Dearest Charlotte by Audrey Lockyer (mobi reader TXT) 📕

Charlotte Bromfield closed the door behind her; shutting off the rainy day outside. She took off her coat and sat down by the fireplace to get straight on with her knitting. “Hello, Harriet.” She said to her aunt, who was coming down the stairs. “Oh, Charlotte, you’re home.” “’Course I am, I said I’d be home by four didn’t I?” “You did.”
Charlotte and her father lived alone in a small house on the east side of London. Mrs. Bromfield died far too long ago for Charlotte to remember her, and Charlotte’s sisters; Jane, Emilie and Annabelle were a great deal older than Charlotte, and had all moved away. The only local relative was Aunt Harriett, Mrs. Bromfield’s eldest sister who came to visit as often as she could.
“What are you knitting, dear?” Aunt Harriet asked, peering at the thing her niece was knitting. “Some socks for Pa; his pair are in an awful state.” She smiled, picking a worn sock as an example. “Well they are working men’s socks!” “Yes, but all the same, they are vial!” “Mm...” Her aunt said, raising a disapproving eyebrow. “Lettie, you shouldn’t disrespect your father; you should idolise him; he works so hard for you.” “Why should I idolise a man with disgusting socks?” She asked as if it made absolutely no sense whatsoever. “Charlotte, don’t be precocious.” “I’m not!”