Soon I arrived at the carriage that would take me to England. My walking days were soon to be over, and I was very tired. During my walk I gathered some very nice things. Once I was at least a mile or so away from home, I encountered an older woman who had only wanted something to eat. I gave her three of my apples and in return she had gave me a beautiful seashell with smooth edges and yellow sparkles. I adored the shell and told her I’d treasure it forever.

    Next there was a merchant selling flowers. I stopped there to only take a peek at the sunflowers and roses. He told me I was beautiful and handed me a free sunflower. I thanked him. Not long after I had left the merchant I encountered a woman selling her old jewelry. She tried to get me to buy something but I told her that I had other plans for my money. She told me it didn’t matter, she had a little orange looking jewel that she was willing to part with. I smiled and thanked her. I had hoped that i’d encounter more people but sadly I had already arrived at the carridge.

I gave a dollar for the fee to get through the gates, and then had to pay the drivers three whole dollars. I sighed a bit. What kind of a place would I be able to get for $11? I sat back against the seat. A train would have only been two dollars.

I opened my basket and changed my shoes from my little heels to sandals. It wasn’t very appropriate but I didn’t mind it. I closed the basket and looked into the food basket before reaching inside of it and grabbing an orange for myself. I ate it as I looked out the window. I heard England was a nice country, but that it was full of drunk soldiers. I chuckled to myself at the thought. But I knew to never get involved with them because they could die at any time during a war.

Maybe I’ll marry a nice baker. At least I know he can cook. But then again, maybe I wouldn’t marry anyone. It would be a waste to love someone and to have them die before you. Sometimes I think I’d rather be human. Living forever could get lonely if you don’t have anyone to spend it with. I groaned having not made up my mind yet.

The carriage stopped a few times for bathroom breaks . It took us about four hours to get to England’s port. I thanked the driver, gathered my things, and left the carriage before taking a moment to look around. I was going to have to get used to this place. I sighed and walked over to the information booth.

“Excuse me. May I have a map please?” I asked both of the gentlemen politely. They looked up at me and groaned.

“Hope you aint bring no bugs up here girl.” One of the men said.

“Awe man don’t kid her. She is rather beautiful.” Went the other.

I sighed at the illiterate bastards. “A map please?” I asked again. They cleared their throats as a soldier walked by. I smirked and shouted. “Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! These men are trying to get me.” I cried out as if I were a damsel in distress.

The soldier ran over as he blew his whistle. “Are you okay ma’am?” He asked.

I nodded and pouted. “I asked for a map and they started talking about my breasts.” I lied.

The soldier roared angrily at them and scolded them. The two men frowned and handed me a dozen maps. I thanked the soldier and picked up my bags and walked away. I smiled to myself as I looked over the map. I suppose I could live in this town. Maybe I should live next a forest to gather herbs. No one knows herbs like a witch. Well, unless you’re an herbalist. Maybe I could find a good shop around here.

As I walked down the street people looked at me as if I was someone from a different world. I guess I might need to buy at least one new dress from here. I walked past some little houses and looked around for a little red mark to indicate that they were for sale. I saw a couple but they were all $20 and up. I sighed deeply and sat on a bench. I really hope I don’t have to live outside.

A small girl who looked like she was at least 17 or 18 walked up to me. She looked at me and studied my features as I studied hers. She had short brown hair and her complexion was very tan. Her hands were small and her feet were as well. She wore a blue dress with a flower pattern and little small heels.

She finally smiled at me and started to speak. “Where are you from?” She asked me.

“I am from Italy. Are you native to here?” I answered, asking her back. She nodded her head and sat next to me.

“Do you have enough money for a home? I am looking for a roommate.” She happily said.

She didn’t even know my name and yet she offered me a place to stay. How foolish yet kind of her. “Now how do you know that I’m not some crazy woman who kills girls?” I joked.

She smiled and chuckled. “Then I’ll just beware. I always help those in need.”

I nodded and stood up, holding my hand out. “My name is Marabeth. But I like to be called Mara”

She grabbed my hand and shook it. “My name is Layla. I just like Layla.” She locked arms with me.

    We started to walk down the pathway as she started to tell me about herself. Layla loved to cook, and she worked at a little bar down the street. She enjoys reading and is actually very smart, but doesn’t like to often tell others. Here it isn’t polite for a woman to read without a man’s oversight.

I stopped her right there. “You are telling me a lie aren’t you? There is no way a woman isn’t allowed to read without a man! How disrespectful, denying a woman a right to her education!” I cried out loud in disbelief, feeling myself grow upset.

Layla covered my mouth. “Hush! Hush! We can’t talk like that here. I will explain more when we get home.” she said and apologized to everyone that had begun to stare at me. We continued to walk side by side. Soon we arrived to her medium sized home. It was quite beautiful and it even had little plants in the front. I smiled at the house as she pulled me up to the door. She took out her key and opened the door as I followed her inside.

“Your home is so beautiful. My aunt’s home was a bit smaller.” I kindly said. Layla chuckled at me and closed the door behind us.

“Thank you. I’m sure your aunt had a lovely home. Did you not have a mother and father?” She asked me while heading into the kitchen.

I sighed a bit and shook my head. “They died when I was just a baby.” My voice went soft.

Layla looked back at be before hugging me. She rubbed my back. “I am so sorry.” She whispered.

I smiled a little and hugged her back. “No need. You did nothing wrong.”

Layla smiled at me. “Let’s talk more after tea and cookies.” She walked around the kitchen to get a teapot going. She then took some cookies out of a jar before placing them on small plates. I chuckled at the tiny flower patterned plate. She must like flowers as well. Back in Italy we only had rusty or silver plates. Not to mention the kitchen was enormous. There were white tiled floors and brown cabinets. The table was porcelain and the chairs were bent metal painted white with little cushions. I couldn’t even imagine what the bedrooms look like. Even the wallpaper was a flower pattern. The teapot’s scream interrupted my thoughts.

Layla brought over the teacups along with the sugar and milk. Then she picked up the teapot carefully and poured it into the cups. “Here we go. I hope you like it. I used a healing herb to cure your fatigue.” She smiled.

“Thank you so much. I have some herbs in my basket. I love going out to find them too. Where do you get your herbs?” I asked her.

She smiled as she sat down. “I gather them myself. And simple herbs I buy from the herbalist shop in town.” She explained while adding sugar to her tea. I added both milk and sugar to my tea as she looked at me carefully. “Which part of italy are you from?”  

“Florence.” I answered as she peered into my eyes.

“You seem to know a lot about herbs. Could you be a witch by chance?”

My heart dropped.