Chapter 126

Another sleepless night, another interminably long day to survive. The dull, tedious cycle started to become Ava's new reality. It was almost noon by the time she woke up. She turned to the window and gazed outside, into a day as dull and gloomy as her heart. She glanced at the mantle clock on the commode, startled to see how late it was. Suddenly she realized, Polly had done all the house chores and her job since they returned home. With a little pang of guilt, she rolled out of bed and washed her face. She stepped out of her room to find that the kitchen had been cleaned and lunch was already served. Across the room, Polly was kneeling in front of the hearth, trying to start the fire.

"Drat! It won't start. There's not enough sticks in here."

Polly wiped out a mist of sweat on her forehead with the back of her hand, smudging ashes over her damp skin.

"I'll get them." Ava put on a shabby cloak and a pair of old leather