Chapter Nine
As Scarlett descended from the train she was met by a most unpleasant sight. Mammy was standing on the platform looking absolutely murderous.
Scarlett had known, of course, that Mammy would be most upset with the fact that she had failed to appear in time for the morning train as previously planned. However she also knew that she could not very well have had Mammy trailing after her to Belle's saloon. Because of this she felt not the slightest trace of guilt at having lied to the old woman. After all, this was all being done for Tara.
"Miss Scarlett, where the devil you been? I was waiting for you down by that station, and yous never showed. Some surly white trash boy hustled me on dat train before I'd even had the chance to tells him whats I was doing and that I was waiting for you. And mighty miss he was an unpleasant one. So yous better let me knows right now why you put ole Mammy through all that, and it better be a mighty good reason.
Over the past few days Scarlett had developed a new confidence she never knew she could have possibly possessed. So it was without any of her usual fear that she confronted Mammy.
"Oh Mammy darling" exclaimed Scarlett, rushing over to embrace the old woman. "I'm so terribly sorry. I got caught up you see, and I completely lost track of the time. I felt simply awful when I discovered that I had missed my train. Please forgive me. Oh you will forgive me won't you Mammy dear?"
Scarlett looked up into Mammy's kind old face and knew that dealing with her was sometimes only too easy.
"Dats quite alright Miss Scarlett. Twasn't your fault anyhow. But tell me. What business has my lamb gone and gotten herself involved in?"
She had known that one would be coming, and so she was well prepared.
"I was just going about fixing up the tax money for Tara. Nothing special at all really. And it's sorted now anyway. I have the money and we're all safe and secure."
That was not entirely true and she knew it. Scarlett herself still had the ominous task of repaying her debt ahead of her. But there was too much on her mind to think about that right now, so she dismissed it with a slight shake of her head.
"Miss Scarlett, what you been up to? How in heaven did you get your hands on all that money?"
Trying desperately to forget that herself for the moment Scarlett felt it would be best to change the subject.
"Oh it was really no trouble at all Mammy. None at all. But it's far too chilly to be getting into it now. I don't know about you but I'm simply dying to get home. I'll tell you all you need to know after a good rest."
At this Scarlett clutched mammy's arm and began to lead her towards a carriage that would be able to take them as far as Tara.
The ride was long and bumpy. Lucky for Scarlett, Mammy appeared tired and did not attempt to make idle conversation. Scarlett was in no mood for chit chat. She was set on the task ahead of her, and dammed if she could think of anything else at present.
As the beloved house came into view Scarlett ran through the story she had been formulating for the duration o the trip one last time.
She had gone to Atlanta in order to get the tax money yes. She had managed to secure a loan form the bank granted she turn over some of the property she had inherited from Charles as the collateral.
Collateral. Hmm that just made her think of Rhett and the low down way he had attempted to make a fool out of her with his usage of the word. But no, knowing what it meant was to Scarlett's advantage. It made her story more plausible so she moved on.
She felt however that while she would love to remain at home she was duty bound to return to Atlanta as a nurse to aid the wounded soldiers. Melly would support her on that one. After all the town would require a lot to get it back on it's feet again, and so she felt it was only right that she played her part to help.
It is not necessary, of course, that any of the others accompanied her. They had only recently recovered from their sickness it was true, and so they needed their rest. And besides someone would have to remain at home and care for Tara.
She would return to Atlanta the next day and, of course, be residing with Aunt Pitty.
Scarlett felt no fear that this portion of her story would be uncovered as a lie. Mail had grown form being disgracefully slack to non-existent so any contact with Aunt Pitty would be impossible.
She would feel better however if Wade were to remain at Tara for the time being. A dangerous city recovering from war was no place for a little boy.
Besides, where the devil would I put him?
She would give the money over to the care of Suellen. Who would then in turn hand it over when the tax collector came.
As much as it pained her to admit it, Suellen was, remarkably, the most responsible member of the household now, given the state pa was in. And placing it under the care of Ashley was unthinkable. Not only was she frightened he would interrogate her, but she also felt, that for some reason she couldn't quite put her finger on, she was really in no mood to spend any particular length of time in the immediate vicinity of him.
Her return to Tara was as of yet uncertain, but she didn't think she would be gone much longer than a month, two at the most.
Dear Lord, how long would this take? $300 was a lot of money, and it would be no mean feat to repay it. Scarlett wondered briefly if she would be able to handle two months of such shameless work. Her conscience, well trained by her mother and mammy over the years, still kept coming up every now and then.
'Well I'll just have to cope.'
Scarlett thought with a lift of her chin and an air of resolve.
'I've given my word now, and damned if I'll let Belle Watling, or anyone else for that matter, think that Scarlett O'Hara doesn't keep her word.
Well satisfied that her tale was flawless Scarlett stepped down from the buggy unaided. Paid the driver, felt in the pocket of her coat to be certain once again that the money was still there. And turned towards the house, well prepared to face the jury.
Well that's it for this chapter. Sorry if it's a bit short or doesn't seem to be heading anywhere. You must trust me that it is. I'm right in the middle of my end of year exams so I'm squashing my writing in between my study timetable. Hope you liked it. Please review. And the next part should be up soon.