This was Susan's last set of goodbyes for the day. It wasn't in any way a permanent one, and she made sure to tag an enthusiastic 'see you soon' each time. She still found it hard to leave though. Now that it was the last set, the looming fact that she was leaving sunk to her core. Paired with it was the familiar haunting of the need to stay.
She wanted—needed— to stay. There was so much to do.
The buzzing in the air that she ignored these past weeks was now too palpable to deny.
"Susan, if you stay here for another minute, I am going to force you out." She snapped out of her reverie to a warm dark hand on her arm and an amused voice to her ears. She was staring out the store windows for too long, apparently. "Don't you doubt it, dear. I will even have David escort you to the train station if need be."
The smile that crossed her lips was as automatic as the amusement was genuine. She covered the hand on her arm with her own. "Gregory, you wound me. You know how hard it is to leave. The last time someone left for any semblance of a vacation—"
"The Kingsman almost didn't make it. I know, but it's been years since that time and we're all better now. More stable."
"I cannot help but worry. You know how Tim's going to overwork himself. August is going to do the same. I should be there helping them, or at least making sure they keep themselves healthy."
Gregory's eyes were understanding and there was even its own smile within. However, there was a firmness in his stance that Susan knew through her years. She knew that if pushed, he would personally escort her to the train station without second thought. Her concerns were valid, but she also knew that she was stalling. It was a poor attempt, but the looming need to stay was twisting her stomach to the point of pain.
"Arthur promised that he will take his break only after you've gotten yours. That was the agreement."
"But three weeks long?"
"Either that or three months." He chuckled and she could only shake her head. "We'll have your new set of suits ready by then."
She'd bargained with Arthur—Timothy—with everything in her arsenal to get that three month vacation down to three weeks. Mostly with cold delivery of facts to begging that 'please, what if something happens? I'm not going to forgive myself if something happens and I am in the countryside.' She was just shy away from using her tears when Arthur agreed.
"Would it really be that bad?" Worry colored Gregory's tone. "Going to your home in the country and settling affairs there?"
Susan took a deep breath as Professor Kirke's house flashed in her mind. Her stomach twisted even more, her lungs squeezing with it. Arthur was also the one to suggest that. She had ignored the house for years ever since it was passed down to her. When Mrs. Macready died, she could only delay the immediate matters for so long.
She carried on staring at the door with apprehension. From the corner of her gaze, she saw an orange tabby crossing the street. It didn't help said apprehension.
"Susan." Hands encased her own and squeezed. "I'll talk to Arthur. Stay here."
"No. You're right." She forced herself to sigh, to smile. She detached herself from Gregory and patted the full skirt of her blue dress. "It's a discredit to worry this much when they're quite capable. You will take care of them, won't you?"
"With my life, my lady." The smile he gave her was bright and reassuring. She chuckled and engulfed him in a tight hug.
The buzzing was so loud now that she almost couldn't hear his words properly. Almost.
"Tell us about your trip when you come back." He dropped a kiss on the apple of her cheek and stepped back. His smile now encouraging and his eyes so gentle. "We'll still be here when you come back. The Kingsman won't burn to the ground."
"See you soon, Gregory." She picked up her luggage and turned to the door, then raised her voice a notch. "Take care of Gregory, David dear!"
She couldn't help but laugh when David stumbled out from the back room and quickly saluted. She turned to the door and grabbed the knob.
The orange tabby was still across the street. Now sitting by the door of a boutique directly across their store.
She pushed the door and stepped out without looking back, then found that she couldn't breathe.
There was still an orange tabby sitting by the door of the store across the street.
An orange tabby cat with too familiar, too golden and too knowing eyes.
Susan couldn't breathe.