So Far From I Expected

12

Mr Avital smoothed everything over with Mama and Papa. He told them he’d called me in to read to him and we’d got chatting. Why would Mama and Papa doubt him?

I fell asleep reliving the kisses Theodore and I had shared. How had he made me feel like that? The twins wriggled around beside me and for the first time in my life I had felt uncomfortable sharing a sleeping space with them. I climbed out of the blanket and dressed quickly to keep out the cold; I sat on the chair by the fire to doze off to sleep.

Papa was the first one up the next morning, I woke up to find him staring at me and holding Tommy. I reached up to take him out of Papa’s arms and cuddled him close. ‘We will talk later girl when your Mama is at Granny’s.’ He sounded different, not cross but not happy either.

He woke the twins and handed me Tommy’s milk. I fed him and watched the twins hurriedly dress and play with the puppies that were still half asleep.

I put Tommy in his basket and began to make the porridge whilst Mama dressed in the corner. The twins were heading to school today and Mama wanted to take Tommy with her to see Granny. I offered to help Papa but he shook his head and smiled, it was alright for me to help out when I was younger but not now.

Mama left with the three boys and Papa poured us another cup of tea. ‘Caireann, where were you really last night? Mr Avital’s lights were off otherwise I’d have knocked his door. I just want to know pet, is there a boy?’

I pursed my lips and smiled thinking that there’s no way anyone could call Theodore a boy. Papa smiled, ‘Tell me, come on.’

‘I was only wanting some comfort Papa; I went to the barn and was with the horses. Mr Desala turned up, he didn’t know I was there he only wanted to see the horses too. He told me he had grown up with horses and we got talking. I lost track of time that’s it. There’s no boy.’

Papa looked surprised at my answer. He was surprised I’d told him the truth I think. ‘Is this Mr Desala the boy then?’ My head shot up and I realised I had no words to come out. ‘It is, oh Caireann you didn’t do anything silly did you?’ Papa’s face was red and he was getting angry. I had never seen him like this.

‘No Papa, I’ I tried to respond but he raised his voice and shouted at me ‘No Caireann, you will not lie to me about this!’ he shouted.

I stood up, Papa had offended me, and even if Theodore had tried more than kissing me I wouldn’t have let him. I couldn’t believe Papa thought that way about me. ‘No Papa, I did nothing! He kissed me that is all. How could you even think I would be so stupid? I know I’m a poor girl with no prospects and he’s a rich man who’s only looking a fun time before he goes back to Junaath and settles down with a rich girl! I’m not stupid Papa.’

With that, barefoot and with tears streaming down my face I ran out the front door, I could feel the people in the village staring at me as I ran through the puddles of freezing water; I beat the door on Mr Avital’s cottage and fell into Theodore’s arms when the door opened.

He lifted me up and cradled me before setting me on a chair by the fire. Mr Avital poured me some hot tea and set to heating some water to clean my feet.

‘Why are you here so early?’ I asked through my tears, I didn’t expect him to have been there. ‘I wanted to know what the old man had to say, why he had helped you and maybe advise me as how I could win over your parents, to allow me to take you all to Junaath.’

‘He’s telling the truth Caireann, that’s what we are discussing before you fell through the door. But enough of that, why are you so upset, and for God’s sake child where are your boots? Do you have a death wish?’

Theodore placed the bucket, now filled with warm water under my feet; I was afraid to say why I was upset whilst he could hear. He looked at me so expectantly, his eyes wide and worried. He lifted my hand and squeezed it tight before removing his blazer and rolling up his sleeves.

‘Papa knows I wasn’t here last night, he thought I was out with one of the village boys. I think he was disappointed when I told him what had happened; he wanted it to be one of the boys. He thought I’d, well that I’d been irresponsible! With you! It only mattered that it was you! He didn’t care that I may have got myself in trouble, but that I’d been a stupid little Tynaian girl who let the rich Junaain have his way with her! I just can’t believe he would think so little of me!’

I wiped my tears and Mr Avital kissed the top of my head. He pulled on his coat and his hat; he lifted his stick and walked out the door into the cold. Theodore dried my feet with a cloth on the table and brushed my hair from my face. He washed my face with clean water and kissed my forehead, ‘I would never do that to you Caireann.’

I rested my head on his shoulder and he wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me so he sat on the chair and I was on his lap. We sat like that for a while before I began to wonder where Mr Avital gone.

No sooner had the thought entered my head when the door of the cottage opened. Mr Avital walked in with my boots under his arm and Papa behind him. I jumped off Theodore’s lap and tried to move away from him but he gripped my hand and wouldn’t let me go.

Papa’s face was like thunder, but he had red eyes like he had been crying. ‘Now Jonah, does this look like a man trying to take advantage of your daughter? He’s washed her feet and hugged her as she got over the tears you gave her.’

Papa ran his hand through his hair in an act of exasperation. I moved closer to Theodore and looked up at him, praying that he would say something to ease Papa’s mind.

He looked down at me and brushed my cheek with the back of his hand. ‘Mr Black, I love your daughter. I have loved her for years; ever since I laid eyes on her; she enchanted me. I would never do anything to hurt her and she most definitely is not a girl I would want to merely have my way with. She’s worth more than that. I could not degrade her in that manner. I love her.’

Mr Avital set my boots by the fire and sat down to warm himself; a knowing smile crossing his lips. Papa’s mouth had dropped open, as had mine.

Love? How could he love me? He didn’t even know me?

‘You love my daughter? My Caireann?’ Papa was shocked that Theodore felt that way too? Why was I angry with him? Even I knew it was ridiculous that Theodore loved me. I was feeling so confused.