26th September 1938
Bert danced whistling through the street, his face covered in soot and his brush lying on his shoulder. It was a beautiful autumn day he spent as a chimney sweep on the rooftops of London. Today he worked a lot because he had a free evening tomorrow. Because Mary came back from Scotland after more than a month and he had a special plan, involving Lizzy.
Full of anticipation for the next day, he pranced through the streets when someone said his name: "Bert?"
When he turned around, he could not believe his eyes: in front of him stood a young, handsome young man of about 17 or 18 years, who was about the size of his own. His dark brown hair was neatly combed back and the blue-gray eyes beamed friendly. But the smile was unmistakable; was it "Matthew? Matthew Miller? "
"As he lives and breathes" said this and held out his hand to Bert.
"'ow are you? What brings you 'ere? "Bert said with a big grin as he shook his hand - he could not believe it! The little boy who was adopted several years ago now stood in front of him and was young handsome man!
"Well... my adoptive father opened a new shop in the city so we moved to a suburb."
"'ow old are you? You should be around 18, right? "
"In January," he winked. Oh man, he had a charisma!
Bert shook his head with a smile: "I still can't believe it... The last time I saw you, you were just ten years old!"
The chimney sweep looked at him again: Matthew has outwardly developed into a real gentleman and his style also witnessed a more upscale environment. He missed a bit the little orphan who was unsettling the town with Elizabeth ... Elizabeth! How would she react if she met her old friend again? "I wonder if Lizzy would recognise you..." he voiced his thoughts loudly and tried to read Matthew's facial expressions.
"I always wanted to visit her, but unfortunately it never happened... Do you know how she is?", He seemed a little ashamed, but there was also another look on his face that Bert could not interpret. It was something... distancing.
"You know what? Let's just meet again tomorrow. Mary comes back from Scotland and Lizzy and I wanted to surprise 'er with somethin'. 'ow about if you just come along? "
"I do not want to incon-"
"You aren't inconveniencing us!", He interrupted him. "I think they are just happy when they see you again. Especially Lizzy... she mentions you very often."
"Really?"
"Really...", Bert put a hand on his shoulder.
"Alright... When and where is the meeting place?"
"Mornin' afternoon at 6 in the park... where I always draw."
"Good, I'll be there."
—
The next day, Elizabeth was first at the park and had no idea that someone else was coming besides Bert and Mary. She sat whistling on the bench, examining her clothes: the shirt was too big for her, her pants had holes at the knees and the soles of her shoes had run out. For the winter she has to get new clothes!
Shortly after her thoughts Bert, who had a wrapped canvas under his arm, arrived and then Mary. Elizabeth, who was involved in the artist's plan, wanted to take the picture from him, but he held it: "Not yet ... We are still waiting for someone."
"Huh? For whom?! ", the teenager frowned and looked questioningly between the two back and forth.
"For me," as the words reached her ear, she turned and looked at the young man who stood before her. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped: "Matt... Matthew?"
Although his facial features were slightly more prominent and he was about six feet tall but she recognised her old friend directly.
"Nice to see you again, Elizabeth," but he did not get any further as she hugged him hugely; but to her surprise this was not reciprocated. Instead, he stroked the suit after taking a few steps back. This hurt Liz; did she do something wrong?
But then a thought came to her and she looked first at herself and then at him: he was full of chalk dust. "Sorry ... I didn't want to make your suit dirty..."
However, he waved off and Bert took the word: "Shall we?"
With quiet agreement they all stood before the picture, which was still hidden; only Matthew was confused.
"Come on," Liz said, spreading her hand, which he took timidly, very tentatively to be exact.
Bert knelt in front of the picture to remove the cover: "Don't cheat, Mary."
Not without rolling her eyes she looked straight ahead, before everyone jumped at Bert's command.
In the picture everyone but Bert had to look around and examine their clothes: everybody wore white shirts or blouses, while pants and jackets were dark blue. Elizabeth was happy to have trousers, not a dress or a skirt, while the nanny felt a bit strange at first.
