A Moment to Remember by Dee Williams

when there was a tap on her door.
    ‘Milly. Can I talk to you?’ It was Richard.
    ‘What do you want?’
    ‘Let me in.’ His voice was a hushed whisper.
    ‘I can’t.’ Milly sat on the bed, too frightened to move. She knew the door wasn’t locked; she had never had any need to. Besides Elsie had to come and wake her in the mornings.
    ‘Please.’
    ‘No, go away. What will your mother and father say?’
    ‘They don’t need to know.’
    ‘I think you’ve had a bit too much to drink.’
    ‘This is the only way I can get up the courage to tell you how I feel about you.’
    ‘I’m very flattered, Richard, but please go away.’ Although Milly was taken aback, she was thrilled that he wanted to tell her how he felt. She wanted to throw open the door and invite him in, but she knew that would be wrong. She was terrified someone would hear him and come to see what was going on. She always lived in dread of having to leave here. What would she do? Where could she go?
    ‘Please, Milly, let me in. I only want to talk.’
    She jumped off the bed, half hoping he would open the door and she would be in his arms, but that couldn’t be. ‘Please, Richard, go away.’ She said it very half-heartedly.
    He didn’t reply. She strained her ears for a sound, but none came. Perhaps he had gone away. She slowly opened the door. He was lying on the floor just outside. What should she do? She shut the door quickly. Should she try and wake him up? But what if he turned and pushed her back into the bedroom? She knew she wouldn’t be able to resist him. Fear ran through her. She couldn’t call for anyone to help her. Betty wouldn’t climb all these stairs, and that only left Mr and Mrs Green. Shivering, she took her coat from the hook behind the door and sat on the bed, contemplating what to do. It was very cold in the attic; perhaps that would wake him and he’d go back to his room.
    Milly put the chair under the handle of the door and got into bed. She lay wide awake, listening for the slightest sound. Despite her worry, she smiled to herself. He liked her. He’d come all the way up here to tell her that he liked her. But what good would that do? They came from different worlds. Then another thought went through her mind: had he come up here for another reason? She knew all about what men did to women. Was that what he wanted? She also knew that men could be very different when they’d had a few drinks. What if she had invited him in? Would she finish up with a baby? She shuddered. Although she loved him, she knew she had to keep him at bay for both their sakes.
     
    Milly woke with a start. Elsie was knocking on her door and calling her name. Jumping out of bed, she moved the chair away.
    ‘What yer doing putting the chair behind the door?’
    Milly quickly dressed herself in her work clothes. ‘It’s nothing.’
    ‘ ’Ere, that Mister Richard ain’t been after yer, has he?’
    Milly looked at Elsie. It wasn’t like her to talk about the family.
    ‘I’ve seen the way he looks at yer. Yer wanna be careful of the likes of him. Think they can have who they like just cos they’ve got a few bob.’
    Milly was shocked.
    ‘Right, best foot forward. Oh, by the way, merry Christmas.’
    ‘Merry Christmas to you, Elsie,’ said Milly as she followed her down the narrow staircase.
    ‘Everything all right?’ asked Betty when they walked into the kitchen.
    ‘Yes thanks,’ said Milly. ‘Merry Christmas.’
    ‘And the same to you. Now get on with the grates, then your breakfasts will be ready. Did you sleep all right?’ asked Betty.
    Milly looked at her with surprise. She’d never asked her that before. Did she know something? Had she heard Richard?
    All the while she was on her hands and knees in front of the fireplaces, she was terrified Richard would come in and make some comment. But the start of the morning passed without any problems.
    Mr Green called them into the dining room just before the family sat down to