Chapter 4

Jane decided to stay in London for the weekend and spent most of it texting Charles. They travelled the train together to their family's home in Meryton, hertfordshire. A 40 minute train ride from the centre of London.

When they entered the house there was music at full volume coming from upstairs. Some kind of screeching angry metal music. Elizabeth thought it sounded like they were in pain and wanted the rest of the world punishing too. Which on reflection was probably exactly the point.

"Dad!" She found him in his study, which he had sound proofed three years ago "how are you?" She kissed him on the cheek and sat down. Jane kissed him and murmured something about going to help in the kitchen, once the door shut she sighed in relief

"New phase?"

"Apparently, her boyfriend thinks these guys are 'da biznes'"

"Please don't try to quote Kevin!" She laughed "have we not convinced her that this boy is no good."

Her dad sighed "she will not be persuaded, and the more we try the more stubborn she becomes."

Lizzie secretly wondered if he tried all that hard. She was only 15 and his boy was 16. He could ground her, or stop her allowance. Unfortunately, Mr. Bennet tended to take the easier path and either of those options would mean days or weeks of wailing. He was definitely a hibernating black bear. Grumpy if disturbed, best left alone. Mrs. Bennet was more of a hen, constantly squawking and squabbling but happy when surrounded by other hens. Mary reminded Elizabeth of a tawny owl and Lydia, well Lydia was hard to peg, she changed so much these days.

Dinner was noisy. Mrs Bennet seemed to think that life's ambition was to find a husband. Their character and stability had little concern to her and she would push her daughters in to any relationship that she could. She was the only one who couldn't see the issue with Kevin or 'spud' as he liked to go by. He thought it was cool because it came from a cool movie. He didn't appreciate the nature of the character he had copied.

Mrs Bennet's reaction to the news of Mr Bingley was loud and uncouth. She asked after his property and his income and wholly unhappy with her two eldest daughters non-committal responses.

"When I win the lottery" started Lydia "I will buy a whole new wardrobe and parade in front of Sally Goulding all day. She is so up herself!"

This started a round of the favourite game of the Bennets. Well Mrs Bennet and Lydia but the rest joined in to humour them.

Elizabeth's aunt and uncle Gardiner had won the lottery about six years ago. Not enough to buy private planes or anything, but they had bought some property and now spent their time looking after the houses, renting out and travelling. They always seemed to be travelling.

Occasionally Mrs Bennet would pipe up with an alternative like "when your father retires, or when Lizzie gets her Christmas bonus" but they mostly ignored these.

Mostly Elizabeth faced these Sunday's were equal parts irritation, embarrassment, love and acceptance. She was inevitably glad to return to her small but calm apartment on Sunday evening. This evening Charlotte wasn't home, which was unusual. She sent her a text just checking up and set about her Sunday ritual of tidying and cleaning and preparing for the week. She was able to set up her office this week and was looking forward to having her own space.

Charlotte hadn't returned when Lizzie had gone to bed, a short text to say she was fine was all that was forthcoming. She also wasn't awake when Lizzie left for work. Something was up, she would have to figure out what later.

She didn't have time to talk to Charlotte all week. Work was crazy but they were in their new offices and the new team was all set to start on Monday. Jane was back in the city Friday, but not to see Elizabeth, she was to see Bingley. Apparently, they had been texting all week. Lizzie was pleased for them.

Saturday was charlottes birthday. They had planned a matinee performance of Wicked, which Elizabeth was really looking forward to. That was Jane, herself, Charlotte and her little sister Maria, the field mouse. After they were to meet up for drinks and karaoke with some of charlottes friends from work. Charlotte was hopeless at singing but loved making an idiot out of herself at karaoke. Lizzie didn't understand but would do almost anything for a friend.

Jane had secured an invite for Bingley and Darcy, much to Elizabeth's chagrin. She had been hoping to never cross paths with him again having found him so intolerable the first time. She consoled herself with the knowledge that he did not like her and would probably avoid her all evening. If only.