C H A P T E R T W O
Charlotte stared at the car window. The rain seemed to never end. She almost dozed off, when the taxi driver hit a bump. The car jerked backward and Aunt Maria quickly opened a bag to vomit in. She then tied it up and tossed it out the window.
“Oh, I don’t feel very well. I’m so knackered, I could run up a wall and then back down again!” She exclaimed. Her face looked green.
Charlotte once again gazed at the rain. She saw a slight rainbow peek above the Big Ben. She suddenly thought of a random thing.
“Auntie?”
“Yes, child?”
“Do you believe—” She tried to spot the rainbow again.
“What?”
“Do you believe, there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?” Charlotte felt silly saying it, being eleven years old.
Aunt Maria lifted her eyebrows in disgust. “Of course not! That’s just a bit of Irish rubbish! Where on earth did you hear that?”
“Just from a book.” Charlotte said quietly.
Aunt Maria rubbed her forehead wearily. “Oh child,” she said. “Where do you get such strange stories?”
The car pulled into the driveway of a little house. Charlotte was confused. “Auntie?”
“Now, what?”
“Are we here? At the Thompsons?”
Aunt Maria chuckled. “Oh, no Charlotte. We’ve just stopped for lunch at Grandmother’s house.”
“Grandmama? Why, I haven’t seen her in ages!”
“Well now, is your chance.”
The taxi finally stopped and honked its horn. That meant to get out.
Aunt Maria held Charlotte’s hand and ran into the house. It was pouring rain.
The house was warm and cozy. Charlotte saw an old rocking chair sitting by the fireplace in the corner. She remembered it at once.
Grandmother suddenly surprised her by giving her a big hug.
“Oh, Grandmama, you gave me a fright.” Charlotte exclaimed.
Grandmother being very Irish, laughed at Charlotte’s remark. “I gave you a fright?”
Charlotte frowned. “That’s what we say in England. Why don’t you say that? You live here, just a day away from us.”
Grandmother laughed. "Living in England, doesn't chase away my Irish accent.
Grandmother motioned for her to sit down. Grandmother sat on the rocker and picked up something that was laying on the mantel. It was a little purple box with silver lining. It was very fancy.
Grandmother opened the box and music played. It was Be Thou My Vision.
Charlotte had never heard it before. She only knew little hymns.
Grandmother handed the box to Charlotte. “This is yours now. Take mighty care of it.”
Charlotte smiled. “I will, Grandmama. I promise.” Charlotte then noticed something. Inside the music box, was a little bag that matched. She carefully looked inside.
“It’s a neckless! Is this mine too?”
Grandmother placed her hand on Charlotte’s shoulder. “I suppose so. But let us stop this yacking and get something to eat. You two must get back on the road soon.”
The three ate a lovely meal of salad, chicken, and pasta. Charlotte was stuffed to the full. But just for the long ride, she slowly reached her arm across the table to get one last chicken arm. Aunt Maria slapped her hand.
“Charlotte, are you a pig? You shall have no more, today.”
“But Auntie—”
“Don’t you Auntie me! It’s impolite to reach across the table. Is that understood?”
Charlotte crossed her arms. “Yes.”
“Good. Now wash up for the ride. We’d get sued if we let the car get messy and dirty.”
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