Matthew had the night to think about the hotel arrangements he needed to make for Alice and the children. At least two rooms, maybe a small suite? There were several good hotels in the city, The Windsor would be a treat but maybe there was another that would do the trick. Perhaps they should spend part of the following day in Melbourne ...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

He found the right accommodation, two rooms, bathroom and small living room - a suite. She'd be embarrassed but he didn't get the chance to treat her often and with all that had happened, Alice deserved this. She said the children were well behaved so he could take a chance.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Before she went to sleep that night Alice read her sister's letter. In it, Phillipa had told her of her marriage, how disappointed their parents had been and how it eventually wore Graham down, particularly after Suzanne was born. Whatever he did it wasn't enough, for them. For Phillipa it was fine. He saw her and the children settled before he went on shift, when David started school he would take him when he could but he didn't pay any attention to his mother in law. They argued. He wasn't advancing in his career fast enough, Phillipa was spending too much time with her children and not attending to her parents; in the end Mrs Harvey drove a wedge between the couple and Graham left. A divorce was sought and granted - desertion, and Mrs Harvey took over Phillipa's life.

"She treated me like a child and I was too tired to fight anymore," Pip wrote, "I know she hated the children, that when they were with her she was cruel but I was fighting a losing battle. I am writing this from my hospital bed, I can't fight anymore, Alice, I'm sorry. Look after my babies for me, please.

Pip."

Charterson had said that Pip died of pneumonia but she wondered if there was an underlying cause, something far more serious than 'flu that made it too much for her body to handle. She would see if he could get her sister's medical notes, just to clear up the story. The children were bound to ask and when they were old enough to understand she wanted them to know the truth.

Sleep didn't come easily to Alice, she tossed and turned but finally dozed off in the early hours.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

She wasn't sure if she should check on the children first thing in the morning or if they would get themselves up. She showered quickly, dressed and packed, then went to see how they had been over night.

She knocked before opening the door and found them sitting on David's bed. Suzanne didn't look at her, David had his arm round his sister and there was a pair of pink pyjamas on the floor. Alice picked them up, noticed that Suzanne had had a night time accident, rolled them up and put them in the waste bin. they weren't pretty pyjamas in the first place, a little old and worn in places, new ones went on the list of things to get.

"Ready for breakfast?" she held the door open.

Suzanne looked up and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Her hair, Aunt Alice," David held up the brush, "I don't know how to do it."

"Ah, yes," Alice hummed, "well, perhaps just loose today, we'll get some ribbons or a hairband later." These were things she had craved as a child, she could indulge her niece this way. She brushed the fair waves and tucked them behind her ears. "That will do for now."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

An early breakfast over, the bill paid, they just had time to swing by the cemetery and place some flowers on Phillipa's small grave. Alice silently promised to do her best for the children and to get her a decent headstone. Currently her parents had only seen fit to leave a small wooden cross to mark the spot - another task for Mr Charterson.

They caught the first train by the skin of their teeth and settled into a compartment with books and comics to occupy them.

Alice waited for one of them to ask about where they were going, and where they would live. It was David, about half an hour into the journey.

She started the story, trying to simplify it for the ages on the children. She told them they would be staying with friends who had a big enough house, that hers was far too small for all of them. She explained that she worked at the hospital and for the police which gave her a way of introducing Matthew to them.

"He's a good man," she smiled, "we are ... close."

David thought he understood but ... "like mum and dad were, once."

"Most likely," she agreed, "he will help us." She thought for a moment, "I have never thought about having children, David, and I don't really know what good parents do, except they don't pinch or hit."

"I guess we'll have to learn together then," he laughed. "Thank you for not getting cross with Suzanne," he referred to the night time accidents. "She didn't used to - you know - only when we went to stay with grandmother."

"Understandable, I'm sure it will pass, in time. I shall ask Mrs Blake how we deal with it."

"Will she know?"

"She has grown up boys, and a granddaughter so I expect so." Alice thought this was likely and it was one of the first things she was going to ask her, how to deal with Suzanne, she thought there would be more than bed-wetting to deal with. The child was largely silent since her first meeting and the request to wash her hair the previous night.

Alice wondered if they should go to the buffet car, she was in need of a cup of tea and perhaps the children would like a snack and drink. Suzanne had started to wriggle in her seat and look a little strained. Toilet, that was it, she remembered the feeling when she was little and was told she would have to wait.

"Come on," she stood and help out her hand to the little girl, "bathroom break and a snack. We need to stretch our legs."

