Chapter Six
Such a Princess
Chapter One link - No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
Chapter Two link - Pear Shaped
Chapter Four link - Where the Hell have You Been?
Chapter Five link - Don’t Tell Anyone About…
Julia was elated yet exhausted. She had had a lovely time at the Blackheath Bar & Bistro with Horace. They had laughed and chatted but also shared some serious conversation. She was sure that he liked her a lot. After all, it was his idea originally, that they have coffee together. This had, of necessity, turned to a drink after work. She found him attractive. He was thoughtful and erudite, listened well and seemed very caring. She liked his smile and his kind eyes. The fact that he was an Anglican minister was an unknown for Julia. She had spent little time inside a church outside of weddings and funerals.
She felt a little flutter as she thought of his earnest face… and the rest of him. These thoughts could not completely detract from the nagging worry that ran beneath the surface.
It had been a peaceful period after the traumatic assault on Michelle, her troubled daughter, and the subsequent arrest of the perpetrator. Michelle had spent too long under the thrall of her controlling boyfriend, Wayne. At first Julia had welcomed the fact that Wayne had expected Michelle to pull her weight in their relationship, learn to cook and clean and contribute her earnings to the rent and groceries. She had been such a princess while growing up. Julia blamed herself for being too lenient and indulgent. She had harboured hopes that Wayne would be the making of Michelle after all the trouble she had been involved in as a young teenager: smoking, drinking, partying, hanging around with all the wrong types.
Julia was soon proved wrong when it became clear that Wayne was narcissistic and cruel. He made sure that Michelle ‘knew’ that she was ugly, stupid, and unlovable and he rapidly evolved into a possessive and jealous tyrant who wouldn’t let Michelle out of his sight. As it became obvious that Michelle was pregnant and that the baby had been conceived well before the beginning of the relationship with Wayne, Julia feared constantly for Michelle’s safety. Michelle became too scared to leave. Michelle had now grown up to face the world’s reality, but this was not how Julia dreamed it might be for her. This was a nightmare.
Now, Wayne was out of jail! He had not been convicted of attempted murder, even though Horace had been a witness. The law was an ass, she thought. It was a huge relief that Michelle had come to live with her, and that baby Horatio was well cared for and safe. Michelle had certainly risen to the challenge of motherhood and was devoted and responsible. Julia felt very proud of her.
But now, Wayne was out of jail! He had made his presence felt and had obvious resentments toward Horace. Who would have thought a humble, umbrella wielding vicar would have rescued the fair maiden …once such a princess!?
Julia supposed that Wayne was also well aware that ‘his’ little puppy, Hero, was now owned by Horace, his imagined nemesis. Prior events had shown that he was quite capable of threatening to harm poor Hero. She had no doubt that he had written the note attached to Hero’s collar.
As Julia readied herself for bed, cleaning her teeth and applying the latest miracle moisturiser, she examined her face critically in the mirror. She had the beginning of wrinkles happening and worrisome thoughts were not going to help them. Perhaps fantasising about the long lean vicar might help. She allowed her thoughts to stray to future time spent with him, wondering what his long lean arms might feel like wrapped around her. He had the most mischievous smile and his whole face lit up when he laughed. “He can put his boots under my bed any time” she thought with a sigh and was glad that Anglican vicars were not required to be celibate.