and looked at her. " We're going on a picnic for Marta's birthday."

" I know, I was told last night. I'll get dressed and meet you in the dining room," I said standing up. Louisa ran out of the room and I took the dress that Fräulein Maria made out of the wardrobe. I changed into it then ran down to the dining room. My siblings, the Grubers and Fräulein Maria were sitting down.

" Sorry," I said, slipping into my seat.

" Can we open our presents now," Marta asked.

" Go on," Fräulein Maria said. Ben tore into his present ripping all the paper off, while Marta watched him in disgust.

" A train set, can I play with it now," he said.

" After breakfast," Rolfe said and the little boy nodded.

" Why did you rip the paper. Do it like this," Marta said, she carefully unfolded the paper from around her present then she smiled.

" A parasol. Thank you Liesl," she said.

" Now lets eat," Kurt said, reaching for cereal.

" Is food the only thing you think about," Pippi asked.

" Yes," he replied and we all laughed.

" Wait Kurt," Fräulein Maria said. She blessed the food then I grabbed a few pieces of toast. I covered them in butter and strawberry jam and started to eat.


I pulled on my new dress. It wasn't that bad even though it was made out of curtains. I don't think the others noticed that though. It didn't look that bad. I clipped my hair back and pulled on my shoes before I hurried downstairs to the others.


We walked about Salzburg market getting food for our picnic then took a train up a mountain. We all ate then split off to do our own things. Rolfe and I walked away from everyone else over to a small bunch of trees.

" I can't remember the last time they were all happy," I said.

" And now they're happy all the time," Rolfe said.

" Fräulein goes back to the abbey in September. It might change then," I said.

" Or she might not go back," Rolfe said.

" She wants to be a nun. So she has to go back," I said.

" Come on everybody. Over here," Fräulein shouted.