The Chronicles of Amelia

by NancyMay

Some readers had said how they like Jean and Lucien looking after Amelia. I am attempting to write a series of stories featuring the hitherto unseen granddaughter of the now Mrs Blake. Shoot me if you think I've got it wrong.

2. Blue

The second in the chronicles of Amelia, her continuing life with her grandparents. Domestic, with the dog problem to be sorted.

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Amelia had been with her grandparents for a couple of months and had settled well, happy to talk or burble to mummy and daddy over the phone once a week. She showed no sign of any distress except when she saw a dog. It wasn't too bad if the animal was on a lead and not too near her, but if one came close in the market or in the Botanical Gardens she would cling to Jean and start to cry; right up to her and she would scream. Jean wondered if she had been nipped by one of the dogs when she was with her parents but Ruby said no, never. Licked, perhaps, but not bitten.

Jean refused to take her away from the problem, if she was talking to the owner she would pick her up and apologise but continue her conversation. Amelia's screams would subside to sobs in her grandmother's arms but it was patently clear, she had a pathological fear of dogs.

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Amelia settled, after a day which had seen one of these episodes, Jean sat with her sherry and Lucien with his whisky. She brought up the subject.

'What are we going to do, Lucien?' she sighed, 'if this continues I'll still be lifting her up out of the way when she's a teenager.'

'I don't think it will go on that long, but you're right, now is the time to try and help her conquer this fear,' he sat next to her and put his arm round her shoulders. 'Which dog was it this time?'

'Mrs Harris' old collie. You know, so old he's lost all his teeth and sleeps more than anything.'

Lucien knew the dog, a farm dog, long since retired from his duties, soft as grease, he would say, in fact just the kind of dog to help Amelia overcome her fear.

'But how?' she leant into him.

'Do you ever go round to see Mrs Harris?'

'Well, no, not really, we just happened to be passing and Gus was at the bottom of the drive, for a change,' she mused, 'but I expect I can invent an excuse, I can give her a call and explain the issue.'

'Make the first trip a very short one, just to say hello or...' he thought for a moment, '...when you call see if she is alright for the salve she uses on her dry skin. It would make the perfect excuse for you to pop over and deliver another pot, if I make one up. She doesn't need to see me every time.'

'Right, I'll do that,' she smiled and cuddled closer.

'There have been no problems with people?' he referred to Amelia's upset over the local people at the quarters her parents were living in.

'I haven't noticed anything, she's shy, with strangers,' she thought for a moment, 'oh, I saw Mr Hong from the restaurant today and she hid behind me.'

'I wonder if someone did something to upset her, while Ruby was not looking, or the cleaner... something that neither Ruby nor Christopher would do,' he mused, 'I notice they are reasonable with her, maybe she did something and was smacked for it.'

'She hasn't done anything to deserve a smack, though,' Jean sighed, 'but in a way you could be right, maybe the cleaner did something to her that Ruby never does.'

'Next time you speak to Ruby ask her if she saw something happen but thought nothing of it at the time,' he put his empty glass down, 'now my dear wife...'

'Yes, husband,' she breathed, looking at him from under her lashes, 'oh!' she squeaked as his hand snaked up under her skirt, 'Lucien..!'

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Jean lay next to Lucien, pink and satisfied.

He had scooped her up in his arms and taken her to bed, where he proceeded to make love to her, make her feel like the most precious thing in the world, and in his world she was. He always took his time, to explore every part of her, with his eyes, his fingers, his tongue, before he pulled her over him and she guided him into her and set her own rhythm, slow, leaning on his shoulders and looking down on his, her eyes dark with desire until she pushed up and arched back in release and he groaned as he spilled into her.

She sighed and turned to cuddle against his side and he wrapped his arms round her; he loved her like this, sated, soft and sleepy.

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'Right, Mrs Harris,' Jean smiled, 'the doctor has just made a pot of the salve up. I'll drop by later this morning.'

Jean hoped that this would help Amelia with overcoming her fear of dogs but given how strong the fear was, she knew it would take more than one visit to a dog, no matter how old and slow he may be. She put Amelia's coat on her, and strapped her into the stroller.

'Where are we going, Gan'ma?' she asked.

'Mrs Harris needs a pot of cream for her hands,' Jean shrugged on her own coat and picked up the pot, 'would you like to hold it?'

Amelia held out her hands and Jean settled her with it tightly held and balanced on her lap.

'Don't drop it,' she told her, 'off we go.'

