Enjoy!
Penny stood at the bottom of the stairs gazing up at the cobblestone building in front of her. The bricks constructing it, old as they looked to her young eyes, were clean and evenly spaced. They were woven into arches and patterns unfamiliar in the buildings around Midtown. With her meager belongings tucked under her arm and her feet dragging on the sidewalk, Penny felt like she was between worlds.
On the way here, she watched out the window of the car as neighborhoods and buildings morphed into designs she was unfamiliar with. People loitering on the street corners became few and far between. Instead, she spied people walking with purpose between the clean and uncrowded buildings. It was like she stepped into one of the stories the late-night radio shows talked about. Families with small children laughed and went about their day and business-minded people hurried to their workplace. A different atmosphere than what she was used to.
Penny glanced down at her hand-me-down smock and then over to Ms. Potts. Her hat rested atop her head in some mysterious way not visible from the outside, revealing a bouquet of curls. The brilliant purple color matched that of her coat, gloves, and shoes. Penny swallowed. Her hands twined her smock in endless knots until Ms. Potts bent toward her. The woman's smooth gloved reached out and unbearably gentle, she pried Penny's nervous fingers apart.
"Are you alright, dear?"
Penny nodded sending her chopped hair every which direction despite the butterflies cramping in her stomach. She could see the woman's gaze follow her hair for a moment before landing on her ears and nose. The frown that settled on her face was foreign to Penny. There was a certain detachment in her wrinkled brow. An anger Penny was almost sure wasn't directed at her in the way the corners of her mouth turned down. Still, she couldn't help but flinch back when Ms. Potts's hand brushed her hair back from where it had fallen on her forehead.
"We'll need to get you some warmer clothes, Penny. Your poor ears are bright as an apple."
She wanted to lean into the soft touch of her warm, leather gloves. If only for a moment she could enjoy the feeling but her earlier outburst lingered at the front of her mind. The tears she shed so easily when before she was convinced they were permanently dry. Heat burned in her cheeks not entirely due to the cold. To think that someone like Ms. Potts, someone so warm and kind, witnessed her breakdown. So instead of basking in the affection like she wanted, Penny ducked her head and pulled her sleeves down over her hands, clutching the book under her arm.
The buildings loomed overhead. The possibilities waiting. Penny shivered.
"I'm alright, Ma'am. It's not too cold."
Ms. Potts's shook her head as her hand dropped.
"Pepper or Ms. Potts please, Penny. And there will be no arguments from you. I want to go shopping and you will just have to humor me." Penny remained silent but nodded in response. Ms. Potts, content enough with the nonverbal answer, gestured to the front door. "Shall we?"
Penny scrambled up the stairs after Ms. Potts. The ornate, gold knocker hung right above her head on the front door in the same shape as the crest imprinted on the papers in Mrs. Delores's office. Her eyes traced the slanted eye slots on the helmet's décor and she had to stop her hand from reaching out to feel the smooth edges. The door swung open. Penny held her breath and ducked her head further down as a guiding hand on her back moved them into the house.
The sleet sticking to her wrinkled shoes melted with the heat of the indoors and sunk through her socks to freeze her toes. The carpet's red and gold tones caught her attention first. The colors twisted and weaved together in spirals and delicate paisley patterns. It was hard not to compare the intricate artistry with her leather loafers. They were another child's before hers and probably someone else's before that. Time soaked into the crevices of the shoes, staining the material a deep brown and wrinkling the buckle edges. They were the beginning of the reminders of her lack of place there. She couldn't even compete with a carpet.
Penny scrambled to make sure the bottoms were clean before stepping onto it with Ms. Potts beside her. She turned in a half circle to take in the full view of the room until she heard a throat clear. Frozen on the spot, Penny took a moment to breath, hoping and knowing it was beyond hope, that no one had seen her lack of decorum.
Black patent shoes stepped into her view. Her eyes followed them to the attached body. From the chores at Midtown, ironing being one of the many, she knew how precise you had to be to achieve lines that straight in the black pants and suite jacket. She admired the clean cut of the outfit before Penny met the person's gaze.
While Mr. Stevens, the delivery man, had a beard similar to the bristles of her trusty broom at Midtown, this gentleman, for surely with his outfit and fancy demeanor he was one, had a neatly combed mustache, shockingly bold and grey. It twitched under her stare and Penny fought the urge to giggle. His piercing, grey eyes sat under a set of similarly colored heavy eyebrows.
