Hello Again! How are you? I've seen that I got some readers for this story, but only a few ones (5 or 6 I think)- I always knew this would be a difficult fandom, as this TV Show has already ended. So, if there's anyone still reading this (I say two views from the US and one from the UK), please write me a review or PM me, so I know there are people reading this. Because if that's not the case, I don't really see the point in posting this anymore! haha
Okay, so, something important before you start reading this chapter: In this one I mention some "historical facts" which I KNOW are not accurate at all. The US didn't enter the army until a while longer, etc; than what I mention here. But I needed it to write the chapter and, hey, it's fiction!
So, having that in mind... I invite you to go on and read it!
Cheers,
V.
Chapter 2: Six weeks.
The first time they see each other again after he enlisted, it was 1915, six weeks later after his departure.
Life at the store had been getting more and more complicated, day by day. Without Henri's help, she had double work, and Thackeray had been getting extremely annoying those past weeks.
By now, it was no secret in the store that Henri Leclair and Agnes Towler were engaged, and after the first week's gossip had died out, Agnes found out she sincerely didn't care.
So they wanted to call her by mean nicknames, saying she was a gold-digger? They wanted to talk badly about her, pointing out she had left Victor Colleano for the extravagant Henri Leclair?
So be it.
They didn't know half what Henri had to endure the past months, how he had lost almost everything, and that she truly couldn't care less about his money or position.
The only thing she regretted was that now Victor was under the spotlight, and she didn't want to bring more pain into her friend's life.
Her brother George had been called to the front a week ago, and now she had two people to worry about. He had taken the news quite well, considering Victor was his best friend. The truth was that George had always known his sister loved another man, and that if she had chosen to marry Victor it was more to get the stability a man like him could offer. Not financially, but emotionally.
So now, Agnes had been left alone with her thoughts and her life.
Well, not entirely.
She still had Josie Mardle, the colleague which had become her best friend and a motherly figure in Agnes' life. She knew about her romance with the much younger Belgian musician, Florian, and Agnes couldn't care less. He made her friend happy, and he was a good, kind and decent man. So damn everyone and their prejudice… why could a man be with a much younger woman, but not the other way around?
When Agnes had appeared with her hand wearing an engagement ring, but not the one she had worn before, everyone had started asking questions.
And she hadn't lied to anyone.
When the shop girls asked her who had given her the ring, she simply answered: "Mr. Leclair"
Why should she lie to them? Why should she lie about the love of her life? She had been denying it, denying him, for a long time, and it was about time to stop doing that.
So, now, the Store was divided.
Half of it thought Henri and Agnes were the greatest love story ever told: The mentor and protégée falling in love, under extreme circumstances and a lot of pain. Ha! And they didn't even know half of it! Of course this group's leader was Miss Mardle and the Accessories girls, who loved Agnes.
On the other hand, there was the group that thought that what they had done had been inappropriate and outrageous. This side was clearly leaded by Mr. Thackeray, who spoke ill of both of them.
Luckily to her, Mr. Harry Selfridge himself belonged to the first group, so no one would dare speak like that that inside the store… unless they wanted to be sacked right away by Harry.
Her relationship with Mr. Selfridge had also changed a lot in those past six weeks.
He had asked her if he could start calling her by her Christian name when they were not a work.
"You have always been my friend, Miss Towler, but now that you are about to be my best friend's wife you will become en even closer friend!" He had told her one afternoon.
She soon discovered that what Harry Selfridge needed, too, was someone he could count on. Henri had been his closest and truest – if not the only- friend he had always had. With his wife slowly dying and Henri fighting, he felt as if he was being left alone in this universe. At home he had to put on a good face for the sake of his children and Rose herself, and at work he had to do the same for his employees and customers. He knew that if Henri had been here, he could have told him anything. But he was gone now, and the only person left who could listen to him, was Agnes.
So the two of them had become closer, going from time to time out to have dinner or lunch and he talked to her about his Rose, about how she was getting worse day by day and how he didn't know what he was going to do if he lost her. In return, she had found another friend in Harry, maybe the one she had lost in Victor, because she couldn't go and tell the Italian boy how much she missed her French fiancé.
