Temperance May; A Cautionary Tale. Part Two

 Jonathon Mercer couldn’t understand why he felt so unhappy. He had a beautiful wife, a steady job and a loving family. Something wasn’t right. Normally he would speak with his father. Every evening he would sit with his family as they shared a long comfortable dinner and talk bout the day’s events. Since marrying Temperance he found it hard to find time with any of his family. Dinners were rushed and quiet; his parents finding excuses to leave the table promptly. His Grandmother now took her meals in her room.

Jonathon often thought about what she had told him,

“You keep her close and watch her.”

The truth was he couldn’t control her. She scared him. The only way he could handle Temperance was to try and keep her happy. Maybe if he could keep her happy he might not feel so miserable.

“I want to see the dress.” Temperance demanded one late October morning at the lonely breakfast table.

“Darling I‘ve explained,” Jonathon soothed.

“No!” She snapped, “I’ve had enough of your explaining. If you don’t show me that dress I shall write to my sisters and tell them how badly you and your family treat me. Their husbands are big,strong powerful men; I don’t think you would last very long against them.”

“Please sweetheart,” Jonathon begged, his hands fluttering in a vain attempt to placate her, “Please don’t ask me to go against my father.”

“Jonathon Mercer,” Temperance hissed icily, “You are a pathetic fool. Show me that dress or I shall pack my bags and leave you forever.”

In the dead of night, his hands shaking, Jonathon crept down the passageway to the front of the shop, following his wife. His whole family slept above unaware of his ordeal.

“Hurry up,” she nagged, “Quickly.”

He slipped a stolen key into the door and swung it open. They both gasped. Inside the shop the mannequin was clad in the most beautiful gown.

Temperance let out a low moan of desire and started to reach for the mannequin.

“Don’t touch it please,” Jonathon whispered fearfully.

Before she could the mannequin began to shake and jump violently. As Jonathon watched, his mouth wide open, the mannequin transformed before his eyes; in no less than a minute, where was once a dull, wooden mannequin, stood a beautiful young woman. Jonathon could do no more than blink.

The young woman looked startled,

“You’re not supposed to be here,”

“Who are you?” Temperance replied boldly, standing up to her, “All the doors are locked. How did you get in here?”

“You shouldn’t be in here,” the girl repeated urgently, “Please leave. Something terrible will happen.”

Temperance ignored her,

“Who are you?”

“My name is Adele Sorensen. I am the daughter of Christian and Marie Sorensen. Please go now before it is too late.”

Temperance folded her arms defiantly,

“We’re not going anywhere until you tell us what you’re doing here.”

Adele thought for a moment, and bit her lip in hesitation, then smiled at Jonathon and Temperance,

“You are good people; your family has looked after me for many years. I will tell you my story. But afterwards you must not ask me any more questions and you must leave straightaway.”

“My mother Marie died when I was a little girl and not long afterwards my father remarried. My step mother Amelia was sweet natured when Papa was around but she was vain, selfish and self absorbed. When Papa was away on business she was mean, cruel and vindictive to my brother and I. We didn’t know she was also a witch.

 I was a little girl in desperate need of a mother’s love and, despite her cruelty, I adored Amelia. I remember she had hundreds of beautiful dresses. I loved playing with my mother’s dresses, she would let me wear them and parade around the house wearing her jewels. I would often ask Amelia to let me wear her dresses but she would always refuse.

One day when Papa was away I begged to wear one of her dresses. She flew into a rage and cast a spell on me, turning me into a mannequin. She laughed meanly as she did so, screaming,” Now you can wear as many dresses as you like.”

When my father returned from his business trip Amelia told him I had run away. My brother spoke up and told father the truth and the two of them cast Amelia out. They were heartbroken and did not know what to do. A kindly raven heard their cries of sadness and did her best to lift the curse. I was able to return to my true form, once a year, on my birthday. Until someone took my place I would remain trapped this way for a hundred years and then remain a mannequin forever.

My father left instructions in his will that the mannequin was to be left to this business. Once a year a beautiful dress was to be made to fit the mannequin and to be ready for my birthday. The completed dress was to be left on the mannequin and locked in the shop overnight and left alone. When I return I always have something to wear and I always pay with a bag of gold.”

Adele held out a bag heavy with gold. Temperance snatched it from her and turned to the counter to greedily count the coins.

Jonathon was dazzled by Adele’s sweetness and beauty; he cleared his throat and managed to speak,

“How many years do you have left?”

