"Darling, please come back. Charlotte……." Cora stood in the doorway watching her youngest daughter walk away. "Charlotte!" She tried again.

But the girl walked on, the rain didn't bother her, she wasn't going back. If she couldn't be herself, she didn't want to be there.

"Mama?" A soft voice said. "You will catch a cold this way. Charlotte will come back." It was Sybil, Charlotte's twin sister, who tugged softly on her arm.

Cora closed the door with a deep sigh. "I don't know darling. Charlotte is really upset."

"I will go after her." Sybil said.

"Thank you darling." Cora cupped Sybil's cheek.

Returning in the living room, Robert was standing with his face to the fireplace.

"Is this what you wanted?" Cora asked.

"She will come back." Robert didn't turn around. "She dropped a bomb and expects us to be cheerful for her?"

"It is her life, she is a grown woman, who can make her own decisions."

"18! Isn't a grown woman. She may be an adult legally, but in this household she isn't!" Robert turned around. "I will go to bed! Goodnight." He stormed passed Cora.

When Cora got into bed, Robert was facing the other direction. Cora knew he wasn't sleeping, but she decided not to stir. She felt a knot in her stomach. Sybil and Charlotte didn't come home yet.Where could they be. She thought. Finally, she fell in a restless sleep.


When Cora woke up, Robert was still asleep. She got out of bed and checked Sybil's room. She was fast asleep, Mary and Edith were also in their rooms. Cora opened Charlotte's room and found her in her bed. She let out a deep sigh of relief. She walked over and sat on her bed. Cora stroked her hair. It was still wet.

Charlotte turned around and looked her mother in her eyes. "Mum?" Her voice full of tears.

"Sssst." Cora kissed her forehead. "I am glad you are back home."

"Is dad still mad at me?"

"I can't tell you darling. But knowing your father, I guess he is."

"Are you mad?" Charlotte sat up.

"I was angry that you left the house last night, but no, I am not mad. If this makes you happy, then it is alright."

"I really like Kieran. I want to spend my life with hm. But Papa doesn't see it."

"Your father loves you very much." Cora started.

Charlotte lowered her eyes.

Cora took Charlotte by her shoulders. "Never let me or your father, decide for you what makes you happy."

"Thank you, mum." Charlotte said leaning into Cora's shoulder.

"Now it is time for me to make breakfast. Your father will be up soon for work."


"Good morning, Mama." Mary stepped into the kitchen.

Cora gave her eldest daughter a warm smile. "Is Edith up already?" She asked her.

"How should I know." Was the short answer of Mary.

"You girls share a bathroom, so you could have seen her already." Cora said in a soft voice. She knew to be careful with her words.

"Her being awake or not, doesn't change anything for me. So no, I don't know if she is up."

Cora sighed. Mary and Edith had a strange relationship. Some days they were nice to each other, but most of the times they were at each other's throats).

Sybil walked into the kitchen, followed by Charlotte and Edith.

"You have decided to come back home?" Mary sneered at Charlotte, who instantly stepped back.

"Girls, it is too early to fight. Please sit down and eat your breakfast." Cora directed her daughters.

Robert walked in, grabbed some toast, gave the girls a kiss on the head and left. "I will be on time for dinner." Were his words before leaving the kitchen.

The four girls looked at Cora, stunned. This was the first time, they saw their dad leaving without kissing their mother. Cora noticed them staring.

"We will talk tonight. Your dad is just busy." Cora tried to make it less important, that he didn't kiss her, deep inside, it was as if he put a dagger in her heart. They needed to talk about what happened last night. Charlotte's news had hit like lightning.


Cora had made Robert's favourite dish, Beef Wellington. Robert came home on time as promised. But during dinner there was an awkward silence.

"Are you really moving in with Kieran?" Edith asked Charlotte.

Cora gave a quick look at Robert. But he was focusing on his plate. He sat up straight, stiff as a board, but clearly determined not to react.

All four girls chatted about Charlotte's plans. While Cora and Robert were avoiding each others gaze. Once the girls left the kitchen Cora started.

"Is it really that awful if Charlotte wants to live with Kieran?"

"Why aren't you against it. She is only 18. He is a car mechanic, what can he offer her? How long are they seeing each other?"

Cora took in a deep breath. "We cannot stop her, from loving Kieran. The more we are against it. The more she will run to him. And what is wrong with a car mechanic? Tom is one too?"

"Tom has shown his face here more often and Sybil isn't running away with him. She is clearly the more sensible one of our twins."

Cora stared at Robert. He could be so stubborn and hard-headed. He was scaring Charlotte away and especially Kieran. This way he would never come, and show his face. "Robert, you need to stop this. Charlotte loves you very much and would never want to hurt you."

"She is bloody doing that!" Robert stood up and stormed out of the kitchen.

Cora started cleaning the kitchen, when Charlotte walked back in. "Dad isn't going to accept Kieran? Is he?" She asked.

Cora took her hands. "You father needs time. He will come around. Have some trust in you father darling."

"I can't wait for Papa." Charlotte said very softly.

"Charlotte? What do you mean?" Cora asked with a scared voice.

"I am not going to wait for Papa to finally accept me and Kieran." Charlotte pulled her hands back and walked back to her room.Leaving Cora stunned and scared.