31st July 1938

Mary had been with her new employers for about a week: a very wealthy family with three children (aged 7 to 10) from London. Angela, Rose, and Sean were more than arrogant: all that was beneath them was scum. The parents were unfortunately the same. But the nanny thought that confrontation therapy might help change the children's worldview. So she arranged a meeting with two people who the three might never meet voluntarily: Bert and Elizabeth.

Only with the latter Mary worried because she could hardly assess Liz lately. Either she was an angel and the friendliest and heartiest person in London, a goat or just unbearable. With the latter mind, she would even trust her to do anything.

The three of them liked Mary well, possibly because she did not really look and feel like a lady from a bad home. And at the suggestion to go to the park, the children were not averse. However, this changed as they approached the two artists who waved at them. "Miss Poppins... Do we have to go there?"

"Yes, I would like to introduce you to someone", Mary went the last few yards to Bert, before she stopped.

"Mornin' Mary!" said Bert, who was patting the chalk dust off his clothes.

"Good morning, Bert! May I introduce Angela, Rose and Sean Milton to you? "

"It's a pleasure to meet you," he said with his most sympathetic smile.

The children looked at him but did not look as disdainful as Mary had suspected. But after all, it was Bert: a man with an infinite amount of charisma!

The bigger hurdle was the one who was sitting on the floor about 5 yards away, drawing the last line of her picture.

But she seemed to have a good day today, for she approached the group with a friendly smile and held out her hand to Angela, the eldest of them: "'ey! I'm Elizabeth. "

"Ewww!", The girl said with a disgusted grimace and backed away a meter. The other two took a few steps away, too.

"Angela!"

"What!? I do not touch that... that... thing! Did you look at them, Miss Poppins? I bet it has fleas and lice! So... dirty and shabby! "

These words not only made the adults speechless but broke their hearts, too! As their gaze shifted to Elizabeth, they truly saw the disappointment; but this was soon overshadowed by a shadow. Bert knew exactly what that look meant - and it was nothing good! She had a plan and as he knew his protégé, this was a bad one!

"Angela, don't be so unfriendly! A young lady like you should know that you do not just judge people! Besides, Elizabeth will accompany us today. "

Mary went, followed by the others, to the image that Bert finished last night and stopped: "Now we all take hands."

"What!?" Sean asked, standing next to Bert, who eyed strangely. But Mary's look was worth a thousand words. Quickly the boy stood between Mary and his sisters.

The nanny explained briefly what everyone had to do, counted to three and then everyone jumped into the chalk drawing.

They all found themselves in a forest with a nearby small town. Of course, the siblings were amazed at what had happened and were even more astonished when they looked down on themselves: everyone wore green and beige clothing. Bert and Sean each a beige shirt with dark green jacket and matching pants. Mary, Angela, Rose, and Elizabeth wore dark green dresses with light green accents. The expensive jewellery of the Milton children sparkled more than before.

"B... but?", stuttered the little Rose and was completely overwhelmed.

"Don't question this... Just enjoy it" Elizabeth said sweetly. Too sweet for the taste of adults! Something was up to the teenager; but what?

But Liz had to smile when she thought of her first chalk picture: she was completely overwhelmed.

"Lizzy" Bert pulled her slightly aside, so that the others didn't hear the conversation, "no matter what you plan t' do... leave it."

"I'm not doin' anythin'", her smile was full of sarcasm, "besides... what makes you think that?"

"I can read your facial expressions like a book! And your looks are more than just clear ... Please Lizzy. Mary already 'as enough t' do with them, you don't 'ave to make things worse either. Besides, you are a few years older than the three and should try to be a role model."

With a wink and without saying a word Liz went to the others. He watched her with a questioning look- what was her plan?

—

The Mini-Miltons, as Liz called them, broke away from the group and explored the little town, while Mary, Bert and Elizabeth made themselves comfortable and drank tea. Liz was playing with one of the many clothes pegs in a basket beside her. The idyll was destroyed when one of the girls started to cry, then the other and then the boy.

Immediately, the adults jumped up, while the teenager leaned back comfortably.

"Lizzy, what 'ave you done?"

