Chapter 7: The Rabbit & The Snake

18th July 1935, London

Martha had gathered all the children at Wool's in the old library for a quick meeting. Mrs Cole stood in the front looking over the herd of children while counting heads. She would often pause to check if a person was missing or not. She was quite particular about attendance to her meetings, no one was allowed to miss them, not even Tom.

When she was done with counting, she began her quick meeting. She went over the changes in meals, the state of the garden, how there would be now a vegetable garden to tend to among other things and more chores. The children held back their groans as Martha watched them with a soft smile on her face and a finger on her lips.

Seeing the time ticking away, Mrs Cole noted how the children were all sleepy. It was time to end the meeting. "To end on a lighter note, Martha." She motioned to Martha to take over and the younger woman sprang into action.

"Good afternoon everyone." Martha greeted the children. "The trip to the seaside is next week, Mrs Cole and I expect everyone to be on their best behaviour from now until the end of the trip. We'll be taking a train and then a couch—we hired for us to get to Brighton—"

Chatters of children interrupted Martha and she stopped talking, pursing her lips and clasping her hands together to wait for silence. "Quiet." Mrs Cole calmly commanded and a hush fell over the room like a blanket.

"As I was saying, that sort of behaviour will not be tolerated on the trip. We expect you all to have your eyes and ears open at all times and be on your best behaviour."

"For some of you, this is your first trip anywhere with us." Mrs Cole glanced over Tom, Cordelia and some of the newcomers and younger children. "And for some, it is not. We expect the older ones to guide the younger ones. Stick close to each other in small groups if you can. Do not wander off! We don't want to spend time looking for the lost ones."

"Wandering off would strike you off the list for any future trips—it's important you all listen to us."

Tom's eyes wandered around the small library, examining each corner. Almost everyone was far away from him—just what he wanted. He'd chosen his seat carefully, being sure to sit somewhere else compared to last time, not only for more quiet but also to not get involved in any petty childish fights like last time. After all, he had better things to worry about.

He glanced over at Cordelia, expecting her to be sat up straight and eagerly listening like last time. To his surprise, Cordelia looked tired with her head bowed and eyes shut.

Tom debated leaving her in that half-asleep state. It would be humorous if she were to get caught but she would most likely be given extra chores to make up for it. He couldn't keep her in his sight if she was caught up in something so menial.

Glancing down at his sleeve, Tom quietly called Eris. The little snake slithered out of his sleeve and moved towards the sleepy Cordelia. Eris nestled herself on Cordelia's lap and the girl jolted awake.

She made a face before looking up to glare at Tom who lightly grinned at her. "Not funny, Tom." She hissed.

"Then don't doze off." He murmured, commanding Eris to come back. "She has been droning on for a while but you know what'll happen if they catch you sleeping."

"I wasn't…yawn…sleeping." But her yawns betrayed just how tired she was.

The two were fortunate that they managed to find a seat in the corner by the window. Of course they were fortunate, Tom had quietly threatened most of the children away from that particular spot. Their unconditional fear of him was always helpful in getting what he wanted. Even Lucy was frightened of Tom. She decided to take a seat on the floor in front of the two. It was just how Tom liked it.

If fear failed him he could always steal what he wanted.

"I wasn't sleeping." Cordelia repeated, her eyes fluttering open and close.

Sunlight streamed in through the window above the two, blanketing Cordelia in its golden glow. Under the sunlight, Tom could see some pale dark circles under Cordelia's eyes. Her normally bright eyes appeared a little dull. Her chestnut hair had also lost its shine.

He frowned. To him, it appeared as if Cordelia hadn't slept for days. He wanted to ask her what happened but kindness was never one of his best traits.

"You look horrible." Said Tom, already wanting to bite his tongue for his remarks. "I almost mistook you for a goblin."

Cordelia tiredly glared at Tom before brushing off her fringe. She'd need a haircut soon, her hair always seemed to grow out quick. "Thank you Tom, what ever would I do without your remarks."

"I didn't lie." But he did. Cordelia was still pretty in his eyes, just tired. Tom just couldn't help himself with his comments. It was also funny seeing Cordelia's reactions—always amusing for him.

