Chapter 9: Taking Her Heart to War

While the sun rose and the birds could be heard singing Vivien opened her eyes. Sitting up with a gasp she had forgotten where she was. Looking around the small, but home like room she realized where she was at. She was in London after running away from her home less than 24 hours ago. Getting up she looked around the room. Eyes drifting as if they didn’t know what to look for, finally they landed on her trunk. The trunk was wooden and it had her name carved out in the corner. “How did that get here?”Vivien pondered as she knelt down to open it. 

The smell of cinnamon bread drifted on the breeze, but as she opened up the trunk the smell of her mother’s perfume filled the air. Taking out her many designer clothes from Digby Morton to Victor Stiebel, she placed them in her small closet, while laughter of children could be heard from below. Looking in her trunk once more she took out three pairs of ivory gloves and placed them on her bed along with a few hats. 

Getting dressed quickly Vivien looked in the full length mirror and smiled at her image. Turing she looked to see if anything needed to be done before heading down to work. Eyeing the small desk she walked over to it. Guiding her finger tips across the desk the sun came through the lovely lace curtains. This would be where she would write her father and tell him she was happy at home. Sadly that wouldn’t be the truth. In truth she would be hiding from her stepmother as her father was hiding and helping fight in the war. Trying to block that from her mind Vivien went down stairs to start her first day of work. 

“Be good Callie,” Vivien told her kitten as she turned to point at her. Looking up from her ball of yarn Callie meowed and continued playing. 

Walking down the stairs from the living quarters she found four of the sisters. “Good morning,” Vivien said with a smile on her face. 
“Good morning.” Anna said smiling back.“Did you find your trunk?” 

“Yes, I did, but how did you get it here?” Vivien asked as she tied an apron around her waist. 

“Well, that’s our little secret.” Anna said pointing to her and a few of her sisters. 

“Don’t tell me you told Vivien how we got her trunk?” Mary asked as a sneeze came moments later. 

“No,” Virginia answered turning toward her sister. “Big mouth,” 

Looking at them for a few moments with her head cocked sideways Vivien tried to figure out how her trunk got there. Thinking for a few short moments she finally spoke. “How did it get here?” 

“We had someone pick it up for you.” Emma said in a quiet voice as she came from the backroom. 

“If you would please tell the person that picked it up thank you,” Vivien said since she couldn’t figure out who the person was. 
The sister’s smiled at each other. Looking up from the glass case Vivien found them smiling. “Why is everyone smiling?” she asked as she went and got herself a cup of coffee. 

“Laur…” Sally began with great happiness and excitement in her voice. However she was stopped with hands flying over her mouth. Struggling and squirming little Sally tried to get free. This was far too exciting to just keep to themselves. 

“Shh,” the other six said together as they looked back at their younger sister. 

“Oh,” Sally said as she got what they were doing. Clapping her hands with excitement Sally began to get happy again.

“What is going on?” Vivien asked as she found Sally bouncing around the room. “Why is Sally acting like that?” 

“She had too many sweets.”

“She’s got sugar instead of blood.” 

“She could be crazy.” 

Cocking her head sideways with an eyebrow raised Vivien shook her head back and forth. “Nice try, but I know something is going on.” 
“What makes you say that?” Anna asked nervously as she scratched the back of her head. 

Before Vivien could answer footsteps could be heard getting closer and closer. 

“I see you told her?” a voice came from behind the sisters. Looking behind them they saw Laurence standing there. 

“No, she was trying to get it out of us.” Evelyn said as she tried to cover for herself and her sisters. 

“I think it’s time we get to work.” Jacqueline said as she tugged at her sister’s arm. Getting the rest of them they got to work.

Stepping up to the counter Vivien could feel her heart pick up pace. “So I gather you found your trunk?” Laurence asked as he took his hat off. 

“Yes, but how did you know that I had a trunk up in my room?” asked Vivien as she could feel her heart beating inside her chest. 
“Let’s just say I have some friends”

“You broke into my house!” Vivien yelled as she found this shocking. How dare he break into her house? 

“I didn’t break into your house. A door was open on a balcony. A friend and I went in and got the trunk.” Laurence said as he began defending his answer. 

After a little while Vivien smiled “Alright, as long as you didn’t break anything and as long as my stepmother didn’t hear or see you.” 

“She didn’t. As a matter of fact I think I could hear her snoring down the hall.” Larry laughed. 

Vivien did find this funny. Covering her mouth with her hand she tried to hold it in. “Yes, she does tend to do that.” For once she wasn’t the only one to say she snored. “What brings you here and at this hour?” Vivien asked as she glanced at the clock behind her. It was rather early. After all eight thirty was early wasn’t it? Well for her it was. For as long as Vivien could remember she was up when the sun was up. 

“My train leaves in an hour.” Larry said as he realized what was going to happen within that hour. 

“I see.” Vivien replied as she began playing with her hands. “You’re leaving for the front?” she had to ask, she had to make sure. She didn’t want to know the answer, but she had to know it in her heart. 

“Yes, they are in need of more soldiers.” Larry answered as he placed his hat on his head. After buying a few things Larry placed a white piece of paper on the counter. Telling Vivien she couldn’t open it until he left. 

After a little while a car horn could be heard out front. Looking out the door Vivien could vividly remember her father leaving as she could hear the gun shots and cries of pain and sorrow. Now it was happening again.

“That’s my ride.” Larry said looking behind him to find an army truck with some of his friends. “I will be thinking about you always,” As he kissed her hand.

This took Vivien’s breath away. Why did she feel like she was going to pass out at any moment? Hearing the horn yet again Larry left, only looking back once. 
Vivien found tears in her eyes as she watched him leave. Not knowing if he would ever come back or if the war would seal is fate.