Three years past in a blurry haze of friendship and trust. After their first meeting Elizabeth and the young boy, Henry, became close friends. Every morning they would meet at the stables, and then travel into the woods where they would sit and talk for many hours. They were both now sixteen years of age and beginning to realise that they had a lot more then friendship. Slowly things progressed and they were sharing special moments under the shade of the old oak entwined in each others arms. But a secret it must stay for it had never being heard of a lady of the manor so much as speak to a lowly villager, let alone form a relationship. the master of the manor had already selected a future husband for Elizabeth anyway, so he would certainly not hear of it.2
' The locket you wear Elizabeth, may i take it?' Henry asked one summer day whilst they were dozing under the old oak tree.3
' My locket?' She asked in surprise lifting it out from under the neck of her dress. ' Why would you want this?' She fingered the elaborate design and looked up. Henry was staring at the ornate cover watching Elizabeth's fingers move slowly across the gold.4
' Please, only for a small while.' He pleaded moving quickly and covering Elizabeth's hands and the locket with his own.5
' And if i was to say no?' She teased watching Henry's' every move.6
' I would tickle you until you agreed.' He grinned and pounced making sure he got her in the most ticklish places. She laughed and squealed, fighting and wriggling around. After a few minutes Henry ceased and laid next to Elizabeth, her head on his chest.7
' So, can i have you locket then?'8
' As long as i get it back. I found this the first time i met you, do you remember?'9
' How could i forget? I thought I'd killed you when you fell down that banking.' They both laughed and spent the rest of the day reminiscing.10
*11
On his arrival home the house was empty.12
' Grandma? Grandma Doris?' There was no answer. Henry guessed she was at the local market or somewhere like that.13
He set the locket down on the table and studied it. It truly was a beautiful piece of jewelry and it belonged to the most beautiful girl he had ever met. Now he had it, he was not quite sure what he wanted to do with it. It needed to be special and unique. He thought and thought but nothing came into his head. He sat in the old rickety chair, chin in hand and stared at the locket as though expecting it to jump up and tell him exactly what he should do.14
' It's a locket, what do people usually do with lockets?' He muttered under his breath15
' Well, i think people usually tend to wear them round their neck honey, if that's any help.' Startled he looked round to see his grandmother walk through the door, laden with paper bags full of different herbs.16
' You have been to the woods again grandma. You need to be more careful. People are already starting to talk.'17
' Let them talk, my love. They can accuse me of witchcraft all they like. The fact of the matter is they won't take me away as my herb solutions are the only thing that keeps half this village alive.' She set the bags down on the small wooden table, failing to notice the small piece of jewelry.18
' Grandma, how would i open a locket?'19
' A locket? Why would you need to open one of those?'20
' A present, for Elizabeth. I want to show her how much she means to me.'21
Doris was silent. She picked up the locket and traced the intricate designs with her finger. A sad look swept across her face as she remembered who this jewelry was originally for.22
' You press this here, at the side.' As she did so the locket sprung open reveling an old, worn painting but the picture was still visible. A young man and woman in a tight embrace, grinning from ear to ear. Henry noticed his grandmothers sullen face and intrigued at what she had found he moved closely towards her.23
' A picture. I could paint a picture.' He smiled at his Grandmother and moved quickly into the next room looking for his paints and parchment. Doris stood holding the small picture staring at the happy faces. Her daughter looking as beautiful as ever, full of warmth as though it was radiating from the photo. The young man, extremely handsome, with bright eyes looked happier then the girl did. They looked so perfect, so how did it end so wrong. Clutching the photo she moved to her bedroom and placed it on her bedside table, silent tears falling upon the old parchment.24
' Henry, are you sure?' She asked walking in on her grandson who had already begun painting. He had an undoubtable talent in art, just like his mother did.25
' Am i sure about what grandma?' He answered not looking up from the parchment.26
' That this young lady, is she worth it?'27
He stopped and looked up, suddenly taking notice of what was being said.28
' Of course she is, otherwise i wouldn't be doing this. Why do you think she isn't?' Anger rose in his voice at the thought of his beloved grandmother trying to stop him seeing Elizabeth.29
' No, no Henry. I am just making sure that is all. She is a Luxton girl after...'30
' NO! Grandma, she is no Luxton. She is no daughter of him.' Henry spat viciously.31
' OK, she is not a Luxton girl. But she lives under his roof. What he says is law so Henry please, just be careful.'32
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