Hi everyone, hope you're enjoying the new story. I've had someone say that the story says unavailable to read? If you're able to read this, please could you let me know? If not I'll try and delete and re publish it next week :) x
Rose woke up the following morning, she was almost scared to go in to Tilly's bedroom to get her up for the day, knowing Cal wouldn't approve, but she had a gala that evening and would miss putting putting Tilly to bed, so this was only opportunity to see her. She got out of bed and wrapped herself in her dressing gown over her pyjamas and headed for Tilly's room, which was right beside hers.
She opened the door to find Tilly's nanny - Anna Jones - platting Tilly's hair. She sighed quietly to herself, disappointed to have missed waking her up. "Mummy!" Tilly grinned as she ran to Rose "good morning!" She smiled and picked her up. "Sorry Anna" Rose gave her a guilty smile "you ran off as Anna was platting your hair Missy" Rose kissed her temple "sorry Anna…" Tilly also gave her a guilty smile "don't apologise darling… I can just do it again when you're done with Mummy" Anna gave a genuine smile. Rose hated that she didn't get to spend all her time with Tilly, she was the only person that kept her spirits up, but she was incredibly grateful that she had a Nanny as wonderful as Anna. She always knew that Tilly was safe and happy with her, which was much more than she was when she was Tilly's age with her own Nanny.
"Can we play in the garden again today, Mummy?" Tilly looked up at Rose will hopeful eyes "I'm sorry baby, I have a lot to do today" Rose lied, she didn't have much to do at all, but she knew Cal would be angry with the 2 of them if Rose spent more time with Tilly after their words yesterday. "Oh… OK… will you read me my bedtime story tonight then?" She asked. Rose sighed, hating Cal for creating these rules "I'm sorry darling, I have a gala tonight" "that's not fair" Tilly said, tears in her eyes "I know sweetheart.. but, Anna will put you to bed, and she's much better at doing the voices anyway!" She smiled, trying to lift Tilly's spirits. Tilly just nodded a little before they were interrupted "sorry Mrs Hockley, Mr Hockley has requested that you join him for breakfast in 15 minutes" the housekeeper said with a warm smile. The staff were never anything but kind to Rose. Cal intimidated them, but Rose had never been anything but kind to them, so they always felt comfortable around her. The only exception was Mrs Lucas, the cook, who was always rude and harsh to Rose.
Rose sighed "would he like Matilda in attendance also?" She asked "he didn't say, so I'm assuming not" Rose was actually a little relieved, she knew how tense and frightened Tilly was around Cal, so she was glad that she would be having breakfast with Anna. "I best go and get ready baby" she said to Tilly, resting her forehead against hers. Tilly sighed "OK Mummy… will I see you before you go out tonight?" She asked sadly "of course you will! I need help choosing between a few dresses for this evening, and who better to help than my little fashionista?!" She smiled at Tilly who gasped "thank you!" Rose put Tilly on the ground after kissing her head "I'll see you later, OK? You have a good day with Anna, make sure you're good" "I will" Tilly nodded "good" Rose smiled and left the room.
Once Rose had gotten ready, she went down in to the dining room where Cal was sat reading the morning paper "you're late" he said sternly, not looking up at the paper. , causing Rose to look at the clock "by 45 seconds, Cal…" "that's still late in my book" he looked up at her sternly "well, my apologies" she forced a smile.
"I expect you to not spend as much time with Matilda today, do I make myself clear?" He said firmly "yes darling" she sighed quietly to herself "she's with Miss Jones… however, I still don't see why you won't allow me to spend time with her" she said confused.
"It is not a woman's job to raise her own off spring, it is the nannies, and you will respect my views on that, do you understand?!" He almost shouted so she just nodded in response "yes dear…" she said. Frightened, she chose not to put up a fight.
"Are you ready for the gala this evening?" He asked, changing the subject from their daughter "yes" she lied with a nod, really having no dress picked out. "Good, I must get to the office, I'll be back here for 6 and we will leave for the gala at 6.30 sharp, ensure that you are ready, and fill your time with something other than your daughter today" "yes dear" she nodded, annoyed once again that he still only saw Tilly as her daughter, pretending he had no relation to her. What annoyed her more was that she knew if Matilda had been a boy, his attitude would be so different.
He pecked her cheek as he left the room, making Rose's stomach turn. She sighed to herself and headed to the library in the house, thinking of ways to fill her day.