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!


Chapter 29: The Hogswatch Party or What Sybil Did


Willikins the butler entered the Ghastly Pink Drawing Room bearing a card on a silver platter. With a brief bow, he presented it to Lady Sybil and discreetly withdrew. Putting down her dragon records she opened the envelope. A small smile played about her lips as she glanced over the top of the card at her blissfully unaware husband. She tapped the card absently against her chin before picking up a pen and writing a brief note. Glancing again at her husband, she rang the bell. As Willikins entered, she gave him a whispered instruction and handed him the note. To his credit, Willikins did not display any emotion, but his shoulders appeared to be laughing as he left.


"Good Evening Sam," Sybil greeted her husband a few days later. "I need to talk to you for a second?"

Sam kissed his wife as he undid his oilskin cape and took off his boots, surreptitiously wriggling his toes in the socks Sybil had knitted for him. He followed her to the dining room as one of the maids laid his dinner plate in front of him.

"What do you want to talk about, dear?" Sam enthusiastically attacked his bacon which shattered satisfactorily beneath his fork.

"Well, I know it's not your thing really Sam, but I think it'd be fun..." Sybil began. Sam put his fork down and stared at his wife. He already didn't like the sound of whatever it was. Sybil ploughed on.

"It's a Hogswatch party," she said brightly.

"That doesn't sound too bad," he said cautiously. "What's the catch?"

"It's fancy dress."

"No. No, no, no. Absolutely not. No."


"Look, if you choose your costume Sam, you can make sure it's one you're happy with."

Sybil smiled at her husband. What could he say but agree when she looked at him like that? He sighed.

"I suppose the Hogfather one isn't so bad? But I refuse to be dressed as the helper or a boar!"

Sybil nodded. "I'll go and book them." She leaned over and kissed him. "If I go now they can put them aside. It says here that they can send them up to the house so we don't need to worry about remembering to pick them up."

Sam grunted. Bloody fancy dress party! One of Sybil's friends was behind it, Lady Selachii or some such. Probably did it just so Sam had to be in fancy dress. It made Sybil happy so he couldn't complain too loudly. Truth be told he'd walk into hell for her and everyone knew it. All he had to do was wear a red coat for a few hours, job done. He focused on his report as he gradually forgot about the party.


Sam stepped out of his bathtub after a long day, feeling refreshed. He wrapped the fluffy towel Willikins had left out for him around his waist and padded through to the bedroom where he discovered his wife holding a large box.

"What's that?" Sam asked as he perched on the edge of the bed.

"I think it's our Hogswatch Party costumes," Sybil answered as she examined the box. Sam made a non-commital noise, as he watched his wife suspiciously.

"Oh my..." Sybil glanced up quickly at her husband and back down to the open box in front of her.

"What? What?" Despite himself, Sam was starting to feel panicky.

Thinking quickly, Sybil tried to smooth the waters.

"It's not too bad, really, when you think of what it could have been...um..." she faltered.

"Sybil...tell me what's happened!" Sam said urgently.

"Er..."

"Sybil!"


"The Duke and Duchess of Ankh!"

"I'm going to get you for this," Sam hissed to his wife as they descended the steps to the party.

Maintaining her bright smile, Sybil answered "hardly my fault Sam. It is obviously a mix-up."

Sam glowered.

"Let's get a drink shall we?" Sybil steered her husband towards a long table laden with refreshments. Sam shuffled forlornly towards the food at the other end of the table, jingling softly.

"How did you manage it, Sybil?" Lady Selachii appeared at Sybil's elbow with an admiring look on her face. "You look fabulous, by the way darling," she fingered the silk skirt of Sybil's 'Mrs Hogfather' costume, admiring the red corset style top with fluffy white edging around the low cut neckline. The red cape was fastened to the shoulder straps and swept around her ankles, set off with black heeled boots.

"You have no idea what I had to sacrifice!" Sybil answered with a laugh. "You owe me ten dollars, by the way," she added mischievously. A noise made her turn around and she saw the glaring figure of her husband, ensconced in his green and red skintight elf costume, having clearly heard everything.

"You are in so much trouble," he muttered as Sybil looked bashfully into her glass.

"How about if I make it worth your while?"

"Meaning?"

Leaning closer, Sybil whispered into his ear. A slow smile spread across Sam's face.

"Worth it?"

"Definitely worth it..." he squeezed Sybil closer against him. He felt some familiar stirrings. Grabbing her hand, he began tugging her towards the exit.

"Sam?" Sybil laughed.

"I'm collecting my promise now," he whispered into her ear. "You've got me all worked up and I can't wait!"

"Neither can I," she whispered back with a naughty smile.


Comments always appreciated.