This had meant, of course, that rumors had started to rise up inside the store about Agnes and Harry being lovers. He had, after all, a certain reputation… and people just started talking.
Agnes knew this and tried not to care for it, but sometimes it was too much.
It was just like that how she felt that day, as she was sketching on her office, after an awful argument she had just had with the vile Mr. Thackeray, when he appeared.
"Agh! I hate him!" She screamed exasperated. He had dissembled all her displays in the fashion department, saying they weren't suited for his collection.
"Just tell me the name and I'll deal with it" A voice she recognized far too well said behind her back, Henri's strong accent making each word more wonderful.
Agnes immediately spun her head, surprise written in her face.
"HENRI!" She shouted, and ran towards him. He laughed too, and wrapped her in his arms, happy he could have her in them. They started kissing, passionately, all those past weeks' emotions in their hearts.
They just stayed like that for fifteen minutes, not saying anything, just swapping from kisses to laughing.
That was when Agnes noticed the clothes Henri was wearing, making her smile. She then realized she hadn't seen them before because she had been expecting for a green uniform, but this one wasn't.
Henri was wearing a dark blue uniform with white and red touches, the French flag's colors. The uniform made him even more regal and handsome, and Agnes breathed him in.
"How- Why didn't you tell me you were coming, Henri?" She asked him, and he laughed.
"I wanted it to be a surprise, mon chéri" He explained, and she shook her head.
"But… I could have gone and talk to Harry… Mr. Selfridge I mean… and ask him for a few days off so I could be with you" She told him. Henri smiled when he heard his love call his best friend by his birth name.
"Harry? When did you get to informal with your boss?" He joked. Agnes stiffed a little, but she tried to get it unnoticed by him. His remark only made her think about the gossips.
"Oh, it's that since you left we've become a bit closer… you know with you gone… and Rose ill… he's having a really hard time. I think he could use a friend… and you've practically told him to put me under his wing, haven't you?" She asked him and he laughed. He was glad his friend knew he could trust in Agnes, that he saw her for the formidable woman she was.
"Well, I might have told him to keep an eye on you…" He answered and she gave him a playful punch and she said "Henri!"
"You know, the uniform really suits you" She told him and he smiled even wider. Henri grabbed her by her hips, bringing her closer to him. Agnes immediately threw her arms around Henri's neck.
"Oh, is that so…?" He playfully asked, coming a bit closer to her, "So, would you like to take it out of me?" He kisses her neck, breathing in her scent again. Lily of the Valley, he remembers. It's the only perfume she has used since they created it, six years ago. She moaned.
Oh, god… how she had miss this the past six weeks. But then Agnes remembered where she was.
This was her office (their office, she told herself. His side of the office was just waiting for him), it was the middle of the day and anyone could come in.
"Oh no, Henri! We can't! Not now, not here!" She scolded him, but his kisses lowered into every part her dress wasn't covering, and she couldn't formulate a correct thought.
"No one is looking" He marked out, his voice filled with lust and love. And then, he pressed harder into her, making Agnes give a few steps back and hitting her work table with her butt. His body was all over hers now, and she could feel his erection on her stomach.
"Really?" She asked, with a cut voice, "You are already ready?" Sometimes she couldn't believe it. He was in his late thirties, for god's sake!
He chuckle against her neck, "You always make me ready" And with that, he put his hands on her butt, lifting her up. Agnes lost all control over herself when he did that.
Suddenly, they were kissing as hard as they could. A few seconds later Henri kissed his way down, trying to cover as much skin as he could. He kissed her neck, her collarbone, her chest. One of his hands grabbed on her right breast, squishing it, and the other hand travelled to her crotch, sliding through the folds of her dress and underskirt, reaching her knickers.
At every touch, Agnes moaned but she tried to keep the noises as low as she could. Only a few meters away, there were all the other offices, and the last things she wanted was for someone to enter and find her like this.