Suzanne looked down at her legs which she felt were the right length but Auntie Alice knew things, she was a doctor.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The rest of the long journey passed quietly. Suzanne passed her a book which Alice read to her for a while, then the little girl settled down with her head on Alice's lap and had a short nap. In a way it amused Alice and she was sure Matthew would have good laugh about a small child trusting Alice the way this one seemed to. David noticed her confused expression.

"It's 'cos you don't shout at her, or hurt her," he smiled.

"I suppose it helps," she mused, "your grandmother was not very kind to me, when I was a child, so I can sympathise."

"Right," David decided not to pursue this line of conversation and settled back to his book and Alice to hers.

They spent some time at the back of the train in the open lounge carriage where the fresh air brightened the children. David pointed out things that might interest his sister and they played I-spy to pass the time.

By the time they reached Melbourne they were tired of the train; the books had been finished and the buffet car had closed. Alice breathed a sigh of relief when they drew into the station.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Matthew stood on the platform scanning the travellers for his lover. And there she was, a child either side of her, he waved and saw her smile possibly with relief.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

He had wondered how he should greet her, formally, gently ... in the end he settled for kissing her - on the lips, that should tell the children enough.

"How was your journey?" he took her suitcase.

"Long," she sighed, "Matthew, this is David and Suzanne; children this is Matthew." She turned back to him, "I have told them we are close."

Matthew offered his hand to David and smiled, "Good to meet you, son, Aunt Alice has told me something of your story, and Suzanne, she didn't tell me how pretty you are."

David shook his hand has he had been taught to, "Sir," he mumbled.

"Uncle Matthew will do, lad," Matthew shook his head, "Sir is for the men at the station, not for family."

"Right."

"I've booked a small suite in a hotel," he addressed this comment to Alice, "thought it would be easier. One room for the kiddies, one for us."

Alice was too tired to blush, she just nodded and hoped it wasn't the Windsor.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jean had warned Matthew that Alice would be confused and tired. He had been told he had to look after her, even if it was only while they were in the city.

"It's ok, Jean," he patted her arm, "I'll try and shoulder some of the load, even if it's just getting the children sorted, fed and whatever."

"Supper, bath, story and bed," she ordered. "While you do that Alice can have a relaxing soak in the bath."

Matthew saluted and grinned as he left Mycroft Avenue to bring his family home.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Gently he steered the little family to the suite, dropped the cases in the rooms, ordered tea and milk and a light supper to be sent up.

The children may not have done much during the day but they were noticeably tired. Matthew ran the bath, David checked the temperature, he and Suzanne bathed, put on pyjamas, had a little bit to eat and were settled in bed. Jean had said to tell them a story and he realised it was too long since he had done anything like this. Alice watched him think for a moment then passed him the book she had been reading to Suzanne on the train.

"Try this, she seems to like it, or it's so boring she'll go to sleep quickly."

"Right, well, why don't you go and have a relaxing soak," he kissed her cheek and whispered, "I'll come and rub your shoulders, if you like. Once I'm finished here."

This time she did blush and left the room.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Fast asleep," he smiled, settling on the edge of the bath ready to rub her shoulders and back. She noticed he seemed to be wearing his robe, and only his robe. She hoped the children were fast asleep she needed this time.

"Wow!" he hissed, "you are tense," his thumbs started to undo the knots in her neck.

"Are you surprised?" she sniffed, "finding out your sister has died, that she had two children she expects you to raise and the continuing battle with a mother who doesn't deserve the title."

"Not really," he bent forward and kissed the top of her head, "we'll manage. They seem good kids ..."

"At the moment, they're probably still in shock."

"True, move forward," he gave her a gentle shove.

"What?"

"Move forward," he dropped his robe on the floor, "I'm coming in to join you."

"Matthew!"

"What, we've done this at your house?" He slid behind her and spread his legs either side of her hips, "that's better, now, where was I?"

She rolled her shoulders as he massaged down her spine with his thumbs making her groan with appreciation. He pulled her to lie against him and took the sponge, washing her and trickling the warm water over her breasts - it was arousing - for both of them from what she felt in the small of her back. She moaned as his hands wandered under the water finding her curls.

"Shall we take this into the bedroom?" he murmured in her ear.

"Mm ... yes please," she purred.

He got out of the bath and wrapped a towel round his waist. Alice grinned at the tenting, Matthew was generously proportioned. He held out another towel for her and wrapped that round her, pulling her close and kissing her softly.

"Tired?"

