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17 June 2013

A Pair of Brown Eyes: Chapter 02

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Claire felt so nervous about her upcoming meeting with her old school friend, she could hardly keep steady on the horse's back; if only Ethel knew how important a role she had played in Claire's leaving England...! But no, she wouldn't tell her anything about that. If she wanted her plan to succeed at all, she had to be very careful and be a convincing Mrs. Parker, even if that meant lying to someone as dear to her as Ethel.

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Ethel lived in a cosy, two-storey house, on the outskirts of town. There was nothing outstanding or fancy about the building, but it had that welcoming feeling that was lacking in the residences Claire had known herself, luxurious as they were. As she got off the horse and approached the front entrance, she thought she could very easily get used to this new environment. Then, she took a deep breath, and finally gathered enough courage to knock on the door.

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Upon receiving her into her home, Ethel affectionately took Claire's hands in hers, and detached from her a little so they could make eye contact. "Well, well, let me take a look at you. Oh, my. You are no longer that dreamy-eyed girl I once knew. You look so much more..., how to put it?... sedate." Claire faintly smiled at the remark, but her expression was short-lived, as her friend continued with her tirade. "I guess that is what growing up does to people. Or perhaps it is just that I find it difficult to picture you clad in mourning." Claire tensed up a bit at the mention of her outfit. "I'm sorry, how inconsiderate of me; you know I always speak a word too much." Ethel made amends. "I'm so sorry for your loss. Had you been married for a long time?"

"It's all right. No need for you to apologize. And thank you." Claire put Ethel's mind at ease, artfully ignoring her question at the same time.

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After a moment of silence, Ethel invited Claire to sit at the table, where tea, along with a variety of sweet treats, was already served. "I was very surprised upon receiving your letter, after so much time of not knowing anything about you." Ethel sounded cheerful, but then her tone changed a little. "I was really worried when you didn't show up for that term at school, and no one there seemed to know anything about you either. I wrote to you many times, but you never answered me..."

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Claire could perceive that Ethel was still the good-natured and warm woman she remembered, even if a little too exuberant at times; however, she could not make up her mind as to whether her remark had a hint of reproach in it. She couldn't blame her if that was the case. "I am so sorry I never wrote to you again after I left school." Claire looked away. "Truth is, I never received your letters." That much, at least, she could tell her.

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"They were stacked in a long-forgotten drawer, and only found them after my father died, three years ago. It seems he never thought they were important enough to give them to me. And then, I just guessed that, after so much time, it made no sense any more to answer them..." She didn't know how to make her excuses.

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"So, that's what it was." Ethel's face lighted up a bit again. "Anyway, I would have loved to have your notice, even so belatedly. And..." For the first time, Ethel seemed to hesitate. "Why did you not come back to school after that summer?"

"My father did not want me to." And that was the only answer Claire was ready to give. Fortunately for her, Ethel appeared to notice her discomfort and changed the subject.

"Well," Ethel sighed, "let's not dwell in the past, and just be glad we have found each other again." A broad smile spread her face as she said that.

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After finishing their food and drink, conversation continued on the sofa.

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"Claire, are you sure you don't want to stay with us, for a while at least? My husband would not mind, and my children are such little dears, you would hardly notice them at all..." 

"The rooms I've rented suit me perfectly. Besides, I must learn now to become independent..." Her polite smile suddenly turned into a grimace at the realisation of her newly acquired freedom, of which she knew so little, and which at times scared her. She recovered quickly, though, when she noticed her friend's eyes fixed on hers. "Well, I mean...," she hesitated, "that the money I have left will not last me forever."

They were interrupted by the sound of steps approaching.

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"Have you finished your lessons?" Ethel addressed the two little girls who were timidly approaching them. The eldest one nodded her head in response. "Good girls! Come, come meet this friend of mine." She talked to Claire again. "These are my daughters; Caroline, who's five..." The girl sat on her mother's lap as she introduced her. "And Becky, aged three." The little one, imitating her sister's previous gesture, made herself comfortable onto Claire's lap.

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Soon, the children were playing with each other, unaware of the two adults warmly smiling at them. Ethel then resumed her earlier conversation with Claire, and asked her. "You must be looking for a job, then?"