"I'm not taking someone who thinks snakes are friends."

Eris popped her head up and hissed at Cordelia as if she understood her. "Oh, look you've made her mad."

"Oh no. What will I do?" She said before snickering and shaking her head.

Tom couldn't help but smile but his smile was wiped off once he noticed Mrs Cole and Martha had grown silent. Yet neither of the two had called upon either him or Cordelia. Mrs Cole glanced nervously at the tired Cordelia and at him again, fidgeting with her hands.

"I'm sorry were we interrupting you two?" Mrs Cole questioned. She didn't stop fidgeting.

All the children turned around to look at them and Cordelia ducked her head under the window sill. Her face flushed pink with embarrassment as she avoided the questioning gaze of the old matron.

Tom didn't move, he spared a glance at Cordelia before answering to Martha. "Not at all."

Martha pursed her lips, she continued quickly before something odd happened again. It was no secret that odd misfortunes would befall on anyone who annoyed Tom. One of the many reasons why almost everyone tried their best to avoid the boy.

"Meals…meals." Martha stuttered out. "Meals, ah, yes. Breakfast will be an early one—four in the morning, no delays."

"Those who are delayed can take a bag from the kitchen with a jam sandwich and a single muffin." Mrs Cole added.

Amy raised her hand and Mrs Cole nodded in her direction. "What kind of jam? Is it orange again or are we having strawberry."

Mrs Cole sighed. "I don't know, whatever we've got in the pantry. You're more than welcome to find out if you choose to help." Amy sat back down and looked away. "Carrying on, Martha."

Martha as instructed took over again. "Lunch will be on the pier so I ask you all again to not wander too far away and keep an eye on any clocks you can find."

"Now thanks to the generosity of Dr Wool, you will all get a set amount of money to buy trinkets or whatnots." Robbie raised his hand, interrupting Mrs Cole. "Yes Robert."

Robbie kept his face blank when Mrs Cole called him by his birth name. The annoyed smile on his face said everything. "Are we all getting the same amount?"

"No, it would be silly to give you all the same amount. Is that all?" Robbie shook his head.

"Once again we ask you all to be mindful of each other and do not wander off alone." Everyone bobbed their heads in understanding. "Now that's all from me, Mrs Cole will end this meeting before dismissing you all. I do ask you all to remember that dinner is at seven and it's quarter past six now, so don't go to your rooms just yet."

Martha stepped aside and Mrs Cole took the lead once more. "Thank you Martha. Now, lastly I'd like to remind you all once again—"

A gasp interrupted the old matron and she clicked her tongue. "Mopsy's missing." Billy Stubbs stood up and cried.

All the children groaned. They all wanted the meeting to end and Billy's rabbit going missing was quite inconvenient for some, especially those like Lucy who had chores to tend to before dinner. "Why'd you bring your stupid rabbit down here?" Eric Whalley complained.

"Eric." Mrs Cole warned quietly before addressing the young boy. "Billy, you are aware that pets are not allowed in the library."

Between his sniffling and crying, Billy nodded. "...I thought I could take her outside when we were done."

"Alright." Martha clapped her hands together, trying to lighten the mood. "Why don't we find Mopsy—we'll discuss the rules later. Though you are in big trouble Billy."

Billy only cried harder.

"I bet Tom had something to do with it." Dennis loudly said but he acted as if he was whispering. His words sent a shockwave across the library and Tom could only sigh.

"I bet he did." Eric and Amy chimed in.

The situation was what Tom was trying to avoid.

In the end, it was the same. Billy lost sight of his stupid rabbit, everyone blamed Tom like always and Mrs Cole sent him upstairs without dinner. It wouldn't be the last time that damned rabbit got Tom into trouble.

Cordelia spared a glance towards the silent Tom who was gritting his teeth and holding back insults at those stupid children. Of course, Cordelia didn't really think much of it, she assumed Tom was upset and she wasn't the only one. Peggy and Robbie looked concerned as well.

Accusatory eyes were pointed at him, their faces blurred. He wasn't scared like he was the first time around. Back then, under their heavy gaze he lashed out and only worsened his reputation. He did childish things that he wished he didn't. Still their gazes were heavy back then. Not so much in the present, he had been through worse.

