February 01, 2005
(II)
So there I was dressed and ready, in front of the standing mirror and admiring myself in the new silk dress. It was a lovely dark royal blue (which apparently my colour) with tiny little pale blue flowers embroidered along the bodice and hem. The situation itself was not unusual, we had these formal dinners often. My Father revelled in them, and enjoyed them much more than my Mother did as it simply meant more work for her. I did not mind them so much. It usually meant a new dress and I had a liking for clothes and fine cloth (particularly imported silk), so I didn't complain.
It was early still, at least another half an hour before the guest..? Guests? Were expected to arrive. At this stage I didn't know who or how many. Usually it was a couple of associates, but judging by the fact it was my Father that came to see me with the dress and not my Mother it must be someone important. A noble and his wife perhaps. That would certainly explain my Mother's frantic cleaning.
I know, I was spoiled. We were well off. There was little in the way of material objects that I wanted and did not have. My Mother worked hard and I had little in the way of chores or duties to occupy me. I had dozens of pretty dresses, and my room was decorated with shelves of toys and pretty knick-nacks, the most prized of which was a small ceramic box which played a simple musical tune when the lid was opened. It had been a gift from my Grandma. I wonder where it is now...? Probably sold off with the rest of our things, or thrown away. I've not been back to that house since.. I wish I had taken it with me. I nearly went back for it once I realised it had been left behind.
I picked up a book and lay down to read, and I guess (as I have a habit of doing) I got lost in the story and it was not until my father shouted from the other side of the door that I realised company had arrived and I was require to attend to them in the sitting room. After brushing out a few light creases lying on my bed had acquired, I stood and followed dutifully.