Chapter 11
As soon as I stepped inside, Hattie caught sight of me. She had been sitting on the couch eating a plate of chicken wings. It sickened me.
'Oh, Ella, you're back!" she exclaimed, as if I had just gone on a short errand. "Go get me some bread from the kitchen."
I tried to resist. I stood there for a while, clenching my fists and straining my jaw. Hattie saw me, and she laughed without mirth.
"Try all you want. You're still in my control. Go get me some bread. Now!"
I angrily went to the kitchen. In the kitchen, I saw Mandy hunched over the sink, washing the dishes. My heart nearly burst.
"Mandy!" I cried out. Mandy turned. Her face lit up when she saw me.
"Ella!" she yelled out when she saw me. "Come here, child." Drying her hands on her apron, she approached me.
I ran over to her, and I clutched on to her tightly. I missed her so much! Mandy held on to me firmly. I could smell her scent of bread and soap.
"You foolish child," she said sternly. "How could you run away from me like that? I was worried sick,"
"Mandy, I'm so sorry," I whispered. "I don't know what I was thinking, leaving you like that."
"As long as you're all right, sweet." She said, stroking my hair. Suddenly, my symptoms started up again. My head spun, and my legs tried to move toward the bread cupboard. I broke free, in pain.
I stumbled over to the bread cupboard. My dizziness stopped instantly.
"Ella!" Mandy exclaimed. She watched as I grabbed out a loaf of fresh bread.
"Oh, you're under an order of Hattie," she said distastefully. I could see her fury in her eyes.
I headed over to Hattie in the living room, and I handed her the bread.
"That took you long enough," she said without looking up from her chicken.
I went back to the kitchen.
"You seem quite healthy, still. Have you been drinking your tonic?"
Tonic! I had left it at Henry's house. Along with my clothes and my magic book. I didn't care about the clothes. But, the book!
"Oh no!" I cried out to Mandy. "I left my magic book at Henry's house."
"Henry? Who's Henry?"
I cut her off. "What should I do?" I moaned.
"It's fine, sweetie," she comforted me. "The fairy book will always find its way back to its owner. Just you wait."
I hoped this was true.
"By the way," she said, "Your father has sent a letter to you. I left it in your room."
I went to my room. It was a mess, and it looked like someone had looked through all my drawers and clothes. However, my eye caught sight of a letter. I ripped it open.
My daughter Ella,
How are you doing? Dame Olga and her daughters are treating you well, I suppose. My business has been failing again. I am searching for another wealthy suitor for you. I have come upon Earl Surh. He is very wealthy, and his house is as fine as a palace. Perhaps you would like to meet him someday. In the next week, I will arrange a meeting for you two.
Your Father
