*******Back in Leeds*********
The homeless girl still felt like she was dreaming. She had put on the clothes the beautiful woman had left her and she felt much warmer. She put her hands in the pockets of her new coat. Only to find a folded piece of paper. On which was written : To the Owner of this coat.
The girl unfolded the paper and read the contents.
" I need your help. I am the lady who gave you the coat and some other items of clothing.
Before I met you, I left an infant at Leeds General Infirmary. I left the child there because it was in danger and I am unable to keep it safe. I was wondering if you could keep an eye on the child. If you do, I will give you a gift that should help you find a home away from the streets. I am sorry that I cannot give you money, I do not want to alert any dangerous people to the whereabouts of the child.
" You can leave a message in one of the pockets of this coat if you have information about the child. I don't expect you to claim the child as your own because I know you are only sixteen or seventeen years old. I just want you to tell me from time to time about the child's life.
"Thank you, my child."
The girl scratched her dirty blonde head, and thought, " I wonder what gift I will get if I check on the little sprog. And how will it help me?"
*****************************************
****Missing Lady's Lover's Point Of View****
Why does my mother want to see me so urgently? Are father and her arguing again? What's new? It seems strange that she would interrupt me when she knows how busy I am. I don't think she would tell me to see her if it wasn't important. I look at Mike and as usual see no emotion on his face. He seems to have no curiosity about why my mother has requested my presence at her summer palace.
When we arrive at my mother's palace, the servants say that she wants to see only me and that they will provide refreshments for Mike.
"Mike, go with them. It's probably that my mother and father are fighting again. Just the usual angry, bitter war between them. She's probably seeing whose side I am on," I said when I see him objecting.
"Ok, your grace. I'll leave you to it," Mike said, looking relieved and following a servant away.
I walk down the hall to where my mother usually receives her guests only to be met by another servant.
"Sorry my lord. Her ladyship isn't there. She told me to tell you to go to the sitting room of her private quarters," the servant said hurriedly.
My mother's private sitting room was up a flight of stairs at the end of the hall, so I continued to the end of the hall and ascended the steps. I was surprised that we were meeting in her private quarters and not where we usually met. It seemed it may not be the usual battle of wits between my mother and father. Usually when my mother called me it was because he had got another woman pregnant. My father still wasn't very good about remembering to put a bag over it. My mother hated having to deal with another of his accidents and couldn't believe how indiscreet he was. Once she had been hurt by his one night stands or affairs but she no longer cared and only stayed by his side as it was now a marriage of convenience.
When I arrived at my mother's private quarters, I knocked on the door to her private sitting room.
"Come in my darling boy." my mother's voice commanded.
I was surprised by her term of affection. She was usually impatient and would have just said 'Come in" and started ranting about my father as soon as I opened the door. Expecting the latter, I opened the door widely and quickly like I was taking off a bandaid.
When I looked inside, I saw my mother who looked beautiful as usual and incapable of having an adult son like me, sat on the edge of a classic red velvet sofa.
She smiled, "Shut the door my boy."
I shut the door and my mother gestured for me to come closer. "You won't believe what your father has done again."
These were the words I expected to hear but as she spoke them she passed me a note. I played along with her and said "What's he done this time?"
"He's got another one of his floozies pregnant. When will he ever learn to use contraceptives? I swear I need to give your father a talk on the various contraceptives that are available. Also why do these women never try to protect themselves from pregnancy and disease? I think your father intentionally seeks out the ignorant ones," my mother said as I read the note.
My mother gave out an exasperated sigh. Wow, I didn't know how great an actress my mother was. Inside the note my mother explained that my lover and the one I had wanted to make my wife had gone missing. She even said that she had helped my lover escape. It was too dangerous for me to know for the present.
I threw the note into the fire in the fireplace. My mother had it going even though it was a warm day so I assume it was to burn the evidence of her knowledge of my love's disappearance,
"What do you expect of my father? Is it possible he used contraceptives but they failed. No contraceptive is 100% effective. Anyway, I am sure you will get your revenge. But you know mother I can't take sides. I refuse to get involved in your mess of a marriage," I replied, hoping I sounded convincing.
My mother looked at me, mouthing, "I thought I heard something."
"Ah son, why are you not on my side? You know nothing of marriage so really can't have an opinion," my mother continued as if she was frustrated, while I walked quietly to the door and put my ear next to it.
I couldn't hear anything but I said, " I can't believe you sent for me as if it was urgent and it's only that you want me to take sides with you in this war you have with Father."
"I can't believe I brought you up this way. You should have respect for me as your mother. Your Father is acting like an idiot again," she yelled.
"Mother, I know you are nobody's fool! You give as good as you get!" I roared in irritation but a smile was trying to escape. I couldn't let it because I didn't want anyone to hear it in my voice and realise I was attacking.
I stomped loudly at the door, and gave my mother a smile before I opened the door. I thought I heard quiet footsteps descending the stairs. I increased my pace and marched angrily down the latter, hoping the ire was reflected in my face. In actual fact I was angry because I knew there was a spy in our midst.
When I reached the front door of the palace, I found Mike waiting for me. There was no expression on his face as usual but I would be careful what secrets I would say in front of him. Because of this moment, I could trust no one.
"I hope all is well with your mother, your lordship."
"It was just my father being his usual self that riled my mother up and now she wants revenge. Nothing urgent. Well nothing urgent to me anyway. But of course my mother thinks it important," I said, annoyed, " Let's discuss more important things okay, Mike."
Mike looked at me with scepticism but I didn't care. I would not betray my love wherever she may be. I said the last words as if that was the last time I wanted to talk about my mother.