Desperate Measures
Set two years after 3.03 and exploring a plot line I have hinted at. Desperate to get out of his situation Gregson takes underhand measures whereas Edith has problems of her own; not least keeping her new status from her family. Rest assured though, all WILL end well. AU for now but who knows?
Chapter 1
The endless corridors stretched inexorably ahead; the floor highly polished green wood and the walls an austere grey without decoration.
Michael Gregson walked through the corridor. It was some months since he had last visited his wife, well what point was there in visiting someone who did not even know who you were.
He met no one which was a relief and he came to the metal door that separated him from the woman who had long ago ceased to be Mrs Gregson in all but name. He clenched his fist; the mental health laws which prevented them divorcing seeming cruel and inhumane. She had been considered sane enough to marry him and she must have been displaying symptoms of the madness for which she was now confined back then.
He felt in his pocket and his hands closed around the packets of drugs he had brought with him. He had kept some at home after she was committed; you never knew when such things would come in useful.
He wanted Lady Edith. To begin with sharing a bed with her in the flat in which he had set her up had been enough for him but after months of holding her, waking up to her brown eyes, coppery hair and creamy skin was driving him mad with longing. He wanted to make a commitment to her but in his present situation that was legally impossible and he knew Edith would not even contemplate buying into the bigamy option. In his own twisted way he loved her and knew he could never have jilted her. She never spoke of that day or the man responsible and so he had no way of knowing that Sir Anthony Strallan was still Edith's first thought on waking and last before sleeping. He had no idea that she was settling for second best in him.
OO
Edith turned pale as the doctor examined her. She had given a false name not wanting to be linked with either her family or Gregson being that he was well known in London circles.
"I'm afraid you are nearly four months pregnant Mrs Dunne," he said, "You will begin to show soon and being as I don't see a ring on your finger I should remind you that abortion is illegal."
"Yes I know," Edith swallowed, "Thank you for confirming it anyway doctor."
She had told the doctor she was a widow whose ex solider husband had committed suicide. Since she had lost Anthony she felt as though she might as well be a widow because the ache in her heart and the longing for those blue eyes and that lop-sided grin was at times tantamount to torture.
She had no idea what to do. She knew that Michael would be furious because he had to keep up the pretence of being a husband devoted to a mad wife but, she reminded herself, she had gone into this with her eyes open so really had no on to blame but herself.
Edith walked back to her flat in stunned silence. It was some hours before he was due to visit.
She knew she could not go home. Her family had just about accepted the idea that she was working in London, living in a flat provided by the Daily Sketch newspaper. Their reaction to her actual status as a married man's mistress would send her grandmother into an apoplectic fit, But perhaps if Violet had not been so vehemently against Anthony she might not be in this situation now. She would be at Locksley with Anthony and the baby in her belly would be his. Edith ruminated that life was not just unfair at times; sometimes it stank.
OO
Mrs Gregson sat on the metal bunk while Michael sat on the hard wooden chair. There was nothing else in the room; no shelving or even a sink because all objects that might encourage suicidal temptations had to be absent.
She chatted away gaily while Michael constantly glanced at his watch and tapped his foot on the stone floor. The situation was really getting to him; he should be home with Edith, not sitting with a woman who no longer knew him.
An orderly brought them both a cup of lukewarm insipid tea. When he was not looking and his wife was away with the fairies on her latest medication he emptied the crushed tablets he had brought into her tea and stirred it in.
"Come on Maureen," he chided, "Drink up your tea while it's on the lukewarm side of cold."
He had researched psychiatric medication and found out what was available and how quick they worked. He had chosen one that would cause an overdose in such a time for him to be long gone from there and no suspicion should fall on him for the orderly had already left when Maureen took up her tea.
While the orderly had been present though he had feigned affection; holding her hand and brushing her hair out of her eyes. Playing the devoted husband made him feel sick to the stomach but if it meant he got away with it all well and good. Then Edith could be his forever.
OO
Edith was making tea when Michael came in. He slipped his arms around her and kissed her neck. Edith closed her eyes wishing with all her heart that it was Anthony's mouth on her neck.
He continued to nuzzle her neck and she felt cold inside. In the end she pushed him away.
"I don't feel well," she snapped, "I'm getting my monthly visit soon, I know it."
"Fine," he snapped back, "If my mistress doesn't want me and my wife does not know me then where is a man to go?"
"Try Soho," Edith snapped, "There are plenty of women there who want it. Or so I'm led to believe at any rate."
Michael left in a huff and took a cab. It was only when he was in the heart of Soho that he realised that not only had Edith rejected him but she had messed up his alibi.
OO
The asylum staff changed shift late that night and the routine checks were carried out. They entered Maureen Gregson's cell with trepidation as in the past she had been prone to violence towards nursing staff but she lay still on her bunk, half naked half covered by the thin blanket. It was only when the doctor went to wake her to ask some random questions that he drew back in alarm. Her skin was cold and clammy. Maureen Gregson was dead.