Note: the following reflects my appreciation for the blog and is actually a comment however since I am an author………. Jus using my privileges!! :)

First of all it’s really nice to see AP working hard for the blog and on the “orphan”.
(Keep it going!!!!)

Second I can’t help feel a little ashamed for the levels of participation I’ve shown lately and so…..
I will come up with a sequel myself and keep posting it along ……….
Three cheers for green scum!!!
Enough of me interrupting!!!
Bring on chapter five!!!

THE ORPHAN

Chapter 4- I couldn’t find an appropriate title for this one. :)

There was a silence broken only by the sounds of children’s laughter issuing from the Dining Hall accompanied by the clatter of spoons and knives.

Andy, who was just about to say the same thing, was surprised.

‘I’m sorry Mr. Bennington, but I’m afraid you’ll have to take me too. Its like this- Andy’s mother and I were close friends. And before she died, she asked me if it were possible for me to look after him. So I’m afraid I’m going to have to keep my promise. If Andy stays, I do. If he doesn’t then I don’t.’

‘Are you telling me that you’re going to follow this boy around wherever he goes?’

Ms. Evans went slightly pale; it seemed Mr. Bennington had touched a nerve by questioning Ms. Evan’s authority. He made it seems like as though she was demanding for the post of Andy’s personal maid servant.

‘Not really Mr. Bennington. If you were just anybody, I mean to say someone who didn’t know Andy at all, then I’m afraid we would’ve had to refuse your offer. But since you have taken a personal interest in Andy, I’m afraid its left to him to decide his future, though I will always be accompanying him, till he’s old enough, of course.’

Andy felt helpless. Things weren’t going the right way at all.

‘Alright, if you say so. You can accompany Andy to London. And you are young enough. I suppose, if you have any interest, you can join one of the Universities there that might have you, considering you’re good at splitting, of course,’ said Mr. Bennington.

This blatant acceptance seemed to have shaken Mrs. Potter. She was clearly banking on him to refuse.

‘Alright then, when are you planning on leaving Mr. Bennington?’

‘Right now. I’m sorry but there is no other time that can be fixed. My coach is waiting outside.’

‘But Mr. Bennington! We have to pack! And I haven’t resigned from my old job yet! Not to mentio-’

‘I can take care of all that, no need to worry,’ said Mr. Bennington with an air of a person trying his best to push all silly and worthless obstacles aside. ‘If we leave now, we’ll have 15 minutes to spare to catch the only train to London from here. C’mon then!’

Mr. Bennington stood up.

‘Wait!!’ Andy couldn’t take it any longer. ‘Mr. Bennington, I’d like my friend to come too. Megan.. she’s a really good friend of mine.. I’d hate to leave her behind like this.. I mean..’

But Mr. Bennington was looking out of the window, his eyes unfocused, with an expressionless face. There was just a slight hint of disbelief, but it might have been imagined. Andy felt he really wasn’t explaining too well, and if he screwed it up Megan would never forgive him. No. He would never forgive himself.

‘Mr. Bennington, you see, Megan’s been my best friend ever since I came here. And it would mean a lot to me if you could just-’

‘Who else am I going to take along next? The cook?’ Mr. Bennington sighed but his eyes were twinkling.

‘Does that mean.. that .. you’re gonna let Meg-’

‘Only if you get her right now Andy. Otherwise we’ll miss the train.’

Andy ran towards the door, ecstatic. He’d had no idea how worried he was about Megan not being able to join him. He wrenched open the door and almost collided with Megan. She was breathing very fast as though she’d just run, and said, with her eyes shining, ‘I’m ready when you are Mr. Bennington!’

THE ORPHAN

Chapter 3- Decisions

The next day dawned late and dull. Andy woke up and all the conversations that he and Megan had had yesterday came crashing down. It almost felt as if the two days were somehow fused together.

They’d sat up in the attic and discussed.

Megan was silent for a couple of minutes. Andy was reluctant to speak but he spoke anyway.

‘So, I have an offer. Leave Kidlington and then venture out to the Sea. And somewhere in between I gotta attend some school, where I have to learn a little school stuf-’

‘Oh I know..’

Megan looked really put off now. ‘I think you should go you know? Its because you really get to move on to something. I mean, it’s just like Mr. Bennington said right? One “can hardly imagine any prosperity in this place”.. So you should just go. And write to me alright? When you’re in your school?’ she said fiercely, her eyes shining.

‘But I’d really imagined us learning how to split together,’ said Andy quietly.

Splitting was something of an every child under fifteen or sixteen yearned to learn. It was a state of the human body where the emotions of the concerned being would detach or “split” form the body. It was just like a human body, but more emotional, since it was the bare emotion itself.

‘Well, me too. But things change right? And everything happens for your own good too.’

‘I suppose,’ Andy said slowly. ‘Maybe it is a better options after all. I mean we could always meet up right? And maybe after I finish my schooling I can come here and both of us can go to the Sea together!’ and he brightened up and said, ‘Or better yet! I’ll ask Mr. Bennington if it’ possible for you to come too! And I can refuse if he doesn’t agree, and that way he’ll just have to take us!’ he finished triumphantly.

