"Hullo Dad." Eleanor sat on her sofa with her feet tucked under. The wind outside whipped the very last of leaves flying off the branches. Flora was right below her on the carpet, singing and babbling to herself, stuffies lined up and books galore in the mix.

"Why hello Ellie! I'd begun to wonder if it might be time to send out the St. Bernard."

She could hear the smile in her father's eyes at the other end of the line.

"No need. I'm right here. Always am."

"And how's this chilly autumn treating you?" His lyrical baritone was always soothing and Eleanor smiled.

"Staying warm Dad. Warm enough."

"Good. And how's your Caroline – I liked her. I hope you were sensible enough to right the ship?"

"Yes, I was."

"Excellent. Life is easy as you make it. Keep the good."

"Toss the rubbish - I know."

"Right then. Will you be bringing her up with you for your birthday next month?"

"Well." Eleanor sighed, glanced down to where Flora was plowing through the pile of books, turning pages rapidly and pausing to point out her favorite things.

"No. Because I'm not coming up this year. We're not coming up. The girls and I. We'll be staying in Harrogate."

"Oh now I am sorry to hear that, Ellie." George's disapproval came through, subtle, loud, and clear.

"I know. I know. But Mum – she's really gone and done it this time. Really all the way out of bounds."

"I thought you straightened that whole mess from the party."

"I did, with Caroline. But I warned Mum to steer clear – and I don't think she has. I think she's kept her nose in things and she started messing at Caroline's school, at Sulgrave Heath. And I don't think I can see past it. I really don't see how." She reached down absently and laid a palm on Flora's head, who looked up, smiled, and continued 'reading.'

"Is it really so different, this time, dear? You know Margaret. She's just testing the boundaries. She'll get over herself."

"I'm afraid it is." She continued to stare vacantly through the French doors and out at the now bare landscape that foretold the approach of winter. "She makes me - someone I'm not proud of, sometimes." Would Caroline understand that? Eleanor wasn't sure. But she wasn't ready to risk that yet. Caroline's position was safe. That was what mattered most.

"Alright." He paused and she heard him sigh at the other end of the line. Felt the hurt in the body language she couldn't even see. "Alright."

"Would you ever come to Harrogate for my birthday?" Now she studied the pattern of the couch cushion.

"Oh Ellie."

"I know dad. But I just want you to know that I want you here."

"I'll come down – next week – for a visit. Pop in for the day. But I can't do that to Margaret. Your birthday means a lot to her."

"And why can't you? She's free to do whatever she likes to the rest of us." Anger rippled through Eleanor's tone. Flora looked up. Eleanor smiled down, reassuring her, and the girl resumed her happy babble.

"Because she's my wife. I'm bound to love her – and to respect her. We made vows, Eleanor. And you don't break vows – "

Eleanor cut him off and finished his sentence. "- because they're inconvenient. I know that, Dad. Lord knows you're reminded me often enough – had to, because of mum."

"The fact remains." George's tone was stern, but not unkind. "I'll come down – spend the day with you and the girls. I miss them terribly. Seeing you grow into a lovely woman was one thing. Watching them turn into beautiful young ladies in their own right – well it's another matter. Warms my old, cold heart."

"Caroline said that they're a miracle. I think she was right."

"And I like her even more. See if she's about, when I'm down. I'd love to get to know her better."

"I will, Dad. Thank you."

"I'm so proud of you, Eleanor. Every day." The natural confidence in George's tone made everything he said ring the truth.

Eleanor smiled. "Thanks. I love you. I'll give your best to the girls. They'll be excited to see you."

"And I them. I love you Ellie. Good afternoon."

"Bye."

She clicked off and sat still and silent a moment longer before standing and picking up Flora, lifting her high above her head until she giggled. She tucked her under one arm and Flora stuck her arms out 'like supergirl,' as Greg had taught her. "Snack snack snack." She laughed as Eleanor trotted her into the kitchen.

"Yes! Let's do it! Snack! Snack!" Eleanor twisted her out of her arms and offered up a high five. "What'll it be, then, Flora? Apples? Celery? Crackers and cheese?"

