Sara was busy packing a lunch for them. She tucked in a few extra treats. A jar of the preserves that Meg fancied, some of the tea biscuits that Madame Giry liked. A bit of smoked meat for the gentleman. Sandwiches and jars of winter fruits. Before long the basket was overflowing, and Sara was busy trying to figure out how to tuck in just a few more things.
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Meg went up to her room, finding her mother pushing hard on the cover of the last trunk that was to be packed. It wasn't heavy, but it was full. "Mother, let me help you with that" Meg said, rushing to her mother's side. "Thank you dear" she said, breathing a sigh of relief, quickly sitting on the edge of the settee.
"We're nearly ready. We've but to pay a visit to the Opera House to deliver my envelope" Madame Giry said, nodding toward the package on the dresser.
"What's this for?" Meg asked, picking up the envelope addressed to Mr. Firmin. "Our new location, until such time the Opera House is repaired." Madame Giry said. "What, but where….is it safe…who" Meg began to ramble. "Stephan, my dear, Stephan. He is a careful planner, and knew what arrangements were to be in order for us before we left."
Madame Giry walked past her daughter, touching her chin, on her way to get her cloak. Meg followed her down the stairs and to the door. "Sara?" Madame Giry called out. Sara came from behind the kitchen door, apron on, a knife in one hand, a spatula in the other. "Sara, Meg and I are on our way to the Opera House. Should Stephan or Elizabeth be in need of anything, please let them know we will be back within the hour." "As you wish Madame" Sara smiled at them.
"Oh, wait" Sara said, a large grin crossing her face, she disappeared behind the door of the kitchen. She came back out, holding two cups in one hand, and several napkins in the other. "They're just fresh from the oven," she said handing Meg and Madame Giry each a large white sugar cookie, with a large lump in the middle, and a cup of cocoa. "This will help keep you warm on your way." Before Meg and Madame Giry could thank her, Sara disappeared once more into the kitchen, the door swinging closed behind her.
Meg and Madame Giry smiled at each other, their hands warm from their contents. "Well, we shouldn't let this go to waste" Madame Giry said, looking at Meg who had already lifted the cookie to her lips. As she took the first bite, she savored the rich buttery taste, the essence of vanilla, the velvety crumble of the shortbread on her tongue. She closed her eyes in pure enjoyment. It had been a long while, since Christmas at least, since Meg had tasted a cookie. She slowly chewed, savoring every morsel. She lifted the hot cocoa to her lips, letting it easily slip past to caress her tongue. This was sheer heaven.
Meg opened her eyes to realize her mother had been watching her. Madame Giry, somewhat sorrowfully thought about the things that her daughter had been denied living in the Opera dorms. She'd never had her mother baking cookies or sweets. On rare occasion they had shared time in the kitchen when the Opera House cleared it's dorms for the holidays, or on summer leave, but it was not something that they did often. True, Meg had learned the rudimentary skills, but not the normal everyday lessons most girls of Meg's age were accustomed to.
"Mother, aren't these wonderful?" "Why yes Meg, indeed they are." Meg had moved on to the thick center, biting down to discover it was a large lump of smooth chocolate, somewhat sweeter than the cookie itself. It was pure indulgence, pure enjoyment. Meg and Madame Giry finished their cookies, and sipped their cocoa as they walked out of the door, into the chilly noon-time air, to cross one last time to the Opera House.
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Raoul was nearly into the city now, realizing that he should pay his visit early if he was to avoid the noon-meal hour. If he waited until after, his visit would be cut short by his meeting with his father at the police offices. As he entered the city, he turned to go down the long set of streets that led to the Opera House, and to Sara's Inn. It would be ten minutes time before he was there, oh how he looked forward to the warmth of the hearth.
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Erik stood looking out the window as he heard a carriage clattering down the cobblestone at the back of the inn. "He's early, at least a half-hour early," Erik muttered. He didn't like being surprised….late was not acceptable, but early was reproachable. Christine looked at him. "Stephan, perhaps you could speak to him about loading our trunks and bags. After that, he will simply have to wait until we are ready." Christine said with a smile. "Of course" Erik said departing down the back staircase.
There was a gentle wrap at the back door. Sara glanced over her shoulder, looking curiously at the shadow outside the window. "Who on earth?" Sara opened the door part way. "Madame, Joseph at your service." Sara glanced him up and down, a bit short, rough shaven, clothing looked as though he'd slept in them. "Is Stephan ready for…" he was interrupted when Sara turned her attention behind the door. "Sir" she said, "the hansom has arrived, a bit early I'm afraid, do you want him to come back?" Sara said looking back rather irritated at the driver. "No need" Stephan pulled the door open and stepped past Sara and closed the door behind him. Sara shook her head, going back about her work. She'd have to pack the cookies before they were fully cooled. She hoped they'd not stick together because of it.