Ms. Potts stepped up beside her.
"Friday," She said with a smile. "Good to see you. I have someone I want you to meet." She placed her hand on Penner's shoulder and brought her to her side. Penny shivered at the contact but held still. "Penny this is Friday, our magician of a Butler here at Stark House. Friday, this is Miss Penny Parker. She will be staying here with us."
The man craned his head down at Penny. She stared at the wall behind him but offered her best smile while attempting to curtsey. Her legs wobbled and she could hear Mrs. Delores's voice critiquing the movement. Ms. Potts laughed as she looked between her and Friday. She brushed Penny's hair back again.
Penny peaked at the man from under her bangs. His expression hadn't changed from her earlier observations but there was a minute softening in his eyes. She fidgeted with her sleeves. Her head whipped up when he clicked his heels together. Friday bowed low before them and Penny giggled along with Ms. Potts.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Penny. We welcome you to Stark House. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask."
"T-thank you, Sir." She said and stepped back. Penny peered around Ms. Potts's leg as the two began talking quietly. It wasn't her intention to eavesdrop but she couldn't help but overhear some of what they were saying.
"…how is he, Friday?"
"I… haven't seen him, but Harolds dropped Mr. Stane and him off at the club after you left. Both had bags with them."
Ms. Potts's hands curled into fists. Penny wondered at the significance of this and who they were talking about.
"No matter. Penny, give your…" Friday and Ms. Potts shared a look. "Coat to Friday. We will have tea in the blue room first. I'm feeling a bit peckish after this morning."
She clutched onto her jacket and shuffled back a step. It wasn't that she was fond of it but the clothing was her only heavy outerwear. No matter how nice they were she couldn't give it away. Mrs. Delores would be furious and the cold bite of winter was fresh on her mind.
"I-I can keep it." She said forcing herself not to step back any further. Both adults stopped and turned to face her. Ms. Potts furrowed her brows as she stared at the girl clutching her chest, barely more than rags between her fingers. It was Friday, silent eyes widening with realization, who acted.
He stepped in front of Penny, tall and immovable. His gaze directly on her, sizing her up, before he got down on one knee so he was her height. Penny's breath caught in her throat.
"Miss Penny, I am only taking it to put in the closet. I promise, you will get it back at any point you need it. Is this acceptable?"
Penny dropped her eyes to the floor unable to take the honest expression Friday was showing her. He waited as she thought. He was offering, not demanding like Mrs. Delores solely did. He came down to her level. Penny wasn't sure why but the action brought a sort of knot to her chest. Tension lumped up in the middle of her ribs and rose to the back of her throat but still he waited.
Taking her time, Penny untangled her coat and, with care, put it into Mr. Friday's waiting arms.
"Thank you" She said.
"No, need for thanks, Miss Penny."
"Come along Penny," Ms. Potts called from down the hall. Penny made to follow but looked back at her coat still in his arms, torn with what to do.
"One second, Ms. Potts" Friday said before turning. "Follow me, Miss Penny."
Penny glanced at Ms. Potts noting her nod and began following Mr. Friday down a short hall. The doors were all shut and Penny almost ran into him after he suddenly stopped. He opened a door to the right revealing a rack full of hanging coats.
"Yours will be right here if I'm not around to retrieve it for you. Anytime you need it, feel free to find it here."
Mr. Friday slide the hanger into each sleeve, taking the time to straighten the hems and wrinkles before he hung it inside the closet next to the other, far longer and nicer, coats. The knot in her throat itched seeing it there. Like it was as worthy as any of the other pieces of clothing in the closet.
"Thank you, Mr. Friday, Sir." She curtsied again, feeling only slightly silly doing so when she saw his eyes crinkle around the edges and his mustache twitch into a smile.
"And it's my pleasure, Miss Penny. Again, don't hesitate to ask for anything no matter how small. Now, I think it's time for tea and if you're lucky Mrs. Vern will bring her famous chocolate chip cookies up."
Mrs. Vern's cookies lived up to their fame. Penny stopped herself from taking a fourth helping much to the dismay of Ms. Potts. Her encouragement to help herself began bordering on the ridiculous the further along with tea they got.