Henri felt on fire. He had been dreaming about this for so long, all those past weeks. He didn't know how he would endure it when he couldn't see her for longer times, but he then thought that with bombs falling right at his side he wouldn't mind much.
As soon as he thought of that he tried to put it aside. Now it wasn't the time to think about the war, now was the time to love.
Agnes found out that as much as she loved how the uniform looked on him, she would love more to feel his well-pattern torso. So without breaking their kiss, she took of his uniform jacket, throwing it into the floor. Henri let her, and then she lowered his suspenders. Now that they had started, she had such an urgency inside her body she couldn't even describe it. She needed, just needed to have him inside of her, filling her, completing her.
So her hands immediately flew to his trousers, undoing his buttons, lowering his underpants and freeing his erection from the constricted trousers.
The urgency in both their movements was obvious, and neither of them had time for foreplay or games. They just wanted to be connected, were they belonged.
So Henri didn't waste any time with his fiancée's garments. He just pulled her dress and underskirt up, and with one hand took off her knickers, leaving them in between her knees.
Henri looked right into her eyes, silently asking for permission, although they had reached this point, this still was her workplace and he needed her to say it. She just nodded, all the permission he needed being given.
With one single trust, Henri entered in Agnes' wet and tights folds, felling her in. They couldn't help the loud moan that escaped both their mouths when they were finally connected.
She was sitting on the hard desk, and her butt hurt, but she couldn't care less. This felt like heaven on earth, and they both started moving, frenetically.
Their pace started becoming more and more urgent, needy, until a few minutes later they both came, their cries eased in each other's neck.
They stayed like that for a few seconds, their heads into their necks, breathing in their scents, still connected by their bodies.
That was, until the most terrible thing happened.
"Agnes, could you please bring me the-"Harry Selfridge started to say, walking into the her office. Both lovers looked at each other, terrified. Henri's body was covering Agnes's, as he was in front of her. His trousers were still undone, his suspenders down and his jacket and waistcoat on the floor. As for her, she was still pretty dressed… if you didn't take into consideration her skirts were up and her knickers at her knees level.
When Mr. Selfridge lift up his eyes and saw the scene in front of him, he stood frozen. For merely a second, he didn't recognize the man in front of Agnes. But it took him just a moment to realize that the dark blue uniform belonged to the French Army, and then, to his friend Henri.
Agnes and Henri had separated in merely seconds, gathering after themselves, trying to get dress.
"Oh… Mmm.… Mr. Selfridge…" Agnes started, after she had accommodated her knickers and brought down her dress. Her insides were still wet and sticky, both hers and Henri's fluids inside of her, and it felt uncomfortable. Harry looked at her with a horror and shocked face. He noticed that some of her dress's buttons were undone and quickly looked the other way.
"Please finished dressing yourself, Miss Towler" Harry remarked a bit ironically. By then Henri had finished with his trousers and suspenders and turned to look at his friend and former employer.
"Harry" He told him, serious, "I'm so sorry, please forgive me and Agnes-"Harry didn't let him finish, waving his hand.
"Three minutes, Henri" He told his friend, "I want you in my office in three minutes" And with that, he closed the door.
After the initial shock had passed and they had both cleaned after themselves and got dressed, Henri and Agnes were just standing in front of each other, both absolutely red for what had happened.
"I… I should go with you" Agnes told him, "After all you are not even working here, not at the moment. It was my irresponsibility" Henri shook his head in denial.
"Absolutely not, my love" He contradicted her, "I'm so sorry I put you into this situation… me and my selfish, urgently manners. We should have waited" This time it was Agnes' time to shake her head in negation.
"No, no Henri. I wanted it as much as you, I'm just so sorry that he has seen us" He agreed with her.
"Let's thank God it was only Harry and not Mr. Grove or anyone else" He joked, but she looked even more terrified.
"But Mr. Selfridge is my boss!" She answered in disbelief. He nodded.
"Yes and my best friend. I will make you sure to get you out of the trouble" He finished, giving her a quick peck in her lips.
