Edward quickly enters the back door, places his wicker basket down, takes off his wellies and puts on the heavy wool socks Molly made for him years ago when was just a freshman at University. He smiles, 'purple why did she die these warm lovely things purple'?
He is about to take off his coat but feels a tap on his shoulder.
He turns and sees Kay with her finger to her puckered mouth.
Edward mouths the words 'why' and offers a shrug to emphasis his query.
Kay takes off his imitation flower laden French beret wool beret hat and hands him a dampened rag from her pocket. She leans in and whispers, "Military men are here."
Edward's eyes go wide. He quickly removes his makeup, earrings, slips off his frock and grabs April's working dungarees off the hook.
Kay looks over him and quickly takes the cloth to wipe off the final smudge of makeup. She looks at his clothes and sees exactly what she needs. She grabs the ounce of dirt and smears his forehead. She nods and returns into the main hall.
Edward takes a deep breath and grabs the wicker basket and with strength from his gut and enters his home. 'I am ready to serve' he reminds himself, 'my duty'.
Two uniformed men quickly stand.
"Gentlemen! Welcome to Low Brorrowbridge," He offers a firm handshake to the two officers. He holds up the basket, "Not much here, however I have some fresh eggs."
"No thank you. We are here on official business." The taller one speaks.
Edwards looks confused, "I am sorry. Why do I have a special visit? Am I needed sooner?"
The smaller one answers the question after a nod from his superior, "We were investigating as we heard you were working on a farm. There are those who are exempted in key industries and jobs such as baking, farming, medicine, and engineering."
"You came to investigate?"
"You are correct."
"And?"
"We see that you are indeed essential to this farm."
Edwards becomes quiet, "Am I being rejected from serving my country?"
"The country needs food."
April and Kay quickly interject, "We are quite capable of working the farm with our Mr. Cohen."
The two Military look at each other and then at Edward, "You do not seek an exemption?"
"What would give you that impression?"
"You removed your name from Cumbria County Council registry, did you not?"
Edward stands tall, "Yes. I wanted to serve with my mates and registered with my alma mater St. Anne's College, Oxford." He quickly goes upstairs to his room and returns with his registration and assignment.
The closest military officer takes it and reads it over. "Thank you so much. I apologize for this interruption to your day." He hands the document back to Edward. "We will take our leave."
Kay's curiosity got the best of her, "Why visit if he was allowed the exemption?"
"Farmers are a strong stock and we find, frankly, we are sent to convince those that their duty is not only to their land …" He pauses and looks down at her wedding ring and then notices April's, "We all have our duty."
He quickly looks through his papers and whispers to his companion who quickly goes through his documents and notes.
"I am sorry," He looks to the two women. "We have no record of your husbands."
Kay's face drains all color while April's scales clamp down hard.
Edward comes to their rescue and whispers something in the taller Military fellow's ear.
Kay watches as with each whispered word the stanch Military man's facial expression softens and nods in understanding.
April hears clearly their Edward is creating a persona to protect them. 'Seriously I am married to an Irish rebel while my dear Kay has a husband who died after the honeymoon?'
The two make notes in their papers. The taller stutters a bit, "I, I … my apologies."
"No apologies necessary." April responds quietly, "My husband was a passionate man who just found himself making a wrong decision."
Kay looks at April slightly confused.
"We shall take our leave." Both men nod and return their hats to their head as Edward leads them out the front door. Edward watches as they drive to the next farm.
He returns to see April and Kay sitting at the table with two wedding rings on the table. He sits down at the table, pours himself a cup of tea and smiles, "A ring doesn't have to be worn on your finger. I told them that your husband died during the Tan War and your husband ..."
"Why make my Irish?" April asks perplexed.
"I saw the The Informer at the Cinema years ago and it simply popped into my mind."
"At least you didn't kill your husband with your wild unfettered blanket life." Kay pouts slightly at her backstory "It is quite desperate. I would rather have a passionate Irishman than one that dies at such a terrible time. I save myself for him and what do I get ... a weak heart and sob story."
All three burst out laughing and just as quickly the laughter began it ended.
"You lied and we are not comfortable with others dealing with the consequences of our life."
"I am part of your lives, am I not?"
Both nod yes.
"Well, I had my wits about myself. While poor Kay went white as a ghost, I felt obligated to pro ... er not protect. But I felt two military men would be more open to a lie if it came from another man." He makes his heartfelt plea, "You do understand?"
