Their rooms are disappointing.

Glumly, the girls put their phones on the Mother Superior's desk, then retrieved tablets and laptops from their luggage and added them to the pile. With last longing glances at their electronics they followed Sister Mary out of the office. She led them down a short hallway and through a door and to another corridor dimly lit with candles.

"Your rooms are here. Two of you to each room." She gestured at three open doors. "Belinda and Cassie here. Danni and Amber here, and Elsa and Wanda in here."

"There's no windows! And the rooms are so small!" Cassie whined. "And why can't we have our own rooms? Or at least pick our roommates?"

"The pairings have been made by the Reverend Mother," Sister Mary said firmly, but with a sympathetic smile. "These rooms are for your rest, and you will be busy with studies or labour for much of the days. Unpack your luggage and dress for work. There are shifts for you to wear if you wish, or if you have no clothes that are appropriate for our convent. I will return in half an hour to take you to the day's labour."

The girls shared dismayed glances as the young sister left, some of them fighting tears as they looked at the austere cells that would be their homes for a year.