If the entryway left her speechless, the blue room as Ms. Potts called it, left her breathless. Hand painted, blue wallpaper framed the dark wood moldings and picture frames in the room. Two couches, both printed in subtle silky looking fabrics dominated the middle of the room between the door and a large set of windows overlooking what in summer would be a garden. The natural light filtered in, casting a bright, clear air about the room.
Penny sat at the end of the tan couch closest to the window while Ms. Potts sat across from her on a deep brown couch. Despite what Mr. Friday and Ms. Potts called it, 'tea' certainly brought more than the drink alone. A spread of little sandwiches, finger sandwiches she learned, and miniature cakes were laid out on the low table between them.
Her stomach protruded out and Penny was content. They settled into the quiet afternoon atmosphere.
At one point, Penny grabbed one of the sturdier looking cookies and shoved it into her pocket. There was no reason to suspect the ample amount of food would disappear the longer she was here but it was an old habit to have something that might help her later. She was glad Ms. Potts missed her theft.
"I'm afraid that Tony, Mr. Stark that is, is currently out of town at the moment, Penny." The lady's gaze turned upon her and Penny hurried a smile.
"It's okay, Ms. Potts."
In her mind it was more than okay. She had thought long about this whole situation she was in. Though Ms. Potts said this was all Anthony Stark, Penny wasn't convinced. So far, the man's absence spoke louder than any words said on anybody's part. If she was being honest with herself, she was relieved the looming knight of Stark House hadn't descended yet. The question of his force – good or bad – remained to be seen and Penny was alright with putting off that reveal until she was on firmer ground. With every step she took, the possibility of smooth terrain seemed more like a dream. This new world, so warm and strange, was welcoming on the front but what lurked behind? Ms. Potts and Mr. Friday were everything kindness and good but would it end up just like Midtown or was there something better here? She dared not hope … too much.
She fisted her hands on her knees and winced as Ms. Potts cleared her throat missing the flash of anger across the woman's face.
"Penny, he's… a good man and I'd hope you would be able to see that. But no matter," She said with a sigh. "How about a tour?"
Penny nodded but stifled a yawn. Ms. Potts's gaze softened.
"It has been a rather eventful day. How about we go to your room and we can do the tour later?"
Ms. Potts strode through the long, winding hallways as Penny trailed behind her. Her eyes wandered between the sconces that bordered vast paintings and the furnishings under them. They passed a few people all dressed in matching uniforms who deferred to Ms. Potts while sneaking a curious glance at Penny.
At the end of a particularly long hall, Ms. Potts stopped and turned to her left so they were facing a large set of double leaf doors. Gold inlet flowers laced the large panels coming to a head at the same toned knobs. They looked like a portal into another world.
"Ready?" Ms. Potts asked with a smirk. Without waiting for an answer, she grasped the door handles and pushed forward.
Penny moved first with a small nod of Ms. Potts's head. She wasn't quite sure what she expected and hadn't managed to hope for anything better than the room at Midtown despite all the kindness showed to her so far.
"We weren't sure what you would like and I sort of got carried away, as Tony said, but no matter. We can change anything you don't like…"
Her words faded into the background. Penny's feet carried her across the floor and around the room. The largest bed she'd ever seen stood strong and wide in the center of the room. Green bedding looking as soft as grass was neatly into the edges and two nightstands were placed on either side of the curtains around the headboard of the bed. It was beautiful. And it wasn't Penny's. She was positive. It couldn't be.
"I- Thank you for showing me your room but where shall I be staying, Ms. Potts?"
The woman behind her startled. She opened her mouth before shutting it again and her eyes, sharp as ever, scanned Penny's face. Ms. Potts turned away toward the large window with pale cream drapes on the other side of the room. Penny shifted her feet back and forth as she waited for an answer. Something hard and churning settled in her stomach when the silence continued. Ms. Potts shoulders fell with an audible exhale. She turned around with a particular smile. Its strained corners made Penny's heart pound.
"Sweetheart, this is your room."
Penny looked at the flowers embroidered into the bedding. The delicate but strong looking stems that merged and melded into a chain of green. Using a feather light touch, Penny brushed her fingers against a pale-yellow flower noting the softness of the material. It was too good to be true and yet it was what Ms. Potts wanted her to believe.
"Now then, let's get you all settled in."
