So tonight's episode was perfect and I can't wait for next weeks.
This chapter seems really random but I needed to get things moving, so hopefully you enjoy.
"I just don't understand what has happened between them Victor," Agnes stated as she tightened her hold of his arm, glancing up at him briefly as he looked at her, concern covering his face at her comment. Continuing down Oxford Street together in their last moments before work, the couple remained silent for a moment before Agnes shook her head. "They have been acting differently since before he was unwell but last week they came home from a walk and they haven't talked since. He went into his room, she went into hers and they have not been in the same room since then," she explained as Victor groaned, confusion covering Agnes' face as she glanced up at him. "Victor? What's going on?" she asked.
"Florian and I went for a drink last week, he seemed upset about something but he did not want to talk about it," he admitted as she stared at him, clearly anxious about what he was going to say. "He asked me whether I knew anywhere he could stay near the coast, he said he wanted to see somewhere new while he was in England and he thought that now was a good time," Victor explained as Agnes stepped away from him, shock covering her face at what he was telling her.
"Florian is leaving London?" she asked quickly. "When Victor?"
"He apparently received a letter back a couple of days ago from the friend I put him in contact with who offered him their house because they are going to stay with relatives," Victor stated as Anges shook her head at the concept. Florian surely wasn't planning on leaving London without telling anyone. "Agnes I believe that he is…" he began, her head shaking as she realised what he was about to say. Walking towards the entrance to the shop, Agnes quickly walked into the building before walking through the corridors, hearing Miss Mardle's voice in the distance as she approached accessories.
"Miss Mardle can I have a word please? It's rather urgent," Agnes asked as confusion covered Josie's face before she nodded and followed Agnes away from accessories and towards an empty corner of the shop.
"Miss Towler whatever is going on. Is it George? Have you received more news?" Josie questioned as Agnes stared at her before shaking her head.
"Florian is leaving," Agnes whispered as Josie felt the whole world collapse. "He talked to Victor and found somewhere to stay near the coast, he apparently wants to see more of England while he is here," she explained as Josie shook her head, trying not to look shocked as she continued to watch the younger woman. "Josie," she said quietly as the older woman covered her mouth with her hand for a moment before shaking her head again. "You know why he is leaving," Agnes stated as Miss Mardle turned to look away from her, her eyes shutting for a moment. Did she tell Agnes what had happened? Could she tell her what had happened between her and Florian? Would Agnes judge her? "Miss Mardle?" she questioned as Josie turned to face her.
"Agnes I need to ask you to do something and I would not ask unless it was important," she said quietly as she stepped towards the younger woman who nodded slowly. "If anyone asks where I am, please make up an excuse. I will not be more than an hour," she explained as Agnes remained silent for a moment. "Please, I need to…" she began before shaking her head, not knowing what she was actually going to do when she found Florian.
"Go. I will think of something," Agnes promised as Josie smiled before moving towards the exit.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Entering her house, Josie quickly moved towards the stairs before running up them and towards Florian's room, hoping that he had not left yet. Opening the door to his bedroom without knocking, Josie breathed out at the sight of Florian closing his suitcase before he turned to look at her, shock covering his face at the woman who was standing in his doorway.
"Miss…" he began.
"You were not going to tell me then?" she asked as she stepped into the room, shutting the door behind her as she glanced down at the suitcase. "You were just going to leave Mr Dupont, without telling Agnes or I," she declared, her anger obvious as he remained silent, not knowing what to say to her. "I know that things between us have been difficult recently but that is no excuse to just leave without telling us. Were we supposed to just come home this evening and find the house empty?"
"Miss Mardle…" he began again before she shook her head, immediately silencing him.
"I thought we meant more to you than that," she declared, pacing up and down the room as he continued to watch her before walking towards her, his hands resting on her arms to stop her. "Get off me," she warned.
"No," he said quickly, shocking her as she glanced up at him. "I am only going for a week, I was always going to come back Miss Mardle," he explained as he continued to hold her arms, not allowing her to disappear from him. "I wanted you to be happy again and clearly, you aren't when I am here," he explained as she shook her head at him,
"Only one week?" she asked nervously as he nodded, a small smile covering his face as she continued to watch him. "Will you write to me while you are gone?" she questioned, almost nervous to ask.
"You want me to write to you?" he said in amazement. He was trying to give her space, make her happy again and yet she was asking him to write to her while he was gone. "Are you sure?" he questioned as she nodded, his hands moving off her arms as she smiled at him and glanced across at his suitcase. "My train leaves in an hour," he admitted as he stepped away from her and approached his case.
