Behind Closed Doors – the Sybil & Vimes Collection
FLUFF alert…OK, I can't resist this! I plan on doing a series of vignettes, each complete in itself and centring on Sybil and Vimes' relationship. The idea is to capture little scenes in their life, hopefully keeping in character. Some may have a piece of music as a theme, some might not, it depends how the muse takes me.
If this idea is so much marsh gas, let me know. If it's a good idea, let me know that too!
Sam is in a quandary. A very uniquely female type quandary…
***Enough squee to make candy-floss come out of your ears!***
Chapter 11 – Birthday girl or What to get the woman who has everything
For Sam Vimes this may well be the part of the map labeled incognito or Here Be Dragons. Although in the latter case that wouldn't worry Sybil. He looked at his left hand ruefully – already he had chewed his way through three fingernails and it was only 10.30 in the morning. The reason for Sam's preoccupation was simple (or complicated, depending firstly, on your sex, and secondly, on your point of view.) It was Sybil's birthday and, well, not to put too fine a point on it, she already had everything, and had for hundreds of years. What could he possibly buy her that she would want or possibly need? He was baffled. No, he was more than baffled, he was flummoxed.
With a shudder, he remembered Fred Colon's well meaning words of advice.
"Wimmin, Sir, they don't tell you want they want, they leave you to guess." He contemplated his pint reflectively. Remembering how Mrs. Colon behaved around her birthday, he brightened slightly. "Get what she says she doesn't want," he declared, waving his now empty pint of Old Peculiar at the grubby-aproned landlord. "Well known fact, Sir."
"What she says she doesn't want?" Vimes had echoed doubtfully.
"'S right," Colon made to tap his nose meaningfully, but missed.
Sam sighed and continued his trudge. Carrot had been just as bad.
"Make her feel special, Sir! It's her day, after all. Whatever you do, she will love i'm sure of it!" Carrot radiated sincerity in waves. "Chocolates, wine, a small gift…"
Yes, you really are, aren't you, Vimes thought in the privacy of his own head.
He had contemplated asking Nobby, but had immediately discounted that idea with a reflexive shudder. The thought of his leering face had been more than enough to stall that thought in its tracks.
So, Sam thought to himself, what were Sybil's hobbies. Dragons. Dragons? Dragons. Blast. Rich aristocrat who hasn't had to buy anything in years. Oh gods. She's your fiancée, you must be able to buy her a birthday present! Think, he commanded himself. Almost of their own volition, his feet began to make their way back up to Scoone Avenue. Perhaps, if I approach this from a different angle….
"What are you doing?" Sybil asked curiously.
"If I told you, I'd have to arrest you!"
"Sam!"
"Just a little further…"
"Can I take the blindfold off now?"
"No!"
Sam ushered Sybil into the dining room. A quick word with Willikins and the cook had been invaluable. Even he was pleased with the results and the most he knew about flowers was that one end went in the ground.
He didn't know how they'd done it, but every surface was covered either in rose petals or holding an exquisite array of seasonal blooms. The dining table was scattered with red and white rose petals, candles, a bottle of champagne was chilling in a bucket and…..oh yes….there was just one more thing…..
He guided Sybil to stand by the head of the table and disappeared back into the hall. Silently, four men entered and took their seats at the far end of the room. At a nod from Sam, they picked up their violins and viola and began to softly play.
"You can take the blindfold off now," he murmured in Sybil's ear.
Tugging it off quickly, her mouth dropped open as she saw the decorated room, the candles throwing a soft light, and took in the string quartet playing in the background.
Smiling gently at his fiancée, Sam took her hand and squeezed it.
"I didn't know what to get the woman who has everything," he began. Sybil opened her mouth to speak but Sam stopped her.
"Then I thought, actions speak louder than words, and I wanted to show you."
He tugged her close and wrapped his arms around her.
"Happy birthday, Sybil."
Her smile was lost in the kiss that descended upon her lips.
Comments? Let me know...
