Chapter 3

"Christine, do sit down my dear, I have something I wish to discuss with you" Madame Valerius said.

The young woman sat on the opposite side of the desk and leant forward ringing her hands. She was intrigued to have any 'news' never mind what the Matron called 'excellent news.'

"We have been visited by one of our benefactors and his associate today, Christine, and he has decided to help you progress from here. As you are 18 now, he felt you should be getting higher education! And before you say anything, he is more than willing to fund the whole thing!"

Christine's smile had been widening throughout the explanation until she erupted into rapturous joy. She leapt from her chair and ran around to kneel in front of her mother figure, clasping her hands.

"You are serious Madame? But why? I am nothing special, all I have known is taking care of the children, I wouldn't know what to do with myself at a university! And what about you, I can't leave you alone here. Who will help you?" Christine finished sadly.

Madame Valerius shook her head smiling.

"My dear, you have been all the help I need for the past decade, but now you must think about yourself for once. This opportunity is too great to pass up for my sake! It is all I would want for you, never mind your mother and father. Christine, you know they'd want this for you."

As the young girl began hugging the Madame, her eyes welled up and she began laughing again.

"Thank you Madame, thank you so much for this and everything you have done. But where is this mysterious benefactor, can I not meet him? I must say thank you, or he might think me rude!"

"This is part of the agreement Christine, you are not to meet him or know his real name. However, he expects a letter once a month, telling him how your studies are going, and how you are enjoying your time. Here is the address you are to send them to, and he asked me to give you his best for your future."

How odd, Christine thought.

"Very well Madame, as much I don't like it, I will have to thank him in my first letter then! I just cannot believe this luck, I must go tell all the children" Christine cried, kissing Madame Valerius' cheek before running down the hall.

"Christine! Christine, look, it's a Daddy Long Legs!" Young Albert cried as she skidded into the shared bedroom.

"What are you talking about little one?" Christine replied laughing.

"Look at the wall!"

And that she did. She could see the shadow of a man with the longest legs she had ever seen, with a shorter man beside him. She gasped as they briefly came into view to get into a car, and watched as they both drove off. That was the first time she had ever seen a car; no one owned one for miles from here!

I wonder, she thought, could that be my Guardian Angel?

Smiling, she held onto that image as she told her little siblings the news of her good fortune.

Erik leaned his head back and closed his eyes sighing.

"Why the hell did you let me do that?"

Nadir slowly turned his head to his companion, open-mouthed.

"Let you do it?! I didn't have much of a bloody choice now, did I? I don't know why you employ me if you're just going to start sending young waifs to the finest university in France! Did you check anything about her current learning before putting her on our best education scheme? No! Do you know the first thing about her? No! So don't you dare bring me into this, you insufferable twit."

Burying his head in his hands, Erik replied,

"Alright, fine, I suppose it was partly my fault. But now what am I going to do? Even if I start corresponding with her, I'm going to want to meet her, and if I meet her she will run away. I don't think I could handle that Nadir, she is too wonderful for me to see her screaming, at me no less."

The Persian watched his friend, struggle internally, and came up with the only possible thing.

"Then don't."

His head snapped up in disbelief, and Erik began shaking his head about to speak, before being interrupted.

"Listen Erik. All you specified was that she write to you, you never mentioned a correspondence. And before you say it, I know you will find it rude, but if you're so afraid of this girl, then it is your only option."

"I'm not afraid of her," Erik muttered, "just of how afraid she will be of me."

Rubbing his face he decided.

"Alright, fine, but I want you to keep the letters in a file so I don't see them. I will be too tempted to reply once I start reading her letters."

Nadir nodded, and pitied his friend. This was going to be difficult on all those involved.

A/N I am soo sorry this has taken so long, I have had a hectic week! I am going to try to get more chapters ready this week so I'm not in this situation again. As always, feel free to leave a comment :-)