"What the hell were you thinking?" Well, hello to you too, Harry. Henri thought to himself. But now was not the time.
He sighed.
"I'm so sorry, my friend" He apologized, "I know that was wrong, but please don't get mad with Agnes, she was just-"Harry waved his hand, interrupting him.
"I know you both missed each other, hell if I know, she has been moping since you left. But please Henri, you are the oldest and more mature one, you shouldn't have done that. Not in my store!" He knew his friend was right, so he didn't say anything, just nodding. After a few seconds in which not one of them said anything, Harry smiled brightly at him and came rushing to his side, hugging his friend.
Henri welcomed the hug, understanding the embarrassing moment had been left behind.
"So, how have you been?" He asked his friend, now moving to sit at the small table, "Come, take a sit my friend" Henri did as asked, "You want to have some tea?" He asked, and Henri shook his head refusing his offer.
"I was okay. I arrived to Paris, left my things in my apartment in the Rue Du grâce and then went to enlist. As I already have some military training from School and… well… I dare say I'm one of the only ones who can read and speak many languages, they assigned me as capitaine" He finished. Harry opened his eyes in disbelief.
"A capitaine? That's great!" He enthusiastically remarked. But then he frowned "What do you mean you are one of the only ones who can read?"
Henri sighed, the inevitable truth coming out.
"They are using any healthy man they can get this hands on, Harry" He answered, taking a cigarette out from his pocket, "They majority of them are peasants or workers, who don't even know how to read and can barely only speak French. I don't want to sound disrespectful; those men have the heart of a lion and would fight for France until their dying breath…. But I just don't see how we can win Germany's powerful Army"
When he finished, both men could have sworn the room's temperature had gone down a few degrees.
"Well" Harry started, "There has been some rumors I heard of… but there's nothing real, surely" He continued, "About… about America entering the war" Henri looked at him, surprised.
"Are you serious about that?" He asked, "In which band?"
"Well, England and France's, of course!" He said, "But there's nothing too serious, I just heard the other day at a gathering there was in the American Embassy. It could be all a fuss and nothing too true"
Henri nodded, understanding. If America would enter the war, then maybe they had a chance of winning… but nothing could be said at this stage. Something told Henri this war wasn't going to be over by Christmas as they had been promised.
Agnes and Henri spent the following week together. Although Harry had offered to give her some days off to spend with him, Henri had refused, saying her job was more important.
So, for the following week they had established a routine. They would wake up at 7 am, have breakfast together and then at 8 am they would head out to the Store, walking slowly and hand by hand. The couple would always arrive ten minutes earlier for work, and Henri had been helping his beautiful Agnes in any way he could, but without getting her too distract from her job, and trying not to interfere with her opinions.
He felt so proud of her, the girl that had been wasted among boxes. She had a real, natural talent; and he was so happy that he had been able to see it years ago. Agnes always said he had taught her everything, but Henri knew it wasn't like that. He had just brought her into that world, but she had learnt all by herself.
"I want a job like yours" She had told him years ago. And now, she had it.
He dreamed about the moment this horrible war would be over and he'd be able to come back home with his beautiful Agnes, marry her and work together, side by side, as equals.
It was so strange, because he would be in France, which was his actual country…. And yet, he found London to be was home. Henri realized then that home wasn't where you were born, it was where the people you loved were. And the people he loved were in here.
So, he'd go with her to the store, and then at four or five, depending on how much work she had, they would leave the place and go to the small café in front of it to have their afternoon tea. In other circumstances, Henri would have invited her to The Palm Court to have their afternoon tea, but he knew Victor was working there… and he didn't want to bring any more pain to the boy.
After that, they would walk hand by hand to Miss Mardle's house. When he came back, she had immediately told him to stay at their place. She had also given him a room, which was of course a façade because they all knew he was sleeping in the same room as Agnes's by the night.
They would all have dinner at 6 pm, and then would stay in the living room, where Florian would play his violin and the women of the house would read or weave.