In the small crowd, he could only make out the distinct face of Cordelia bathed in the sunlight of the setting sun who stared at him in pity. She believed him. She always did, right to her own end.

"I didn't take…Billy's st–Mopsy. I didn't take him. I have no reason to." Tom defended himself, rising from his seat. In the midst of the commotion, Eris had slithered back into his sleeve. "Aren't you tired of always accusing me Bishop?" He stared down Dennis who despite being older by a year was shorter than him.

Dennis stumbled on his words. He didn't expect Tom to stand up for himself. "T-that's because you're a freak."

Tom's face scrunched up in anger as he glared at Dennis while holding himself back from injuring the boy beyond recognition. "Say that again Bishop."

"Dennis!" Martha tried to intervene but she was swiftly ignored.

"I said you're a little freak and Cordelia's just like you. I bet she helped you get that rabbit and you both threw it into the well out in the back."

Alarmed at the sudden mention of Cordelia, Eric grabbed Dennis' arm. Dennis shook him off. Amy snickered and pointed at Cordelia. Even though she had turned blue before, it didn't change her at all. "Look at her, hiding behind Tom."

"Leave her alone!" Lucy and Tom said at the same time. The two shared a look before looking away.

Cordelia rolled her eyes and came out from her hiding place. She was getting sick and tired of always being dragged into fights that she had no intention to take part in.

She didn't understand why Amy, Dennis and Eric loathed Tom so much and why they'd always drag her into their petty arguments. She didn't want anything to do with them.

"Nobody stole Billy's rabbit. I'm sure it just wandered off." Cordelia stated, eyeing the trembling Billy who hid away from her gaze. "Tom and I were sitting here all along and Billy was over there." She pointed to Billy's seat near the front. "I'm sure everyone would've noticed if we moved."

"She's right." Mrs Cole agreed.

She sighed loudly. The old matron was tired of the same old bickerings and too tired to intervene, she left it all up to Martha but even so, she still needed to step in at times in case the unruly children caused more trouble than they could afford.

"Cordelia and Tom were sitting in the corner furthest away from Billy. I don't understand what possessed either of you three to presume Tom or even Cordelia would do such a thing."

Dennis pointed at Tom's lap. "He has a snake. I bet his little pet ate Mopsy." Billy cried harder and started full on wailing hysterically at Dennis' words.

The children gasped and hurried to move away from Tom and Cordelia. Eris tried to hide while Tom tucked his sleeve away from the gazes of the other children. "Eris doesn't eat rabbits." Tom stated. He sounded more bored than angry as he eyed the exit.

"Eris? Look, he even named his little snake." Eric joined in, sparing a concerned glance at Cordelia.

"Actually Eric, I named it." Said Cordelia with a sweet smile as she watched the colour from his face drain.

"Y-you did?"

"I thought it was a pretty name."

"I-it is." Eric agreed. A light flush of pink started to cover his cheeks as he looked down and Tom glared at him. If looks could kill, Eric would be six feet under. "I-Is that your snake?"

"Maybe." Cordelia lied. "And you know I would never steal or hurt anyone."

"N-no, of course not."

"Good." She clapped her hands together. She could hear the quiet mutterings of the other children. Between their mutterings, she could hear the tides turn. It did pay off to have a good reputation at times even if it made her life dull. "We can all agree that Tom and I had nothing to do with Mopsy's disappearance."

"Then where's Mopsy?" Billy cried out, hugging himself. "Your snake ate Mopsy!"

Tom couldn't take it anymore. He went through great lengths to avoid this particular event yet despite his efforts it still happened. He was at his wits end whenever it came to Billy and his stupid rabbit.

He should've stolen that thing and thrown it into the well at the back or better yet hung it from the rafters like he did before. How he managed to stay calm, he didn't know. "Eris did no such thing." He refuted Billy's accusations again.

"Then whe-where is she?" The younger boy sobbed.

Mrs Cole let out a loud audible sigh. Oh how tired she was of these children, nobody would ever know. Well, almost nobody.

"For god's sake, Billy, be quiet!" The old matron hissed, trying to nurse her headache. "One more word from any of you and the trip to the seaside will be shelved immediately."