Kay plays with her ring on the table and sighed, "Who knew such a small thing like a ring could be an issue?"
Edward stood up, left the room and returned. "A ring can magical," as he plops The Hobbit on the table and asks, "What will you ladies do without me?"
"Is there anything we can do to make your last few nights enjoyable?"
"I just want to enjoy the solitude, peacefulness with nothing but books and wine. Privacy is a nonexistent within the ranks. I shall cherish every second left here at Low Brorrowbridge." Edward grabs the two bottles of the plum wine, a box of biscuits and dramatically exits the kitchen.
The library door is latched close.
April stands up, "Come let us write home and inform mothers what transpired today."
Olga returns from her morning walk and enters the now busy office. "Good Morning Mr. and Mrs. Clements."
Grant shakes his head in disbelief, "Good Morning Mrs. Yunevich. I do not know how you can stand this bitter winter?"
Olga takes off her hat, coat and while she removes the remaining outerwear she smiles, "This? Cold? Nah. Back in Моло́га this is sign spring comes soon." She wonders what it is like now that her home and husband are all under water. She smiles slightly less, "It is better here."
Mr. Clements is donned in multiple layers with a wool scarf around his neck and asks while he hands Olga a large stack of letters with his gloved hands, "Better? How?"
"Good people," As she smiles at the couple and allows their non-professional closeness as Mr. Clements shall be leaving in a matter of days. "Thank you. You will be miss Mr. Clements."
He stands and offers a small but respectful bow of his head, "Please keep our Julia socializing, until I return. She would like nothing more than be busy until she drops to sleep in exhaustion."
"I will do my best. You know your wife and what you ask," She smiles brightly and continues, "Will be a challenge."
Grant belts out a heartily laugh.
Olga makes her way to the offices upstairs. She hesitates, turns around to returns back at the front desk. "Mrs. Clements?"
"Yes?" Julie looks up from the papers.
"I go to tea and cinema every Wednesday after work. Please put it in your schedule book until Mr. Clements returns home, you will accompany me."
"I will be fine Mrs. Yunevich. Thank you for such a generous offer."
Olga comes closer, leans over the desk, smiles and with soft authoritative tones she replies, "Julia. As you know my mother has lost interest since seeing Ninotchka. Please put it in your schedule book until Mr. Clements returns home. I would most enjoy your company." Olga grabs a pen and hands it to Julia.
Julie is surprised at Olga. She quickly realizes there is friendship and caring in such a demand. Julia touches Olga's wrist in friendship, "It will be done. Thank you."
Without hesitation Olga and Julie look down as Grant grabs the pen, turns the pages of the calendar to every Wednesday through the rest of 1939 and begins to repeat the words 'tea & cinema' through the 1940 calendar every Wednesday.
Olga smiles, "Have a good day."
"You too."
Julia runs to her office and writes in her notes at the positive change in Olga due to an adjustment in responsibility and given more authority. She sits back and ponders if she can use this theory in the tailor shop, to see if it has a similar effect on an employee. 'The question is, which employee?'
Olga heads up to the shared office space, sits at her desk and begins to go through the mail. As she notices a handwritten letter with a return address. She goes through the stacks for any similar letters. Once satisfied, without hesitation she grabs it, leaps to the residence floor and enters the kitchen. She shoves into Fiona's hand and excitedly says three words, "From Low Brorrowbridge".
Fiona smiles, breaks the seal while Alaya bounces out of her chair to hover over her wife's shoulder.
Olga leaves the kitchen, allowing for their privacy and returns to her desk.
A half hour later Fiona and Alaya walk into the office space.
"Mrs. Yunevich?"
Olga looks up from the open file cabinet, "Yes?"
"We have a project for you. The family needs a creative solution."
Olga smiles and realizes that, at least for herself, 'This is a good day. First a companion for her to weekly outing and now a reminder how much I am need.' "How may I help, is it serious?"
Alaya opens a catalog and points. "The question is shall we gets the kits, put them together ourselves as a surprise or shall we spend the money for the pre-built?"
As Olga without pondering points to the former. "We mail them the kits. They are intelligent girls."
"Good idea."
"I have one request."
"Anything"
"I would want one for myself."
Fiona claps her hands once in happiness, "Done!"