Prison Games

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Sophia rolled her eyes, causing Papa to chuckle to himself. They stepped through the door into a large warm kitchen. Sophia was amazed at the size of it. The whole of their little cottage could fit in this room alone. The aroma of bread baking made her mouth water. At one end of the room were large windows and a table full of flour and bowls. "Flour fairies" danced in the sunshine pouring through. the windows. A plump woman in a neatly pressed dress and crisp apron stood by the stove. She turned to see who was invading her kitchen and broke into a big grin. "Well, look who's here. Mr. Brady, is this the wee girl you've been braggin' on?"

Sophia shyly smiled at the woman. "This be my Sophia," her father said with pride. "She's here to work with Miss Tess. Is Lord Wilson here or out riding the grounds?"

Wiping her hands on her apron the woman went to retrieve two cups from the

cupboard. "Sit, Mr. Brady, and have a cup of tea. Aye, Lord Wilson is out riding and

Lady Wilson is resting, so you have a few minutes. Come, Sophia, have some milk and a

warm slice of bread with jam."

Papa led Sophia to the table. "Sophia, this is Miss Maggie Gray. She's the best cook in

the county." Sophia curtsied.

"Why, what a perfectly fine little lady you are. I can see why your papa would be so proud. Now, Sophia, you can call me Maggie. Come sit and rest yourself."

Sophia liked her immediately. She seemed kind and was squishy looking like Gran. Her face was smooth and her cheeks rosy. When she smiled, which was a lot, her nose turned up a little, and she smelled good. Suddenly a loud voice came from the next room. "I don't have to listen to you. You

aren't

my mother!" "Oh-oh," Maggie whispered, "brace yourselves. "Tis the shrew coming."

With that, the kitchen door flew open. In stepped one of the prettiest girls Sophia had ever seen. I was right, thought Katic. There is a princess living here. The girl stopped dead in her tracks, staring at Sophia. "Who are you, and why are you eating my father's food?" she bellowed.

Sophia, with a bite of bread half in her mouth, froze. Lowering it to the plate, she turned to look at Papa. "I invited Mr. Brady and his daughter, Sophia, to sit a spell," Maggie said, struggling

to sound cordial. "She is your new companion, Miss Tess."

"I wasn't talking to you, Maggie. Can't she speak for herself?" the girl snapped. "And, Maggie, she's not my companion; she's my servant." "Now, Tess, ladies don't speak that way," corrected a very plain-looking woman who stood behind Tess.

The girl's ringlets bounced as she pivoted to glare at the woman. With great flare, Tess stalked through the door she had come from. That was the first meeting Sophia had with her new-at least she had hoped best friend. Disappointment flooded her heart. as she realized the pretty girl wasn't going to be all that easy to like. She had no doubts now; she didn't want to stay. It had never entered her mind that any princess living in such a grand castle would be mean. Sophia decided the princess wasn't all that pretty

after all.

"I apologize for our young lady," stated the plain woman. "She is quite high spirited, and of course that's to be expected. It's just sometimes she seems to forget herself. Let me introduce myself. I am Miss Simms, the governess. I have been looking forward to ing you, Sophia."

Sophia wasn't sure what to say but managed. "Thank you." "I must attend to Miss Tess, but as soon as you are finished with your milk, Maggie can bring you upstairs to properly meet your new mistress." Miss Simms nodded, then went out the kitchen door.

Sophia couldn't help but think how the woman looked like she had swallowed a

lemon whole after chewing on it awhile. All the excitement that had been building was

gone, replaced with uncertainty.

"Don't you worry yourself," Maggie cooed, "you'll be fine. You won't be alone here. I'll be here, and so will your papa." Pouring more tea, Maggie turned her attention to Papa. "Miss Simms is new here, too. It was decided that Tess would stay home from school, so a governess was hired. I suspect the school decided that." Papa nodded in understanding.

Sophia couldn't finish her treat of bread and jam. She couldn't swallow the lump in her throat, let alone food. Tears threatened as her disappointment grew, but Papa and Gran had been so excited. She could never disappoint them.... Sophia's thoughts crashed back to the present and the gaol. What if she had never

stepped foor in the Brick House or met Tess? What if she had stayed home with Gran? Yet what good did it do to wonder what if? Despair wrapped her like a heavy cloak. Her life was now a never-ending nightmare. How could she ever feel safe again? Never again would she feel the security of someone taking care of her. Her beloved family was gone now. She was truly on her own...in the pit of hell.

Mary excitedly whispered to Sophia, "Come, or it all be gone." Sophia went to jump up, but her body screamed its objection. Sitting and sleeping on the cold dank floor had stiffened her body. She was about to complain to Mary but bit her tongue. If Mary, the old man across the cell, and the two wee ones didn't complain, she wouldn't either.

By the time she got to her feet a crowd was already at the gate to get their meager portions. She doubted there would be anything left, but she had to try for the children. They were so thin. Just then she heard a deep voice.

"Get away; let me through!" It was the big man. The group of people parted out of his way. Sophia felt disappointment. For some reason she had expected better of him, but what did she know about him? Maybe he has motives of his own. Maybe....

Before she could finish her thought, the big man handed her a wooden bowl. It was full of gruel, and there was a slice of bread as well. "For you and the little ones," he said. Then he turned to get food for the old man and the women. After they had their share, he went back for himself.

Sophia noticed his bowl wasn't nearly as full as the one he had gotten for her. It was funny how even the gaoler dishing the gruel seemed in a hurry to do his bidding. The other men in the cell glared at him, but nary was a complaint made. Sophia watched as the crowd of people stepped aside for the big man as he made his back to "his" corner. He didn't speak to anyone, yet the people parted for him like the Red Sea for Moses. Sophia smiled. The "red" man and the Red Sea. It was clear to Sophia that the man's heart was as big as his body, and she felt shame for her earlier ponderings. Sitting, she gave the bowl to the two children. As they began to eat, Sophia tore the bread into two pieces, giving half to Mary.

"Why, bless me soul. First of Mary has a lad waitin' on meself, and now a sweet lass gives me bread. Bless ya, darlin', for thinkin' of me. Ya have a good heart to go with that pretty face."