31st August 1941

Mary Poppins lay in bed the night of the 31st August, staring at the ceiling. For weeks she had insomnia and there was no end in sight - not after that day.

It all began on the 6th of March, but since the 22nd of July it has been particularly bad. Since that day in spring, she has been plagued by recurrent nausea.
It even went so far as to take Elizabeth's sarcastic question of whether she was pregnant serious.

So serious that she went to the doctor about a month ago.
Although she could exclude it for physical reasons one hundred percent, she could not say that for the power of magic.
But the nausea was, fortunately, not due to pregnancy.

Mary frowned and asked herself: would it be so bad to be pregnant by Bert?
The answer was: No, it wouldn't be.
She even had to admit that deep down she even wished to have a family with him.

A slight smile crept to her lips as she thought of 1930.
It was not just the year she met Bert again after an eternity; It was also the year she met Elizabeth.

She never confessed to them, but whenever she was with them, she felt like she was with her own family.
In a way, that was the case: she and Bert were not married, but had a romantic relationship. And they both educated Elizabeth- very successfully!

The little girl has become a young woman in the last years and that was simply remarkable. Mary saw Bert in Elizabeth in so many ways. Especially when it comes to justice and to help others. Her interest in medicine, art and dancing certainly also came from the chimney sweep.

But because of one of these aspects, Mary was now alone.

Earlier in the day:

Like last month, Elizabeth had been working all day. One day in the previous week she had worked eighteen hours, a fact Mary didn't like.
The young woman lost several pounds, had deep dark circles beneath her eyes and dull hair. She looked anything but good.

When Elizabeth entered the apartment at noon, she looked different than usual. Somehow... determined. But on the other hand, she also seemed a little scared.

"Mary?" She asked timidly.

Normally, the nanny would have told her that these are not proper manners. But not on this day.

Mary Poppins, who was putting a book back in the bookcase, turned around: "Yes?"

"Can I talk t' ya for a moment?"

"Always... And you know that...", Mary spoke softly as to a small child.

"Alright... but I think you won't like it", Elizabeth went to the sofa and sat down; Mary joined her.

For a moment, they just kept quiet until Liz spoke, "I've been thinking a little bit lately... thinking a lot to be 'onest... and I've realised that working in the 'ospital isn't right for me… Isn't enough for me to be precise."

Mary just nodded without saying a word; she had the feeling and she also knew that more is coming... that there is an explanation.

"I think you can't imagine 'ow difficult that is for me..."

The nanny laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder and smiled lightly at her: "You do not have to talk if you do not want to."

"But I 'ave to. I would feel shabby if I didn't tell ya... "

'Why should she feel shabby?' Mary thought through her mind.

But Elizabeth continued, "I've been thinking more and more recently about going where I'm needed most... And that's not 'ere in London."

Mary's eyes widened slightly in fear of the next; even slight tears were slowly but surely noticeable. But she continued to listen intently:

"Mary... I'll go t' the actual war zones..."

Then it was over: the tears rolled down her rosy cheeks and her hands started shaking.

The fact that Bert was drafted was only a matter of time and she had been able to prepare for it long before that. But Elizabeth, an 18-year-old girl, went off alone was more than surprising for her.

"You can not do that, Liz ..."

"I can and I will... I know I promised Bert that I'll take care of you but... I'll have to go where I'm needed... There's one more thing you don't know...", Elisabeth looked at her hands and kneaded these, "as you are being brought t' families by the wind... so my feelings bring me t' injured or those who are about t' get 'urt ..."

"I beg your pardon?"

"I've known it meself only a little over a year ago. At the beginning, I thought it was just a coincidence... But after a while, I realised that me feelings are taking me t' those places. "

"I understand...", Mary had to process this information first. Elizabeth had more magic in her than she suspected. "Do you know where your next destination is?"

Liz shook her head: "No, not directly... This evening the train comes that will take me t' the south. Then I'll see."

"This evening?"

"Believe me, Mary, I didn't choose that," with these words she stood up slowly and began to pack her things.

By the sound of her voice and the way Liz moved, Mary could see that it was far from easy for her. And she was pretty sure that the young woman did not really want that.
But if she was feeling the way Mary was with the wind ... then nothing could stop her.

In the late afternoon it was time: the farewell approached.

Elizabeth had packed a brown leather shoulder bag and a green backpack. In the backpack were a few clothes, a sketchbook, paper, pens, a bottle for drinks and a little food, as well as the camera.
In the shoulder bag, however, were mainly medical utensils such as plasters, bandages, compresses, scissors, etc.

But the most special thing was what she wore at the moment: Bert's old uniform.
When Elizabeth noticed Mary studying her, she began with her explanation:

"I don't want to mess up my few clothes with blood on the first day... Besides," she tugged at the bandage on the left sleeve, "people will realise that I'm a medical and that I won't fight."

Mary did not say anything anymore but just pulled Elizabeth into a hug. Tears were again fighting through her closed eyes: "Please take care of yourself, Elizabeth!"

"I will... And I try to come to London as often as I can. After all, I still 'ave a promise to keep. "

So the two women stopped for a moment before Liz broke away: "I've t' go now..."

The Nanny just nodded and pointed the name tag saying "Alfred," which was on the jacket.

"Goodbye"

"Goodbye…"

As Elizabeth turned, Mary's eyes fell on her umbrella. Then an idea came to her: "Wait," she handed her the umbrella, "take it... You can use him better than me."

Thankfully, Elizabeth took the umbrella and left the door with one last "Goodbye, Mary."

When the wooden door closed, Mary stood there motionless. Now her whole little family was gone.

Elizabeth was gone for six hours, but it already felt like half an eternity. Would she get many injuries? Would she survive that psychologically?
Would she ever return to London alive? She could not fight back. Yes, she had two strong fists, but these were almost useless under such circumstances.

Her eyes fell on the dimly lit desk. After a short while she got up and started to write a letter.

8th September 1941

Bert sat in the trenches and ate a very hard piece of bread when suddenly a letter was handed to him: "For you, Alfred."
Based on the letters, he saw that the letter was from Mary. Without hesitating he opened it, pulled the paper out of the envelope and began read:

Dear Bert,

I hope you are fine and you do not have to see and endure too much suffering.

In London, the weather is relatively cool and little summery. However, the temperatures are perfect for many, which is also reflected in the minds of the residents. Yes, many miss their loved ones, but they still see the good things in life.

Only Elizabeth's world is still grey and dull. She has changed since she knows that you are now at the front.

Bert frowned-this was not Mary's normal way of writing. Something was wrong.
He continued reading:

Today, I also received a message that you will not like:

Elizabeth has left London to go to the places where medicals are more needed than here.
I think I do not need to do this any further because you know exactly what that means.
We both know that it would have been wasted power to persuade her to stay in London.
Besides, she has revealed to me that she has the same "problem" I have with families in need. Only that it is not brought by the wind to those, but by their feelings. When this miserable war is over and we are all back in London we have to sit down and talk...

I am sorry, so indescribably sorry that I have to bring you this bad news, Bert.

I hope so much that nothing happens to you two... I do not know what to do without you...

I love you,

Mary

With an empty look, Bert lowered the letter and simply stared into nothingness. He had expected everything: except this!

After a few moments he buried his face in his hands and did not know what to do with his feelings.
On the one hand, he was angry that this stubborn girl just went off and ran into certain death. But on the other hand, he was just scared and incredibly sad.

If he ever met her, he would bring her back to London by himself. He vowed to do so at that moment.

Here is the next and major change in this story.

All three POVs (Mary, Bert and Liz) will be coming soon. But the focus is still on Mary and Bert.