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It was a perfect day for a walk, Amelia chatted away, about the birds, the trees and the flowers. She pointed out an old cat, sunning itself on a wall. The cat stretched and lay back down again, turning its back on the walkers.

'Silly, kitty,' Amelia giggled.

'Lazy cat,' Jean noted, 'do you like cats, Amelia?'

'We get a cat, Gan'ma?' she asked tipping her head to one side.

'You'll have to ask Granddad about that, sweetie,' she replied, though she would have no objection.

'Ok,' she settled back, satisfied with the answer, to her two year old mind, that meant 'yes'.

They turned into the driveway to Mrs Harris' home. It was a little bungalow, neat and clean, a pretty garden, a rocking chair on the verandah with old Gus asleep beside it.

'No, Gan'ma,' Amelia teared up.

'What's the matter darling?' though she knew quite well.

Amelia pointed, she wouldn't even utter the word.

'Gus?' Jean smiled, 'oh, he's too old and slow to get far. Come on, Mrs Harris needs the pot from Granddad.' She carried on, even though Amelia was now drawing her feet up.

'Gan'ma?' the little girl sniffed, Gus lifted his head then flopped down again with a huff.

'Don't be silly, now, Amelia,' Jean mildly chastised, 'Gus won't hurt you.' She stopped by the steps and lifted the child out, still holding the pot of salve. Amelia buried her face in Jean's shoulder as she was carried to the door.

'Mrs Harris,' Jean called, 'we've got your skin salve.'

Maria Harris appeared on the other side of the screen door and smiled, 'Mrs Blake, how kind of you, please, come in.'

Jean pulled the screen open and stepped into the cool hall. With the screen closed behind them Amelia became a little braver and lifted her head.

'Gone, Gan'ma?' she whispered.

'He's outside, dear,' Mrs Harris smiled, 'Gus stays outside, sunning himself, lazy old thing.'

'Sorry, Mrs Harris, we have no idea why she is so afraid of dogs,' Jean placed the child on the floor, 'give that to Mrs Harris, Amelia, please.'

Amelia turned and held out the pot with her two hands.

'Why thank you, dear,' she smiled, 'isn't your Granddad clever to make this?'

Amelia just nodded then turned to Jean and took her hand, standing close.

'Do you have time for a cuppa, Mrs Blake?' Mrs Harris asked, 'perhaps Amelia would like some milk and a biscuit, if it won't spoil her lunch?'

'We do have time, Mrs Harris, that would be lovely, wouldn't it, Amelia?' Jean smiled, 'would you like a drink of milk, sweetheart?'

'Yes, please,' Amelia's voice was barely a whisper, Jean wondered if she took more after Ruby, she was not much like her father at this age.

They followed Mrs Harris into the kitchen where she put the kettle on the stove and cups and saucers on the table. She poured a glass of milk for the little girl and placed it next to the cups.

'So, is Amelia here just for a visit?' she warmed the pot and spooned tea leaves into it.

'She didn't settle abroad so she's with us until Christopher knows where his next posting will be.' Jean sat down, 'although, when she starts school they'd like her to be with us, so she has a settled home. Her parents aren't keen on the idea of boarding school for her, and the doctor agrees, having had some experience of it.'

'Oh, but won't her parents miss her?'

'They do, but the moving about unsettles her and Christopher should have his wife's support. She is coming over in a couple of weeks.' Jean took her tea and passed the milk to Amelia.

They passed a happy half hour discussing life in general before Jean said she'd better be getting back, Lucien had surgery that afternoon. She wiped Amelia's milky moustache and helped the child down from the chair.

'Come on, Amelia, let's go and do Granddad's lunch,' she held out her hand.

As they passed the living room Amelia turned to a sound,

'Gan'ma! Look, cat!' she tugged Jean's hand.

'That's Tip,' Mrs Harris smiled, 'she's just had kittens, well three weeks ago.'

Jean didn't say anything but if Amelia saw the kittens she felt she was bound to ask for one.

'Can I see?' Amelia was becoming bolder now, 'please.'

'Of course, come on in,' Mrs Harris pushed the door open so Amelia could go in and see the five kittens in the basket. 'Don't touch now, Tip is very protective, like Grandma is with you.'

'Amelia asked if we could get a cat, on the way here,' Jean confided, 'I said we'll have to ask Granddad, first.'

'Well, these are available to go to good homes, so I can keep one aside until you decide if you like.'

'Apart from bringing your salve, we were just hoping she would start to lose her fear of dogs, with Gus, not choose a kitten,' Jean sighed, 'though I'm not averse to having one.'

'Male or female?' Mrs Harris asked.

