A/N This is not the chapter that I promised in my previous author's note. This chapter just sort of … happened … incidentally … on its own. Think of it as … a "bonus chapter," I guess? The promised chapter is still coming tomorrow.

Thank you so much for all your kind words of encouragement. As I've said many times before, it's only your support that keeps me going. Interacting with you makes the whole writing process so much more rewarding and fulfilling.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Elsie woke and was startled to notice it was already light outside. The last time she'd slept past sunrise was during the summer, when the sun rose quite a bit earlier. Despite having slept a good portion of the day yesterday, she'd still slept fairly well last night, perhaps due to her body's need for rest and the effects of the cold medicine she'd taken. She felt much better than she had yesterday and suspected that her fever was gone for good. She picked up her phone from her nightstand and saw a message from Charles: How are you feeling this morning? I hope you slept well. Please let me know if you need anything. I need to meet with John this morning, but I can stop by to see you this afternoon. She responded, saying she was feeling quite a bit better, and asked if he would please bring her exams when he was able, so that she could start grading them. Then she had some breakfast, showered, and dressed. She spent the morning catching up on emails and entering grades into a spreadsheet, but she was distracted by thoughts of Charles.

Her recollections from yesterday were a bit foggy, since she'd been groggy from fever and medication, but she did remember his being very tender with her. She observed wryly that she lamented not being aware or alert enough to enjoy his attentions; but then she considered that it might have been better that way. If she had been her usual self, she might have done something foolish. She also regretted his seeing her in such a compromised state, but there was nothing to be done about that.

Charles came by after lunch with her exams and some pastries. She invited him to stay, since it was their usual tea time anyway. He happily accepted, and they had a nice, little chat over tea and cinnamon rolls.

When they were done, he rose from the table and seemed to hesitate. "I suppose I should be getting back now … unless … "

"I was only going to sit here and correct my exams. Would you … would you like to stay? If you've got something to keep you busy, we could work together. Unless you have something pressing to do back at school … " She hoped she wasn't being too forward, taking up too much of his time, but she liked spending time with him and couldn't help asking.

"No!" he said eagerly. "Nothing that can't wait. As a matter of fact, I've got my own exams right here in my briefcase. If you'd like some company … "

She beamed at him. "I'd like that very much."

Her heart swelled at the thought of the domestic scene: sitting next to each other at her table and working, talking, laughing, complaining. And for the next two hours, they did exactly that. They sat across from each other at the table, papers spread over its surface, praising one student's astute response to an essay question and expressing disappointment at the performance of another who could have done better.

Out of the blue, Elsie let out a chuckle. Charles smiled at her and asked, "What? What's so amusing?"

"Oh, nothing, really," she answered. "I was just wondering what our students would think if they could see us now. We're supposed to be setting a good example, and here we are, playing truant!"

"I beg your pardon!" argued Charles playfully, pretending to be offended. "I have never in my life 'played truant'! I happen to be assisting a friend who is recovering from illness. And you … " – he pointed at her with his pen – " … are simply following orders from your headmaster, who has banned you from the building today."

"Oh?" she challenged. "Since when do I take orders from the headmaster?"

"Since never," he allowed. "But you are humoring your friend, who is only concerned for you."

"Now, that is a far more accurate assessment."

They smiled at each other and resumed their work.

After a time, Elsie rubbed her eyes and let out a yawn, and Charles eyed her with concern. "You should take a break. You need a rest."

Her first instinct was to protest, but she was, in fact, quite sleepy. Staring for hours at stacks of exam papers had taken its toll. At Charles's insistence, she got comfortable on the couch with a pillow and blanket. She made him promise to wake her in half an hour, but they both knew the promise was meaningless; he would allow her to sleep for as long as her body would permit it. Elsie nodded off, and Charles returned to his work.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

After about fifteen minutes, Elsie's cell phone, which she'd left on the table, started to ring. Charles snatched it up and was about to decline the call and silence the ringer, but then he saw that it was Peter. He ducked into the kitchen, where he hoped his voice wouldn't wake Elsie, and answered.

"Peter!"

"Uncle Charles?"

"Yes, of course. Did you think I might be someone else?"

"Gosh, I hope not! If there's a man answering my mum's phone, it had bloody well better be you!"

