The daily for today! :)

Ingredients: Bell || Cottage || Tea || Train

The locomotive clicked and clacked, slowly progressing along the rusty train tracks. Smoke billowed from the copper-rimmed chimney, rattling the compartments and their occupants. The train’s surroundings were densely packed with large, centuries-old dark oak trees and long strands of grass that stretched skyward.

The silhouette of a figure came into view as the locomotive chugged forward. A young girl sat at the edge of the tracks, neatly crossing her legs and waving a queen’s wave. There was a loud screech as the train immediately braked and came to a stop. The girl gracefully got to her feet and walked up into the first-class carriage as the conductor slid open the door.

There was a murmur of voices amongst the passengers as they studied the new arrival. She smiled pleasantly at them as she passed their seats then sank into a chair near the back, apparently already fascinated by the moving scenery outside the window.

After travelling for nearly half an hour a gentle ringing sounded, soon met with the service of a waitress bearing a cup of freshly-made ginger and lemon tea. The girl sat her bell aside, took the cup and daintily began sipping at it, lifting her pinky into the air as she did so.

The passengers were frequently met with the tintinnabulation of the bell, but didn’t dare complain, horrified by what the response would be. An ear-piercing scream suddenly erupted from the young girl’s mouth, followed by a series of shouting, “HOW DARE YOU?!”
“I- I am so sorry, miss!” stuttered the waitress, ”Would you like me to fetch you another cup?”
“Another cup?!” she said, staring at her now thoroughly soaked dress , “My dress is simply ruined! My mother payed good money for this!”

Being the first time the girl had spoken, quite a crowd of onlookers had gathered, staring, shocked at the scene.
“I could w- wipe it up if you like,” said the waitress quietly, afraid of what would happen next.
“How do you suggest I wi-,” she shook her head in disapproval, then stormed out of the carriage, muttering under her breath.

The train had come to a halt once again to let her off, leaving the occupants of the first-class compartment in a tense situation. The girl walked along the sides of the tracks, apparently now making her way on foot. She trudged past a cottage, an elderly lady calling out to her from inside, “Need some tea, dear?” She scowled, speeding up her pace as she went past.