Warm clouds surrounded her. The material was creamy and smooth and Penny must be in heaven. She stifled another yawn. Ms. Potts laid a hand on her shoulder and gently pushed her to rest back on the mound of pillows stacked at her back. Penny rubbed her thumb back and forth against her sheets as she watched Ms. Potts flit about the room, closing the drapes and folding her clothes. Protests were the first things out of her lips but Ms. Potts ignored them all in favor of letting Penny rest. The woman came back to her side beside the bed and tucked an errant corner in.
"Sweet dreams, Sweetheart. Rest all you need." She squeezed Penny's shoulder. At the door Ms. Potts turned back before latching the door behind her. "I'm so glad you're here, Penny."
Penny fell back against the pillows letting the softness embrace her. The moon was visible from the window across the way and glowed down, illuminating the new room. Despite everything she saw today, all the new people and strange surroundings, the moon was still the same eerie presence. Penny reached out a hand from under the blanket until the tips of her fingers were glazed in the silvery light.
With heavy eyes she wondered what the ever-absent Anthony Stark was doing at the moment. She hadn't missed the bordering angry and past frustrated looks between Ms. Potts and Mr. Friday. There was also Ms. Potts's apology to contend with. That barely constrained tension in the corners of her mouth and eyes. What did it mean? The niggling question of why she was here in the first place burst forward from where Penny had tried to stuff it down.
The emblem on the front door and crest she had traced on the papers requesting her here was the first pieces of evidence. But the question was left unanswered without any more besides. Would Anthony Stark in all his mystery hold the answers? Of that, she was sure. Would he be a force for good in her life or would she leave this beautiful place even more broken than before? Penny wasn't sure and she feared the answer.
Her hands fisted weakly in the sheets before sleep took mercy on her.
Penny was awake before the first rays of light steamed into the room… her room, she reminded herself ignoring the stale feel of the words. It was hers at least while she was here.
Foggy dreams shadowed her mind twisting her stomach. The moon had been shinning on her, lighting the tips of her nose and cheeks. Penny reached for its silver glimmer wanting to catch some warmth. She stretched as far as her small limbs would reach to no avail. The moon was farther and farther away with each breath leaving a numb, cold in her fingers and chest. Penny blinked back tears. Her legs carried her as far as they could go until, muscles quivering and exhaustion seeping in to her bones, she could run no more. The moon in its ethereal radiance was always too far away. She would never reach it.
It was the same dream and she was forced to repeat it over and over for as long as she could remember. The bitter nausea lingered following her sleep. It was pungent and raw, twisting her nerves and she couldn't stay in bed any longer. With the efficiency of one who had no time to themselves in the mornings, Penny made her bed.
She had to pinch herself on entering the bathroom. If such things could induce delirium this one would take the cake. Penny just stood there for a moment. There was a sink and bathtub and toilet. All to herself. It was beyond anything she had ever seen before. Midtown being built long before she was born and being poor only had a set of outhouses shared with other tenements shared. She didn't have to wait in line or splash herself with freezing water. This was a few steps away from where she had slept.
Penny made sure to be quick and not waste any unnecessary water despite the temptation to stay in there all day. Ablutions done, Penny stuck her head out the door of her room, looked both ways, and stepped into out. The hall was quiet in a way that Midtown never was. The absence of noise held a restful energy here. There was no lurking danger or cowed children to signify anything was wrong.
While she readied herself that morning, she brainstormed ways she could do to repay Ms. Potts and everyone else. Penny didn't have money for gifts or materials to make them anything, not that she was crafty enough for something homemade anyway, so in the end, she figured the one thing to offer was herself. If Midtown was good for anything it was honing the domestic skills of its residents. Her thanks given in a more concrete form and her keep earned for the time she was staying. Two birds with one stone, Ned used to say. She missed him so much.
Nodding to herself and setting a brisk pace to distract from the tug on her heartstring thinking of Ned always gave, she set off to find someone who could direct her to supplies. Hallway after hallway passed. Finally, she saw someone wearing an apron. The woman glanced up at the sudden noise of her feet. Her eyes widened at Penny.
"Good morning!" Penny called out with a smile before ducking her head.
"Good morning, Miss." The woman said.
"I was wondering where…" The question was how to phrase her query in a way she wouldn't get in trouble. "I was wondering where I could find the cle-"
"Kitchen! Oh, you poor thing. I know just what you need. Follow these stairs down and turn left to go to the stairs. Everything should be there."
