Chapter 1
Ever since she could remember, Mary had always been an altruistic person. She never thought of herself, only the happiness of others. After all, what indeed would happen to her if she loved all the children, or people, she said goodbye to? And yet she did love, even though she did not realize the feeling.
No, no, she thought to herself, I've only known him as a friend, it simply couldn't be love. She laughed at herself. Silly Mary, you don't know what love is, you can't afford to fall in love. There's always a change in the wind and a new home to look after, no time at all to think of yourself nor settle down anywhere. It is my duty, my job to bring happiness to distressed families. But what of my own happiness? Oh don't be stupid, Mary, you are happy. Every time you see the smiling faces of those lovely children in the arms of their parents, every time you bring order and love to a household….
Yet…something definitely happened when she was twirling with him within that chalk painting. Yes there certainly was a fleeting feeling of….something. As if she didn't want to leave. Mary rearranged her shawls around her shoulders and scowled at herself. Oh don't you get sentimental on me now, Bert's only a friend, albeit a good friend. Nothing more, nothing less. She was almost disgusted at herself for allowing such emotion to creep into her thoughts. It will surely muddle her thinking, and we must have none of that.