Charlotte and Elisabeth are back in school. They have been for two weeks now, and everything has gone well. Charles has been working on the project, of getting the hotel back in work. The fire did much damage and a lot has been rebuilt, but the costs are big aswell. The whole town has been very generous, helping with the repairing and some of them paying part of the costs. The hotel would be back in business in couple days!
...
"Alright children, today we will welcome a new student in this classroom. I hope you will be kind and help him get started."Mr. Molesley announces."Andrew would you like to introduce yourself to the class?"
The teacher let's the boy step in front of the other students. His hair is a little messy, brown curls. He is taller than most of the others and he has a wide smile on his face.
"Hi. My name is Andrew. We moved here couple days ago, with my mom."He says, smiling before continuing his sentence."I just turned sixteen and I like sports. Is that enough teacher?"
"More than enough, Andrew. Thank you."Molesley smiles."You can sit...Elisabeth can you make some space next to you?"
"Yes, Mr. Molesley."Elisabeth sits a little further from the edge of the bench, letting Andrew sit down.
"Thanks."Andrew says.
"No problem."Elisabeth smiles."Nice to meet you."
"As well as."He smiles back at her, making Elisabeth blush a little.
"Let's get to work then..."Mr. Molesley tolds.
Everyone turn back to their books.
"Have you lived here long?"Andrew asks, his voice quiet.
"Well my father is the town mayor so pretty much likely."Elisabeth whispers.
"You must be one of "the Carsons" as they put it. Elisabeth Carson?"He asks.
"Precisely. My sister, Charlotte sits right there."She points her finger towards the younger girl.
"You look much like each other."He smiles.
"Everyone say that."Elisabeth agrees."What about your family?"
"I have my mother, Abigail. My father died in a car crash couple years ago, so it's just me and mom."Andrew tolds.
"I'm sorry."She whispers.
"No need to be. I'm used to it already."He says."He was never a very good father really."
Elisabeth just nods in understatement.
...
Afther the school. It's still warm at this time of the year, the sun shining bright on the sky.
"C'mon Charlotte. Ma said we should come and help her with repairing papa's armchair."Elisabeth walks the stairs of the schoolhouse down, her pace quicklier than usually.
And soon she realizes all her books are lying on the ground.
"Ach."Elisabeth sighs, bending down to collect the books.
"Can I help?"Andrew appears to her.
"I wouldn't mind."She smiles.
"Where are you running? It's still very early."He asks.
"We are going to help ma repair an old armchair."Elisabeth tolds.
"She seems like a nice person."Andrew smiles."Your mother I mean."
"She is. Couldn't ask for a better."She stands up."Thank you for helping."
"No problem."He hands the books from his hands to her.
"Well we should be off. C'mon Charlotte."Elisabeth takes her sister's hand and they walk away.
"He likes you."Charlotte whispers.
"He does not! Where do you get those ideas?"Elisabeth laughs.
"In my head."The younger girl smiles.
Her big sister just rolls her eyes.
The girls walk back home, finding their mother and father drinking tea in the sittingroom.
"Did you have good day at school?"Charles asks as the girls sit down on the couch.
"Elisabeth has a date.."Charlotte giggles.
"I do not! Can you already stop that Charlotte!"Elisabeth scolds her sister.
"What is all this about?"Elsie asks.
"Charlotte says a new boy who moved here couple days ago, likes me and now she won't stop it. He is just polite. Nothing more."Elisabeth tolds.
"Mhhmm."Elsie hums her answer.
"What is his name?"The father questiones, with an raised eye brow.
"Andrew Parker if I remember correctly."She answers.
"Ah yes. He moved here last thursday with his mother. Very nice people I must say."Charles says."Abigail Parker is my new secretary."
"Did you fire Jenkinson? I thought she was a good worker."Elsie wonders.
"Of course I didn't fire her. She left to take care of her ill mother in Ireland."He tolds.
Elsie nods, taking sip of her tea.
"Do you like him then Elisabeth?"Elsie suddenly asks.
"Ma!"Elisabeth beams.
"Just asking."Elsis chuckles.
"Not more than I like anyone else in that classroom."She answers."Now I'll go and change and after that I help you with that chair."
The older girl leaves the room.
"She is in love."Elsie states.
"Elsie really! Why do you think that?"Charles turns to her.
"Can't you see it, because I can see clearly? She is just like me when I was younger."She says."Madly in love with a certain gentleman."
Elsie looks at him with a loving grin on her face.
"Women."He stands up, shaking his head as he carries the tea tray in the kitchen.
...
The next day is full of work. The hotel is now being furnished and the finishing touches added.
"Thomas carry that couch here."Elsie tolds.
"Yes, Mrs. Carson."He says."Is this good?"
"Perfect. Thank you."Elsie smiles.
"Where can we put these curtains?"Florence and Wilma approach to her.
"Can you set them in the room number 7? Or was it six where I didn't put them yet? Well six or seven."She tolds.
"Alright."Wilma heads in the right room.
"Get those lamps in here and here boys."Elsie says pointing the tables and floor.
"Sure thing."They do as they're told.
Elsie looks around the forming hall. Everything would be back to normal in no time.
"This looks rather splendid!"Someone says behind her back, startling her.
"Don't scare me like that Beryl!"Elsie turns around.
"Sorry. I didn't meant to. Everything looks quite good I must say."Beryl smiles.
"Did you expect something else?"She teases.
"Well not exactly."Beryl shrughs her shoulders."Can I help you with something?"
"Elisabeth and Charlotte haven't eaten yet. If you could manage that, I would be very grateful."Elsie says.
"You know that is something you can trust me with."The cook tolds, smiling."Would you like anything? Or Charles?"
"He is still upstairs. Hes painting that one wall."Elsie explains."And we can eat when we get home, but the girls should eat something."
"Alright. I'll go there and make something for them. By the way is Elisabeth watching Charlotte by herself?"Beryl asks.
"She is."The mother answers."Why you're asking?"
"I think I'll accompany them."She smiles."I'll see you later."
"See you Beryl."Elsie turns back to her work.
...
Beryl went to their house. Elisabeth came open the door and she let her in. Now they're all in the kitchen eating dinner that Beryl just made. Beef stew today.
"How is your school? I heard you got a new student."Beryl asks, sipping her water.
"Pretty nice to be back at school. I can't wait it to be spring althought!"Elisabeth says.
"Have you decided what you want to do after you've finished school in North Valley?"The cook wonders.
"Well not really. I still have half a year to choose."She answers as she takes a spoonfull of the stew.
"Can I be a teacher when I grow up?"Charlotte asks.
"You can. You just have to study and work for it, dear."Beryl smiles.
"I wouldn't want to be teacher. I couldn't stand all the students and the fuss in the classroom."Elisabeth tolds, drinking her water before continuing."I don't understand how Mr. Molesley can keep us quiet."
"He is trained to be an teacher."Charlotte says, proud to be able to answer.
"I know, but it's still hard."The older girl nods.
They all turn to eat for a while.
"I like this stew."Elisabeth says, smiling.
"I'm glad. It's my new recipe. You could test it yourself if you like."Beryl tolds.
"I don't think thats very wise."She chuckles."The whole house would burn down!"
"I'm pretty sure you can cook better than mama."Charlotte whispers."I don't like her bread. Its always burned..."
The younger girl sticks her tongue out in disgust.
"Alright girls. Eat your stew and then we can something fun."Beryl laughs."And no more jokes of Elsie's cooking!"
"Aww.."The girls say in unision.