"I'm glad you like it here! We could be just like sisters! But you may want to be careful with Daddy…he's quite strict when it comes to courtesy…not like you'd have a problem with that!" beamed Bet unloading the groceries into cupboards.
"Thanks. When does he come home usually?" Nancy assisted her friend.
"Tonight. But before he meets you, Mummy will take you into town to buy you a lovely new dress!"
"Really? I would really like that!"
And so, that afternoon, Elizabeth, Nancy and Bet went into town together, browsing shops and windows for the perfect dress for her.
"Mummy! Look at this one! It's gorgeous!" cried Bet, pointing to an indeed beautiful dress. Nancy stared at it in awe. The top was a red wine colour and the bottom was patchwork with flowers and butterflies.
"It's wonderful! Do you like it Nance?" exclaimed Elizabeth.
"Yes…I think it's beautiful,"
The girls skipped inside to get a better look at the dress. Nancy tried it on and it fit perfectly. Elizabeth bought it and they wandered home.
That evening when Bernard, Bet's father, returned home, the little girls were playing joyfully with Bet's pristine dollhouse. Bernard lurked in the doorway, observing his daughter and the strange girl.
"'Ello Bet! Don't greet yer father, why don't yer?" he said at last.
Bet turned round and ran up to him. "Sorry Daddy! I neva noticed you was back!"
"Who's the girl?"
"Oh! This is Nancy, Daddy!" Bet helped Nancy to her feet. "She's stayin' wiv us!"
Bernard glared at Nancy who was feeling very nervous, her heart thumping wildly with a mind of its own.
"Is she now? I don't think so, we don't take filthy bloody orphans into our family!" he grabbed Nancy and lifted her off the ground. She quivered and whimpered and began to cry.
"She's a bloody rat! That's wot she is!"
He opened the door and put Nancy down outside. "Don't you dare come back to us, ye 'ear? You bloody scoudrel!"
He slammed shut the door and Nancy crouched against the door, cold and crying. She listened to the shouting of Bernard and Elizabeth, Bet piping in every so often. It was useless. Nancy knew she wasn't welcome anywhere. Bernard was right, she was a filthy orphan. She wandered down the lonely streets, not knowing where she was going. Her heart ached in pain. Nobody loved her now both her mother and father were gone. Eventually, Nancy stopped at a field and cried her eyes out.
"Mummy, Daddy, please come back! I miss you!" she cried. As it turned late, Nancy began so exhausted she cried to sleep.
When she woke the next morning, her cheeks were stinging from her tears. She was lost. She didn't know where she was to go! Then, she decided to try and find The Three Cripples Bar and maybe get something to eat there. After twenty minutes of walking along a deserted road she at last discovered the bar. She was greeted by a few smiles. She spotted Penny, the barmaid and waved to her.
"'Ello Nance! Wot ye doin' 'ere all by ye' 'self?"
"Mummy's gone…I was takin' in by Mummy's friend but the man there didn't want me!" explained Nancy.
"Aww! Ye' poor soul! Come on I'll gie ye' some breakfast eh?"
Penny led Nancy to the bench which looked over the bar area.
"I'll make ye some bacon an' eggs eh? Perk ye up a bit!"
"Thank-you Penny!"
Penny returned a few minutes later with a plate of bacon and eggs. As Nancy ate she wondered what Bet was doing…if she was missing her as much as she missed her!
Indeed Bet was missing her badly. After the long-term shouting and arguing she had stormed to her room, upset and lonely. She had locked the door and stared hopefully out the window, hoping for a glance of a small golden-haired girl yet she saw nothing. She feared she would never see her kind friend again…
Nancy had finished her breakfast and felt very full.
"You wanna stay the night at ma p;ace, ma dear? You're very welcome!" Penny suggested.
"Yes please!" Nancy smiled. But inside she too also feared she'd never see Bet again.
Penny told the barmen she'd be back soon and took Nancy to a small cottage nearby. It was cosy and welcoming inside and Nancy was in awe with its beauty. She was led to a spare bedroom with a comfy bed, table, bookcase and a cupboard.
"This is were you'll sleep, Nance. Hope its alright for ye!" Penny said
"Yes it's fine thanks!"
"Now I 'av to go back to the bar are ye ok on yer own?"
"Yes I'll be ok!"
"Good! I'm only workin' for another hour should be back soon! If ye need me ye know wer I am!"
Nancy sat at the window seat and gazed out at the gorgeous view. The faraway hills looked so green and lush, the sun was shining gloriously and everything was at peace. The surrounding fields were like a patchwork blanket. She spent most of her time indulged in a book about ducklings which she had found in the crammed bookcase until Penny arrived home half an hour later than expected. But Nancy didn't care because what Penny had brought back was marvellous! Penny had gone into town and bought her two lovely new frocks, matching shoes and a small dollhouse.
"Thank-you so much Penny!"