Henri found out that Agnes had been improving her French, as it was the Belgium Refugee who had been teaching his fiancée the language. She had already learnt quite a lot her two years in Paris, but it was a bit rusty by now and she still had a lot more to learn.
"If I am going to marry with a Frenchman, I should at least speak the language properly" She had told him, which made him smile. Of course she would do that, of course she had to be that perfect.
Some nights they weren't at the house, as he took her out. It was then when Henri realized Agnes had never been to an Opera, so they went to see one. She loved the experience and the music, and he was so happy that he could share this with her.
One night they went to eat to the Selfridge's house, too. Rose wanted to see Henri one more time, and he discovered the two women had quickly become a bit of friends. No one at the store knew about Rose's illness, except for Agnes, so she had took it into her responsibility to bring some things for the madam to buy.
And then, late at night, when they had both finished their daily obligations and social activities, they would retire to the Agnes' bedroom, locking the door and finding each other again.
Some nights they would make love gently, slowly, trying to remember each other's bodies, trying to form memories.
Others, they would do it passionately and hard, trying to forget what was out there.
Henri taught her new positions, some of which she adored (Oh god, who would have said she would like so much to be in four, his hot body pressed against hers from behind, leaving him access into herself so wonderfully), others not so much (certainly no one could find it comfortable to have your legs up in the air for a long time!), but she knew she had to experience and learn all of that to decide which ones she liked and which ones she didn't. And of course, it had to be him the one to show and teach her all of that. Always the mentor.
After their last time, six weeks ago, Agnes had had a delay in her period. She had been so worried, thinking that their carelessness had led her to get with child. When her period did arrive, some weeks later, she had been so relieved… and so sad, at the same time. She had, after all, unconsciously imagined their children names and how would they look like.
She knew she needed some sort of… protection… to be with Henri. In the middle of the war and still unmarried was not the best time to get herself pregnant. She had heard the ladies talking about a device you sort of put into yourself and that would prevent that from happening. She had heard many women of the night would use it.
So, after much deliberation and many comes-and-goes she had asked the only married woman she could think of: Mrs. Kitty Edwards.
Weeks ago the English had stopped their policy that married woman couldn't work. They now needed the woman to work if they intended this country to continue, so they had changed the law.
As soon as that happened, Mr. Edwards had proposed to Kitty, who accepted. They were now married, and a married woman asking for a contra conception wouldn't be as outrageous as an unmarried one.
Kitty had mocked her a bit, but had finally agreed.
So, now, Henri and Agnes could do this without worrying about consequences… until they wanted to.
It was Sunday, and this was Agnes's day off. Today, she could be on her bed until late, enjoying herself and her passionate lover.
And so they did, lazily waking up but not getting up. They stayed in silence, just caressing each other.
Tomorrow all of this would end. Tomorrow Henri had to leave for France, not knowing when his next leave or the end of the war would be. How could she live with that? When they had spent such a marvelous week together, such a splendid glimpse of what the future may hold for them?
By nine, they decided they had had enough of just moping around in bed and started the day.
Sunday's morning had always been Agnes' favorite time as a child, because the Market would be filled with people and exotic things. So they did just that, spending their time in London Street Markets, making a small purchase for the day.
Henri noticed they were selling Lily of the Valley and smiled, remembering what had brought them together all those years ago.
"Henri?" Agnes called him, looking through the crowd until she found him. When she saw what he was doing, she smiled, "Oh, you needn't do that" She told him, her eyes full of silent tears as she watch her fiancée holding a bucket of Lilly of the Valley.
"Oh, but seeing your reaction is worth enough" He answered, handling the bucket, "For you, my love" He told her. The flower was a cheap one, which you could find in almost any bush in the countryside. But for them, it meant so much. It held so much meaning.
"Oh! Mr. Leclair, Miss Towler!" A familiar voice said behind them. Mr. and Mrs. Grove were just there, their two eldest children by their side, "What a wonderful surprise to see you all here!" He said.
Both of them smiled at the married couple. They exchanged their greetings, talking about trivial things as the weather and the market prices.
