This chapter is a bit sort of filling in details, which, as my regular readers with know, is my habit. Fingers crossed you like it. Thanks for the review so far.
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Jean woke feeling more refreshed than she had for the past week. She smiled as she remembered Lucien's determination to keep her safe and warm. Time to get up and get round to Christopher's and to admit that she was not staying at the flat. He wasn't going to like it, nor was he going to like her pushing Ruby to start taking responsibility for herself and her baby. She had had a long talk with Lucien over dinner, and he had said it was probably time for some, what he called, tough love. He didn't like the way Jean was being taken advantage of, even if he had been as bad. He resolved to try not to take her for granted when they got back to Ballarat, he knew he would still get it wrong and he had already apologised for this, in advance. Jean had just smiled.
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Lucien was already ordering breakfast when she went into the dining room.
'Good morning.' She smiled as he pulled out her chair for her.
'Morning. Sleep well?'
'Very, thank you, you?' They observed the pleasantries of two people at ease with each other.
'Yes, now I know you're better accommodated.' He sat opposite her and smiled. 'The flat is why you wouldn't let me meet you there, isn't it?'
Jean looked down at the table, 'Yes.' She answered softly, still embarrassed at the place. He reached over and squeezed her hand. The waitress came over and she quickly removed her hand, still shy at being seen to be familiar with a man she was not (yet) married to.
After breakfast Jean headed off to Christopher's and left Lucien to wander around Adelaide, until he called to take her for their customary walk after lunch. He had said he would go and see if he could find somewhere nicer for her to rent, just for a little while, somewhere that would accept a short term lease. She had suggested that she may stay for about a month after he had gone home, unless anything untoward happened. He agreed that should be long enough for Ruby to take control of the house and family; it was too long as far as he, selfishly, was concerned, but he suggested maybe he could see come to Adelaide and see her, perhaps on a weekend, cases permitting. She knew they now had an 'understanding'. He hadn't asked her to marry him, but she knew that was what would happen. He would never ask her to live with him as his mistress, her reputation was important to him, and it wouldn't do his any good either.
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Christopher was waiting in the kitchen when she arrived. He'd fed and changed his daughter and all he needed now was to hand her over to her grandmother and get off to work. Out of the corner of her eye, as she took her coat off, she saw him look at his watch. She was all of five minutes later than usual, and decided to overlook this slight on her timekeeping. He practically threw the baby at her and with a quick, 'Morning,' he was gone.
'Er, Christopher!' She called after him, but he just waved without turning.
'Well, charming.' She looked at the sleeping baby in her arms and smiled. 'Let's get you settled and then I'll go and see mummy, shall I?'
In the bedroom Ruby was sitting with a breakfast tray on her lap. The room was untidy, Ruby looked a mess, her hair needed washing and the bed needed changing.
Jean took a deep breath and did what Lucien had told her to do.
'Right, young lady.' She lifted the tray and stood looking at her, her no nonsense look, the one she gave the doctor when he had transgressed, 'Up, bath, wash your hair and downstairs.'
'Act like a child, get treated like a child.' Were Lucien's words. So that's what she was going to do, like it or lump it! Ruby opened her mouth in shock, Jean had been treading on eggshells up to now; this must be the doctor's doing. By the look on Jean's face it was no use arguing, she was still standing there, now her eyebrows were raised and her lips were tight. Ruby pushed the bedcovers off and moved to get out of bed. Jean left the room, looking at the tray, she remembered she must tell Christopher he wasn't doing his wife any favours, pandering to her whims and giving her breakfast in bed. She was going to serve lunches in the kitchen like she did at home, if Ruby didn't move herself to eat, then it would sit on the table until she did, just like she did to Lucien when he was late for meals.
After Jean had washed the breakfast pots and tidied the kitchen, now in a state she was happy with, she went upstairs and stripped the bed. That would stop Ruby getting back in to it. Jean wasn't naturally vindictive or unkind, but she had to do this for the girl's own good. Lucien had said that if she treated her daughter-in-law the way she did him when he was being particularly difficult she might get the message. Jean had smiled when he said that, it was nice to know that even though he could be a complete idiot sometimes, he was aware that he made her cross and why. Jean could hear Ruby in the bath, so she called through,
'Fresh linen on the end of the bed, you can make it when you're dressed!' She didn't get a reply, she didn't expect one, but it would be nice if the girl could be a little politer.
Downstairs Jean put the twin tub on a boil wash, she could put the nappies in with the bed linen, she habitually boiled sheets at home and would do the same here. While that was going she made some tea and called up to Ruby there was a drink ready downstairs when she'd finished. She could hear footsteps from the bedroom so she knew the girl was out of the bath.
Ruby came downstairs wondering what her mother-in-law was going to make her do next. She was dressed, Jean noted, but her hair was still wet and had not been brushed. Ruby sat at the table and poured herself a cup of tea. Jean picked up the hair brush she had put down and started to brush her hair. She hadn't had this task with the boys but she had done Mattie's hair occasionally so she was more than capable of dealing with Ruby's naturally wavy, blonde hair. Ruby pulled her head away,
'I'm not a child!' She snapped.
