Author's notes:

Spoilers for Episode 1x1.

This story takes place at the end of episode 1x1 as dejected widow Hildegard Staunton leaves Grantchester to return to Berlin. The title comes from the song "I Thought About You," written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Mercer. Many artists have recorded it including Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.

I do not own Grantchester and get no compensation from it. This story is written purely for entertainment purposes only.

Hildegard Staunton boarded the train at Grantchester station for the first leg of her long journey back to Berlin. Melancholy washed over her as she glanced at the overcast sky. The bleakness of the day matched the despair in her heart. The widow of a murdered man - a man who cheated on her no less - she looked forward to what? Stephen Staunton's meager estate offered more burden than blessing, and her return home to a family decimated by war promised nothing to lift her spirit. With little in the way of prospects for the future, Hildegard stared out the window as the train rumbled out of the station.

Was there anything good in her life? Upon reflection, she found scant solace. Even though it hurt, at least she'd found out the truth about Stephen's adultery. And after the police first ruled her husband a suicide, she finally found one clergyman in Grantchester, Mr. Sidney Chambers, to conduct his funeral. And then thanks again to Sidney, the truth came to light about Stephen's death. As she said to Sidney, she didn't want to see Anabelle Morrison hang for Stephen's murder - but she did want to see justice done.

Sidney Chambers.

Ah. Hildegard's thoughts turned to the clergyman, a war veteran not much older than she herself. Was it odd that a man who fought against her brothers could now offer her comfort? The twists and turns of the world perplexed her, but she refused to dwell on that. What stuck in her mind was Sidney's boyish charm.

At their last meeting at her home, Sidney's smile delighted her when she gifted him the figurine. And his sheepish expression amused her when she asked for the diary back. Above all else though, the warmth of his hand when she clasped it lingered in her thoughts.

She had told him he wasn't a natural sinner, and she knew in her heart that he wasn't. That spoke well of him. If she remembered anything good from Grantchester, she decided that she would remember Sidney - his smile, his warmth, his touch.

Some motion outside the train broke through her reverie. Looking out, Hildegard saw a now-familiar figure biking alongside the tracks. Sidney Chambers tottered on the verge of spilling over as he fought to pedal his bike, steer it with one hand, and wave goodbye to her all at the same time. As she waved back, a new sense of hope filled her. Maybe life wasn't so bleak after all. Hildegrad smiled at the dear, sweet man who had helped her when no else would.

She hadn't smiled like that in ages.

The End

Author's note:

Thank you for reading this story, and I'd love to hear from you.

My profile page includes a guide to all the Mentalist, Frasier, and Grantchester stories I've written.

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