As she was leaving the theatre one of the children came running up the street to catch her up. Catherine turned around to see a skinny girl with large beautiful eyes much like the children who are on the soap packets at home. She smiled showing up her rosy cheeks.
“ You left this on the ground before you left.” she mumbled. Catherine thought that it must be embarrassing to speak when you do not know how words are spelt or pronounced. She was amazed at her honesty to give the money back.
“ It’s alright, you keep it. You need it more that I do.” This time, Catherine was amazed at her own honesty.
“Why?” asked the girl obviously astonished that there are high class people who care.
“I have my reasons” Catherine stated. “ Besides wouldn’t you prefer to eat than see some first class child get their fourth dolls house?”
“ I suppose. Thank you very much. There is no way possible to show you how grateful I am but you could always come back and meet the rest of my friends and family. My brother George has finished his duty in the mines for today.” explained the girl wilfully.
Catherine made her way to the families with her new found friend. She found out that her name was Anna.
Catherine enjoyed meeting everyone. It made her feel even happier that she had donated the money to them.
There was a strange connection between her and Anna’s brother, George. It was almost as if she was being pulled towards him. She had never felt love before so she wasn’t sure what it could be.
That night as she was walking home she promised herself that she would do as much as she can to help her lower class friends. Especially as George who was two years older than her and yet two thirds of her height. She was to accompany her father to the theatre then visit them.
When she got home her parents were on the doorstep she could sense that she was in trouble. She trembled to the door and greeted her parents in the usual way she did.
“Catherine, do you have any idea how worried Edward and I have been? We also have some bad news for you as well. I’m afraid Clint received a letter from America, he has to go back tomorrow. Elizabeth is upstairs crying her eyes out.” Her mum explained making sure every word sunk in.
“But I do not want you going up right now because Elizabeth and Clint are saying their goodbyes.” Dad added wearily. Catherine walked in slowly as to give her parents the idea that she did care. She was really thinking about her new friends and felt happy.
As she sat in her bed she wondered what her parents would do if she introduced George as a good friend to them. Whatever she did she could not get him out of her head. She even dreamt of him.
The next day, she spent the day with Mr and Mrs Jonis, George and Anna’s parents hoping that if anything did happen between her and George that they would be glad and may even help her to break the news to her parents. That night when George came back from work he offered to show Catherine around. Of course she agreed.
“Catherine, I think I may love you.” George whispered.
“I have been feeling the same way, do you think there is anything we can do about it? I mean, my parents are not exactly lower class friendly.” Catherine stuttered practically exploding with excitement.
“We could get married. I know a priest. He lets me have my own time to go to church as I do not think arguments would be very appropriate in the house of God” answered George. Almost as if he had planned this conversation. This was better than Catherine had dreamt.
It had been planned, she was going to introduce George to her parents tomorrow. If they disapproved she would run away with him and get married. If they agreed they could pay towards the wedding and would attend. She had an image of her fathers’ famous frown. Everything she did ended up with that face. An almost grey face with the lower half covered with wrinkles so his mouth was camouflaged. Such thin lips that it gave the impression he was pretending not to have teeth. His eyes were jet black. Catherine had to avoid them as if she looked at them they would go into her mind and take away right to free thoughts.
When she took George over to her house the next day to meet her parents, they were devastated and forbade her to see him again.
It was not too hurtful because Catherine was sure that Mr and Mrs Jonis would understand and appreciate the love between her and George so at least she had something to look forward to.
That was far from the case. Mrs Jonis was appalled to see George marry a complete stranger and someone who will never have any feelings apart from the cost of an object. There was nothing they could do. They could never see each other again and they did not have any money for the wedding.
Catherine saw no other way, why did not she think of it before? She could take the easy way out by choosing to be together forever in …Death.