"Thank you." Penny said. It wasn't exactly what she wanted but she was sure there would be something to clean there. Her growling stomach was more than happy for the miscommunication.
Penny arrived as instructed and pushed two large swinging doors open. First to look for any cleaning materials. The large kitchen was empty besides the pots and pans hanging from a rack above the counter. A large sink, almost deep as a tub sat in the middle of the counter. She smiled at the plates resting in the basin. She could scrub pans like the best of them.
The ceramic ledge of the sink was too tall for her. She couldn't reach up and see into the sink. Penny looked around and, after a moment, found a large pot she could use as a stepstool. Carting the heavy thing over strained the muscles in her arms but once on top, she was the perfect height. The water was freezing but it was more a temperature she was used too.
Penny repeated to herself over the soreness of her arms that it was better than Midtown. It was better because she chose this and her pruney fingers would just have to deal with it. It was better because Penny was thanking someone not fearing retribution. She couldn't quite manage to make the argument stick and there was a part, infinitely small but still there, that wished she lived with a normal family. The solid soap sat at the edge of the counter. Penny itched the reddening skin of her hands and got lost in her work.
The doors swung open without a sound. In shuffled a woman yawning. She wore a large apron and her hair was tied back with a bonnet covering most of it. Her cherry smile, strained a bit because of the early hours widened when she spotted Penny across the kitchen.
"Now what do we have here? Is this the little kit I heard took a liking to my cookies? Miss Penny was it?"
Penny ducked her head to hide the heat creeping onto her face. The woman clucked her teeth and continued over to her.
"Just Penny is fine, Ma'am."
"Can't say you're the first to fall to their flavor, if I say so myself, Penny. Now, can I ask what a little thing like you is doing up so early? Barely anyone else starts the day so early. You may call me Mrs. Vern. No need for all those formalities here, dearie."
Penny opened her mouth to explain and realized how strange it sounded. How Mrs. Delores would be angry if she spoke about her time at Midtown. Instead she scrubbed harder, determined to finish the pot she was working on. Her stomach rolled as the lady grew closer. She had thought Mrs. Delores's rosy cheeks were friendly at first and she was proven quite wrong soon after. Mrs. Vern appeared gentle enough but Penny couldn't help the weary droop in her shoulders. Maybe if she saw her working hard, she wouldn't get in as much trouble?
Mrs. Vern came around to stand beside her. Penny held her breath. The woman clucked her teeth again and gently took the pot out of her hands, setting it on the counter to dry. She smoothed her hands over Penny's palms careful of the angered red patches.
"I expect an answer." The woman said in a kind but stern tone.
"I'm used to getting up and working."
Penny couldn't help the slight heat gathering on her cheeks but there was no pity in the woman's eyes. Just a vague sparkle turned to understanding.
"Yes, I can see that. Thank you for helping. Now, I appreciate you helping my washers but leave the rest to them. Do you want to go back and rest?"
Penny shook her head.
"I expected as much. Well, I can put you to work but no complaints, you here?" She smiled down at Penny who, when beckoned, moved her makeshift stool over to the counter where Mrs. Vern was setting up.
"Mr. Stark isn't here this morning but Ms. Potts is set to awake early. She normally likes a simple breakfast but I was thinking we could spice it up with some cinnamon rolls this morning. What do you say?"
"I've never made cinnamon rolls before, but I would like to help."
Mrs. Vern paused for a moment. Her eyes missed nothing as Penny drug the pot into place and stepped up. Penny's sleeve slipped down from her wrist. The woman next to her tutted and motioned to Penny. She tried to ignore it and hid her arm but Mrs. Vern left no room for argument. Penny hesitated a moment more, the pervading fear left from years of hiding presenting, and then brought her arm forward. Not daring to look up.
She winced as Mrs. Vern's hand brushed against her skin and knew, even without looking, the discoloration was faded but still visible. Penny could feel Mrs. Delores's hot breath against her neck and winced at the image of her tight scowl and the ticking vein on the temple of her forehead.
Waiting for a reaction left her sweat ladden but Mrs. Vern just shook her head and finished folding her sleeve in neat pleats.
"Alright, child. Let's get to work." Her voice was quieter than before but nothing else was different. Penny exhaled. She didn't want to tip her off something was wrong. Nothing was wrong. It was too much hope to say she didn't notice, but maybe she would keep it to herself. That's what other people at Midtown had done.
