Edith watched Tom and Mary with keen interest in the days that followed. From what she gathered, something strange had happened during George's time in hospital, but neither of them wanted to address it. She thought about bringing it up with them, and then decided against it. Instead, she chose her own confidant, Bertie.
"Do you not wonder about Tom and Mary?" she asked, as they walked across the park together.
"Wonder about them?" he answered in his usual jovial spirit. "You choose cryptic words, Edith."
She smiled. "Forgive me," she blushed. "It's just… I've had this feeling ever since they returned with George from hospital that I cannot quite shake. I don't know what to call it, I honestly can't quite put my finger on it," she sighed in frustration and turned back towards the house.
"Oh, you mean you really don't know?" Bertie stopped walking and looked at her in surprise.
Edith turned in confusion. "Know what?"
Bertie smiled. "You can't tell?"
"Tell what?" Edith was starting to get frustrated.
Bertie took a step towards her and took her hand. "You mean to tell me that you can't tell when two people are in love?" he asked.
Edith's eyes widened. She took a step back. "That – that can't possibly be it. Bertie, you MUST be mistaken… they – they – they…" she trailed off.
"Oh, come off it, Edith," he lightly chastised her. "Stop pretending to be shocked. You yourself sensed it – you're the one that brought it up!"
"Yes, but, I still didn't imagine…" she looked back towards the house with sad eyes.
"Ah," Bertie sighed in understanding. "You disapprove."
Edith looked at him in surprise. "I – I wouldn't say that, exactly," she shook her head. "You really think they're in love?"
"Oh Edith, it's so easy to see. I've only been here a few days but even I couldn't miss it. The way his eyes follow her wherever she goes… the way her voice softens whenever she mentions his name… the way he FLEW to save her son- "
"He did that to save George!" Edith interjected.
"He did that to save Mary's son," he observed. "He's madly in love with her. Can you really not see it?"
Edith thought for a minute. "Yes, I've seen it too. I just wasn't quite sure what to make of it," she confided.
"Well, that's not up to us," Bertie said, offering her his arm. Edith took it happily.
"Should we say anything?" she asked.
"Say what to whom?" he answered.
Edith smiled. "I have no idea," she admitted. "I'm just not used to having information about Mary that I don't exploit."
"Edith, we're going to mind our own business and let this play out as it plays out," Bertie advised. Edith didn't like being told what to do… but she couldn't argue with that logic.
"Alright," she sighed. "I promise I'll behave myself." Bertie smiled. She couldn't resist adding "for now."