The Letter
Flicking through the heap of letters, Mary felt the urge to mutter, unsure of why Bert felt it necessary to keep so many strange items. Including a small box that contained nothing but envelopes, wedged to the brim with handwritten messages. Yet, she answered her own question when she realised who had written them. Mary would be foolish to not recognise her own handwriting.
"You kept all of these?" she asked, incredulous.
Bert shrugged, hands in pockets. "Well, o' course. I've kept every letter you've sent me. Like to read them now and again."
She had never seen him read them. Touched as she was, she frowned across at him.
"A little excessive, don't you think?"
"Hardly an inconvenience when it's for my darling," he grinned.
Humming in acceptance, she placed the lid back onto the box. "Well, I am very flattered that you feel the need to do that."
"Besides, you keep all of my letters."
"I do not!" Her cheeks flushed.
Bert took his hands from his pockets, resting them on her hips. "I didn't think Mary Poppins was a liar."
"That's because I'm not a liar," she insisted, letting him pull her into an embrace. "I keep your letters in case I forget your address."
"If you can't remember my address after all of these years, I'd be a little worried," he laughed, chin coming to rest on her head. "Memory as sharp as yours. Plus, there is one other thing…"
She leant back, eyes widening. "What?"
"You live with me. You should know your own address."
The edge of her mouth twitched before she fell back into his embrace, cheek pressed against his shoulder.
"I am nothing if not prepared, Mr Alfred. You should know that."
Bert smirked, gaze falling to the box behind her. Remembering each time he had returned home to find a letter waiting for him, the hours he had spent tracing her handwriting, the way she spelt his name. And eventually, the way she had written 'yours always'.
"I do know that, my love, because I know you."
If you think my writing style is inconsistent, especially when it comes to Bert's speech then you would be right. I'm tempted to change some of these later on.