She shook her head sadly,

“This is my final birthday. Tonight is the hundredth night. I will never return again.”

“But you said someone can take your place.”

“There has never been anyone here before. My father made sure to warn your family. He did not want this tragedy to befall anyone else.”

Jonathon’s eyes slid to watch his wife carefully counting coins, her eyes glinting meanly.

“How is the curse lifted?” he asked quietly

Adele lowered her voice and leant closer to Jonathon. He felt dizzy as he took in her scent. She was so different to Temperance.

“Someone has to ask me if they can wear my dress. I have no choice but to give it to them. Then the curse is theirs and I am free.” She smiled wistfully, “Tonight I will be free anyway. I will join my father and brother and never be trapped again.”

“Adele…” Jonathon began, reaching for her hand, his heart beating fiercely, “If only my father had told me about you before. I could have…”

Suddenly Temperance was beside them, her mouth twisted sourly,

“What are you two whispering about?” she snapped.

“Nothing dear,” Jonathon replied quickly, “I was just explaining how hard father worked on this dress and how you have been dying to see it.”

Money forgotten Temperance ogled the dress. She fingered the material lovingly.

“Such a pretty dress,” she sighed.

Adele looked horrified,

“Please don’t touch it” she begged trying to back away from Temperance.

“Why not? Let me touch it!” Adele was backed against the counter and had no choice but to allow Temperance to stroke the smooth silkiness of the dress.

“Mr. Mercer,” Adele implored, “Please tell your wife to stop, both of you must leave now.”

“Temperance, please don’t do that.”

“I shall do as I please” She snarled at both of them, “I’m sick of being told what to do. Temperance, fold clothes, count pins, stop that, Temperance please don’t. …I’m sick of it. I deserve better. Give me that dress!”

Temperance tried to rip the dress off Amelia.

“No! No!” Amelia cried,” Mr. Mercer, tell her to stop!”

“Temperance,” Jonathon reprimanded; feeling, for the first time in his married life, in control, “You won’t get anything if you don’t ask nicely.”

“Oh very well,” she rolled her eyes, “Please can I wear your dress?”

Tears streaming from her eyes, Adele mutely removed her gown and handed it to Temperance who quickly pulled it on over her nightgown. She began admiring herself in the shop mirror, cooing and smiling at her reflection.

Adele stood in her petticoats, shaking and sobbing, as Jonathon put his own dressing gown over her shoulders,

“I’m so sorry Mr. Mercer, please forgive me.”

“What are you crying for you pathetic creature,” Temperance snapped tossing her hair as she paraded and preened, “I’m only borrowing it.”

“Temperance,” Jonathon spoke up grimly, “Its time you were quiet.”

“What did you say to me?”  His wife shrieked.

“I’ve had enough of your noise. I said be quiet.”

Temperance opened her mouth to hurl invectives at him and suddenly froze still, her hands clutching at her throat. In a moment she began to shudder and shake and soon all that stood before them was a plain wooden mannequin. Temperance and the dress had disappeared.

Adele had her head buried in Jonathon’s shoulder.

“Come on Adele, it’s over, you’re free,” as he lifted her chin to see her face  her features blurred and shifted; he found himself looking into the eyes of his wife.

“Temperance?” Jonathon stuttered, heart pounding, almost in tears, ” but…”

 ”She has gone.” Softly whispered the woman  who stood before him, “It’s me, Adele. Thank you Mr. Mercer. I’m free. But I am so sorry… your wife…”

“Thank you Adele,” Jonathon kissed her lightly on the forehead; experiencing happiness for the first time in months, “I am free too.”

Lydia Mercer looked across the courtyard where her family was gathered around a large bonfire. It had been an eventful week. Temperance had turned over a new leaf. She was pleasant, polite and helpful. Lydia had rejoined the family dining table for evening meals as the atmosphere had transformed from quiet and uncomfortable back to the old warmth and laughter  she remembered before her grandson had married.  Temperance had even taken an interest in lace making and was assisting Lydia in her workroom.

She was so pleased and proud that her grandson had taken her advice. He looked happier than she had seen him for a long time.

She watched as Jonathon and his father dragged a large wooden mannequin to the bonfire. The two men heaved the mannequin into the flames.  The fire licked at the wood and it burned fiercely. Lydia was sure she heard Temperance screaming angrily but when she looked at her grandson she could only see Jonathon holding Temperance close to him. He was smiling and talking softly to her.

“I’m so glad he has happiness” she murmured, ” He deserves it.”