Olive revealed Jennie's wedding dress with a flourish. "Oh my, what a beautiful gown!" Jennie shrieked with excitement. "It is absolutely perfect. I can't believe I'm marrying him! Isn't he just so handsome?!"

She continued to drone on and on about her perfect life and Olive nodded along to everything Jennie was saying. But she wasn't really listening. Why her and not me? she thought. I have a all the time job, are very, very pretty and smart, and can make myself a even more prettier dress. The truth was, she had always longed for a prince to sweep her off her feet and give her the fairytale life she had always dreamed of. And Jennie had all of that. Sir Henry wasn't a prince, but he certainly was handsome. But she most definitely was not going to say that all to Jennie. At least not yet.

Suddenly, Olive realized that Shirley was in the room, and was talking to Jennie. "I am very pleased that you have found a husband," Shirley was telling Jennie. "However, after the wedding I will be returning to London immediately to continue my schooling." A pause. "That dress is a bit much don't you think?"

Olive was shocked that Shirley would say such a thing. Of course it wasn't too much. If anything, it was too little.

"Of course not!" Jennie exclaimed. "It is the prettiest dress I have ever seen and I can't wait to try it on!" Shirley shook her head and left. "Wait!" Jennie called after her.

"I don't think she's coming back," Olive remarked. "But that's all right because she called your dress ugly."

"True," Jennie giggled. "She has no fashion sense, whatsoever."

Olive laughed with Jennie, happy she had made a friend. Maybe Jennie would have her make more clothes! Or maybe they would be best friends forever instead of that annoying Shirley girl. "Who did she think she was, walking around as if she owned the place?" Olive asked Jennie.

"I don't know. She can be pretty annoying sometimes. But the dress! I must try it on!"

Olive helped Jennie into the dress, secretly grinning because she was going to be best friends with Jennie.

Shirley shook her head as she left the room, muttering to herself, "Good luck with that dress." What was Jennie thinking? Didn't she want to finish her schooling? All she ever seemed to care about was marriage and flowers and Sir Henry. These were modern times. Times where girls studied and worked.

Jennie seemed so distant now. She never cared about the important things. Would she even care when Shirley left?

But I don't need friends, Shirley reminded herself sternly. All I need is my work.

Suddenly she was jarred out of her thoughts as she almost bumped into someone.

"So sorry," Berrymore apologized. "Some tea in your room shortly, Ms. Holmes?" he eagerly asked.

"No, thank you, Berrymore, I had some earlier today at breakfast. Could you please inform Perkins I will need him to drive me to the train station the day after the wedding. I would like the carriage ready at 8:00 in the morning."

"Why are you returning so quickly? You just arrived a week ago. It's only going to be the day after the wedding." Berrymore looked rather concerned.

Shirley sighed. "You know, things to do, people to see. What business is it of yours, Berrymore?" she snapped leaving Berrymore speechless. She moved around him and strode away angrily.

She didn't need friends.

Reviews are much appreciated.

-FlatFox