6

The next chapter in my first book, this chapter is more based on the effects on ordinary people in the face of.

Turning up for work the next day Fay felt weary and nervous, a slight shake in her hands and quite on edge as she entered the large glass doors- 10 minutes before her usual expected time; she was trying to hold onto whatever she could to prove that she’s able to work at the store. She noticed Miss. Carter to her right stacking up tubs of hand cream, and began making her way over.                    “Good Morning Adaline.” Chirped Miss. Carter, oddly happier than usual, it makes Fay curious about why this is so.                                       “Good Morning Miss. Carter. What would you like me to do this morning?” Less prepared for the long list of things on notebook paper she normally gets given in the morning, and more prepared for Miss. Carter to say ‘I’d like you to turn around right now back out of those doors’.             “There isn’t actually a lot to do at the moment Adaline, just the usual kind of things: clean down counters, straighten displays, and keep everything stocked.” Miss. Carter was beginning to make Fay feel slightly uncomfortable with her uncontrollable smiling and wide eyes.           Sighing a breath of relief Fay hadn’t realised she’d been holding she smiled and replied with a “Yes Ma’am” and a grateful tone.  Looks like she’s gotten away with it for the moment, yet saying this Miss. Carter isn’t always fully aware of what’s going on with things when she’s away with the fairies.  Still Fay got on with her duties, making sure she completed them quickly and the best she ever had. Beatrice and Penelope came bounding down to the accessories counter just as Fay finished up aligning handkerchiefs.                  “So how was working with Monsieur. Parfait yesterday Fay?” imitating his French accent out of crush- like affection, Beatrice asked. Fay was unable to hide her smile as she looked down towards the ground.                                                                 “We did a lot of work yesterday; on a new window design he’s working on, it was a great learning experience…” her voice got quiet when she saw the look in Penelope’s eyes.                                  “Noooo, we mean what was it like” Penelope was trying to get across a pretty obvious point, but Fay still played dumb.                               “I have no idea what you mean.” She replied slightly side smirking, forcing Penelope to go red when she wasn’t so prepared to say it aloud. Beatrice helped her out.                    “Do you fancy him? Did he kiss you? Did you want him to?” Beatrice’s thoughts unravelling quickly, suddenly a teenage girl again.                     “How dare you say something like that!” Not giving a definite answer at all; Fay knows how to make those two girls squirm and wind them up.                All three of the girls going red, began a racket of hushed giggles and broad smiles. Fay acted like a teenager too at this moment, not because she had a crush on Monsieur. Parfait, or that they were all going crimson, which made then laugh, which made it worse; supressing the kind of uncontrollable laughter. No, Fay joined in because she wasn’t getting asked anymore questions now, plus she had so much respect and admiration for Monsieur. Parfait that it just seemed silly how every girl looks up to him as the ideal. He’s well known and European, and luckily for him, the right kind of European. With war fast approaching and tensions in Europe rising, it’s clear to see who’s on whose side. Fortunately, for Monsieur. Parfait France is fighting alongside Britain; along with Russia. Especially compared with some of the other members of staff at Donoghue’s who are Italian, even some German; Monsieur. Parfait is very lucky indeed. The men no longer wanted in Britain, who are thought of as undeserving and below British standards might as well be the same people in Government in Germany now, because they sure do get treated like it: Beaten up and attacked outside their own homes. Windows smashed by flying rocks wrapped in disturbing threats to leave or else... It’s not their fault what nationality they are, yet that doesn’t matter when war is concerned. Men who have known each other for years and welcomed each other into their families are now acting like strangers; like there is an air of unspoken authority about the men; spitting at lower members of society in the street and calling them disgusting names. When it comes down to it, war is war. Part of the enemy- the enemy, no matter who they are and how close to you they once were.                                                     Spiralling in giggling behaviour and rushed thoughts the girls didn’t notice, a blonde young man of medium build sneak up on them.                                                     “Good morning ladies” spoke a curling Italian accent. It was Rory, one of the nicest men working at Donoghues, and was part of the fashion department. He cared none for politics and seemed unaware of how people are treating him behind his back and even sometimes to his face.              “Good morning Rory” replied Fay finishing with her laughter mid-sentence. Although Fay knew of how he was being treated and almost felt like it was her duty to be harsh also. She didn’t, and was true to her beliefs that without somebody doing wrong they should not be punished.                                 “What do you think you’re doing over here?” Penelope snapped while Rory was waiting from a reply from her.                                                       Yet before he could answer Beatrice added “You should really just go back to your own country, you’re scum. You think you can come to London and act all smiley and you think that you can get away with it? You stupid Hun, go back to where you came from!”              Fay was shocked into silence. Rory was too, just managing to say he didn’t mean no harm and he best excuse himself from the conversation. He apologised, turned swiftly on his heels, and walked away.                                                                   “What do you think you’re doing, he didn’t mean any harm and was not causing any?” Fay argued to the girls managing to speak in defence of Rory; and ran after him down the aisle in the shop, tracing his steps.                            “He’s not worth it” called Penelope from behind Fay. Raising her voice and drawing attention to herself and Fay.                                                         

Author's Note

Thank you for reading my work, as always I'm open to any constructive critism or comments you may have for me. Thank you.

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[Barbara Tennyson]

Have you looked at the presentation? It's all jumbled around. You may have to repost.