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Claire was startled by her friend's bold remark. "I know I have to earn my living, the problem is... I am nothing but an untrained woman. Who would hire me?"

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"Perhaps I can help you with that..." Ethel answered with a smile.

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That evening in her room, Claire could not help but wonder what her friend had really thought of her. It was clear she had seen her changed, but was it for the better or for the worse? She had asked her almost nothing about her husband, but had that been out of delicacy or because she had noticed her evasiveness?

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And there was something else on her mind. Did Ethel really knew what she was doing when she told her to apply for that job? She didn't feel worthy enough to be working for a man, she'd surely do everything wrong, as she always did, and then... Nevertheless, she had to give it a try; who knows?, perhaps she was lucky and Ethel hadn't been too biased when praising Dr. Stuart.



Chapter 03Chapter 01

31 comments:

  1. I wonder what happened to Claire? I don't think that she is a widow, but something really bad has happened to make her so fearful of revealing it to Ethel.

    Your pictures are really pretty. Looking forward to more!

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    1. Hmmm, so you don't think she's a widow, do you? Interesting... But we shall see ;-).

      Thanks for reading, and for your compliments (you just made me blush).

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  2. Daises is right, your pictures are great and really set the time setting right! Ethel is a bit bold with her questions, bringing up a previous tragedy and then just asking about the job, I'm very very curious and looking forward to the next chapter but this is off to a good start!

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    1. Awww, thanks a lot!

      You're right, Ethel is a nice woman but at times she can be a bit... how to put it? "invasive", perhaps?

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  3. Ah, the dots are adding up now, if you read my last comment you'll know what I mean.

    I'm glad Claire's reconnected with Ethel, she'll need a friend in this new town. I totally get Ethel's curiosity, they did lose contact for all those years, but I felt at times she was being a little too pushy and she could see how uncomfortable Claire was.

    Beautiful pictures!

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    1. Yes, Claire is in great need of a friend, in this town or wherever. And, yes, Ethel can be a little pushy at times, but we can't blame her entirely for being curious, can we? After all, there seems to be something strange in the way they lost contact...

      We will see how the man in the prologue and Ethel are related in the next chapter; I can tell you, however, that your guess was very interesting. ;-)

      Thanks a lot for reading and for your nice feedback.

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  4. Nothing like an old friend to help you get started again. I hope Ethel turns out to be a true friend and not a false one. It's so hard to guess after all this time, I'm sure.

    I have to wonder why she's evading all mention of her recent past. I'm almost always missing a puzzle piece, but I'm sure it'll come clear eventually. :)

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    1. We'll have to wait a little while to see whether Ethel is a true friend or not. Well, at least, she's provided Claire with a job interview, we can say that on her behalf, can't we?

      And, well, Claire is just not "ready" to share her past with anybody. But rest assured, everything will come clear in due time.

      Thanks for reading and commenting.

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  5. ~ I am glad she had a friend to go too,but I feel that she has run away from a bad situation, back home, it will be interesting to see this unfold,& what exactly she left behind!
    ~ I am guessing that her father did not approve of her friendship with Ethel,to keep her letters from her hidden in a draw!
    ~ I hope for her sake the job suits her, & she is able to handle it,as she really will need the money to survive!
    ~ I love your pictures they are lovely!
    ~ Looking forward to more of this! (",)

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    1. Yes, she has run from a really bad situation, I hope I'm able to unfold it in an "effective" manner.

      Claire's father didn't care much for Claire's friendship with Ethel, but that too will be explained in future chapters.

      I'm glad you like my pictures, I always have a great time preparing and shooting them.

      Thanks for reading!

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  6. Claire is certainly being very evasive, I'm curious to know what really happened, why she wasn't allowed to return to school, and why she avoids answering questions about her husband.

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    1. Yes, Claire is very evasive. And, I'm sorry but you'll have to wait a little longer to discover what actually happened to her. (see?, now it's me that's being evasive ;-)).

      I'm glad I've piqued your curiosity, and thanks for reading! :-)

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  7. Oh so curious about Claire's past. Her meeting with Ethel seemed to go well, and I hope she can do well at the job even though she has doubts.

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  8. I wonder who or what she's running from in England. Is it something dangerous or just her needing to make a new start? And if that was the case why the need for secrecy and then the false name. So very curious.