"First we need to measure the sugar. Grab that bag over there."
Baking wasn't much different than the usual cooking, though precision was way more important. Mrs. Vern chided her for her wandering mind and it was only by the wet ingredients Penny began to understand how the materials went together, though how Mrs. Vern knew to add less milk because of the lack of humidity was beyond her.
Penny stood in front of the stove in vigilance. Mrs. Vern commanded the kitchen bouncing between each counter; slicing bread and plating different fruits. She arranged everything in a way far to elaborate for a breakfast meal. The timer went off ringing in her face and Penny jumped up.
"They're ready!" She squeaked. Mrs. Vern chuckled. She grabbed the oven mitts and, with Penny watching over her shoulder, grabbed the pan out of the oven. Steaming hot buns wafted their delicious scent into the room. With her tongue sticking out, Penny picked up the spoon full of icing and brought it over the buns. Thick, white frosting drizzled over them, melting in with the cinnamon, cloves, and a touch of nutmeg. Her mouth watered at the sight.
The swinging doors burst open. Penny and Mrs. Vern froze holding the spoon with an additional scoop of frosting over the rolls. The former with a wince and the latter with a slight scowl. Mr. Friday straightened the lapels on his jacket and continued into the room. Penny noticed he was slightly breathless.
"Good morning Mrs. Vern, Miss Penny. We hadn't expected you to be up yet."
"You old worry wort. This here is a tough one, I can tell. I bet you were running around, stressing yourself trying to find her?" She said with a laugh and nudged Penny's shoulder.
Mr. Friday's left eye twitched but he didn't deny the accusation. The two razzed each other with good humor. Mr. Friday held onto his stoic demeanor despite Mrs. Vern threatening a ban of her fine cooking.
"Were you looking for me, Mr. Friday?" Penny intervened before they really started up. She slid the pan over to Mrs. Vern before climbing down from her stool.
"Indeed, Ms. Potts will be shortly. Come with me and I will show you to the breakfast room."
Penny pulled the stool back to the shelf and hefted it up. She heard Mrs. Vern talking in low, quick tones but felt uneasy eavesdropping.
She almost hadn't believed Ms. Potts would be back. That the woman's radiant smile was no more than the gleams of moonlight she reached for but could never touch in her dream.
Mrs. Vern beckoned her over. Penny glanced at Mr. Friday, who nodded that they had time before they had to leave. The woman wiped her hands off on a towel.
"Thank you, Mrs. Vern, for letting me help." She smiled down at Penny.
"Come back anytime, Penny. I can always use more help down here and you're better than most of the poor excuses for help plus you don't try and steal a bite as we're cooking." Mrs. Vern looked over Penny's shoulder to Mr. Friday. She had a hard time thinking the man would try and steal any goodies while cooking. Penny strained her neck to look back. His mustache twitched under the dual stare and she couldn't help the giggle that escaped her. It seemed he had some sticky fingers and not just from all the sugar.
"Come on, Miss Penny." He said and she thanked Mrs. Vern one more time before leaving the kitchen.
"I'll be taking the cinnamon rolls up soon so you won't have to wait!" She called after them.
Penny followed a step behind Mr. Friday. He glanced behind him and, noting she was struggling to keep up, slowed his walk so he was next to her.
"Did you really run around?" She asked to break the silence.
"I never run." He said with a smirk. "Mrs. Vern exaggerates."
Penny giggled. Their eyes met and both broke into a smile.
"It appears that Ms. Potts is already here," He said before they turned a corner. He opened the doors to let them into the room. Sure enough, Ms. Potts was sitting at the head of the table, a cup of tea raised to her mouth.
"How did you know?" She asked with a start bordering on a whine. There was a hint of admiration in her voice she hadn't expected. Mr. Friday just smirked and tapped his head. Penny was about to ask what that meant but Ms. Potts smiled as she spied them enter. Her earlier worry, the tight knot in her chest, eased as Ms. Potts spoke to her like there wasn't a worry in the world.
"Penny! Good morning. Come and have some breakfast."
"Thank you, Mr. Friday." She said to the butler who after placing some newspapers on the table left.
Hope you're all doing well. This story (and my others) are not abandoned just more slow going at the moment because of life.
Please let me know what you think. :) The comments mean the world to me.