'Er...' Jean pursed her lips.

'Males spray, as you know, females...well the vet can deal with that,' she grinned.

'I think a female, then,' Jean smiled, and made the decision that it would be spayed as soon as she could arrange it. Amelia may be happy with hundreds of kittens running round the house, but...

'Well,' Mrs Harris went over to the basket, 'these two are girls,' she pointed to a black one with white socks and a completely black one with blue eyes, shall I wait for you to ring me?'

'I'll speak to Lucien when I get back and bring her back next week?' Jean smiled, somehow she felt as if a small child had just railroaded her into having a pet in the house. Lucien spoiled Amelia, he was bound to say yes, unless he was allergic to them, which she doubted. She bent to Amelia who was staring wide-eyed at the squirming pile of fluff, 'we need to speak to Granddad, Amelia, but which one do you like?'

'I like that one,' she pointed to the black one, 'can we, Gan'ma, pleeease?'

'Only if Granddad says so,' Jean took her hand, at least it meant she would have to bring her back, past Gus on the verandah. 'Now, come on, lunch.'

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Gus had moved to sleep next to the stroller, in the sun. Amelia lifted her arms to be carried,

'If you want the kitten we have to come back, Amelia,' Jean swung her into the stroller, 'Gus won't hurt you.'

'Doggy taked my food,' she sniffed.

'When, darling? Mummy doesn't have a dog.' Jean thought at last they were getting somewhere.

'Kim has a doggy, bad doggy,' she huffed, keeping one eye on Gus.

Jean knew Kim was the cleaner Ruby had but she had never mentioned a dog. She said good bye to Mrs Harris and she pushed the stroller thinking on what Amelia had said. She would have to ring Ruby that evening and see if she knew anything about this.

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Lucien had a solemn talk with his granddaughter, about looking after the kitten, that she would have to make sure it had food and water and a comfortable bed. She must be kind a gentle with it and not get cross if it scratched her, that would mean it was cross with her. Jean had asked him to tell her that the animal would not be allowed on her bed, or in her bedroom. It could stay in the kitchen and the living room; the garden, of course, and the sunroom. Amelia listened and nodded as only a two year old can do and he agreed that, when the kitten was ready to leave Tip, yes, they could have a kitten in the house.

'You will have to think of a name for her,' he smiled across the table, 'and you can go with Grandma to choose a collar and bed for her.'

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Amelia couldn't wait to tell her mummy that they were going to get a kitten, Granddad said so; and, over the phone that night, the excited child told Ruby all about the kitten and Mrs Harris until Jean suggested she speak to mummy and Granddad could tuck her up in bed.

'Sorry, Ruby,' Jean sat down and laughed, 'I only took her to Mrs Harris' because she has a very old and slow dog. We thought it might be a way to cure her of her fear.'

'Oh, I see.' Ruby smiled on the other end of the line, 'you don't have to get the cat, you know, I'm sure she'll lose interest.'

'I doubt it, and anyway, we don't mind,' Jean assured her, 'but, she said something about Kim having a dog and it stealing her food.'

'Really, I had no idea,' Ruby mused, 'she certainly kept it a secret. I wonder if that's why she wouldn't eat, either. I'll talk to Kim tomorrow, but I'm not going to be happy if it's true.'

'Amelia's a bit young to make up such a story, especially now,' Jean pointed out, 'let me know what you find out, and we'll let you know about the kitten, and what she decides to call it.'

The conversation turned to Christopher and life on the base, which seemed to be going well and Ruby said she thought she'd be over in a month's time, if that would be ok.

'We look forward to seeing you, dear,' Jean smiled and they finished the call.

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Mrs Harris phoned the following day to ask if Jean would like to take Amelia up for a visit to the kittens each day.

'I just thought that for one thing she would get used to seeing the one she likes, and Tip will let her stroke her, and after what you told me about her fear of dogs...'

'If you don't mind,' Jean agreed it was probably quite a clever idea, 'we could pop in on the way back from shopping or a walk.'

'Well, I shall see you later, then,' Mrs Harris laughed as she signed off.

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Ruby phoned later that week. She had spoken to Kim and got her to admit she was allowing her dog to enter the kitchen when Miss Amelia was having her meals.

'She always gave Amelia her lunch and sometimes I would use the time to go out to meet another service wife for coffee or tea. Amelia would get bored and Kim seemed quite happy to look after her for me,' she sniffed, 'I'm sorry, Jean, if I'd known...'

'Ruby, don't upset yourself,' Jean soothed, 'Kim shouldn't have let the dog in the kitchen without your permission and she must have seen Amelia's distress. What's this dog like?'

