CHAPTER TEN

Mary returned to the Bellamy residence later that night, pale and shaking. After claiming a slight cold, she escaped to her room, where Rose brought up her supper on a tray. She ate sparingly, pushing the tray away when she was finished. Ringing the bell, she waited until Rose came up to fetch her still-full tray before falling into a restless sleep.

The next morning she was wan, listless, barely able to apply her ever-wandering attention to the task at hand. Elizabeth noticed her distraction, but said nothing, sensing that she did not want to speak.

The days continued much in the same vein, Mary's appetite and happiness declining as the days passed. An entire month had gone by, her decision weighing on her far more than she had ever expected. On the days she spent with Bert, busy with his new job, she was lacklustre in responding to his kisses, barely able to look at him, let alone touch him.

He knew what she was going through – the pain that she suffered in trying to make her decision – but he suffered too. As every day passed without her decision, he, too, grew more withdrawn. Neither of them were happy, and still her decision was left unmade.

***

There were two weeks left, and Mary was still no closer to the decision she needed to make. There was a longing within her to learn of her family, to be able to know her mother... but she wanted to be a mother herself, Bert's wife, wanted to live with him and love him for the rest of her life.

But if she decided to accept her Magic, then she would finally know her family, after so many years of searching! And they she would live forever... though he would not.

What if she could persuade the Council to grant him powers too? If they would, it would make her decision so much easier. Then would never lose each other, even if they couldn't marry, even if they couldn't have children.

She wrote a letter to her mother and received a response the next day. And on Sunday, instead of seeing Bert after church, she went to her mother's house.

'Are you sure you want to do this, Mary?' her mother asked.

Mary nodded. 'I have to do this.'

With a sad sigh, Aileen nodded, leading Mary into the parlour, where They were waiting.

There were three of them – two men and one woman. Both looked young, so very young, but there was an ancient wisdom in their eyes.

'Mary Poppins?' the woman said.

Mary nodded.

'And you requested an audience with us?' one of the men said.

She nodded again.

'Why did you wish to speak with us?' This came from the woman again.

Mary took a deep breath and spoke. 'I cannot make the decision.'

The Council stared at her in silence for several minutes before the woman spoke again – she seemed to be the leader of the group.

'If you do not make the decision, we will make it for you,' she said.

'That's not FAIR!' Mary shouted, standing up. The Council looked at her in shock. 'I refuse to make the decision – I'm to be married in two weeks' time, and I refuse to give my fiancé and my family up!'

There was silence after she finished.

'Please excuse us for a moment, Mary,' the woman said finally. Mary nodded, cheeks flaming bright red, as she exited the room, her mother following behind her.

After what seemed like hours, they were called back in.

'We have a proposal to make,' the woman said. 'Sit down, Mary.'

Mary did as she was told, her eyes fixed on the Council.

'We shall give you a choice – we shall allow you your Magic, and grant your fiancé Magic as well, in exchange for you assisting us in taking care of children in unhappy households. Your duty will be to improve the lives of their families, leaving only when your duty is done.'

One of the men spoke. 'And if you do not accept this choice, your memory of these events will be erased and your Magic be taken from you.'

'You have until February first to decide,' the woman said, compassion lacing her tones.

'Thank you,' Mary said, standing. With a slight curtsey to the Council, she exited the room and walked along the streets of London to Bert's flat.

When she reached his flat, she took a deep breath before climbing up the stairs. He was waiting for her, opening the door soon after she knocked.

'Bert,' she breathed, sounding more like her old self than she had in weeks. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

'Mary.' He stepped back, allowing her to enter his flat.

'Bert, I saw the Council today,' she said as soon as she settled herself on the bed. 'They've given me an ultimatum.'

He sat down next to her, taking her hands in his. 'And?'

'I will retain my Magic, and you will gain your own Magic, in exchange for helping children of unhappy homes, or lose my memory of these events – and my mother.'

'And you have decided?' he asked her. He knew she had – knew the decision she had made.

'Yes. I will accept my Magic.'

With a sigh, Bert held her against him so that she could not see the tears he shed.

'All right,' he whispered. 'All right.'

***

It was February first – the day they should have been married. Mary and Bert made her way slowly to her mother's house, where the Council was already in attendance. Though she had made her decision, she still regretted losing the chance to have children with Bert, to be married to Bert.

As though he could tell what she was thinking, he squeezed her hand tightly, pausing for a moment in their journey to her mother's house.

'I love you, Mary,' he whispered. 'I will always love you.'

'And I love you, Bert, with all my heart.'

They continued walking, finally arriving at her mother's now-familiar home, stepping into the hallway and then into the parlour.

'I have made my decision,' she said, 'I have chosen my Magic.'