Mary and Matthew looked elegant as ever, but the other two stood out completely: Bert's hair was neat and Elizabeth had light make-up. But what stood out more than usual for both of them was their blue eyes. Mary was amazed at what clothes can make; but that's how Bert looked like the gentleman he was. But she still preferred her fuzzy-headed artist and chimney sweep.
Elizabeth was the first to look around: they were standing in front of the artists entrance of a theatre, and when her eyes met those of the gatekeeper, she was waved over.
"'ey... I think we are expected."
"Indeed," Bert said, offering her arm to Mary. With a smile, she accepted the offer and entered the building with him.
The other two looked at each other for a moment before Liz bowed slightly and put her arm out in the direction of the door: "After you."
In the theatre, to be more precise behind the stage, Elizabeth was amazed when she peered out from behind the curtain: she has never been in one, let alone in such a noble shed! Everything was red and gold and the curtains were apparently made of silk.
The stage was big and in front of it there were almost a thousand seats! But what drew her attention was the foyer, which she could see through the large, open doors: it seemed to be a dance floor, but no one was on it yet, as everyone sat in the seats waiting.
While Elizabeth stared at the backstage area, she did not notice at first how the host announced two guests: "Alright, ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce you to two talented dancers you surely know: please welcome with me Mary Poppins and Bert Alfred! "
At these words, Mary widened her eyes and looked at Bert, who held out his hand: "What's that going to be !?"
"Trust me…"
"What should we even dance?"
"Do you remember our dance, which we rehearsed and performed in 1921? Besides, nothin' can 'appen t' you 'ere, and you know that. "
Of course she remembered it; how could she forget this dance? With a smile, she took his hand and went on the stage with him. Liz's eyes followed and she clung tightly to the curtain and watched: It was not a typical couple dance like waltz-no, it was a mix of some sort of Charleston (only sort of) with some small elements of tap dancing. But what astonished her was that, even after all this time, they danced in complete synchrony! Matthew, too, was visibly impressed by the two.
"Can you do that too?" Elizabeth asked but only got a shake of her head. Matthew always danced in the orphanage as a boy and she could imagine that he never gave up this hobby.
"To be able to do that, you have to be completely in tune with your partner."
After almost five minutes, the two were finished and came back to the backstage area but exhausted.
"That was incredible!", Liz's eyes sparkled.
"Thanks, Lizzy!"
"I can only agree with Elizabeth: you are both very talented." Matthew's puffy language still did not suit the teenager.
There was music outside again and the moderator looked questioningly at them; as if he missed someone.
"Ehm Bert ... Didn't you forget somethin'?" the teenager whispered to him and his smile disappeared instantly. In fact, he had forgotten a surprise for Mary! Elizabeth and Bert sat together and thought about the picture, among other things, they wanted a singer and dancer (they called her Sally) to perform.
"Damn!", Bert cursed and tore his hair; how could he forget that! No, how could he be so stupid!?
The musicians played the first part of the song again when Elizabeth mustered her courage and went on stage.
"Lizzy!", Bert wanted to stop her, but failed.
Once there, she tried to ignore the crowd, concentrating only on the music and her feet. Of course, all this was freestyle, because she had not rehearsed, let alone knew the song!
In addition, Elizabeth could only one dance: and this was tap dancing.
Sure, she was not a professional, but in her opinion she was not too bad either. She had learned the basics from a dancer a few years ago and has been practicing secretly ever since.
To be honest, she also wanted to dance like Matthew, but since he was not there at the time, so she could not ask him.
Backstage, three jaws dropped down at the same time and they could not believe their eyes. If they had had to explain Elizabeth's dance skills to someone else, Bert would say that she dance almost as well as Mary can sing.
"If she'd rather earn 'er money with dancin' instead of stealin'," Bert murmured in Mary's direction. At these words, Matthew raised an eyebrow and was glad he was rescued early enough from the orphanage.
After about four minutes, the song was over and Elizabeth let her eyes wander over the audience. The audience stood up with thunderous applause and a broad grin spread across her face. With one last bow she went back to the others and was stared in disbelief. Instantly her grin disappeared and discomfort spread in her: "What? Did I do somethin' wrong?"
"On the contrary! I didn't know that you can dance like that, let alone are so talented!" Bert burst out and Mary and Matthew agreed. At these words, Elizabeth blushed and thanked shy.
