Lilibell had already been at Outlander for two whole days, but so far she had only managed to completely clean two rooms.
Mainly because in each one she had discovered a lot of hidden compartments and drawers in the furniture, mostly filled with trinkets, travel souvenirs, or what looked like family relics covered in dust and cobwebs.
So much so that on the third day, she started wishing she had started with the garden.
Fortunately, that day, as she was sweeping one of the bedrooms, the sound of the door stopped her mid-task. At first, she wanted to ignore the sound, believing that something had simply fallen to the floor, but when it was repeated two more times, she finally put down her broom to go downstairs to the first floor.
Reaching the last step, in silence, she held onto the railing to stretch to one side, trying to see through the small window next to the door who might have arrived at that hour. She couldn't see anything, not even with the wind slightly moving the cream-colored curtains back and forth.
She could only hear what sounded like a casual conversation between several people, which increased her curiosity. So, with more confidence, she crossed the hall, carefully opening the main door.
The first thing she saw was three women in simple dresses and aprons with lace trim, standing in front of her door.
One of them was holding a large, round raisin sweet bread, a bannock, on a discreet metal tray, which smelled of toasted oats and butter. And what truly embraced Lilibell without asking permission was the sweet aroma coming from the heat-plumped raisins, making her stomach take charge of reminding her that it was almost elevenses.
She thought they might be trying to sell her the dessert, something that caught her off guard but not unwilling to accept.
"Good morning," she began cautiously, still holding the door by the golden metal doorknob and alternating her gaze between each of the strangers. "Can I help you with something?"
"Aye, good morning! We just stopped by to say hello to our new neighbour," replied the woman holding the plate with the sweet bread in a kind and warm tone. The same woman, who by her facial features appeared to be the eldest of the three. She had her ash-blonde, almost grayish hair, pulled back, wearing a dull green dress under her white apron. "My name is Beatrice," she held the plate with one hand to place the other on her chest, emphasizing her words. "Thae're Jeanette and Rosaline," she pointed to the other two girls with her hand, who greeted her politely as they were named. "We came to drop off our traditional welcome bannock and formally invite you to join the local tea club, for our meeting next Wednesday at four o'clock."
"Oh, I don't know what to say…" was all Lilibell managed to say before Beatrice moved the plate closer for her to take it. It had been so long since anyone had offered her something without asking for anything in return that for an instant, she felt a tightening in her throat. "Thank you very much, but you shouldn't have bothered, I actually only moved here for work," she continued while looking at the gift with a timid smile. "It will only be for a season."
"That's a shame," a melodious voice replied.
It was Rosaline's, the one who, of those present, had the bearing and elegance typical of a city woman, even though she was wearing the same model of dress and apron as her companions, only in a beautiful, almost pastel turquoise tone, with her jet-black hair in a simple side-swept updo. "But if ye're still interested, you can attend our meetings for the duration of your stay."
"I..." Lilibell began, feeling awkward.
She mentally prepared to humbly thank them for the gesture because although she wasn't lying when she said she didn't plan to stay permanently, at least for the moment, it was true that thanks to the location of the place and with a little luck, she might be able to move out.
Perhaps not in this same neighborhood, more likely in a rental downtown.
But upon reconsidering, she concluded that it wouldn't hurt to meet a couple of people from around here. They could help her in the future if she decided to live in the town, besides, she had to start meeting more people if she really wanted to start from scratch.
That's why she quickly corrected herself,"I would love to. In fact, it's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Lilibell," she said, offering a timid smile. "Come away in, it's cold out there".
"Thank the heavens!" replied Jeanette. "I've been wanting to sink my teeth intae Beatrice's bread since I saw her take it oot o' the oven," she finished the sentence, covering her mouth with a hand as she laughed.
Having the sharpest voice, honestly even somewhat shrill, of them all, it wasn't hard to guess that she was the youngest, perhaps the same age as Lilibell. She wore her dress in a peculiar mustard tone, a collar close to her neck of the same tone, with her honey-almost-orange hair held with a white headscarf that matched her apron.
Her two companions looked at her sideways, probably surprised by what she had just said, almost trying to give her a warning to restrain herself, making Lilibell laugh internally. "I don't blame you, it certainly looks delicious."
Jeanette returned the gesture with a wide smile. With that said, Lilibell stepped aside so they could pass.
Guiding them through the hall to the living room, closing the door behind them, and then heading to the kitchen to find the tea set and the silverware to eat the sweet bread. She made several trips but quickly improvised a spot for everyone, to the point that not long after, each was enjoying a steaming cup of black tea in their hands.
"Thank you for having us, dearie," exclaimed Beatrice while adding another sugar cube to her cup. "I hope we aren't interrupting anything."
"Oh, no. You are very kind to come," Lilibell replied, taking another small bite of the bread. "I was eager to see the place, but I had so much to do... I barely had time to unpack!"
"I was just talking to Jeanette aboot that the other day," Rosaline took a sip of her honey tea before continuing. "Because I had seen a young woman enter the Glider residence, but I wasn't sure if it was little Jane or someone else. I live next door, and one day I heard noises, saw lights on inside the residence, but never anyone going out or comin' in. When I told the girls, we almost called the priestess," she laughed at the memory. "Until the postman's wife told us that someone new had arrived in the village."
Lilibell looked at her surprised, not only by how fast the news of her arrival had spread, but by Miss Rosaline's laughter. She laughed with a softness that sounded like music, as if every note effortlessly left her chest.
"Oh, oh!" Jeanette moved until she was sitting on the edge, attempting to join the conversation, swinging the plate with the cup and the tea wobbling with the action. "If you want to meet everyone in the village, you must attend the spring fair," she commented enthusiastically. "There'll be an agricultural fair, parades, music, dancing, and everyone will attend, it will be most enjoyable!"
Perfect — she whispered to herself, smiling.
"It sounds lovely. I'll do my best to attend."
The rest of the morning, they enjoyed elevenses among laughter and gossip, bringing Lilibell up to date with the latest news from the town of Mistfell, with her taking mental notes so as not to forget anything; she even ended up agreeing with Jeanette to meet at the spring fair.
The warmth and kindness of the girls made her feel unexpectedly welcome, as never before in her life. And in the end, when the girls left, silence returned to the house.
Lilibell remained for a moment leaning against the frame of the living room door, her heart still warm from the unexpected visit.
The remains of the sweet bread rested on the table like a small symbol of generosity, and for the first time, the old residence did not feel foreign to her.
She wondered how many more people were about to enter her life, silently asking that they all be just as lovely. Perhaps the spring fair wouldn't just be a social outing.
Maybe it would be the beginning of something more.