Chapter Text
Cindy slammed shut the door of the blacksmith-bakery, sprinting down the street. She tried to cry, but she was more angry than anything.
Her father was so cruel. He said that he would change. That he would treat her the same as John James. That he wouldn’t put her down just because she was a girl.
But there he was, saying ‘Oh Cindy Campbell, you can’t hold the hammer. Only those who are worthy can.’’Oh Cindy Campbell, you can’t open the furnace, you’re too weak for that.’’Oh Cindy Campbell, go and do whatever it is women do.’
Why couldn’t he understand that she was just as capable as any random man that walked into that blacksmith-bakery? John James wasn’t even that talented. He could just swing a hammer really hard.
And why didn’t anyone care when her father exiled her from the forge?
‘Cindy, I never wanta see ye enter this establishment again, do ye understand?’
No, I don’t understand, Father. Why are you like this?
She was so caught up in her thoughts that she almost bumped into a woman getting off the bus from Glasgow Airport. She was tall, with a curly dark brown bob and blue eyes. She was wearing an emerald green shirt dress with white polka dots and a brown belt. What Cindy noticed first though was that her face glistened with tears.
“Oh ma’am, are you okay? You seem to be crying.”
“No, honey, I’m...” the woman had a strong New York accent, Cindy observed. The woman sighed and looked off into the distance before replying. “No, I’m not okay.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” Cindy placed her hands on this woman’s shoulders. She had to practically jump, this woman was taller than most, and, to be fair, Cindy was quite short.
“Not here.”
“You can come to my place if you want. I’ve got a cheesecake in the oven right now,” Cindy smiled. With her father exiling her from the smithery, Cindy was forced to bake using the standard kitchen appliances. Like a pussy, her father’s voice reminded her.
The lady nodded. They started down the street together, side-by-side.
“Oh, I should probably introduce myself before I come to your house. I’m Amanda Wilson.”
“Cindy Campbell.” Cindy gave a little curtsy, making Amanda chuckle. “Come on, I don’t want my cake to burn.”