A/N: Thank you everybody for being so wonderful! And today I pass the Bechdel test with my chapter. Yes. I am happy about that!
Thank you, Dee, for sharing the domestic Chelsie feels! (I was so impatient to post, so all mistakes left are completely my own)
There's newspapers strewn about on the table, reading glasses on top of them. The smell of scrambled eggs and toast and roast tomatoes lingers in the air. The radio plays softly in the background: a program called 'Cappuccino*' that reunites lost friends (and lovers), mellow music accentuating the emotions that sometimes run high in the interviews.
Charles has buttered some toast and she is pouring another cup of tea. The door opens and Anna comes in from the corridor, her hair still slightly damp, looking a bit pale and sleepy. She is staying with them while John accompanies Robert to a conference in Hannover.
"Good morning, pet," Elsie says and pulls the chair away from the table, pours another cup and puts it in front of Anna.
"Morning," Anna says after a few swallows.
"Can I get you anything?" Charles offers. "I can do you some mushrooms, tomatoes, bacon, …"
Anna flees before he can go on and Elsie shakes her head at him. "How can you be so insensitive?" she asks and he looks at her bewildered.
"I was being nice!" he argues and Elsie cannot help but laugh.
"Well, she'll be back shortly, no doubt. Just don't go offering her anything, alright?"
He shrugs grumpily, muttering something about not understanding women. Elsie leans in and whispers in his ear:
"It's morning sickness, my man, not a mystery," then sits back down again, pops a slice of bread in the toaster, turns back the dial and pushes the bread down. When Anna returns - shaking, an unbecoming shade of green - it's just done. Charles is quiet, hides behind the sports section to find Indian cricket test matches.
"I'll make you a nice, weak cup of tea," Elsie says to Anna and Anna starts nibbling on her toast.
"I'm sorry, Anna," Charles then says, still from behind his newspaper. "Are you feeling better now?"
"Yes, thank you, Mr Carson. It usually passes quite quickly."
"Will you be alright, today? Elsie tells me you have quite a day ahead."
"What's that?" she asks, when she returns with Anna's tea.
"That you have a big day planned." He is so open with her, so at ease, even when there is someone else 'invading' their space.
"Yes, it is rather a big day," Elsie winks at Anna, who blushes.
The bell rings not five minutes later and it's a mad dash for shoes, purses and lipstick and Elsie heads out with her girl after kissing her man goodbye, promising him a treat when she returns.
"Since this is my car and I am already letting you ride up front, I get to choose the music," Beryl says, "And that's final."
They are all piled up in Beryl's bright red car and have decided on a schedule for the day. Charles had not been joking when he said they had a lot to do and they will start at Grantham House to look at the reception rooms and ballroom. It's very generous of the Crawleys to offer their family home. Normally it's open to the public - free for those with a NationalTrust card - but they would close it for the wedding. Today it is closed for refurbishments and Elsie is very pleased to be having her reception and party in a newly renovated grand house.
Beryl manoeuvres the car through the London traffic with ease, singing along loudly (and off-key) with The Shirelles. It is so infectious, Elsie can't help but join in the merrimaking. Anna has made herself comfortable next to her and Daisy is rolling her eyes at Beryl until she gives in and sings along too, saying the song has been covered not long ago and that is why she knows all the words. They arrive at Grantham House and are being shown inside by a chambermaid.
"I trust you'll find everything yourselves? Only the director said she was expecting you and there's a problem with the new carpet they were supposed to fit yesterday."
"Yes, we'll be fine," Beryl says huffily and turns to Elsie. "Looks very different in the light of day."
"Looks very different when you're sober," Elsie adds and the two friends giggle. "Come on, you lot, lets make our rounds and decide on some things on our checklist."
She pulls out her smartphone, pulls up the app with to-do lists and together with the three others, she goes through them quickly, checking the size of the ballroom and the options of having tables set up there, the fire department's guidelines, her guestlist and she scans the room to see where they can have the music set up. While she is being perfectly practical now, Elsie can really see her wedding taking place here and it is somewhat overwhelming. She worries her lip and wishes Charles were there with her.
"Everything will be alright, you'll see," Anna says quietly and points at Beryl and Daisy who are discussing decor and food already. "All you need to know is the number of guests you'll be expecting. You've already chosen invitations and we'll be off to the bridal shop after the cake tasting and then the worst will be over."
"How are you so wise?" Elsie asks warily.
"Oh… I may have learnt from the best," Anna says and kisses Elsie's cheek, triggering a tear to drop. She wipes it away with her sleeve.
"I think I have a lovely idea, Els'!" Beryl rushes over and pulls her friend towards the far corner of the ballroom. Elsie smiles at Anna and Daisy who are whispering.
"Alright, but after this one idea, we'd better get back in the car, because we have a cake tasting session at noon," Elsie warns and Beryl grins.
"Oh trust me, that's not something I am likely to forget!"
In the car Elsie intervenes and Daisy gets to choose the music. The upbeat rhythm and cheery lyrics of Paolo Nutini's "Pencil Full Of Lead" convince even Beryl as they make their way to a small artisan bakery in a quiet area of Hackney.
"Now be nice, Beryl," Elsie warns. "Last thing we need is a rerun of last year's canape tasting where the chef appeared at the table and the pair of you had a shouting match."
"He was a..." Beryl starts, but Anna saves the conversation by exclaiming at the sight of the bakery annex teashop.
"I'm starving!" She says happily and leaves the car without waiting for the others. Elsie smiles. She only knows of cravings and moodswings through her sister, but she sees a pattern forming already.
It's oddly reassuring. Anna is so tiny, it wouldn't do if she lost too much weight.
Daisy appraises the blackboard. "All these things look delicious!"