"Well," she hummed, "that depends ..."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

She woke entwined in his arms and smiled at the memory of the thorough loving Matthew had given her last night. He'd kissed her, everywhere, explored her familiar body with his fingers and his tongue, pulled her over him and let her sink down onto the spear of flesh that stretched her. She lifted and sank down over and over again, increasing the rhythm as she approached the completion. He knew just how to make her climax last longer and lifted his head to take each breast in turn in his mouth and felt her tighten and shudder as she rode out the wave and on his final thrust his seed flooded into her and she gasped.

"Matthew," she could barely speak, "oh god," she panted.

"Hello gorgeous," he murmured, "you alright?"

She fell over him and lay like a soft silk sheet, still trying to catch her breath. He pulled the covers over them as he softened and slipped out of her. Alice usually fell asleep very soon after they made love and this night had been no different.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Alice giggled at the number of marks on her body as she showered. Matthew would probably have a similar amount, she just hoped they wouldn't show, they would have to dress carefully, or at least she would, he would wear a shirt and tie, as usual, nothing ever showed above his collar.

While Matthew showered and dressed Alice went into see the children. Again Suzanne was sitting on David's bed, her head bowed and bottom lip trembling. Alice picked up the wet pyjamas, they were newer that the previous night's pair so she tucked them in the side of the case and didn't make any comment.

"When Matthew has finished in the bathroom get washed and dressed and we'll go down for breakfast, ok?"

"Auntie Alice," David slipped off the bed, "Suzanne ..."

Alice sighed and went back over to the bed. She crouched down in front of the little girl.

"Hey, it's ok," she tipped her face up a little, "these things happen, nothing that a wash can't fix." She heard Matthew call that the bathroom was free, "come on, let's get you washed then you can find your clothes, eh?"

While Suzanne used the lavatory she set the shower at a low angle and tested the water for warmth.

Suzanne giggled as Alice played the spray of water over her and she wiped the soapy sponge over the parts she could reach, while Auntie Alice did her back.

"Just your face and neck now," Alice handed her a flannel, "then teeth."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Over breakfast Alice wondered why she found it so easy to see to Suzanne, so easy to ignore the wet beds, the silence. The child was traumatised, that much was obvious, but she never asked for her mother, or was reluctant to go with Alice. She thought she might ask Lucien ... or Jean, Jean might know why.

"So," Matthew sipped a cup of tea, "your aunt says you need new coats."

"Mum was going to buy them," David hummed, "but - it's not important."

"They don't fit properly, David," Alice reminded him, "it does matter. You can't go around wearing clothes that you have grown out of, either of you. I also think you would both benefit from some new clothes, Suzanne could do with new nightwear, and your trousers are a little short."

"Yeah," he laughed, "mum said I was having a growth spurt."

"It happens," Matthew agreed, "my mother used to complain about it."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Alice found it surprisingly easy to buy suitable clothing for the children and was generous with them. She bought nightwear for them both, paying particular attention to Suzanne's needs, smart new coats - almost a complete new wardrobe. She even took them to get new shoes as the ones they were wearing were shabby and she wasn't even sure they fitted properly.

They had considered the shopping trip over when Suzanne tugged her hand.

"Auntie Alice," she whispered, "please may I have a ribbon, for my hair - like you said?"

"Of course, sorry Suzanne it completely slipped my mind," Alice gasped, "come on, I saw a shop back there, the boys can go and sit in that cafe and order us some lunch, eh?" She pointed across the road.

Suzanne nodded.

"Right, lad," Matthew took the bags off Alice, "let's see what we can find in there."

"Ok, Uncle Matthew, I know what Suzanne likes ..."

"... and I know what Auntie Alice likes, shouldn't be too difficult."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"It's only a couple of hours to Ballarat from here," Alice assured the children, "nowhere as long as the journey from Sydney."

"Do we ever have to go back there?" David finished the piece of chocolate cake he had chosen for his dessert.

"Not unless you want to," Alice shook her head, "and then it's quicker to fly. I have no plans to return, any business I have there, regarding your mother, I can do over the phone with Mr Charterson."

"I'm glad, I think," he mulled over this information, "I mean there's only grandmother and grandfather ... I don't think they'll miss us."

Matthew raised his eyebrows at this remarkably frank assessment of their relationship.

"You're probably right," Alice was honest with him, "I don't think she missed me."

David didn't tell her that her mother hadn't believed she would take the children, that she had neglected her duties as a daughter - she had painted her as unfeeling, mean and self centred - so far David would disagree.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx