Excitement lifts the feet in flight
As worldly goods are fast retrieved
Make haste, in case a shadow falls
'cross luck she's only half believed
Hurrying back through city streets
Away from pier-side's cruel defeats

Arriving back at the chipped, green door, Darcy gazed up in wonder at what was now her bedroom window.

Part 30 

The first rays of sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains and Darcy stretched, squirming decadently against the glorious cotton sheets. She sighed and looked around the room. She had been half afraid it was all a dream and she would wake up shivering on the shingle under the boat once again.

Safely wrapped in linen bliss

Where interlopers never roam

Imagination rife with thoughts

Of how to make this sanctuary home

Tiptoes tease the wooden floor

Keen to find out what’s in store

Darcy slid out of bed and threw open the curtains. The sun streamed in and lit up her room. She took her wash bag and towel from the cupboard. Then she crept along the landing to the bathroom.
There was no sound from the other rooms this early. 

She eyed the deep bathtub longingly. Last night’s bath had been absolute heaven. Then washing quickly, she skipped back to her room, to get dressed. Darcy looked around and wondering if she could perhaps get some more furniture to make it more cosy. Maybe even a picture on the wall. She smiled at the thought and went downstairs to the kitchen. A plump, bouncy blonde appeared behind her on the stairs and introduced herself. Sandrine (known as Sandy) was Rosalyn’s sister but they could not be more different.

By this time all was hype and bustle

The daily menu freshly made

Hasty breakfast, glance at roster

Prepare for busy morning’s trade

Trays and trays of sumptuous food

Set the mind to buoyant mood

Day’s work brings rush of spirit’s flight

A feeling that is hard to beat

New friends have turned her world around

No longer struggles with defeat

That night, a gift outside her room

A jam jar filled with golden bloom

Darcy days became filled with activity and the next months were a sea of friendly faces, good food and a sense of worth.

More gifts appeared, cushions, a rug, even a little armchair, but nobody would tell her where they came from. Darcy had a mystery to solve.