"May I come to the station with you Florian?" she asked nervously, not surprised at the amazement that covered his face at her request. Nodding slowly in response, Florian couldn't help but grin when a large smile covered her face at his acceptance. "We should leave now, if you are to make your train," she explained as he moved towards his case and collected it before they stepped out of the room. "Perhaps we could walk to the station?" she suggested, clearly wary of overstepping.
"I would like that very much."
XOXOXOXOXOXO
"You will write to me Florian," Josie smiled as she stood at the station with him, smiling as he nodded and glanced across at the approaching train. "Promise me, that you will write and tell me that you are well and about the various things you have been doing at the coast," she explained as he laughed and nodded again, the train getting closer as she reached up and straightened the lapel of his coat, her hands quickly moving away when she realised what she was actually doing. "I'm sorry," she muttered as he laughed and shook his head, not understanding why she was apologising for her actions.
"I will write to you everyday if it will make you smile. That is all I want," he declared as she laughed at him. "I just want you to be happy and whatever I do seems to be the wrong decision," he stated as she watched him for a moment before the train stopped. "I have to leave now," he said quietly as she bit into her lip nervously. Watching as he lifted up his suitcase and stepped towards the train, Josie quickly reaching for his arm to stop him before he turned to face her.
"My decision may have hurt you," she said quietly as he glanced down at his feet for a moment, not wanting to think about what happened a week ago. She seemed so happy, she seemed like the woman she had been at the start of their friendship who had wanted to be around him. "But I do not want to lose your friendship Florian, I do treasure it" she admitted as he glanced across at his train before staring at her. "Now you must go," she stated, knowing that she was keeping him to long. "Go and enjoy your holiday, I will see you in a week."
"I will miss you Miss Mardle," he stated as she nodded slowly, her arms crossing around her chest as he climbed onto the train and disappeared from her sight.
"I will miss you too," she whispered to herself, remaining perfectly still as the train left the station moments after he had boarded it.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
"I told Mr Grove that you were unwell and had to return home," Agnes commented as she entered the drawing room to see Josie sat in her usual chair. "He has gone then?" she asked as the older woman remained perfectly silent, almost like she hadn't noticed that she had entered the room. "Miss Mardle?" she asked, her voice slightly louder, before the other woman finally acknowledged her.
"Sorry I was far away," Josie quickly said as Agnes nodded, still watching her. "What were you saying dear?"
"Florian has gone then?" Agnes asked again as Josie nodded.
"To the coast for a week, he wanted to see England and thought that it might be a good time," Josie explained quickly, a small smile covering her face as Agnes nodded, still unconvinced by the excuse for his sudden holiday, but unsure of what to say to her friend. "He will be back soon," she whispered, not directing her comment to Agnes who smirked and sat down in the chair opposite.
"Florian likes you," Agnes stated as Josie immediately looked up. "It is clear in the way that he watches you. Whatever you are doing, he watches you like you are the only person in the world," she explained, smiling at the blush that began to appear on Miss Mardle's face. "I actually think he more than likes you…"
"Agnes," Josie interrupted, trying to stop the conversation before it went too far.
"And I think you know this and that is why things between you have been so awkward recently," Agnes commented as Josie immediately stood up and walked towards the window, her back facing the younger woman who continued to watch her. "He has told you that he loves you and that is why he has left."
"Agnes please."
"He has left because you have told him that you do not feel the same or something along those lines," Agnes began, everything suddenly becoming clear as Josie shut her eyes, hating how it sounded when someone else explained the situation to her. They did not understand why she was doing this.
"Agnes."
"Why are you lying to him? Why are you doing this to yourself? Both of you are now miserable, he has even left London because of this," Agnes stated as Josie felt the silent tears run down her cheeks. "You are making yourself miserable by lying to a man who you clearly…"
"I will not risk it again," Josie finally snapped as she turned to face the other woman who was shocked at the tears which were running down Miss Mardle's face. "I will not risk my heart on someone who will eventually leave me for someone younger. No matter how I feel, I will not go through that pain again."
"Josie," Agnes whispered as she slowly walked towards the other woman, still shocked by the outburst that had just happened. "I understand that what Mr Grove did hurt you but you have the chance now to be happy," she explained as Josie continued to shake her head. She was not supposed to be happy. No one wanted to be with her, she would never have a family. She was just supposed to work, she had no other role, there was no need for her to be happy.
"He deserves a family, a future, everything that I am unable to provide. I can not give him children one day and I am certain he will one day wish that he had had children," Miss Mardle responded as Agnes smiled weakly, suddenly realising how much Mr Grove had hurt her in marrying Doris.
"And yet he has still fallen completely in love with you."
So what do you think?
Your reviews have been so wonderful, please do continue and if you have anything you perhaps want to see in the story do tell me and I will try my hardest to fit them in.
Thank you.