'Well don't act like one, then!' Jean snapped back.
'I've just had a baby!' Ruby seemed to think this was an excuse for petulant behaviour.
'So?' Jean argued back, 'Women have babies, all the time. It doesn't mean you are ill, because you're not. Two weeks is plenty of time to rest. They let you out of hospital after a week so they don't think there is any reason for you to lie in bed and be spoiled.'
'We're not all like you, Jean.' Ruby sulked.
'No, she's one of the good ones.' Neither had noticed someone enter the house. Jack had decided to call to see his niece and had heard the two women arguing. Realising one of the voices was his mother's he knew that Ruby was not going to get away with it.
'Jack!' Jean grinned from ear to ear. In spite of the way they had parted she was truly pleased to see him, so glad he kept in touch with Christopher. He hugged her.
'Hello, Mum.' He was relieved she greeted him so nicely, 'Sorry for being an idiot in Ballarat. Are you well?'
'I am sweetheart, are you?' She looked at him, he looked healthy and reasonably well dressed.
'Absolutely. Got a thirst though, any tea going?' He smiled.
'I'll just make some fresh.' Jean set to and made tea and put out some biscuits she'd found time to bake.
'Where are you staying?' She wanted to know if she would see him again while she was there.
'I'm actually just on my way from an interview at the port, thought I'd pop in and see the newest member of the family. I'm not staying, I need to get back to Sydney, work.' Jack sipped his tea. 'So, where is she?'
Amelia seemed to know when she was needed, and duly let out a wail. Jean looked at Ruby, Ruby looked at Jean. Jean sighed and got up to fetch her granddaughter. She brought her in, soothed by the gentle voice of her grandmother and handed her to Jack, while she set about warming up her bottle.
'Loud, isn't she?' Jack grinned.
'Mmm, just like her father.' Jean smiled, seeing Jack gave her hope. 'When she's had her bottle and been changed I'll be taking her out for her walk, with Lucien.' This statement would give her time to see if Jack had been able to forgive the doctor for accusing him of murder.
'The doc's here?' Jack questioned.
'Yes, we travelled together.' Jean wasn't going to give out information unless it was asked for.
'Oh. Well it's nice you have a friend here.' Jack wasn't sure what their relationship was. He knew his mother wouldn't sleep with Dr Blake outside of marriage. 'Where are you staying?'
'The hotel. Lucien managed to get me a room there.' She watched Ruby's reaction, and noted her eyes widened.
'Nice hotel?' Jack was making polite conversation, she knew, all the while trying to get more information out of her, without coming out and asking her.
'Lovely.'
'I thought Christopher had found you a flat.' Ruby sat up, this was interesting, she liked a bit of gossip.
'Lucien didn't think it was good enough. He wants me to be safe and comfortable.' Jean sipped her tea, she was having fun, stringing them along.
'Well, you only need it for sleeping.' Ruby remarked.
'Yes, but it's not nice sleeping in a dreary place. I take it that's why the doc moved you, mum?' Trust his big brother to get a sub standard place for their mother, they both knew she had standards.
'True. Lucien said he'd try to find me somewhere nice for the rest of my stay.' Jean raised her eyebrows waiting for the next question or comment. 'That bottle will be ready for Amelia, Ruby.' She changed the subject. Ruby could see she would have to do the feed for a change and took her daughter from her uncle.
Amelia fed and no more talk of the doctor arranging accommodation for his housekeeper, Jean put her in the pram ready for her walk. Jack liked his mother like this, she seemed happy, probably more to do with Lucien's presence than Ruby. He'd never been too keen on her, he liked his girls with a bit of spunk and she had none.
'Anyway, I'd best be off.' Jack stood up, 'It's a heck of a slog to Sydney. Lovely to see you, Ruby, and mum, I'm glad to see you too, you look happy.' He bent down to kiss her cheek and whispered in her ear, 'Be happy, I know he makes you smile, and I'm glad.'
She kissed him back and squeezed his upper arm in response. Jack headed out of the house and very nearly knocked Lucien flying as he came up the path.
'Doc, sorry, can't stop.' He grinned, 'Enjoy your walk.' And he was gone.
'Er, hello, Jack, and goodbye.' Lucien adjusted his hat and scratched his head. Looking towards the house he saw Jean, with the pram, ready for a walk.
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They walked for about five minutes before Lucien spoke.
'Jack was in a bit of a hurry, something I said?' He asked.
'No, he has to get back to Sydney, he was here for an interview at the port and thought he'd drop by to see his niece.' Jean smiled, she was happy she felt she had mended the fence. Jack seemed settled, which was good.