"You all heard Mrs Cole. Quieten down and we will find Mopsy then we can all have a little break before dinner." Martha nervously fidgeted in her spot. She cautiously eyed Tom, not trusting him at all. "Tom, are you sure your sn—"

"Eris." Tom corrected. "Her name is Eris and no, she didn't eat Mopsy. The rabbit would've gotten stuck in her throat—it would've been bad for everyone." There was the familiar quiet warning in his words which hadn't gone unmissed by anyone.

"He's right." Beatrice chimed in. She quietly assessed Tom's snake as it slithered around unaware of the situation. "That's a grass snake. They don't eat rabbits." Billy sniffed loudly and Beatrice rolled her eyes. "They tend to eat frogs, not rabbits and sometimes they eat ants and worms."

"There you all have it. Tom's sna–Eris didn't eat Mopsy." Martha clapped her hands together in joy.

The poor woman was really struggling to end the bitter argument and she wanted nothing more than to send all the children away. Only thing stopping her was the wailing of Billy.

"Then where is Mopsy?" Billy cried out.

"I don't know but we will find her."

"Tom's snake ate it!"

Tom glared at him and opened his mouth. He should've taken care of that damned rabbit when he first opened his eyes back in the past. That thing was nothing but trouble to him. He should've hanged it earlier than last time.

"You stu—"

"It's over there." Cordelia cut Tom off and pointed at the old moss green curtains behind Mrs Cole and Martha. "Look. It's chewing on the curtains." She added with a soft giggle.

Everyone turned around to see where Cordelia was pointing and sure enough, the missing rabbit was there underneath the tall ornate wooden window, chewing on the curtains. The black and white ball of fur blissfully chewed on as if it didn't have many eyes on it.

"No. No." Martha hurried over and pulled Mopsy off the curtains. "Bad rabbit. Bad rabbit. Billy, you should keep it in its pen."

Billy's sobbing gradually subsided as Martha handed him back his ball of fur. He hugged it close to face, nuzzling and patting it. "Oh Mopsy, I thought you were gone."

"I think you're missing something Billy and you three." Tom interrupted the sweet reunion with his monotone voice. He had eyes on him but he swiftly ignored them. "You four accused me and Cordelia of doing something we didn't. You owe us an apology."

Cordelia bit her lips and tugged at Tom's shirt. "Tom, it's okay."

"No, it's not. It really isn't." He snapped. He was tired of Cordelia always letting things go when really she shouldn't have. She was sometimes such a pushover. He understood her, he did but often he found himself wishing that she'd stand up for herself more. "Apologise to us."

"Tom is right." Mrs Cole clasped her hands together and nodded at Amy, Dennis and Eric to apologise. She ignored Billy, knowing he'd be the first to cave in without even some talking to. "You four apologise now or you're being excluded from the trip."

The three looked at each other before Eric took a step forward. "I'm sorry Cordelia."

"And Tom." Tom added.

"And Tom." Eric spat out.

"Sorry Tom and Cordelia." Amy and Dennis apologised halfheartedly.

Mrs Cole opened her mouth to chastise them but promptly changed her mind once her eyes caught the sight of clock against the wall. They were running late. Martha needed to leave to prepare dinner. "Alright that'll do for this afternoon. You're all dismissed. I'll see you all at dinner and stay on your best behaviour!"

"Yes, Mrs Cole." The children chorused and began to file out of the old library in disorderly fashion.

Typically, the old matron would chastise them about their disorder yet that particular afternoon, she seemed more tired than usual. Deep frowns on her face, her age was showing more than ever. Something was troubling her.

"Cordelia." The old matron called Cordelia as the young girl was about to step over the threshold of the library. "A word."

Martha shared a look with Cordelia. She shrugged and hurried out without a word to finish preparations for dinner.

Tom lingered behind Cordelia, part curious and part concerned. His lingering wasn't gone unmissed by Mrs Cole. "I asked Cordelia to stay behind, not you. You're dismissed, Tom."

