February 1925
"Mr bates, do you have a moment?"
Jon was cleaning his lordships shoes with a manner, less meticulous more…thorough.
"Of course Mrs Hughes"
"Well, I - I just wanted to say… well, we are all behind you tomorrow."
"No, but thank you for your concern Mrs Hughes."
Anna had gone back to that horrible place when he returned. He hated himself for that. But tomorrow he will get her out. He knew it. Miss Baxter gave them the proof they needed, but tomorrow she will deny it. She had to. He was sure that £5 would be enough…
"Donk!" George came bounding across the room and showed teddy to Robert.
"Yes George! Come to me now."
Mary hummed delightedly at George's newfound language. He really was growing fast. Yes, he does need some knew rompers she thought. I'll go into Harrods after the trial.
She too had a good feeling about it. Plus, she hated Baxter, especially after what Bates told her father... oh, how she missed her best friend. She had realised that Anna really her best friend, upstairs or down, it no longer mattered to Mary.
"Yes marigold, how beautiful your hair is now."
Edith crooned gently to the child as Marigold played on her lap.
"Seriously Edith, she's not even your child! How can you love her as much as you seem!
Edith wanted to shout, to tell her the truth, but right now, she knew Mary would say she was lying. No point making a fuss. And anyway, everyone is in London tomorrow for the trial: she could spend the whole day, alone, with marigold.
"Mary! How CAN you be so horrible!"
Robert interrupted his wife here, as he could see that Cora was very angry.
"No Mary. Be a bit kinder for once."
He looked around
"I do miss Sybil. I wonder how they are doing in Boston."
Cora's face flashed silently.
"Oh my. How dreadful, I am so sorry. I got a letter from Tom yesterday. Sybil is due to start school in a few months. But until then, she has made friends with a nearby man and his dog. Tom thinks…oh, my dear, I'm so sorry!"
Robert was on the verge of tears.
"Darling, I'm so sorry!"
Today was significant. It was the anniversary of Isis' parting.
"NO, don't be, i'm just being silly. Carry on"
She did carry on, saying that tom had got a job as a mechanic, and they had bought a lovely new house. Although she was recounting a happy tale, which she was delighted to tell, her mind was on other things. Dog related things…
(Please review! this is my first ever story, and i have more written which i will try and get up soon, but until then, give me confidence in my writing! x)