Downstairs the children were wondering where their parents had got to as they were a bit hungry and wanted to hear all the stories from their honeymoon. Liesl, although a tiny bit naïve, had an idea what was taking them so long but suggested that she would go and look for them.
"I have an idea. I will go and look for them and you can all go and help Frau Schmidt with dinner"
The 6 remaining children ran to the kitchen whilst Liesl quietly went to her parents' bedroom. She was about to knock when she heard laughing from inside so decided to leave them alone. When she returned downstairs her brothers and sisters were happily making sandwiches so she decided to help.
"Liesl are mother and father coming down for sandwiches?"
"Er no Gretel they are fast asleep, the plane journey must have been tiring"
Liesl had to think on her feet when explaining to her siblings why their parents wouldn't be joining them for dinner.
"Well I'm going to go and wake them up"
Frau Schmidt quickly put her arm around the little one to stop her running as she knew what Liesl meant.
"I think that they would appreciate it more Gretel if you let them rest. Don't worry; they will come down when they are ready"
Liesl mouthed a "thank you" to Frau Schmidt for helping her out. Frau Schmidt mouthed "your welcome" back to her.
The 7
siblings and Frau Schmidt ate their dinner on the terrace and when
the children had eaten enough they went and sunbathed on the grass.
Liesl had stayed at the table relaxing in her chair and Frau Schmidt
returned to the kitchen.
Georg and Maria both showered and went
downstairs to join the rest of the family.
"Hello my little Liesl how are you on this brilliant day?"
He hugged his daughter and kissed her cheek.
"I'm absolutely fine Father. I think the others want you to tell them your stories from your honeymoon"
Georg walked over to the patch of grass the children were lying on and Maria sat next to Liesl.
"Mother?"
Liesl gave a little smile when calling Maria this.
"Yes darling"
Liesl leaned into Maria as if to whisper her something and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"That's to say thank you"
"Whatever for sweetheart"
"For making my Daddy happy and making this place a proper home again. We all love you very much and we wouldn't know what to do without you"
This was the 1st time Maria had heard 1 of the children refer to Georg as Daddy. Father yes but not Daddy. What Liesl had just said to her touched her heart. It made her feel wanted for the 1st time in her life. A little tear ran down her cheek.
"Thank you Liesl. That was the nicest thing you've ever said to me. See I was right all along"
"What do you mean?"
"You did need a governess after all"