"Well, as they say: the proof is in the pudding." Beryl chuckles at her own joke.
They are welcomed by a young man with a Jamaican accent and he leads them to a corner table with a bench filled with cushions and throws.
"Ladies, I'll go and get a kettle on for you and then I'll return with some samples."
"Thank you!" Daisy almost gushes and Beryl throws Elsie a look.
"It's lovely here," Daisy says as she watches their server leave, her eyes lingering on his posterior.
"What have you ordered to try?" Anna asks, unfolding a napkin and putting it on her lap.
"Oh, erm..." Elsie blushes. She'd gone totally overboard when she received the confirmation email from the master baker and had simply chosen everything that struck her fancy. She clears her throat, pulls her phone from her purse and finds the email and starts to read:
"S'mores cake, Toffee Temptation, Mexican Hot Chocolate, Coconut Cream, Orange and Poppyseed, Chocolate and Salted Caramel, Caramel Apple and Glazed Lemon Pound Cake…"
"In other words, you are going to kill us." Beryl grins.
"Perhaps not kill… but I am fully expecting a serious sugar rush," Elsie puts her phone away. The young man who had welcomed them returns with a big tray of mismatched cups, saucers and a big, round-bellied teapot. Daisy starts pouring, looking flushed and shy.
The four women applaud when a two big platters with individual cakes is brought up and they set to work.
"I couldn't eat another thing…" Elsie groans as she lowers herself on the back seat of the car.
"Nor me…" Daisy says.
"Lightweights," Beryl says, but she looks a little flustered, her cheeks red.
Anna furtively checks her watch.
"I am so glad we've decided against wedding dress shopping," Elsie sighs. "And it is Anna's turn to choose a song."
Anna hands Daisy her phone, who plugs it into the car stereo with a double jack. Joss Stone sings loudly and energetically as they travel from Hackney to Anna's neighbourhood. They've come up with an excuse, something about watering the plants.
The car stops right in front of Anna's flat as Joss sings the final words of "Super Duper Love".
"Thank you ladies for a very lovely day!" Elsie says and leans into the car to peck Daisy on the cheek and quickly run her hand down Beryl's arm. They both wave as they drive off and Elsie turns to Anna.
"Are you ready for this?"
"As I'll ever be, I suppose," Anna swallows hard and Elsie takes her arm, links it through her own and they walk quietly to the practice, where they are rung in. They wait in silence for five minutes before they are being called in. Anna has her NHS card and hands it to the technician, who is a bubbly woman with a shock of purple hair who starts talking immediately.
"Are you excited? Feeling alright? I hope you've read all the info on the leaflet we've sent you. Full bladder?"
Anna nods a little overwhelmed by the onslaught of words.
"Maybe you'd like a moment?" Elsie asks pointedly, throwing the technician a look, who nods.
"Of course. Well. You just pop on here and lift your top." She starts bustling, collecting her tools and Elsie sits down next to Anna and takes her hand, holding it firmly.
"If at any time things are becoming too much, you just speak up," she says and Anna heaves a shuddering sigh.
"Alright, Mrs Bates, let me know when you're ready," the technician has settled between Anna's midsection and a big monitor. She waits patiently, smiling gently at Anna and Elsie.
"Okay, I think I'm ready," Anna grips Elsie's hand a little tighter.
"Are you alright with me lifting your top for you?"
Elsie is amazed by the change in the technician; when they had come in, it seemed as if the young woman was bumbling, but now she is very calm and centered, making Anna feel more relaxed.
"Yes. Yes, okay."
Anna's belly is bared and the process explained. A blueish gel falls, a handheld scanner pressed gently into the softness of Anna's belly.
And there it is:
The swift flickering that indicates a steady heartbeat.
She is all set up: the Crosley stands in the corner, she has a glass of wine, a few pieces of dark chocolate and "Wish You Were Here".
The bath is full, a bath ballistic is waiting to be dunked into the water. She is undressing slowly in front of the mirror. She stares at herself, cupping her breasts, raising them, sighing deeply. It's the thought of having to put on a wedding dress that's done it. She turns around to look at her bum. That bodypart too has lost some of its former perkiness. She never minds much; in fact, she normally quite likes the look of herself!
After a last lingering glance she lets a record fall from it's sleeve and puts it on the turntable.
She puts up her hair and lowers herself in the steaming water.
As she leans back, the first sounds of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" fill the air. It's a slow build - as slow as making love on Sunday morning, as the night falling on a bright summer's day. She knows every note, every silence and lets herself be wrapped up in it. Anna's voice filters in - she is Skyping John, showing the first picture of their child, making sure they are both alright. Hannover is so far away - between people who have been separated too long already.
The anger of "Have A Cigar" makes her close her eyes, and then there's the sound of the front door, the typical footfall of her man. His rumbling and the twinkling answer. The door to the bedroom opens, there's the sound of his shoes dropping on the floor, the toilet flushing and finally the door to the bathroom opens.
He is all smiles, happy, pleased.
"I hear all is well!" he says.
"With what?" she responds.
"The baby."
He doesn't shy away from the words and Elsie cannot help but smile back at her beautiful, excited man.
"And we've chosen cake and checked everything at Grantham House."
"Good. Good. Well. Then we can look to the future."
"Yes."
Charles leans in and captures her lips in a kiss. After breaking it off he says:
"I think it is all going to be wonderful."
And she completely agrees.
notes:
* This is a Dutch program my parents listen to on Saturday!
* Beryl played: Mama Said, by The Shirelles
* Daisy played: Pencil full of lead, by Paolo Nutini
* Anna played: Super Duper Love, by Joss Stone
* Elsie played: the whole Wish You Were Here album, by Pink Floyd
All cake samples come from Martha Stewart's website, I fully intend to bake these cakes and report back to you!