"Cookie." Flora's big brown eyes were pleading and serious.

"Oh no way, little miss. Your mum's due back from school any moment. And I won't be caught red-handed feeding you cookies." Eleanor smiled and waved a finger.

"Cookie." Flora's resolve was steadfast.

Eleanor stood tall and put her hands on her hips, gazed down and frowned as Flora looked up. "Stubborn. Just like your Mum." She bent down at the knees, eye to eye with the stubborn toddler. "And I don't think I've yet figured out how you tick." She smiled and placed the tip of her index finger on Flora's nose. "I'll make a deal with you. Half an apple and one – very small – cookie."

"Cookie." A mischievous smile snuck on to Flora's face.

Eleanor narrowed her eyes. "And apple."

Flora acquiesced. "Apple."

"Oh very good. I think we've made progress." Eleanor smiled and lifted Flora up with her as she stood, set her on the counter top. "You're miles easier than your Mum. But just as irresistible."


Crisis of the moment resolved, Caroline's thoughts had turned to the festive. Eleanor's birthday next month. The first birthday for which Caroline would be responsible for getting a gift. Just the right gift. The right first gift. She was too anxious about doing it well not to solicit help.

"Caroline am I seriously who you're calling for advice on what to give your posh girlfriend for her birthday?"

"Well my back's against the wall here, Gillian. It's only two weeks. A little compassion, if you please?" Caroline's face was haughty and she tapped her pen against her desk. It's getting to be a maelstrom out there. She watched the trees sway back and forth out her window.

"Oh fine. Look - what're you thinking, then? Let's start at that."

"Scarf."

Gillian didn't even bother with words and give a dismissive 'chuff.'

"Oh I know. Vapid." Caroline frowned at herself.

"Maybe not something looks like you just fetched it from the store on your way over?"

"Right."

"Right."

Caroline narrowed her eyes and gave the mental wheels a good turn. "Jewelry?" She took of her readers and pinched the bridge of her nose and gave a thoughtful wince.

"Well yeah. But that's a broad category."

"I know." Caroline gave the phone cord a twist and now a smile began on her face as she imagined Eleanor out and about in the world, wearing something Caroline had given her – a sweater, a pin, a necklace, maybe a new hand bag. People asking her about it. Perhaps a smile on Eleanor's face too, as she told them where it had come from. Caroline in Eleanor's life, even when she wasn't there physically.

"Anythin' she's had her eye on? Something or other you've see her notice?"

Caroline's eyes narrowed again. Had she ever noticed Eleanor, noticing anything? She couldn't recall. A moment a very long time ago with Kate skirted her memory – a moment together on the bench in her garden. Kate chastising Caroline for being self-centered.

"I suppose I haven't been terribly observant."

"You missing something about someone else? Nah." Gillian laughed.

"Oh stop." Caroline accepted the jest and the underlying truth. She smiled as she heard the racket of Calamity and Raff and Robbie on the background.

Gillian held up the mobile and shouted above the din. "Oy – you lot – what you think Caroline ought to get her girlfriend for her birthday?" The crew turned.

"Xbox!" Shouted Raff.

"Snow tires!" offered Robbie.

Gillian brought the phone back to her ear. "There you 'have it, then."

"Oh you're just all kinds of help, aren't you?" Caroline scowled, then smiled.

"At your service."

"Indeed."

"Look, Caroline. Just try to imagine yourself in her shoes for a minute."

Caroline's eyes lit. "Oh Gillian. That's it. "Shoes.". There was something Eleanor had had her eye on.

"Oh no Caroline – shoes?"

"We wear the same size. And I'm not thinking about a new pair of house slippers"

"Ah. And you wear the same styles I'm thinking."

"Often."

"Well if that's the case, then, yeah, that's a proper posh gift."

"It's at least a place to start. Thanks, Gillian." Caroline smiled, twirled from her desk chair and made her way to the coat closet with a new sense of confidence.

"Any time, Caroline. Bye then."

"Bye bye." She clicked off and clocked out for the day, off to pick up Flora from Eleanor's. Perhaps life fell in line. At times. For a while. She'd enjoy this while very much.