"And now, my dear ladies and gentlemen," began the host, "the dance floor in the foyer is open!"
At these words, the four main guests went in the direction of the said dance floor, but Elizabeth was addressed at the last moment by Mary: "Please wait a moment."
"Yes?"
"That was really incredible! Where did you learn that? ", Mary found tap dancing secretly fascinating. Sure, she could do it herself but she also loved watching others.
"Two years ago, a very talented tap dancer was in town and I secretly watched and asked if she could show me the basics."
"You're doing really well ... Keep it up", Mary laid a short hand on the young dancer's shoulder with a smile, before she went in the direction of the foyer. There she joined Bert and both went to the dance floor.
Elizabeth watched for another moment before she went into the foyer.
To her surprise, Matthew stood aside and did nothing. With a wry smile, she walked up to him and danced, "Well?"
"What?"
"Don't you wanna dance? ... Come on, Matthew!"
"I'm sorry, but I do not feel like dancing."
The teenager briefly examined her (former) best friend and was disappointed: "You've become weird."
"I did not get weird, Elizabeth. I grew up... maybe you should try that, too " he averted his eyes from her; his tone was pejorative.
"That has nothin' to do with growin' up or not!" she blurted out, "you're so strangely distanced the whole day and you've got a stick in your ass! Besides, you treat me like I'm dirt! "
"Now you exaggerate!"
"Yea'? In the past you would've been glad to see me. And now? Now you make a grimace! What did I do to you to be treated like this? We were inseparable, Matthew! " her voice grew louder and trembling with tension.
"You are still like then! You understand nothing! What's going to happen to you, Elizabeth, huh? Do you want to steal all your life and eventually end up in jail? "
"But ho-"
"I know what you want to ask: how do I know about stealing? I just listened to an interesting conversation between Mary Poppins and Bert! I should have known that you would become a dirty little thief! "
"So you see me... as a dirty little thief..."
"Yes, because you are one! Like so many orphans! If my adoptive parents knew that, they would immediately ban me from talking with something like you! "
Since all her facial features derailed and she needed a moment to realise these words. But then her expression hardened: "Do you know what? I'd rather end up as a thief in jail, than be just like you!" With that, Elizabeth disappeared into the crowd.
The dispute did not pass Mary and Bert of course, why they decided without further ado to dissolve their celebration in the oil painting.
Shortly thereafter, everyone was back in the park, illuminated by the moon.
"I think it's best if I leave ... Goodbye," with those dry words, Matthew disappeared. And the others went their separate ways.
—
Later that night, Bert was on his way to sweep another chimney to come to other thoughts when he spotted a familiar silhouette on a nearby roof. Without further ado, he decided to approach her.
"Still awake, Lizzy?"
Without taking her eyes off the city, she nodded, "Yes ... I couldn't sleep."
"I understand" he sat down beside her and followed her gaze on St. Paul's.
"You 'eard it, didn't you?" in response he just nodded, because he just wanted the conversation to come as far as she decided.
"Sorry for ruining the evenin'-"
"You didn't ruin the evenin'!"
"But-"
"No 'buts'! There are always two... Mary said she really enjoyed the evening and that she can forget the abrupt end ... "
Elizabeth inspected the button of her shirt, "At least one good thing... you know," she raised her head and looked straight ahead, "when I saw him this evening, I was really 'appy. I thought we talk about old times and what we did in the meantime... 'ow can a human change so much, Bert?"
When she looked him straight in the eyes when she said the question, Bert's blood froze in his veins: her eyes were red and tears were gathering in the corners. But what hit him most was the infinite grief in them. Without saying a word, he pulled her into a embrace and after a few seconds she began to cry into his shoulder.
She had officially lost her best friend.
In my first plan the chapter looked COMPLETELY different than now haha
That's because a video (Sia - Cheap Thrills (Old Hollywood Dancing Mashup)) inspired me a lot. I' myself am a little hopeless dancer and wanted to build a chapter with dance (especially tap dancing). I hope you liked it :)
I researched and found out that there was no Charleston in 1921 so I wrote 'kind of Charleston";D