The ending to Chapter One

(Day 3) Finally, the final part of Chapter One...

            “It is quite pleasant isn’t it?” Emily asks the group of all four siblings and her mother as they walk past the river and towards town. Their father rarely joins them on their shopping trips; he is always too busy with whatever it is he does in his study.

            “What is?” Beatrice replies confused.

            “The weather, the river, the sun. The entire day! I find it so pleasant!” Emily says whilst performing a quick spin so her dress swirls around her ankles.

            “Someone’s in a good mood,” Philippa laughs before her gleaming sister takes her hands and spins Philippa around.

            “There’s nothing like a nice walk into town,” their mother ejects. “I just hope the market has those lovely buns again,” she adds whilst licking her lips. For the rest of the journey, the family laugh and sing and pick flowers from the grass and all together have a very pleasant time.

            The market Town of Cliffe is a beautiful one, loud, but very beautiful. It consists of a nice selection of shops, from dress shops to book shops and even a furniture shop. There is also a large market selling fish, poultry, vegetables, fruit and more, which surround a dust ridden path covered with thousands of foot prints. Cliffe has a lovely, friendly feel to it, most likely because its residents are all known to each other, which makes the market a perfect ‘catch-up’ area for many gossip-like conversations to take place. Mrs Davery would never admit to it, but she is a fool for gossip and can’t help herself when in the face of exciting news. Thus, when her small feet reach the town, Mrs Davery almost instantly joins a nearby conversation between three other local mothers. The five children leave her to it and make their way to the various markets stalls, but not without picking up the odd statement from their distracted mother, “You don’t say,”  followed by “I knew it all along.”

            The five siblings split up into groups according to their desired stall. Emery, unfortunately is dragged off by his younger sister by two years, Charlotte. “Oh Emery, look at all these broaches!” Charlotte squeals once they arrive at the sparkling jewellery stall.

            “Do we have to look at broaches?” Emery moans.

            “Of course not! We can look at necklaces instead!” His sister laughs, leaving Emery releasing a very dramatic sigh.

            On the other side of the market, Philippa, Emily and Beatrice and admiring a collection of exotic spices. “Smell this one!” Emily instructs her elder sister as Beatrice tugs at her dress as to announce her boredom and is consequently ignored.

            “Mmm that’s lovely,” Philippa compliments.  “Only one Farthing for a bunch,” the plump entrepreneur declares.

            “Perhaps we may return with our mother then,” Emily replies and the seller nods in return.

           

“There you are Philippa!” Mrs Davery calls as she spots her daughter exiting the dress shop. “I’ve been searching all over for you, where have you been?” she enquires before carrying on, “Oh never mind. I just met the most handsome young man for you!” she squeaks. Mrs Davery has given herself the task of finding her eldest daughter a husband and after that she will concentrate on Emily and then each other daughter until she runs out of children.

“Oh mother, not again,” Philippa complains.

“I only want what’s best for my dearest children,” her mother says whilst pulling a very convincing ‘puppy-dog’ face.

“I know, I know,” Philippa gives in.

“I’m surprised you found such a man in the market,” Emily adds after silently observing the discussion. It would not be surprising at all to find a young man in the market, however, each Davery daughter will know that Mrs Davery does not search for just young men, but for handsome, sophisticated and wealthy young men, most of which you find at balls in large manor houses, not old, dusty markets.

“As am I!” the mother agrees and gestures for her two daughters to follow her to where the young man is situated.

“Oh my!” Emily laughs at the definitely wealthy but not particularly handsome man before her. Mrs Davery ignores this comment and instead introduces her daughters. Philippa on the other hand, lets out a small giggle which in turn, receives an evil glare from her mother.

            “This is Mr Cranly,” Mrs Davery directs to Philippa, rather than to Emily.

“Lovely to meet you,” the smartly dressed, already balding man says, whilst taking Philippa's hand to gently kiss it.

“As it is to meet you Mr Cranly,” Philippa replies.

“Mr Cranly tells me he is here on a trip,” Mrs Davery adds to test her match-making skills.

“Yes, I thought a nice change of scenery would be good,” Mr Cranly begins, “I’m from London you see, and as pleasant as it is there, I enjoy taking a brake from it sometimes.” He says whilst chuckling to himself. Whether he finds himself amusing or his story reminds him of a joke they will never know.

“It must be nice to take a break from London. I hear it’s a lovely place but awfully crowded I’m sure,” Emily interjects.

“Oh yes, very crowded indeed. In fact, I’m holding a ball at the Cranly Manor in two days time as to celebrate my return. You must come and please bring along the rest of the Davery’s.” Mr Cranly says not at all modestly.

“That would be an honour Mr Cranly,” Mrs Davery thanks him; “My husband will be thrilled.” And with that, the three women depart with a polite farewell to Mr Cranly.

“Quick, let us find your sisters and brother. We must buy new garments at once. The ball is only two days away and we cannot very well turn up in old clothes.” Mother Davery whispers to her daughters once Mr Cranley is out of ear shot. With that, Philippa and Emily share a look of desperation between themselves and then assist their over-dramatic mother to find their siblings.