‘Well, I think you should take it a bit easy you know. I mean you’re in no position to bargain, frankly. You just have to ask politely, not just demand,’ Megan said, looking marginally cheerful now.

‘But.. oh alright!’ Andy looked a bit grumpy.

‘And what if he flatly says no?’

‘What? You think he will? But why?’

‘Why would he unnecessarily want to drag the two of us to London? London’s the heart of all the exciting things that are happening. The people who live there are all important in some way or the other. He might just be taking you there out of courtesy because she knows your father! But to drag the whole orphanage there-’

‘Not the whole orphanage! Just you! And come on! He’s filthy stinking rich! You can just make out by the clothes that he wears.. Wonder how his house is like!’

‘Well, I’m not keeping any hopes up. And I think we’d better go.. Potty’ll be wondering where you’ve been.’

The two then got back into their own dormitories. It was very convenient for the two of them to share adjacent rooms with the attic right above them.

Andy got ready for breakfast. Breakfast was always held at seven sharp and lateness wasn’t allowed. Andy felt a pang. Of what, he didn’t know. It would be weird if he had to adjust to new timings in his new school if he decided to go. He felt indecisive as he walked down the stairs to the dining hall- a large, grubby, slightly messy place with many stools. There were about thirty to forty wooden stools huddled around three large tables joined together. It was about six fifty, and there were only about ten children assembled, all of them with sleepy, morning faces. Megan was among them. Andy walked over to where she was sitting and pulled up a stool.

‘Hey,’ Megan yawned, though her eyes were more alert then usual. ‘Sleep well?’

‘Kinda,’ mumbled Andy.

‘C’mon you lot! Set the plates!’ called one of the kitchen maids. The few students rose and sauntered off to the kitchen, where they carried plates to the dining hall and set the plates for everyone.

It looked like Megan had a lot to say, and opened her mouth quite often, but didn’t seem to know where to start.

‘Meg, I’ve already made up my mind alright? Its either both of us or nothing. And besides, we have over an hour to discuss, which I don’t wanna do but since you seem so-’

Just then, Mary, one of the household maids, came scurrying towards Andy and squeaked, ‘Mrs. Potter here wants to see you. Right now. She didn’t tell me why but I saw the gentleman from yesterday come in a coach!’

Andy, who was surprisingly calm, stood up and followed Mary without a backward glance at Megan.

It seemed to be the same scene as the previous day. Mrs. Potter was grim faced and at her desk, while Mr. Bennington had his back to the door, and surprisingly Ms. Evans standing resolutely next to Mrs. Potter.

Andy walked in while the Mary closed the door from outside. Andy sat down next to Mr. Bennington on invitation by Mrs. Potter. Andy sensed Mr. Bennington’s slight discomfort and he knew no one else could.

‘Andy, Mr. Bennington has unexpected plans. He has to leave in a few hours to London. And that’s why he’s here extra early today,’ Mrs. Potter sounded a little cold, as though Mr. Bennington had no right to come an hour early without prior notice. She continued, ‘In fact, he’s got his coach waiting for him outside as we speak. He would like to know of your answer to his proposal immediately. Will you join him and attend whichever school he sends you to?’

Andy felt uncomfortable. He’d rather thought that he’d be alone with Mr. Bennington and he could chat with him genially and somehow pull Megan into all this. But with Mrs. Potter here he felt compelled to put on his best manners. And even with Ms. Evans he felt slightly uncomfortable.

Andy took his time and reluctantly said, ‘Erm.. I think so..’ He didn’t look at Mr. Bennington while he spoke. Instead he gazed at Mrs. Potter’s worn out pen-stand.

‘And are you willing to place yourself entirely in Mr. Bennington’s care?’

‘Yeah.. I guess.’

He was examining the contents of the pen-stand now.

Mr. Bennington spoke softly, ‘Andy, I need a sure answer. Now. You see? I cannot make this offer again. Now’s the ideal age for you to learn what you can about splitting. I’m off to all sorts of places after London in a weeks time. And I can come back only after three or four years. You can learn all this later no doubt, but I insist on you learning whatever you can now; when the time’s right.’ His eyes were blazing again, with that fiery passion Andy had begun to admire in Mr. Bennington.

‘Mr. Bennington, I’d truly like to go with you-’

‘But there’s a problem.’

It was Ms. Evans who spoke, and what was even more astonishing was the fact that it looked like she had Mrs. Potter’s full support.

THE ORPHAN

Chapter 2- A New Prospect

Mrs. Evans knocked softly on the door to Mrs. Potter's office and entered the room. Andy saw a tall and expensively dressed gentleman sitting before Mrs. Potter’s desk. Mrs. Potter’s eyes narrowed a little when she saw Ms. Evans.