'Dreadful, a real mangy animal, it smells and snarls,' she huffed, 'my poor little girl, and it's probably why she doesn't like people with Asian heritage. I've sacked her, of course, without a reference.'

'Right, well I'll continue to try to help her overcome her fear of dogs. At least she will walk past Gus now, just as long as she has me between him and her,' Jean laughed, 'so maybe we'll win that battle. We're still going to have the kitten, she's named it Blue, because it has such blue eyes. Lucien says it will be good for her, she'll learn patience and tolerance.'

'Hm...' Ruby mused, 'well, I suppose so. I hope she doesn't over-love it.'

'Don't worry, Lucien has told her that if it scratches her it will be because she has made it cross, he had a very serious talk with her.'

'I bet that was interesting,' Ruby laughed, recovering her composure after telling Jean about the dog.

'Yes, we'll soon see how much notice she took.'

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Amelia went straight into the living room to see the kittens, and straight over to Blue. She stroked her and kissed her head. Jean and Mrs Harris watched her, smiling.

'I think she has chosen the perfect kitten for a young child,' Mrs Harris murmured, 'she's a soft little thing, the cat, not Amelia. Blue will be ready to take next week.'

'I must give you something for it,' Jean followed her into the kitchen.

'Not at all,' Mrs Harris put the kettle on, 'I enjoy your visits and I would give them away anyway.'

'That's very kind of you,' Jean sat down, 'but I'd like to continue coming up, if you don't mind, Amelia is much calmer round dogs now.'

'She'll be wanting a puppy next,' Mrs Harris laughed.

'Oh, please, don't' Jean grinned back, 'Lucien will indulge her but, we've gone on the list to adopt so I think a cat will be enough, for now.'

'Oh, Mrs Blake, that's wonderful, you'll make lovely parents,' Mrs Harris was genuinely please for them, 'it might stop the last of the gossips.'

Jean laughed, 'I think we've been married long enough for them to realise that was not the reason we got married.'

'True,' they sat and drank tea until Amelia wandered through, carrying Blue very gently in her arms, as she had been shown.

'Gan'ma,' she went up to Jean, 'Blue rumbles.'

'She's purring, darling,' Jean lifted her onto her lap, 'that means she's happy.'

Amelia smiled, 'I love Blue, Gan'ma.'

'I think Blue loves you, too,' Jean kissed her curls and help her close. Mrs Harris poured her a glass of milk and Jean took the kitten while she drank it.

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Amelia practically ran up the steps to Mrs Harris' screen door, not bothering about Gus, sleeping in his usual spot. Jean smiled, this had to be the best idea Lucien had had, and, as she suspected Mrs Harris benefitted from the visits almost as much. Widowed, and children flown the coop; as she would say; she was lonely, but she would be the last to admit it. Still active and doing her own shopping, Jean would have to find other reasons to visit, perhaps once a week, to update her on Blue's progress and have a cuppa with her.

'Hello, Amelia,' Mrs Harris opened the door and smiled, 'come to collect Blue, have you?'

'Yes please,' the little girl gasped, 'Gan'ma's here too.'

'So I see,' she looked up, 'hello, Mrs Blake.'

'Good morning, Mrs Harris,' Jean smiled, 'Amelia has brought you something to say thank you, for letting her have Blue.' She bent to her granddaughter and gave her the package to hand over.

Mrs Harris took the gift and unwrapped it. It was some biscuits, Jean's shortbread, made with the help of a child.

'Why, how lovely, thank you, dear!' she crouched down and kissed her cheek, 'how about we have one with some milk for you and tea for me and Grandma, eh?'

Amelia nodded and the three headed into the house. She went into the living room to see Blue while the ladies went to the kitchen to make the drinks. Blue was sleeping in the basket as usual, but twitched her ears as Amelia gently ran her hand down her back.

'Hello, Blue,' she whispered, 'home today.' She picked the black bundle up and carried her through to the kitchen.

'I see,' Jean lifted her onto her lap, 'well, she'll not want for love and fuss.'

'Indeed not, Mrs Blake,' Mrs Harris turned to Amelia, 'do you have a bed for her?'

'Yes, Gan'ma put it by the fireplace,' Amelia nodded, 'it's red and blue.'

'That sounds lovely, pet,' she smiled and passed her a glass of milk and a plate with a biscuit on.

'We've got a collar, too,' she spoke through a mouthful of biscuit.

'Amelia...' Jean reminded her, 'we don't speak with our mouths full.'

