Part 6- Victoria Alone

Part 6- Victoria Alone

She could not have been more wrong. Behind them, standing alone under the shadowy sky, something was shattering with force of an earthquake, yet the silence of a grave. Trembling like a leaf, Victoria stood weeping as her heart broke. It all fitted. No wonder Misto hadn't said where he was going-he had gone alone to see Demeter! No wonder he hadn't said where he was going-he didn't love her any more!

The reason for his silence at Munkustrap's announcement; his horror at his lover's betrothal! He had held Demeter, kissed Demeter; she had seen it with her own eyes! And could she blame him for what he had done? She stared down into a puddle of the recently-fallen rain, below the clouds that threatened more. Her miserable, pinched reflection stared up at her. In it, she saw none of the beauty, none of the allure that had won Misto's heart, only the qualities she felt she lacked. She didn't have Demeter's style…she wasn't as mysterious…she didn't…

All alone, she dragged a paw through the water, and blurred her reflection in the cold puddle. Then anger swelled inside her; how dare Demeter betray her fiancé? How dare she? She fell onto her side, unable to care about how she looked or where her body came to rest. Her sleepness night caught up on her with a fierce, foreboding tread, heightening her misery and weakness in one fell swoop. She hadn't eaten, and she didn't care. All at once, she felt despondent. She had been a fool not to see this coming. An utter fool….

"No," she told herself briskly. "I have to say calm, there must be a reasonable explanation." Somehow she didn't believe her own words. Either way, she had to get through to Misto, and tell him that…

She still couldn't believe it herself. A warm thrill of excitement ran through her, almost enough to stop her crying.

The large grey cloud hanging heavily over the Junkyard suddenly split with a rumble of thunder, raining hard. Instantly drenched, Victoria hurried towards shelter on the far side of the cooker, where Demeter lay. As she ran, she spotted Bombalurina leaving the cooker, walking with The Tugger. Her heart sank as she realised Demeter and Misto were alone together, and from the looks of it, Bombalurina wasn't too happy about something either. The red queen and leopard tom were holding paws, but as they reached the tyre, Bom threw off his hand, and shouted angrily at him.

"For the last time, Demeter is NOT having second thoughts!" The Tugger shrugged.

"Okay. Okay. Whatever. But then, Bom, why did she go all white and faint like that when Munk proposed?"

Bom's eyes narrowed.

"What are you trying to say, Tugger? That Demeter doesn't love Munkustrap? That she's being unfaithful?" Tugger shrugged again.

"You said it, babe, not me." He muttered, shivering in the downpour.

"But it's what you're thinking, isn't it?" she screeched.

"Maybe." Tugger said sulkily. Bom rolled her eyes to the Heavyside, and went categorically mad.

"I am so SICK of you!" she yelled. "You're childish, stupid-I betcha think she's making out with Misto in there RIGHT NOW!" Eavesdropping, Victoria felt sick. Tugger did not respond, just stared moodily at the ground.

"You do think that, don't you? Don't you?" Tugger began to storm off angrily. Bom stamped her foot and flounced off into the rain.

Victoria half crawled, half staggered out from her hiding place, blinded by tears, and feeling sick to her stomach. She was grey and white with pain, and her hands shook on her abdomen. Oh. She had to get out…or maybe she could stay, pretend things were all right. Oh. She had to talk to Misto. She slid to the ground, and stared blankly up at the sky. Her shoulders heaved with painful sobs, pain replaced by a terrible numbness. Suddenly, she heard a voice.

"Viccy? Victoria, are you all right?" Munkustrap! With a high-pitched squawk, she turned and threw her arms around his knees. Clinging like a limpet, she looked up to see worry on his face, and broke away.

"Sorry-sorry, I'm fine." Her voice sounded disengaged as her body went onto automatic pilot. How dare Demeter hurt him? How could anyone hurt him? I love him so, oh Munk, I want to tell you, but I can't be the one to break your heart. He bent down and gently helped her up.

"Are you all right?" He repeated. She nodded absently.

"Just felt… a bit faint." He frowned, and seemed about to march her off to Jenny for inspection. She had to avoid that at all costs. Skimbleshanks might be there, and he would finish her off. "I'm fine. Really." She managed a smile. Munkustrap appeared satisfied.

"We can't have you ill for the wedding, Viccy. I-we would love you to be an Attendant." Viccy's stomach gave another lurch. Attendant. To that tramp. Hate flooded her heart, a new and violent emotion. Somehow she forced her mouth to accept, but her mind was racing. She had to do something-escape! Her eyes went to the Junkyard walls, and she felt a pang of desperation, then of certainty. Her eyes flickered back to her uncle. Goodbye, Munkustrap.

"Be happy," she murmured to him, stroking his arm tenderly. He enfolded her in his arms, leading her into the shelter of a pipe.

"I am," he assured her emphatically. "So, when are we going to see you and Misto married?" Another wave of despair flooded her. At the mention of his name, her whole body hurt.

"Oh, I don't know…" she tried to sound casual, but her voice seemed tense and squawky; surely Munkustrap must notice? But he was too starry eyed to see.

"I better go and check on Demeter, are you coming?" Victoria shook her head, in her imagination already planning her escape.

"No. Misto's in there," she blurted suddenly, but her heart sank.. Munkustrap couldn't tell what was wrong. He smiled, and the happiness in his eyes made her hurt even more.

"Alright. I'll send him out to you." He kissed her cheek briefly. "Are you sure you're alright? Good. Bye-" he turned back momentarily. "And Viccy," he added, "don't stay out in the rain too long." A reply was impossible, so she nodded with a weak smile that at any other moment would have brought him racing to her side in fear. Instead, he disappeared. She felt something akin to relief… now at least she could cry. Tears falling freely, she began to run towards Jennyanydot's home in the Car, her usual sanctuary. Then, she stopped, and with horrific deliberation, turned. No. That avenue of relief was not open to her now. But, she would have to visit it one last time. Straightening up, she walked in an almost business-like manner towards the Car, her face and eyes devoid of emotion. Silently, she crawled in, making for the passages into the Inner Wall of the Junkpile, the labyrinth network of passages constructed from the larger pieces of Junk. She could hear Electra and Etcetera giggling. Above her Jemima was singing in her den. For a second, she stood still and drank the familiar sounds in. The moment was long, and when she moved again, her eyes were tearful. That moment, she knew, would have to last her the rest of her life. However long she intended to live, that was.