"Yes, well ... I do hope so."

"Why are you answering Mum's phone? And why are you whispering?"

"Your mum's been a little under the weather. She's sleeping right now. I answered because I didn't want the ringing to wake her – and because I saw that it was you."

"She's sleeping … in the middle of the day … at home? And you're there with her? Is she all right? You'd tell me if something were wrong ... "

"No, no, everything's fine. She's just got a bad cold. It's nothing serious. I've come by to look after her."

"You're sure? It's just a cold? Nothing serious?"

"Yes, honestly. I promise. You know I would never keep anything from you."

"And you're taking good care of her?"

"I am."

"And that's all it is?"

"Yes, truly. Listen, lad, I'll ring you back later. There is something I'd like to tell you and ... well, something I'd like to ask you. But I don't want to wake your mum, and I'd rather not have her overhear our conversation. And you mustn't tell her about it. Not yet, anyway."

"Mustn't tell her about what? I know nothing."

"Right. You've always been too clever for your own good. I'll call you tonight."

Charles hung up and was about to return to his grading when he had an idea. He took out his own phone and snapped a picture of Elsie, who lay slumbering peacefully on the sofa, looking perfectly content. He sent it to Peter with the caption: See? Perfectly fine. I'm looking after her. Then he deleted the photo from his phone immediately, knowing that Elsie would probably not appreciate having such an image used for any purpose except to allay her son's fears.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Elsie slept for about an hour, until Beryl showed up with dinner. If Beryl was surprised to find Charles at Elsie's flat, she hardly let on.

"I've left Ivy in charge," she explained. "I thought I'd come and have dinner with Elsie, though there's certainly enough here for all three of us if you'll be staying, Charles."

He politely declined the offer. "Erm … No, thank you, Beryl. That's all right. I think I'll leave you two ladies. I've got some leftovers at home, and you've got two days' worth of gossip to catch up on."

Charles gathered up his things, took his leave, and left the women to their meal.

"So, Beryl … " said Elsie once they'd sat down to eat. "Tell me what I've missed."

Beryl filled Elsie in on one or two juicy tidbits, but with exams going on, there hadn't been much opportunity for either teachers or students to get up to anything truly noteworthy.

"Now, Elsie … " said Beryl after they'd dispensed with the school gossip. "If I'm not mistaken, Charles has spent the better part of two days here with you. Tell me what I've missed."

Elsie blushed fiercely, but she recovered quickly enough. "Beryl! The only things you've missed are a woman lying ill on her sofa and man poring over paperwork at her dining room table."

Beryl looked contrite. "I'm sorry. I was only hoping that maybe … " she trailed off and shook her head. "Never mind me. It's none of my business. Now. How about our Christmas baking? Shall we say Sunday after brunch?"

"Sunday sounds good. Let's plan on it."

"And what about Peter? When will he get in?" Beryl wanted to know.

"Not until Christmas Eve, I'm afraid. He's got an experiment going, some testing that he needs to finish," Elsie told her.

"Well, I'm eager to see him again."

"Me, too. Have you got a dress for the party on Friday?"

"Yes, I went shopping last Saturday with Daisy," Beryl said. "She helped me pick it out. It's a little more daring than what I'm used to, but I do like the color. What about you? Have you got something nice?"

"I think so. I bought something for last year's party, but I changed my mind at the last minute and wore something else. But I think I can wear it this year."

"I'm sure you'll look beautiful."

The rest of dinner and the accompanying conversation proceeded uneventfully. Beryl helped Elsie clear the table and take care of the dishes.

"And you're certain you've got everything you need? You'll be all right?" Beryl asked as she put her coat on.

"Yes, between you and Charles, you've spoilt me. If this is the treatment I get when I've got a cold, I'll have to get sick more often!" Elsie joked, and both women laughed. "But in all seriousness," continued Elsie, "thank you for everything. I appreciate it."

"Think nothing of it. Now, will we see you back at school tomorrow?"

"Yes, I think so. If grow too accustomed to being a lady of leisure, I might never come back!"

The friends chuckled, and with that, they bade each other good night.

A/N Please leave a review, if you'd be so kind. Tomorrow: an unexpected visitor, a major misunderstanding, and a minor crisis.