It was a saturday and Chloe had just gotten up from bed when Elora stepped in.
"Good morning Chloe. How was your night? Hope you slept quite well?" She asked immediately.
"Good morning Miss Elora. I sure did. The night was short and wonderful." She answered giving out a yawn after she replied. A smile appeared on Elora's face.
"Great." She answered. There was silence in the room for a while.
"So, it's weekend...." Elora began breaking the news.
"Yeah. So what's the schedule for the day? I hope it ain't gonna be hectic like last weekend?" She questioned and Elora couldn't help but laugh.
"You're so funny Chloe. We are doing something interesting today!"
"Hmm. Let me guess...!" She replied and paused in a thoughtful way. Elora just watched the little girl in front of her amused.
"Well, I think... we're going to see the mountain top or most probably you wanna teach me a new rhyme?" She asked, wondering. Elora chuckled at her statement.
"Not even close Chloe."
"So what is it then?" She said letting out a slight grunt as she frowned.
"Okay, let me give you a hint."
"Alright!" Chloe's face lit up. Elora observed the girl before as she smiled. Chloe had so much anticipation in her.
"Could you go on...?" Chloe said as her patience was already running out.
"Okay.... It's a place where people sell and you get to buy lots of things." She highlighted. Chloe paused to think, trying to read between the lines. Then she got an idea!
"Oh I know..." She began;
"So what's it then?" Elora asked in a quite subtle voice.
"Well...., it's a marketplace." She answered. Elora paused and acted as though she was trying to figure out something, ignoring Chloe's earlier statement.
"Tell me, am I right?" She asked with a large smile on her face.
"Let me see....." She paused an continued;
"Well... you are my darling! You are absolutely right." She broke the news.
"Yes!!" Chloe exclaimed in victory and excitement. She was happy she had gotten it right. Elora laughed at the reaction of the little girl.
"So what are we waiting for? Let's go. What are we buying? I can't wait to see it. I've always wanted to be there. I've always imagine what it's like especially that place called the supermarket! When do leave Miss Elora? Take me there! Please, please, please... pretty pleaseeee!!" The young girl pleaded.
"Woah easy Chloe. I am taking you there. Let's go. Coachman Derrick is waiting for us outside."
Happily, Chloe ran out to the carriage as Elora followed from behind.
"Good morning Derrick." Chloe greeted.
"Good morning lady Chloe. Where shall we go? I believe we have somewhere to visit." Derrick said as Chloe giggled. Elora stepped out and met Madam Clara at the doorway. She gave a courtesy to her and she in return gave a positive response.
"Come closer." She said and Elora obeyed.
"Not one word about this must get to the ears of Lord Higgins. You already know why..." She whispered into her ears.
"Yes ma'am. I do know that. Thank you." She replied with a gesture.
"Alright. Please make sure she has fun. Okay?"
"She will." Clara smiled at her. The two ladies took a glance at the jovial kid having a conversation with Derrrick.
"She's such a happy child. Reminds me of my younger self." Elora said with a slight smile.
"Yes about that. You haven't told me anything about yourself. You know... your backstory." Clara said.
"That will be later, Madam Clara."
"Let's go Miss Elora, time's wasting." Chloe beckoned on her.
"Coming my dear." She answered and gave Madam Clara a courtesy as she walked down the stairs. They entered the carriage and Derrick started the horses.
Few minutes later, they were at the marketplace. Chloe could see how busy it was with different people buying and selling. It was quite interesting to Chloe.
"Such a busy place. Everyone seems quite busy here." She stated as Elora chuckled.
"Yes they are. C'mon, let's go." She beckoned on her. The little girl giggled as she stepped out, holding unto Elora's hand. They walked down the busy market street, passing a few stores. Soon, they started their shopping spree. Elora got a few things Madam Clara had asked her to get for her such as the cooking spices, pepper, onions, tomatoes, name but a few. Chloe observed most of her conversations with the sellers and put to work her brain for calculating the prices. She was pretty useful as she also helped Elora carry some of the bags.
"That's 150 pennies" Chloe answered after doing a few maths, relieving both Elora and the salesman of the addition.
"Very good Chloe!" Elora remarked.
"Your little girl's very smart. I like her." The salesman said to her.
"Thank you sir."
"What's your name youngster?" He asked.
"Chloe,sir. Chloe Higgins." She replied with a smile.
"Wow, I had no idea, Lord Higgins had a daughter. That's very impressive." He turned to Elora;
"Are you her..."
"Oh no, no, I'm not! I'm just her governess." She cut him short answering his suspicious question.
"Well, that's good." He turned to Chloe.
"Here Chloe, have an apple for being really smart." He said as he offered her an apple from the tray apples shaded in front of his shop.
"Thank you very much sir." Chloe said with smiles, giving a courtesy.
"Thank you very much sir. I really appreciate." Elora thanked him.
"You're welcome Miss and you too, Chloe. Just keep being a good and smart girl. Don't forget to drop by next time." He answered.
"We sure will." They both gave a courtesy as they left his shop. Chloe waved him goodbye as they both headed back to where Derrick was waiting for them.