He scowled and opened his mouth to speak but a glance at Cordelia, he reluctantly shut up and chose not to put up a fight. That didn't mean he'd leave easily. Without either Cordelia or Mrs Cole noticing, he let Eris slither out of his sleeve. Quietly, he commanded the little serpent to stay and watch over Cordelia.

Clasping her hands together, Cordelia watched Tom leave. It was too easy. He didn't put up an argument like he typically did. Something wasn't quite right. Before she could investigate, Mrs Cole called out to her.

"—About the dollhouse, I wanted to ask if you're really sure about keeping it in storage." Mrs Cole went on. She'd stop occasionally to exhale heavily as if she was having terrible breathing. "I remember you were quite fond of dollhouses and it was the only one we had."

The dollhouse, she'd nearly forgotten about that thing. It was true she liked dollhouses. They were fascinating things especially the particular one she was gifted but her nightmares had turned her away from them. "I…think I've outgrown dolls and dollhouses." She answered not so honestly.

"But you loved that dollhouse."

"And now I don't." Her fascination died overnight. She didn't even want to look at that thing anymore. "I don't want it."

"Very well, I had it stored in one of the spare rooms upstairs. Should you change your mind—"

"I won't. I don't want to see that thing again."

Mrs Cole stared at Cordelia for a moment, quietly assessing the small girl and wondering what changed her mind. Cordelia was someone who liked peculiar things yet now she said she didn't want to see the dollhouse ever again.

The old matron hummed quietly under her breath as she contempted different scenarios. "Very well."

The matter of the dollhouse ended just like that. "May I be dismissed?"

Mrs Cole nodded but she quickly changed her mind. "Wait."

Once again stopping Cordelia at the threshold. The young girl sighed. At this point, she wouldn't have a break before dinner.

"Cordelia." Mrs Cole only said her voice before she grew quiet.

Cordelia turned to see the old matron looking down with wide eyes, her hands fidgeting with each other. She was distracted.

"After his sickness, he hasn't been the same. He's not been the same. D-do you think Tom's changed? " She asked, her voice gradually growing quieter with each word. Cordelia had to strain her ears to hear her. "You two were not quite as close before but now…" She trailed off, paranoidly glancing at the door.

Cordelia stared at the paranoid old matron. If anyone didn't know, they'd think she was afraid of Tom.

"He's changed hasn't he?" The matron repeated. Her voice was still very quiet. "There's something about him. I'm sure you've noticed it too. He used to avoid you and it was you who used to be running after him but now…he's changed. Right? You think Tom's different?"

Cordelia hesitated to answer. The answer was clear to them all but she still hesitated. She didn't know why she couldn't say it outright, instead she said. It was like an invisible thread had sewed her mouth shut, she couldn't speak about Tom.

"I'd like to write a letter to my uncle."

Mrs Cole's face scrunched up and she tilted her head. "You sent one out already. I was aware that you only sent one letter per month."

"I want to send another." She asked, more forceful than before.

The two stared at each other for a while. It took her a while before Mrs Cole realised what Cordelia's answer was: Tom had changed. He wasn't the only one but the old matron held her tongue. She considered digging for more yet the thought of Cordelia's first appearance at Wool's clouded her mind.

Her bloody and tattered appearance. The lost, shell shocked look as if she had witnessed a battle and lived, something only soldiers on a battlefield had or witnesses of a battle.

Mrs Cole wanted to believe what Cordelia's uncle had told her. That Cordelia's family had died tragically in a tragic house fire or was it a car accident or maybe it was a robbery gone wrong.

She frowned. Perhaps her age was getting to her—her memories were all jumbled up. It was admittedly strange she couldn't remember the exact nature of Cordelia's family's passing.

"Mrs Cole." The old matron snapped out of her daze at the mention of her name. "Can I leave?"

"Eh, yes." How strange. Cordelia didn't seem phased by her paranoia as if she was used to it. "Cordelia…"

The old matron quietened when bright blue orbs stared at her dully as if she was an insignificant insect under its gaze. "Mrs Cole?"

"Nothing."

Cordelia tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled brightly before leaving the library without another word. Mrs Cole wouldn't know; Cordelia was distracted the entire time. Her focus was on the walls where a familiar snake attempted to become part of the wallpaper but there was a difference between painted vines and snakeskin.