"What should I 'ave done, Bert? I was with you all the time. "

The kids came running around the corner in Mary's arms and cried.

"What happened?" the nanny asked.

"Our jewellery is gone!", the 7-year-old Rose brought out in tears.

"We have searched everywhere. Rose on the playground, Sean on the way and I searched in the woods ... It's gone! "

At these words, Bert immediately looked at the teenage girl sitting opposite him: her eyes were ... neutral. He could not read anything from her face and he didn't like that. But then she moved:

"Do you mean this?" Liz opened her hand. In this lay a watch, bracelets and two necklaces.

"Hey! Give that to us ... that's ours! "Sean shouted, glaring at her. All three of them came up to the teenage girl, who just stand up, and tried to take the jewellery from her. But she held this up to sky and had to resist a laugh. Mary called her name admonishingly, but the orphan ignored it skilfully.

"You filthy thief! You are nothing but scum! "

At this, the adults stiffened briefly, before Mary looked at her angrily: "Angela!"

"What? Angie is right! Mother and father forbid us not in vain to deal with .. with .. something! Later, Rose copy that behaviour! "The children turned away from Elizabeth and looked at Mary.

"Listen, pal. Would you be kinder to others, they wouldn't do that t' you... besides" Liz bend down to be at eye level with the three,"look at you. "

Skeptically, the children did so, before they opened their eyes in wonderment: the jewels were back where they should be! Mary and Bert were also surprised.

"B..b... but ... How!?"

"As soon as it comes," she suddenly had Sean's watch in her hand, "it can go." She gave the watch the boy again and sat down on the chair.

"Are you an enchantress? Can you do magic?" The 8-year-old asked with sparkling eyes.

"Magic is such a weird word", she brought out a small bunch of flowers and gave this rose, "I'm just using the moment."

"Do something with me, too!" The elder asked with skeptical eyes and let herself fall on a chair with a defiant expression. Shortly after that she jumped up and her little siblings laughed: on her back hung a handful of clothes pegs, which of course she only noticed when sitting down.

"I already 'ave."

"Teach us that!" the little ones were just thrilled and stole downright, "Please!"

Elizabeth also had to smile: her plan worked! When Mary said that ungrateful, unimaginative children are her current protégées, she had the idea to teach them a different view of the world. And what suits better than the illusion?

"There's not much t' teach. You 'ave to learn to use the moment."

While Liz showed the kids some little tricks, Mary and Bert settled and watched. Marys fear that the meeting was completely out of control was now more than unfounded. The Nanny would have liked to put her head on Bert's shoulder, but she would never do that before her charges, let alone Elizabeth! The latter would probably only dump stupid comments. No, she just wanted to enjoy her time with him and she could not wait until Tuesday!

—

After a while Mary got up and went, followed by Bert, to the four others: "It's late and we have to go. The dinner should be finished soon. "

"Do we really have to leave, Mary Poppins?"

"Yes, Sean."

Reluctantly, the Milton got up and joined Mary. As soon as they got ready, they were back in London and were greeted by a beautiful afternoon sun.

"Please say goodbye to Elizabeth and Bert."

The children ran to Liz and to her amazement they hugged her: "Thank you!"

Angela's words brought a light smile to the teenagers face.

"Always my pleasure!"

"Will we see you again?"

"I'm sure, Rosie! Just come over here when you're back in the park. Bert and I often paint here. "

"You paint too?" Sean asked with sparkling eyes.

"Yes, of course," she went, followed by the other five, to the last image in the series, "that's mine."

Both the children and Mary were amazed: it showed, as so often, the gaze of London's rooftops. On one of these roofs sat a silhouette and examined the stars. Mary recognised immediately from whom she had learned all this. Sure, she was not that practiced yet but she had talent!

"I also want to paint chalk pictures!"

Elizabeth raised her eyebrow, "Then you're getting dirty, Angela."

"I do not care!" And at that moment, Mary knew it was worth it.

As always, I hope you enjoyed the chapter: D

The one with the braces was a stupid prank that I played a classmate for. Is stupid but everyone thought it was funny haha

In the next few chapters, a character's life will turn 180 degrees and a familiar face will come back. Be curious: 3