Matilda O'Brien brought joy back into 7 Mycroft Avenue.
She was a tenacious girl; her more liberal viewpoints astounded Jean every time politics came up, but her opinions were refreshing and breathed new life into the house. Thomas loved debating with her and their discussions lasted well past his usual bedtime (or the recommended one for Thomas' well-being). Jean hadn't seen him this lively in awhile, so she let it slide.
Mattie loved telling Jean about her days as Ballarat's district nurse and they shared many a cuppa in the afternoons before dinner. Jean delighted in passing on her mother's recipes to Mattie - not knowing how long Mattie would board with them, it was always good to have a few good meals under your belt for the future - and helped the young nurse improve her mending skills. Mattie remarked to her once that she'd gotten better at stitches since coming to the Blake house - earning her a half-hearted swat from Jean's towel as she dried the dishes.
Thomas' health spiraled and Lucien returned - leaving the house in an odd standstill as neither women knew what would happen next, but they supported each other and Lucien in his endeavors to settling in the sleepy gold rush town. Medical terms flew over the dinner table as her and Mattie prepped vegetables for the day, or Jean's knitting needles clicked alongside the turn of a page from whatever book Mattie decided to read.
Time with Mattie brought back the what-ifs Jean had tucked away about Abigail many years before. They were close in age, her girl would have been a couple of years older than Mattie, but Jean hoped Abigail would have been just as forthright as Mattie - just as confident to take on the world. And so, Jean took Mattie under her wing, guiding her gently through the quagmire of romance, scandal, and figuring out her place in the world. She offered a helping hand and a listening ear - sometimes disapproving of Mattie's choices, but she never made Mattie feel like she couldn't do what she put her mind to.
Mattie leaving for London left an ache in Jean's chest, but she was thankful for the time she had with her. She'd learned so much from Mattie in the short time their orbits crossed and Jean knew the lessons would stay with her. Jean learned how to stick up for what was right - and for those forgotten by the system or society. She learned to stick up for herself and to be strong enough to choose what she wanted - not just what was expected of her by the town, and to stick by her convictions.