"So, I heard you are going back to France by tomorrow morning, Mr. Leclair?"Mrs. Grove asked the Frenchman. He sadly smiled at her.
"That's right, Madam" He answered, "My train leaves at 10 am"
"Well, then farewell to you, Mr. Leclair. We will all be praying for you and all our boys and men out there" Mr. Grove solemnly bowed, and although Henri thought it to be old-fashioned, he thanked the man. "We will all be taking care of your beloved Miss Towler while you are out, be sure of that" He smiled at the last bit, realizing how much everyone appreciated and respected his fiancée.
"Yes, especially Mr. Selfridge himself" Mrs. Grove murmured, ironically.
At her words, Henri's face turned serious, and all the presents shut up.
"Doris!" Mr. Grove scolded his wife, harshly. He grabbed on her hand firmly and looked at the couple in front of him.
Agnes had shut her eyes close at Doris opinion. Stupid little brat, she thought to herself.
She didn't mind the stupid and totally wrong gossips that were being told about her and Mr. Selfridge, but she surely didn't want to upset Henri or make him doubt of her.
"Em… yes well, we must be doing" Mr. Grove said in a rush, "We have Mrs. Grove's mother taking care of our youngest children, and we need to get there soon. Mr. Leclair, Miss Towler "He dismissed them, and the married couple headed off, murmuring harshly under their breath.
Agnes and Henri stayed like that for a few seconds, not knowing what to say.
"Do you want to go-"Henri didn't let Agnes finish.
"What is all that they say, about you and Harry?" He asked his fiancée, harshly. She sighed and shook her head.
"Who says something?" He laughed at his words.
"Many people, at the store. Don't think I haven't heard them, speaking as I pass through the counters" How could he believe that? He had worked in there; he would go back to work once the war was over… he knew how the salesgirls were, always gossiping, always making up something.
Agnes angrily let go of his hand.
"I can't believe you are asking me this, Henri Leclair!" She screamed at him. He looked at her, angriness in his eyes.
"Oh, yes? And what do you expect me to do?! I pass through the counters and I hear people whispering, saying that the woman I love and my best friend are having an… an affair!" He is as angry as her now, his voice a few degrees louder. They are in the middle of the street and this is not the place to have an argument.
"Oh please Henri!" She exclaimed, her hands on the air, "It wasn't me the one who left the other for another person, remember?!" She said, and as soon as the words left her mouth she regretted them.
Henri looked at her, astonished at her words. They hurt more than anything, more than the harsh training he had to endure the past weeks and more than the thought of what he would have to endure from tomorrow.
They hurt, because he knew she was right. He had abandoned her, and that was a wound which would never properly heal.
"Look, Henri" She started, moving her hands in the air, as she did when she was nervous, "I'm sorry about that, I-"She tried to apologized, but couldn't find the right words.
He stopped her.
"No, Agnes" He replayed, "It's okay" He walked away and she followed him.
"Don't walk away from me, Henri Leclair!" She called him, trying to make him stop. Henri looked at her.
"It's okay, my love" He said, quietly, "I'm just going for a walk" And with that, he left.
Henri didn't know why he had come here, but he just knew he needed to speak with him.
So, when Fraser opened the door and told him to wait there, he suddenly realized he didn't know what he was going to say.
"Oh, Henri!" His friend greeted him, cheerfully, "I didn't expect to see you today, my friend. I thought you were spending your whole day with Miss Towler" As soon as he heard her name coming out from his lips, he flinched. This didn't go unnoticed for the business man.
"What? What is it?" He asked, and Henri looked around, trying to see if Rose or any of their children were around.
"Can I speak to you, privately, Harry?" Harry nodded, extended his arm to the hallway, telling the Frenchman to come inside. They both enter at the man's studio, closing the door behind them.
"Can I offer you anything, Henri? Tea, coffee… a glass of something stronger, maybe?" Harry asked his friend. He shook his head.
"No, no. It's okay" The businessman had no idea where this was heading. He sat in the chair in front of the big desk, gesturing his friend to sit on the other.
"Okay, so, what did you want to talk about?" He asked.
