Back in her room, the polo shirt soon changed into a fitted pink one, and along with her dark jeans and fitted sued jacket, she kept her hair in its simple ponytail, now ready and prepared to tackle the shops, on her own. This was something she didn’t mind, as independence had always made Louise who she was, yet being under this new roof, tied down that free spirit and hid away who she really was. Throwing her bag onto her shoulder, she glanced into the mirror before heading out of the door; meeting Christie on the way.

"On your way out madam?" She asked. "Er, I mean Lou."

"Yeah, yeah I am. Just a lil’ bit of shopping for a new outfit. I’ve got piano lessons later so I have to look presentable. I have far too many clothes as it is!" Louise laughed. "And now I have to get more?"

"Oh it must be great leading a life like yours Lou…" Christie commented.

"No… it’s… it’s…" Louise began looking down.

"Christie!" A deep voice called. "I hope I heard incorrectly then…"

"Excuse me Sir?" Christie asked, turning round.

"Mrs Aphex-Campbell to be is called Louise, not Lou, as you put it." Anton told as he joined Louise’s side.

Cringing inside at the thought of actually being married to him and being known as one of them, made the walls inside draw closer together, the lights grow dimmer and her own light wanting to smash. She couldn’t do this, she didn’t want to do this, but she felt so trapped, that any push a corner was calling for, would be snared and answered.

"Anton, I myself asked Christie to call me Lou…" Louise stated.

"I am sorry Sir." Christie apologised, her head dropping low.

"And so you should be. It is immoral to call a lady of such manner by a nickname, such as Lou." Anton continued. "And because of your rudeness towards her, a small amount will be deducted from your wages this month. You get paid far too much as it is…"

"Anton." Louise said firmly. "I asked Christie to call me that, so no deductions need to be made."

"Are you going shopping Louise?" Anton asked, acknowledging her presence for the first time since joining Christie.

"Yes, but did you underst…"

"Well you best hurry along now then, as Albert is waiting for you in the drive, and you do not want to be late." He smiled, kissing her cheek lightly.

Smiling falsely, the walls widening again and letting that light beam out, she headed down the stairs, leaving Christie behind but not before giving her a sympathetic glance. She hated the way her life was leading the moment, the way he never took notice of what she had to say; just how she looked and the way he was set in his ways of being in control like some old American Dream.

Walking out onto the drive, the gravel crunching beneath her feet and the sound of gushing water from the stone fountain filling the air, Louise smiled courteously at the chauffeur, Albert as she stepped into the car and left paradise to some, behind.

Arriving back at where she called home after a few hours with Anton’s plastic, only a small dent had been made as Louise’s need for normality had been arranged somehow by the independence she had inside. Strolling through the door, many bags hanging from her hands, she met Anton as he was quickly on his way out.

"Ahh, Louise. Did you have fun shopping?" He asked, firmly placing his hands on her arms.

"Yes, yes it was nice, thank you." Louise smiled, his clutch bringing back that trapped feeling.

"Well that is nice to hear. I am really sorry but I must dash!" He apologised, "A very important meeting needs me but I am sure mother will ensure that what you brought is appropriate enough."

"Ok, I will erm, speak to you later?"

"Whatever you want, Louise. Whatever you want." Anton said. "Bye."

Watching him head out of the door and straight towards the car, Louise slowly closed the door behind him, knowing that she had at least another half an hour of freedom before her piano lessons would start and this Mr Read would bring back this feeling. She couldn’t help but think that he would be yet another control freak, trying to make her something she wasn’t, however, with a connection of music, she also couldn’t help but think, hope, that he would be something like her.

"Louise my dear. Have fun shopping?" Abigail asked as she wafted down the hall like an enchanting smell.

"Yes, it was lovely." Louise smiled, clutching her bags tightly.

"But I do not see a Harrods bag." Abigail said a little disappointedly. "In fact I do not see any of the shops you seem to have visited within the bags you have in your hands."

"That is because I could not see anything I liked in there so I took a small trip to a local retailer and the clothes in there seemed perfect. Really lovely, different shades and a great fit…" Louise explained.

"Are you telling me that you used public dressing rooms and have brought high street clothing?" She asked, somewhat a little disgusted.

"Yes… but the clothes really are lov…"

"Well you cannot really exchange it now, what with your lesson in half an hour so I am just hoping that what you have picked is not too shameful." She mused. "You best hurry along Louise, he will be here in a minute."

Approaching the staircase and heading up them, Louise began wondering why she had even said yes to the marriage proposal and why she was still living here. Her own control could never emerge inside here, as everything had to match to their standards, their expectations and their respectability. She constantly felt she was in need for their approval and no matter how much she loved the things she had brought or the way she would like things to go, their judgement always poured a cloud over her light; her happiness.

Closing the door behind her as she wandered into her room, she threw the bags onto the bed and sat down on the edge. Sighing to herself, she felt empty but as she heard the door click open, that thought of unhappiness was soon chased away, with the perfidy taking its place.

"I hope you do not mind me entering Louise but I just wanted to make sure you were ok." Christie said as she stood shyly in the corner.

"I’m fine but what about you? I really am sorry about earlier by the way. I did try and tell him but as usual he never listens." Louise explained.

"Do not worry Louise, everything is fine but I am not too sure about you. I overheard Mrs Aphex-Campbell in the hall about you and your clothes and I know how snobby she can be…"

Louise laughed, while a wash of guilt appeared on Christie’s face. "I am so sorry. I know I shouldn’t have said that but I am sure that what you’ve brought is perfect for your lesson."

"Oh don’t apologise Christie!" Louise chuckled. "You’re right, more right then you’ve ever been before. She is snobby… anyway, seeing as you’re here, how about you tell me what you think?"

"Ok Louise, I can do that." Christie smiled.

"Lou." She stated.

"Ok, Lou."

Stepping carefully down the steps, dressed in her new outfit, she reached Abigail at the bottom who looked a little shocked, yet seemingly pleased. Straightening her deep red suede skirt and brown jumper, Louise smiled as she stood comfortably in dark brown knee-length boots.

"You are just in time. Mr Read has just so happened appeared at the door." Abigail informed. "Shall I get it? Maybe that will give you a little more time to think about your outfit, giving you time to reconsider."

As she headed over towards the door, Louise followed in her shady shadow, subsequently behind as she ignored the words spoken on her clothes. Christie agreed that it was a good, presentable choice and Louise herself liked so to her, that’s all that mattered right now.

Opening the door, Abigail greeted warmly this Mr Read with a certain kindness to her voice, something Louise hadn’t really seen before but after deciding that it was all about impression and presentation, Louise understood fully what to expect. Slipping out of the way, allowing Louise to step forward, she glanced up to a rather different Mr Read to what she anticipated and as he outstretched his hand for hers, she smiled pleasantly, the first real smile in a while.

"Louise I believe?" He said, gently shaking her hand. "Hi, I’m Mark. Mark Read."