Sorry that this chapter has taken a while longer than normal. As much as I know how the story is going and how it will end I have had a little trouble putting this chapter into words; working out which way to go and why etc. I hope I did ok. Thank you for your Patients. x

Chapter Eleven.

Margaret had been settled into her old residence for a few days, when Fanny came to call. Dear Fanny was smiling and laughing with pure joy that her friend had finally returned. Fanny told her of the many families that she has been visiting, How much they had appreciated the help she was giving them and that they never expected this from her. They were delighted that she would take the time out to visit them. Fanny had also told Margaret that she did not want the praise and attention, all she wanted to do was the right thing. Margaret had been so proud of Fanny when she spoke all these things, it seemed that they all had a reason to be proud of this young woman and they were.

Whilst Margaret was pouring some tea, Fanny had bought up the reason for Margaret's decline. With them now relaxed and warm by the fire, Margaret opened up as to why she felt that she could not let anyone know of the pain she had gone through. The only one who knew the whole truth (so she thought) was John.

"Why did you not come to me Margaret? I would have tried to help you in some way? I would have done anything to have eased the burden that you carry" Fanny was hurt that Margaret had not confided in her, but she tried to not let it show.

Margaret smiled at her friend; yes, she knew she would have done her best to help and that would have made it all the more harder for her to have gone ahead with the plan that she had finally made.

"To be honest Fanny, if I had told anybody in Milton of the downward spiral I had taken ever since leaving, I know either yourself or John would have come to me. My decisions would have ultimately changed with how I was going to see my future, at that time I did not want to change those choices; but now I can see I was wrong in my chosen path. I had already started having my doubts a few days before seeing John. I had these dreams when I was in London, they were wonderful in the begining; me with my own family, husband, two children; deeply in love" looking to Fanny, she saw the woman's face fall; knowing very well that the marriage she had entered was far from being perfect. Margaret held Fanny's hand gently whilst she continued talking "Then a gentleman a few weeks after my return was paying me all kinds of attention, all not wanted in anyway at all"

Margaret then continued to talk about how she had sent the letter to her brother and the consequences that certain letter led to "If I had not sent that letter, he would not have returned; he would not be laying in a grave somewhere and I would still have one member of my family left with me. Even though he was a long way from me, he was always there in a letter, guiding me, helping me, he was the perfect brother. A bit like you having John to turn to, is it not?"

Fanny nodding her head in agreement, the blush settling over her cheeks at the thought that her big brother; was her brother and no-one elses; she prayed with all she had that she would soon have a sister too; but worring about what her mother thought of Margaret she decided not to mention it. If John married Margaret, Fanny's life would be almost perfect.

"He is very good to me? He distracts my mother for me when I am sneaking food out of her house, to take to the families I visit. She does not approve, the same as my husband does not" Margaret was at a loss as to why she kept doing this act if her husband and mother did not approve. Fanny seeing where Margaret's thoughts had taken her answered her unasked question.

"There is more to life than just having money and pride Margaret, I learnt a hard lesson when you left; you were and are, my only true friend, the friends; if you can class them as such; that I had when you left were only friendly due to the fortune I have. As soon as I wanted to go visit with the less fortunate, they all backed away and I have not seen them since the day I first stepped into one of the families homes.I am sure that they thought I was just having humour with them, but the moment they saw that I was serious they walked away. If truth be told, the families are more my friends than all the wealthy people who just like to pretend. It is disgraceful how they behave, I have had my eyes opened to my own behaviour in the past and I am ashamed of it. I can at least go home and know I have helped someone that day and that I am happy and feel better knowing those I left earlier will eat better and know they are not alone".

Margaret knew then she would always have a friend forever. Fanny had driven all her demons away and now was a happy woman apart from the marriage she had got herself into, but then no-one could help her with that. They had continued along this line of conversation a little while longer. Margaret promising from now on, if she had any more worries or felt herself declining again, she only had to ask for Fanny and she would be there instantly. Fanny also promised that on her next visit to the families that she would come and get Margaret and Dixon to attend with her.

A little while later Dixon walked into the room with a fresh pot of tea and some cake, she took the finished pot and went to leave the room, but Fanny had other ideas.

"Dixon, how lovely to see you again! how are you faring this day?" Dixon tried to hide her surprise at the change in the woman she had set her eyes upon. Not knowing what to say she glanced at her mistress, who was silently laughing,

"Um, I am well, Thank you Mrs Watson"

"Oh please Dixon, call me Fanny; if your pride will not let you do that, Miss Thornton will be fine" At this Margaret literally burst into the fits of giggles, the look of shock on Dixon's face was as humerous as she had seen in a long time. Dixon glanced back to the mistress who had seemed after a few minutes to control herself; Fanny was smiling widely at Magaret and Dixon's behaviour, it seemed not only Nicholas found her company amusing and fun.

"Dixon it is fine. You can call Fanny here, her given name, we are all equels are we not?" All three women nodded there heads in agreement, even if it was a little hesitant on Dixon's part.

"So Dixon, what is your christian name? I would love to call you by that instead of Dixon. It is so servant like, and I believe from what I have heard, you are more like family than servant; so enlighten me to the mysterious name of the woman who sits amongst us"

Margaret was chuckling again. Dixon was feeling uncomfortable, but not about the setting or the company; it was more of letting these upstanding women know her name, she had been Dixon for so long.

Margaret seeing the hesitation decided to help her close friend almost mother, with her decision.

"Are we not here to make a new start Dixon? How grand would that be by having your christian name so we can start to call you by that? instead of being so formal" Dixon pondered this for a while and then decided that yes, if the miss can make a new start such as trying to unburden herself, then so can she.

On a whisper for the first time in years she spoke her first names with pride.

"My name from birth is Lily Victoria Dixon" Margaret and Fanny both looked at the woman with a new found affectiont, she had the most beautiful name, Lily.

"Well, Lily, I think that is a stunning name and would be proud to call you by that, if i have your permission of course?" This came from Fanny, and Margaret was nodding her head again in agreement. She had never known Dixon as anything other than Dixon, if she had known her name had been Lily, she would have called her that from the begining; it was a beautiful name.

"If you wish, I will not object"

All three women then sat, laughing and speaking for many hours before it was time for Fanny to take her leave; giving both women a gentle embrace she left the warm friendly home, to go back to a cold and distant one.