I pulled the false bottom completely free.
Dust rose into the air.
I coughed and waved my hand in front of my face before peering inside.
At first I thought it was some sort of hidden savings.
Money.
Jewels.
Perhaps enough to help with the debt.
Perhaps something that was going to be useful to us that she had forgotten over the years.
Instead, I froze.
There was a dress.
A very small and neatly folded dress
I slowly reached inside and lifted it out.
The material slid through my fingers like water.
Soft.
Delicate.
Beautiful.
My eyes widened.
This wasn't the type of clothing found in our village.
It wasn't even the type of clothing wealthy merchants wore.
The fabric shimmered silver beneath the sunlight.
Tiny pearls had been sewn around the neckline.
The sleeves were embroidered with intricate golden thread.
I had never owned anything half as beautiful.
I turned it over in my hands.
It would fit a little girl.
Perhaps five.
Maybe six.
No older.