"Agnes" Was all Henri said and Harry nodded.
"Okay, so, what do you want to ask about Miss Towler?"
"I heard the rumors, Harry. I need to know if they are certain" He tried to put on his best and most demanding voice, trying not to sound cracked. Maybe Agnes hadn't made any moves, but there was also the possibility that his friend had done them, indeed, and she hadn't notice them. He tried to sound strong and complete, but truly he was dying there.
Harry looked at him, confused.
"Rumors? What rumors?" He asked his friend and he chuckle.
"Of you and her, Harry" He explained. Harry's eyes went big as plates, "Have you tried to seduce her? Are you and her-?" He didn't even finish his question when Harry spoke again.
"OF COURSE NOT!" He shouted, angrily, "I had no idea there were such rumors, or I would have stopped them myself, but I've been too caught up with the store… and Rose… to even notice them" He explained, and then look at his friend, "How could you even believe that, Henri? Agnes and me? With everything that has been happening with Rose, and you off to fight a war for your country?" He was outraged and pained now. How could he imagine it?
Henri sighed, relieved.
"I'm sorry, Harry. It's just-"He tried to explain his actions, "Everyone said so, and I couldn't help myself and be angry- you consider a lot about her, after all. You take care of her a lot" Harry nodded.
"Yes, because I can see myself in her. She was no one when she started, and due to her hard work and people offering her opportunities she raised up to what she is now. I can see myself, the newspaper boy, in her eyes. And her situation with her father…" Henri clench his teeth, thinking that if he ever came crossed that man, he would kill him, "Well, it reminds me a lot about my father… which I've told you about!" He screamed. He couldn't actually understand how Henri could believe such vile rumors. Rose and he were the only people he had told them that, "For God's sake, Henri! Agnes is only four years older than my Rosalie! I love her as daughter, and want the best for her and you!" Henri looked at him,
"Well, yes, and I'm only six years younger than you… so…" The Frenchman spoke.
"Well, no!" Harry cut him short, "I do not… want her… in that way. But with you gone and Rose's illness, I have found in her a true friend. She's a good listener, and I appreciate her for that" Henri nodded. He was right, he had been so foolish. Believing those rumors…, "I hope you haven't upset her with this!
When Henri closed his eyes shut, Harry got the answer for his unspoken question.
"Oh, what the-"
"Yes, yes" Henri said, lifting his arms in the air, "I'm a stupid, an idiot"
"And on the day before you have to go back!" Harry told him, "You must go back to her and explain. She will certainly understand"
Henri would never know how Harry did it, but he always knew what to say. And he followed his friend's advice, going after the woman he loved.
"Promise me you'll write" Henri begged Agnes, as they found themselves again at the crowded station, holding hands, and minutes before being separated again.
She nodded, fervently.
"Of course I will. Every single day, just wait for my letters and parcels" She promised him. Agnes had even prepared a parcel for him, to take with him on his trip. Just small, useful things, but also something to cling on. She had packed him some socks and gloves, ink and paper for him to write. Some tokens of their office were inside the small bag, as well. "Please, my love, tell me you'll be careful. And if you ever come across George, send him my love and take care of him, as well" Henri nodded.
"I will, I promise you" Neither of them wanted to let go of the other. The argument they had held the other had already passed, both asking each other for forgiveness after their harsh words, and promising to never do that again. After that, they had made love tenderly, reconciling.
But time and war couldn't wait, and now Henri had to leave. So holding her tears back, trying to be strong for him, she let go of his hand. He entered in the small train cabin, the one that would take him to Dover.
When the train left at 10 o'clock, Agnes felt as if a part of her had left with him.
Her heart wouldn't be complete again until she could see him again. When they were together, it was magical; and when they were apart, they were both miserable.
How had they endured so long without the other?
Agnes watched as the train got lost in the horizon, all the other women around her crying as well, and a single thought crossed her mind:
Until next time, my love.
So, how did you fin it?
Next time they meet it won't be so nice as this one, because we will have already been at war, a terrible experience.
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