Chapter 10: Fury

FRANCESCA

Madam Creese did not say anything to me until we got to the cottage. She had simply held me by the wrist and pulled me along as we walked back to the cottage. She was only an old woman but sometimes, her strength amazed me.

The walk back to the cottage had been quite long. I had not realized that I had walked farther from the cottage until now. I had simply followed my feet where it led me — and it had led me to the river.

Now I knew why Madam Creese was mad at me. She had clearly told me to stay within the confines of the cottage for my safety but I had gone ahead and flouted that rule.

"I'm sorry," I said the moment we got into the cottage.

"For what?" Madam Creese stared blankly at me, her grey eyes lacking any emotion.

I was taken aback by this and I stared back at her, confused.

"For what, Mila?" She probed and my brows furrowed.

Back there, she had called me Francesca but here she was calling me Mila. I could not understand this old lady.

"For leaving the cotta