Chapter 11 Alternate Ending

‘But you will join us later, won’t you?’ asked Mama. ‘Besides, you promised to take us to the Christmas Fair.’
‘Well, I don’t think… not this year… but perhaps...’ He faltered when he saw his wife’s crestfallen face. ‘Yes, perhaps I will attend after all. I may even sell you to the gypsies, although I have to admit you are priceless…’
Blushing softly at his backhanded compliment, Mama gently stroked her husband’s cheek. ‘You old romantic,’ she whispered. Then she realised her three daughters were staring animatedly at their unexpected show of affection. So, flouncing out of the room, she called, ‘I’ll be in the sewing room if you need me.’
Mama spent many contented hours in her sewing room, if not embroidering, then toying with her many bits,
‘Where will you be? With your fiance, I presume?’
‘Yes, Papa. I want to introduce Kitty…’
‘Linnet…’ interrupted Dottie. ‘Can you help me find the tree decorations in the loft? I’ll need a hand to carry the boxes.’
‘Well, I did promise…’
Kitty could tell Linnet was torn between the two ideas, so she put her mind at ease. ‘Why don’t you introduce me to Captain Bunting? I will stay and read to him while you go and help Dottie?’
‘Splendid!’ said Papa. ‘That’s all sorted then.’ And when he strode off in the direction of his study, Kitty presumed he would spend a few enjoyable hours with his stamp collection... or even adding up the family finances.
On the way to the ballroom, Dottie stopped along the corridor to admire the new portrait. ‘That was painted the last time we were all together as a family.’
Linnet wiped a tear away. ‘Poor Will. I believe Papa has kept all his
‘Why don’t you suggest it to Papa later?’
Kitty grinned at her sisters, feeling rather proud of herself. ‘And at the same time, I can ask him to sell you to the highest bidder at the Christmas Fair…’ She had a head start by about five seconds before Linnet and Dottie took chase.
‘You cheeky minx,’ cried Linnet, whooping as she skidded across the hallway in her slippers.
But it was Dottie who caught up with Kitty first.
Pressing her back against the ballroom door, Kitty held out both hands to ward off her sisters, laughing until her ribs ached. Suddenly, the door opened and Kitty fell through the other side, and when she glanced up from the floor, she could see the beaming smile of Pamela Pintail looking down.
‘I wondered what all that noise was about.’ Nurse Pintail chuckled, helping Kitty stand up. ‘Have you come to annoy my patients?’ And without much further ado, she beckoned the three sisters inside the ballroom.
At first Kitty refused to believe her eyes because the last time she had been inside the ballroom, it had glistened like a fairy-tale with a white, bright, sparkling light. But today, the floor was scuffed with trolley marks and huge grey dust sheets covered the chandeliers like thick clouds heavy with rain. The only familiar sight was the large tapestry that hung at the far end of the room, but the floor-length curtains were drawn and the room felt stuffy and hot. Kitty smelled the air and caught a faint whiff of