Amelia swallowed, 'Sorry, Gan'ma. It's blue.'

'With a bell?' Mrs Harris asked.

'Oh yes,' Amelia nodded, her eyes shining with pure joy.

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'Gandad, Gandad!' she shouted, running down the hall, her precious bundle cradled in her arms. Jean held her breath, praying she wouldn't fall, 'Gandad, look!' Amelia burst into the study, 'look, Gandad, this is Blue.' She held out the kitten to him.

Lucien grinned and motioned her to go round to his side of the desk, where he lifted her onto his knee.

'Well, hello there, Blue,' he ran his finger over the cat's head, 'welcome to the family.'

Jean stood at the door and smiled, Amelia was so gentle with the kitten and Lucien was so loving with her. She hoped, if they were lucky with the adoption board, he would be the same with their child, boy or girl. She straightened and went to them, reaching into her trouser pocket for the collar.

'Would you help Granddad put the collar on, Amelia?' she murmured, 'then you can show Blue where her bed is.'

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While Jean prepared lunch she kept an eye on Amelia who took Blue around the house showing the cat where she was allowed to go,

'You can't go in the bedrooms, Blue, Gan'ma says,' she told her, but you can go in here, and the sunroom and in the kitchen. Here is your bed, just for you. I hope you like it,' she finished her tour by placing Blue in her bed, then watched the cat turn round on the soft cushion before settling down for a well earned rest.

'Lunch, Amelia, Lucien!' Jean called, suppressing a smile at the child, 'Amelia, remember we can't let Blue into the garden until I say so, she has to get used to being here.'

'Ok, Gan'ma,' Amelia climbed onto her chair and let Jean clean her hands before eating her lunch.

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Amelia was so excited, her mother was due for a visit, Christopher was going to join them later in the week, she loved having Blue about, everything in her world was rosy.

'Amelia,' Jean found her playing with Blue in the living room, 'are you going to come and help me get Mummy's room ready?'

'Yes, Gan'ma,' she turned to the kitten, 'time for your nap, Blue,' and the kitten dutifully went to her bed and settle down to sleep. Keeping a two year old amused was tiring. Jean was constantly amazed at the connection between the cat and the child, she had almost trained it as if it was a dog.

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In the bedroom Amelia did her best to put the pillow cases on the pillows and place them, just so, on the bed. She had to climb on it, not quite able to reach, yet. She put some towels on the end of the bed as Jean told her to and copied Jean smoothing down the blankets and eiderdown.

'There, that should do it, don't you think?' Jean stood up and surveyed the room.

'Mummy will like it very much,' Amelia took her hand and looked up at her.

'I hope so,' Jean smiled and swung her into her arms, 'now, how about we get lunch ready, before Granddad comes in?'

'Ok, can I help?'

'Of course.'

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Amelia spotted her mother getting off the train and ran squealing across the station,

'Mummy, Mummy!' Ruby put her suitcase down and swung her high above her head.

'Hello, my darling, goodness, how you've grown,' she held her close and kissed her. Jean caught up with them and picked up the suitcase.

'Hello, Ruby, how are you?'

'I'm very well, Jean, thank you,' Ruby smiled, 'tired, but it's a long journey. Worth it though, just for that greeting,' she kissed her daughter again.

'Indeed, well you can have a lie down when we get home, if madam will let you,' Jean smiled.

'Yes, well, perhaps I'll just aim for an early night.'

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Amelia couldn't wait to show her mother Blue and practically dragged her down the hall to the living room.

'See, Mummy,' she pointed to the cat, curled up asleep on her bed, 'this is Blue, shh,' she put her finger to her lips, 'it's her nap time.'

Behind them, Jean tried not to laugh. Jean had told Amelia, when they brought the cat home that, as she was so young she was to leave her to have her naps, so, whenever Blue was asleep on her bed, it was 'nap time'.

'She's lovely, darling,' Ruby whispered, 'perhaps we'd better leave her alone, if she's napping.'

Amelia nodded.

'Amelia, would you like to show Mummy her room, while I make some tea?' Jean passed the suitcase over to Ruby.

'This way, Mummy,' she pulled her to the guest room.

'Blue isn't allowed in the bedrooms, so you must keep your door closed,' she told her, seriously.

Ruby did her best not to laugh, as Amelia bounced between solemnity and excitement. She had grown and blossomed under her grandparents care, and while she missed her, sometimes painfully, she knew they had done the right thing, letting her stay.

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There will be more adventures for Miss Amelia, but I don't anticipate updating regularly.

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