‘Where’s Lucy, Stephane? I thought I’d asked her to bring Andrew..’
‘Oh, she’s gone on an errand Mrs. Potter, I offered to bring Andy,’ she said smoothly. She inclined her head slightly towards the gentleman and said confidently, ‘I’m Stephane Evans, Mr. Bennington. You can say Andy’s been left in my care since the demise of his mother. I was a close friend of hers.’

She remained standing, ignoring the only unoccupied chair.

‘Come here Andrew,’ beckoned Mrs. Potter. ‘Mr. Bennington here says he’s an old friend of your father's. He has something interesting to say.’

Andy, who’d been dawdling near the door, walked awkwardly past Ms. Evans and around the broad desk towards Mrs. Potter. He looked at the gentleman for the first time. He had thick black hair and his hand was presently stroking this strong clean-shaven jaw. He had astonishingly bright black eyes, with a slight twinkle in them, as though he already knew of the animosity between the two ladies in the room.

He spoke with a clear, deep voice, ‘You look a little like your father, and especially the jaw highlights the similarity.’

Andy felt a bubble of pride in his heart, but didn’t say anything.

‘Excuse me, but can I speak to Andy alone for a few minutes?’ he addressed the two women. Ms. Evans glanced at Andy, gave the tiniest nod and walked out, and held the door open for Mrs. Potter. Mrs. Potter, on the other hand seemed slightly reluctant. She stood up slowly and heavily, while the chair made a noise on the wooden floor as it got pushed back. She slowly exited, without another glance at Andy or Mr. Bennington. Ms. Evans shut the door quickly and quietly. Andy felt that Mr. Bennington must be important if he could get Mrs. Potter to leave her own office.

Now that Andy was alone, he felt older and more responsible. He felt he could handle anything the man threw at him. Mr. Bennington, though, surveyed Andy for a while, with a small smile.

‘Would you like to come with me to Atlan, Andy?’

Andy became fully alert. He couldn’t believe his ears. He also had no recollection of this man ever coming home to visit his father, and had no idea as to trust him or not. He suspected Ms. Evans of knowing Mr. Bennington before hand, since she'd nodded, Andy thought he was supposed to say yes. Then again he’d be able to get away from Kidlington.

‘This doesn’t mean a quick getaway alright?’ he said, beginning to laugh, as though he’d read Andy’s mind. ‘This will take some planning. Though I’m pretty sure we can manage it in well within a month,’ Mr. Bennington said.

‘But why?’ Andy blurted out.

‘Why I make this offer? It’s like this: your father and I are old buddies. I was once a sailor too. Yes I was, though I may not look it,’ he added, seeing Andy’s expression of disbelief. ‘We were fine sailors. At one point of time, when we made enough money, I branched out to lead a peaceful, quiet life. Whereas he stayed on. He loved the Sea more than anyone else I know. But I heard he became virtually bankrupt after that. I heard of your mother's death,’ his voice became gentler. Andy, sensing that Mr. Bennington was about to speak few words of condolences said quickly, ‘And you’ve heard from my father?’

‘No Andy, you know it’s hard to communicate with someone who’s been out in the sea for so long; I daresay you’ve tried hard enough,’ his voice was still gentle. It was true though. It had been three years since his father’s last visit. Mr. Bennington continued, ‘That’s what I reckon should be clear. The answer to my proposal is only based on your decision. I know that you might look up to Mrs. Potter as your temporary guardian, and I will have no qualms if you do seek her advice. But I should let you know, that your father would be pleased if he knew that you would be studying in one of the most prestigious schools under my guidance.’

‘Studying?’ said Andy, quite concerned that he would be going to London to study and not on an adventure.

‘Why of course! Why else would I ask you to come to Atlan?’ Mr. Bennington smiled. ‘Well, I don’t intend to be offensive but I can hardly imagine any prosperity in this place,’ he said a little apologetically.

Andy thought of the none too exciting years he’d spent in the orphanage. He thought of Megan and his other friends, and felt sad and somehow guilty. Even Mrs. Potter seemed very kind and homely. He felt leaving all this behind just to study in some fancy school wasn’t worth it. But he wanted to think it out carefully.

‘How much time can I have to think this out?’ Andy asked.

‘Well, I’m leaving tomorrow by midday, so I’ll drop in tomorrow morning. Will you please call Mrs. Potter Andy? I really must get going.’

Andy found Mrs. Potter in the kitchen, dealing with the cook who was complaining yet again that there weren’t enough pans. Ms. Evans was nowhere to be seen.

Andy went upstairs to his room which was empty; the others were clearly still in the garden, as there were occasional screams and shouts. He climbed on top of the bedside table, he had to bend almost double so as to avoid his head hitting the low roof. He slowly pushed in one of the large wooden planks, to reveal a large black hole. He heaved himself upwards through it into the attic above. He carefully replaced the plank, cutting off the light through the temporary gap. He looked around and saw Megan with an unhappy smile as she sat about five feet away, her face illuminated by the only patch of light entering through one tiny skylight.

‘Did you listen?’ Andy whispered.

‘Every word of it.’