Outside Erik continued in his elderly manner, explaining the trunks and bags. He peered into the coach, dark curtains covered the windows as instructed. Several large blankets across each seat. The back of the carriage had been extended just slightly to accommodate the baggage. Erik reached inside pulling a small pouch of coins from his jacket pocket. "Half now, half when we arrive" Erik said, turning and going back into the house. Joseph followed him up to the rooms where Erik pointed to each bag and trunk. Erik, still bent over just a bit, made his way to the chair in his room, situating it so that he could keep his eye on Joseph as he made his way up and down the back stairs carrying the items to be loaded in the carriage. Christine had gone down to the kitchen to get out of the way. It was men's work, and she preferred the company of the innkeeper to that of a man who smelled like horses.
Sara smiled at Elizabeth as she saw her come around the corner. "I'm sorry mum, you and I haven't had much time to get acquainted. I hope you are feeling a bit better today." Christine tried to strain her voice as much as she could to disguise her youthful tones. "I am, thank you. I am weary just thinking of the long coach ride…the jostling of the carriage does such terrible things to old bones." Sara laughed in an understanding tone. "That it does…that it does." She laughed. "When I go to visit my daughter it is a half-days ride. By the time I arrive I am exhausted…so I tend to travel in the afternoon so there is no need for embarrassment when I want to retire when I arrive!" Sara and Elizabeth both laughed.
"Those smell wonderful" Elizabeth said, looking at the cookies cooling on the counter. "Go ahead, have one while they are still warm." Sara said nodding toward the cookies. "My…thank you." Elizabeth reached out taking the smallest one she could find. She'd just closed her eyes to take the first bite when there was a knock at the front door.
"Whoever could that be?" Christine turned to watch Sara walk to the front door, opening it there stood Raoul, and behind him….his father. Christine felt dizzy. There was no where to go. The back staircase was jammed with trunks and suitcases on their way to the carriage, the front stairs led right by the front door. She was stuck. "Do come in" she heard Sara saying to the new arrivals. Christine froze, cookie in hand, the bite she had taken sitting like stone in her mouth.
"Here, come, sit. Can I bring you a cup of tea?" Sara motioned towards the dining room table. "Thank you, that shan't be necessary," The senior De Chagny couldn't finish his sentence, Sara had shushed him with her hands, making her way to the tea pot. She'd been expecting a visit although much later, and had pulled out her finest china pot, and cups. She carried it back to the table, pouring a cup for him. Sara smiled at Raoul as she poured his cup, glancing down at the broach and back up at Raoul. She walked back to the counter, retrieving several small plates, and a platter of the cookies that were barely cooled. "I regret that Madame Giry and Meg have gone to the Opera House." Raoul's father set his cup of tea back in its saucer. "If you don't mind, we'll wait, if it is not an imposition?" Sara shook her head "no…no imposition at all."
Christine let out a silent gasp. She didn't want to move, hoping not to be noticed. She heard Erik coming down the stairs behind Joseph. "This is the bag that I want on top, the other there will ride in the carriage with us." He said pointing to the one that was heavily embroidered. He glanced over at Christine, instantly knowing something was desperately wrong.
He tilted his head, slightly furrowing his brow, and then he heard it…voices in the other room. He glanced back at Christine, and then at the door. Christine looked as though she would faint, her chest not moving, she wasn't breathing. Erik looked her sternly in the eye, sucking in a deep deliberate breath and exhaling, nodding at Christine to do the same. She blew out the air she had in her lungs and sucked in a deep, sharp breath. Erik never broke eye contact. Moving slowly, quietly toward her, he grasped her hand, squeezing it tightly. He stared at her intently, not saying a word. His very presence calmed her somewhat. He held her hand just staring into her eyes, slowly her heart beat slowed, their pulses mingling. Their hearts beating, and breathing in unison.
Christine heard Sara say "yes, they are up and about, fine elderly couple they are, though I'm afraid not very well" Sara said in a sort of half-whisper. "I'll check, perhaps they could join you while you wait for Madame Giry." Christine stared again at Erik, eyes wide with trepidation. He squeezed her hand hard, nodding. She knew there was no way out, only a way through now…..they would have to face them….together.
Author's Notes:
Captain Oblivious: I concur with your statements. A golden thread linking the ages… To those who do not love and embrace literature, it sounds a bit "corny" but to those of us who love it….it makes perfect sense! The "masses" shan't ever know what pure pleasure they are missing! Yes, Sara, she is old but would dare not make such an omission! However, the person she shared it with, is ummm…a bit distracted! Now, I hope you have some decaf coffee perked…the coming chapters are going to be, ummm….how shall I put this…rather interesting!
Waytoointoerik: Work can wait, sleep can wait….oh no, I'm afraid I've sucked you into my cyclone! I am so often up into the wee hours, something like a bat or some other nocturnal creature, a very slave to the words that drive me. I'm waytoointoerik myself, please forgive me. I hope you enjoy what's coming next..pins and needles, pins and needles…..