30th May 1926

Mary Poppins was brought to London by the wind. But instead of ending up in front of a house where a family in need lived, as usual, she were taken to an orphanage.

As soon as she put her feet on the ground, the wooden doors were thrown open and a group of about seven children between five and ten stormed out.
Behind them ran a little girl no more than three years old. But she couldn't catch up with the other children because her legs were much too short.

Mary instantly felt sorry for the little girl and was about to walk towards her when a boy, who was about five years old, came out the door and took her hand.

"I'll stay with you, Liz."

When the boy brushed his long, brown hair from his face, Mary's heart stopped for a moment: It was Matthew Miller!
Was she brought here because of him? Was he okay? Does he need help?

Her gaze slid back to the girl and she had a feeling that she couldn't exactly interpret. But it was a feeling of connection.
Liz was probably the cutest child she had ever seen. She reminded Mary of someone but didn't know who.

A gust of wind came up and whispered to Mary, "Keep an eye on Elizabeth, Mary Poppins. One day she will affect a very important part of your life. Whether this will be positive or negative is in your hands."

8th June 1942

Mary woke up, breathing heavily, and needed a moment to calm herself down. The dream, or rather the memory, wasn't bad. But still it felt oppressive ...

It was still dark and a look at the clock told Mary that it was only half past four in the morning. She massaged her forehead briefly before lying down again to get a few more hours of sleep.
Mary had completely forgotten that day and yet it was a seminal event that happened back then. After all, that was the first time she had seen Elizabeth

But then something reached her ear that made her curious: the sound of horses' hooves coming closer and closer.

Mary went carefully to the window and peered out. At first she didn't see anything but dark, but then she saw the tail of a horse, which was standing right in front of the house entrance.
Who would want to visit her with a horse at this hour?

All of a sudden, Mary remembered Elizabeth's letter from a week ago: She should look after little Martha and a stallion named Basil.
She threw on a coat and went to the door. When she opened it, Elizabeth and Martha were standing there.

However, Mary could not look at her problem child for long, because Liz rushed forward without a word and gave the nanny a warm hug.
Mary had to hold back her tears as she held Elizabeth in her arms.

"Nice t' see ya again, Mary."

The two women broke up and couldn't help smiling.

"The pleasure is all mine," Mary turned to the little girl.

"Du musst wohl Martha sein, nehme ich an?" She asked in German. ("You're Martha, I guess?)

"Ja", Martha held out her small hand, "Hallo." ("Yes" … "hello")

Elizabeth watched the greeting. It was amazing how much Mary Poppins had changed.

She remembered that she used to be much stricter and almost cold, and Bert meant that too. But now she was a lot gentler. Yes, she was still strict, if she had to, but the greeting alone was completely different from the greetings about ten years ago.

In fact, it was Liz who now played the nanny: "Komm, Martha. Du solltest schlafen gehen." ("Come on, Martha. You should go to sleep.")

Mary was surprised when she heard Elizabeth speak German. Sure, she taught her, but it was still something unusual.
With a slight smile, she went into the kitchen to prepare tea.

"'ow are ya?" Elizabeth asked as she entered the kitchen.

"Fine, and you?"

"Could be better... could be worse."

Silence.

They both just looked at each other until Mary walked up to Elizabeth and pulled her into another embrace. Mary clung to her as if she was about to lose her.

Liz returned the hug and both fought back the tears. Tears of relief.
They were fine and they were in their home in London.

"I'm so glad you're here," Mary took a step backwards and stroked Liz's auburn hair.

Elizabeth smiled warmly and could hardly believe herself to be back in familiar surroundings.

"Have a seat ... I'll take care of the tea."

The young woman did as she was told and sat down at the little table. Her eyes wandered from one corner of the apartment to the other: she was at home. She was finally home again! It seemed so unreal, almost too good to be true.

She looked at the bed Martha was lying on and saw that she had already fallen asleep. No wonder; after all, they have been on the road for quite a while and such a journey is quite exhausting.

"Here," my Mary and put a cup on the table, "as you like it."

"Thanks."

While Elizabeth was drinking, Mary had the opportunity to take a closer look at her: She looked exhausted. The lines under her eyes were deep, her hair dull and disheveled, and her clothes were filthy.

"Was the trip very exhausting?"

"Kinda. If I were alone I'd probably 'ave arrived about a day or two earlier... But I 'ad t' care for Martha an' Basil. An' I 'ad t' be careful that no one saw us."

"I see", the nanny's gaze slid to the sleeping girl, "she looks very friendly."

"She is! Martha is an incredibly friendly and heartily child ", her smile faded, "she doesn't deserve a life like that. 'er parents dead an' 'er brother fightin' in a lousy war... At least she doesn't give up and tries t' see the best in everything. "

"A healthy attitude."

Silence.

The two women drank their tea before Elizabeth spoke again: "She 'as t' learn t' speak English..."

Mary noticed the concerned undertone.

"I've been considering moving to the countryside to the Banks for the first few months."

"The Banks?"

"Yes," Mary took a sip, "to Winifred and Barbara. I've already asked you and you would be more than happy to help. "

Elizabeth knew the Banks family. Actually very good!
Most of all she had to do with Jane, whom she met when she was a teenager.
A little later she also met Michael Banks and Winifred and the twins Barbara and John.

Michael and John were currently at the front lines while Jane and Barbara worked for the common good. Winifred would do the same if she weren't that old.

"When do you want t' go?"

"In the next few days," was Mary's determined reply.

At night Elizabeth sat on the roof of the house, leaning against a chimney. She wanted to write two letters: one for Bert and one for Peter Pegg.
But how was she supposed to send the letters to both of them? It would probably be too conspicuous if she sent them in the usual way, through fire.
So she had to go to the post office the next morning.

Or... Or she dated the letters to the day she received them.

Elizabeth didn't want Bert to wait any longer for his letter.
Resolutely, she wrote the date on the letters and the names on the envelopes and burned them in her hands.

With a worried expression on her face, Liz watched the sparks rise towards the starry sky.
When the sparks had gone out, she put the pen and paper back in the small metal box and put it in her pocket. But something was blocking it.

Frowning, she looked to the cause and pulled out a small pouch.

It was Mary and Bert's birthday present; she had completely forgotten!

Impatiently she undid the knot and reached into the velvety pouch. Inside was something metallic, probably a piece of jewellery.
Full of curiosity, she held it up to the moonlight: It was a bracelet!

Little preview:

The next chapter is mostly about Bert and Peter.
After that there will be another time jump and then we are at the next larger event of this story ;D

I thought that I would end the story after part 3 (1945).

But then I planned to write a prequel that would take place between 1910 and 1924.
And maybe even a sequel :3

I want to write more regularly again, but I don't know whether I will be able to do this or not.

A couple of days ago I applied to the largest hospital in my city (and in my region as well) as a helper and depending on whether I am accepted or not, it will take some time.

(Reminds me tbh of Elizabeth in one of the earlier chapters of Part III)

How are you? I hope good!

Stay healthy! :)

- Kate