Page 11 of Beauty and the Baker
“Why don’t you order a pot of tea, Georgina,” the woman said.
“I don’t even know your name.”
“Miss?” the man asked. “Most’em folks just call me Smalls.”
Georgina looked from the woman across the bench back to Smalls.
“He can’t see or hear me, dearie. Only you can.”
“That is the silliest thing I’ve ever heard of.”
“Excus’um me, miss?”
Georgina was mortified. She put her hands up to her lips. “Oh, please forgive me. I wasn’t talking to you.”
“Who was you talkin’ to, miss?”
“Don’t you see her?”
Smalls shook his head. “No ma’am. It is just you in here.”
Georgina shook her head. The woman in black was still there. She gave Georgina a little wave with her gloved fingers.
Georgina sighed. “I don’t think I’ll have anything. I need to rest. Thank you though, Mr. Smalls.” The man nodded and backed out of the compartment.
“Call him back,” the woman said, reaching her hands out towards Georgina.
“Wait,” Georgina called automatically.
The man turned and looked at her.
“Order tea,” the woman said.
“Actually, I’d like a pot of tea.”Although I don’t know how I’m going to pay for it, she thought.
“Oh look, there is a nickel,” the woman said pointing to the floor of the compartment. Georgina knew it wasn’t there a moment ago but didn’t say anything. Instead she reached down and picked it up in her hand, flipping it over to examine both sides.
“That will be three-cents, miss,” Smalls said.
Georgina put the coin in his hand. “Keep the change.”
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you very much.” He pocketed the coin and headed down to the next compartment in the car.
Once the man had disappeared, Georgina turned back to the woman across from her. “Who are you?”
“You may call me Mrs. Pennyworth. My first name is Blanche, but I’ve not had anyone call me that in years.”
“Mrs. Pennyworth?”
“Why, yes, child. Did I stutter?”
“Uhm, no,” Georgina said. She felt a little bewildered. “I guess I’m just confused. You said that man couldn’t see you or hear you. But why can I?”
Mrs. Pennyworth gave a laugh, her silver curls bouncing as she rocked. “I’m your guardian angel, love. Biscuit?” She held out the basket in front of her. Georgina peeked inside. There was a small plate with several shortbread cookies inside the basket. Georgina took one.
The door slid open again, disappearing into a pocket hidden within the wall. Mr. Smalls pushed a small cart just inside the door. “Your tea, miss,” he said, placing a tray next to her on the bench. “Just put the tray outside the door when you are done, and I’ll remove it. Is there anything else?”
Georgina shook her head. “I’m good for now. Thank you.”
