"Good morning, Mrs. Slocombe." Miss Brahms says as she approaches me. "Can I take your coat?"
"Thank you, Miss Brahms." I say as I unbutton my wool, cream coat. "You're here awfully early."
"My date dropped my off this morning so I didn't have to take the bus. Did I hear you two talking about designing new uniforms?" Miss Brahms asks as she returns from the ladies' cloakroom.
"You did indeed, Miss Brahms. Captain Peacock suggested that I input a design for young Mr. Grace's scrutiny. I'm not sure about all the details yet though. I'm not sure what colour I'm going to suggest yet, but I'm thinking about crimson. I'm also considering that we get rid of uniforms altogether. I think women are more capable than men of making fashion decisions and yet men have been able to wear whatever they want for years." I say as the three of us stand around the counter and chat.
"I protest!" Stephen cries indignantly. "Some men have very good fashion sense. I happen to have very good fashion sense."
"I wasn't referring to you in that statement, Stephen, nor, in fact, was I referring to any of the men in our department, except at times Mr. Lucas. I don't think of you as ever being poorly dressed." I say quietly.
"Wait just a moment, you just called him Stephen; you've never done that. What is going on?" Miss Brahms asks my statements finally sinking into her head.
"Miss Brahms, if I tell you you mustn't tell anyone else. Stephen's wife left him for Mr. Rumboldt as you know, but yesterday, after work, I stayed and talked with Stephen and he and I admitted a lot of things including our feelings for each other and I asked Stephen to stay with me and the rest is history!" I say quickly.
"I think I'll put my things in the cloakroom and leave you two ladies to talk." Stephen says as he kisses me on the cheek.
"I never knew." Miss Brahms says excitedly. "He's so mysterious. I never would have guessed."
"You never guessed. You knew about my feelings though." I say looking at Miss Brahms who is practically shaking.
"I know, but I never thought that Captain Peacock would reciprocate your feelings. This must be a fairly recent development." Miss Brahms says cheekily.
"He discovered his feelings about three weeks ago and luckily, for me, he told me how he felt about me." I say smiling.
"So, last night, did the two of you, you know? I wouldn't ask usually, but I'm curious." Miss Brahms asks with her eyes boring into me.
"Miss Brahms!" I'm slightly shocked, but I talk to Miss Brahms about everything and I don't mind talking to her about this. "I have to admit that we didn't do anything more than kiss last night. We were too emotionally exhausted to even consider it last night."
"Please, tell me that you're not giving up all our personal secrets." Stephen says as he comes out of the cloakroom and wraps his arms around my waist.
"Congratulations to both of you." Shirley says as she hugs me and kisses Stephen on the cheek. "You both deserve the very best."
"The very best for what?" Mr Humpheries asks as he walks in. "Why does Captain Peacock have his arms around Mrs Slocombe?"
"Their new relationship!" Shirley blurted out. "Oh my god, I wasn't supposed to tell anybody!"
"I won't tell anyone. I think it's wonderful! She's wanted him for as long as I can remember, but I never remember him looking like he liked her. I'm really confused." Mr. Humpheries says as he slips off his navy blue coat.
"He told me yesterday that he'd fallen for me. Why is everyone so surprised that he could fall for me?" I ask as I stand with my hands on my hips.
"I just think that Captain Peacock has been spurning you for so long that I find this all very sudden. I've never even heard him call you by your first name." Mr. Humpheries says carefully.
I start breathing heavily trying to control my temper. "Why should he show his emotions to you? You'd just tease him. No wonder he's never showed us his true self because you people are ruthless!" I say as I clutch Stephen's hand.
"Damn, you must be in a relationship. You've never defended Captain Peacock like that before. He'd never hold your hand like that before. Good luck you two." Mr. Humpheries says.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Humpheries. Your opinion means a lot to me." I say as I give him a tight hug.
"You deserve this, Mrs. Slocombe. We, at least Captain Peacock and I, have seen you get dumped and get passed by. I'm glad you're enjoying your life now. It's nice to see you so happy." Mr. Humpheries whispers in my ear.
"It is now nine o'clock. Get to work everyone." Mr. Rumboldt says as he steps on the floor to oversee the start of the day.