    Ethel seems friendly enough and was very helpful. It sounded like they were pretty close when they attended school together. Hopefully they can rekindle that old friendship in her time in Canada!

    Claire is right though, she does need to keep her distance as in being dependent. If she is really running from someone/something there's no telling when or where she'd need to uproot again and run and having attachments will make that much harder!

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    1. I'm glad I piqued your curiosity ;-). Claire's reasons behind her leaving England will be revealed little by little as the story unfolds.

      Yes, they were best friends at school. Let's hope their friendship can be rekindled after so many years.

      Yes, that's exactly what Claire is afraid of! Well, she's afraid of many things, actually, but one of them is being found out (by whoever/whatever she's running from), so she (thinks) is better off keeping her distance.

      Thank you for reading!

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  9. Another interesting chapter. Why would Claire's father want her to leave school, and what did Ethyl have to do with Claire leaving England?

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    1. Those two questions are very interesting, and both will be answered in due time ;-).

      Thanks for reading and commenting :-D.

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  10. Hmmmmm. So many more questions than answers here. Though we know Claire went to a school with Ethyl now, and that Claire didn't finish school as well as that her father is dead. But did I detect a hint that perhaps Claire's late-husband didn't exist?

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    1. That's how it was meant to be, and leave people wondering... You're right, Claire didn't finish school, and now her father's dead. As for her husband having existed or not... hmmm, well... ;-).

      Thanks for reading.

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  11. Her friend Ethel seems a bit nosy and intrusive. Hopefully that is only a first perception and she really is a good friend. I noted Claire's hesitation in responding, so I think she feels it too. ;) So it seems Claire was from a haughty family upbringing with a father who either was too old fashioned to want change in ways or very overbearing and strict.

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    1. Hehe, Ethel can be a bit intrusive sometimes, but hopefully you'll warm up to her a little as the story unfolds ;-). As for Claire's father... Old fashioned? Yes, no doubt about it. Strict? Not rather, indifferent is more like it (which is worse, I think).

      Thanks for reading and commenting.

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  12. Ethel seems genteel, and maybe a little bit meddlesome...but in a good-natured way. Of course it is natural for her to have all sorts of questions for Claire after what seems to have been a sudden disappearance. So glad that Claire has a connection in her new environment though.

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    1. Hehe, that's Ethel, I couldn't have described her better. I have much fun writing her. All in all, Ethel is (and has been) a good influence for Claire, and I think she DOES need a little pushing, anyway.

      Thank you for reading.

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  13. I'm glad we finally got to meet Ethel! :) Still in awe over your pictures. They are beautiful. Its great to read and look at!

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    1. Hehe, yes we finally meet Ethel.

      Thanks for reading and for your nice words :-D.

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  14. It is great her friend is so open and willing to help her. I hope that her friend will continue to be respectful of Claire and not pry too much.

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    1. Yes, hopefully she won't ;-).

      Thank you for reading.

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  15. Claire mentions the luxurious residences of her past, and I'm wondering whether she was rich or a servant in those houses. There are indicatives of her past, as we slowly build her character with the details you let us perceive... And I'm thankful for Ethel, because she has posed the questions for us, digging into her evasive friend's past... But for now, we are left with many more questions to be asked...

    Claire is discreetly elegant, and I'm wondering about her origins... Her father seems to be a strong and determinant figure in her life... I'm just collecting my impressions here...

    By the way, how -- and when -- did she learn to ride a horse?

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    1. She was rich... The mistress of the house, you know? ;-) She is a rich woman going down, so to speak. Oh, Ethel, good old Ethel... Luckily for you, readers, she is a little bit meedlesome...

      Your impressions about Claire's father are pretty much correct.

      I don't think she has much experience (if any at all) riding horses: that was the point, actually ;-). She's doing a lot of things for the first time in her life.

      Thank you for reading and for your interesting comments :-D.

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  16. Ethel seems nice enough, kind of nosy but thankfully she's willing to help Claire. So many more questions now, especially in regards to her father. :)

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    1. Hehe, dear Ethel! She's is meddlesome but caring. And, ah... Claire's father... hmmm... he's quite the elusive character, isn't he? ;-)

      Thanks for reading.

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