'Oh.' Lucien replied. 'I think I've found somewhere for you to stay for a month. It's a little holiday cottage, well a bungalow. Nice and light, two bedrooms and a pretty garden for you to sit in after a hard day babysitting.'
'Will I be able to afford it?' Jean thought it sounded too nice to be true, she had a feeling he would have found something smart for her.
'I'll pay for it.' Jean stopped and put her hand on his arm, she hadn't meant for him to pay for her to stay to sort out her son's family. 'Please Jean. I need to know you're safe and settled, at least for this. You'll be able to cope better.'
'I'll pay you back, I promise.' Jean's eyes filled with tears.
'There's only one way you can pay me back.' He stopped and pulled her down onto a nearby bench, one they sat on often on their stroll round Adelaide. 'You do so much for me, Jean, I want to make you happy.' He sighed, heavily, he hoped he had judged her mood right. 'Marry me, Jean, please.'
'Oh, Lucien,' she breathed the words, barely audible, then leant to him and kissed him on the lips, and slipped her arms round his warm, strong body. He pulled her closer and the kiss became longer and deeper and more passionate than any of the good night kisses he had given her after their dinners together.
As they pulled apart he whispered, 'That's a yes, then?'
Jean just put her head on his chest and smiled.
'I'd better show you this cottage, hadn't I?' Lucien stood and held out his hand to her.
'Lucien?' Jean had a few concerns about how it looked, him renting a cottage for a woman. She voiced these concerns, perhaps he had not thought about that.
'Well, I just said I was looking for a place to stay while you look after your son and his family. I didn't refer to you as my housekeeper, just as Jean. As you wear a wedding ring they won't think anything. Probably that you're my wife and that, as I said, you are here to attend to family business.' He looked at her, trying to gauge whether he had got it right or not.
Jean thought about it. It wasn't lying, just not telling the full story.
'I suppose that will work, the only person who will think the worst will be Christopher.' Jean mused.
'He thinks like that about you?' Lucien was appalled.
'Uh uh, doesn't quite ask the question but he thinks it.' Jean admitted she found it irksome that her son had so little faith in her.
'Ah, here we are.' Lucien stopped in front of a neat little bungalow, well cut lawns, tidy flower beds. They walked up the short path and Lucien produced a key from his waistcoat pocket.
Jean lifted Amelia out of the pram and preceded Lucien through the front door into a bright hallway which divided the building into, effectively, upstairs on the right and downstairs on the left. Each room was light and tastefully furnished, there was everything she would need in the kitchen, spare linen for the beds which looked much more comfortable than that in the flat she had been shown to by her son.
'Lucien, it's lovely. I'm sure I'll be very comfortable here.' She turned to him and over the head of Amelia, smiled.
'Jean I went for two bedrooms because, well I'd like to come and see you from time to time, and although to everyone outside...' His voice tailed off.
'Oh Lucien, what am I going to do with you?' She smiled.
'Well, I have a few ideas.' His face took on that cheeky, schoolboy look.
'Don't push your luck, Dr Blake. I know what you mean. It will look like you're visiting your wife but we don't have to, I mean you don't want me to...oh heck! but, we're not sleeping together.' There she'd said it, and she blushed cherry red.
'I won't do anything you don't want me to, darling Jean, I would never want to put you in a position that made you uncomfortable.' He put his hand on her shoulder, 'I love you and I would never, intentionally, hurt you.'
'I know, dear Lucien, I love you too.' She went up on tiptoes and kissed his chin, with Amelia in the way it was all she could reach. 'Thank you for this.'
They took Amelia back home to find Christopher in a bit of a mood. Ruby had told him Jean had vacated the flat and was staying at the hotel with Lucien. She managed to make it seem sordid, which it wasn't and that was unfair. Christopher took his mother aside in the kitchen.
'Why have you left the flat I found?' He was direct. 'You only needed it to sleep in.'
'Lucien didn't think it was suitable. He didn't like the damp, said it was not good for me.' Jean was not going to be cowed by her son.
'So now you're staying at the hotel with him.'
'I've told you before, Christopher, about assuming Dr Blake and I are sleeping together. I will stay another month, after he had gone back to Ballarat and then I'm going back too. I have a nice cottage to stay in, close enough for me to walk here and pleasant enough for me to have Amelia if the weather turns.' She stood defiant, as she had when she had told her father she wanted to marry, at the tender age of sixteen.
Christopher just looked at her, she had always been stubborn but now she was even stronger.
'Jean!' Lucien called through from the living room. 'Are you ready? I thought we'd dine out tonight.'
'Coming!' Jean smiled at the way Lucien managed to diffuse the situation. She turned to Christopher, 'there are bottles made up in the fridge for Amelia, and a casserole in the oven, make sure it's hot before you eat it.' She turned and swept out of the kitchen and joined her love in the other room.
'Ah, there you are!' Lucien bent and kissed her, offering her his arm, 'shall we?'
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This is getting to be a long one, for which I apologise, I think. I'm hoping that one more chapter should see it to the end.
