Mr. Warrilow stands as Odea escorts the clients out the front door.
Once the door is closed Odea leans against the door in exhausted dramatic fashion, "Mr. Warrilow are there any more appointments this afternoon?"
He coughs, straightens his tie, yanks his vest down and says, "Me."
"Oh?"
"I have finished reading over all the security information. I believe V&S Security needs to do research?"
"What kind of research?" She squints wondering what possibly did Mr. Isidore Salmon desire. She replays the conversation in her head and asks him again, "Is it within a range of profit?"
"I believe that there is a profit. Yes."
Odea's curiosity is now on alert and stands upright.
He continues, "Mr. Salmon's original complaint was issues of child delinquency. I called around and there aren't that many children around per the evacuation. I was curious."
Odea ponders the evacuation and other drastic events in preparation for this nuisance of a war, "There many children who have remained due to a parent's affection. I would assume that those are kept in close watch of those that couldn't part. Is there a problem with children?"
"Well yes, but this doesn't make sense. According to Mr. Higgins, his personal assistant, there is an inventory issue. It seems the staff is pointing to child hoodlums. I have never heard of a gang of young men or women stealing inventory."
"What exactly do we need to investigate?"
"Their establishments."
"All of them?"
He unfolds a map marked with a T, C, R or F. He points to different marks, "Tea Rooms, Corner Houses, restaurants and factories." He looks up, "We need to monitor three times a day. Morning, late night and during their busiest time."
"We don't have the staff. If it was just you, Mrs. Yunevich and myself it would be too taxing."
He responds with sort of a solution in form of a question, "We have the tailor shop staff?"
"Come now Mr. Warrilow. I do not mean to insult anyone. Do you really think the staff would be of the mindset that they know what details demand their attention?"
"Women who love to gossip pay attention to many details. We just have to train them as far as doing this type of work," He points to the floor. "The staff's job is to pay attention to details. Society has already taught women how to be discreet."
Odea laughs from the gut and loud.
"Tonight I shall take Mrs. Yunevich to this tea house," He points to the map the furthest location from London center. "We will take notes and come back with a plan tomorrow morning."
"Have you and Mrs. Yunevich already discussed this project?"
Mr. Warrilow shakes his head no, "We will inform her when she returns." He looks up, "She should return within the hour."
"If she is willing to try ..."
Odea hears the radio crackle upstairs.
"I am ..." She turns to head up to the residences, "I shall return. Take messages."
He listens to Mrs. Mosin run up the stairs.
Mrs. Holt looks to Mr. Holt, "Remember we are to just follow these directions and what we practiced."
"I would rather be home listening to the radio. Ever since they stopped the telly broadcast I have been aching for entertainment."
"You could take me to the cinemas."
"I ache for free entertainment."
"Well, we are getting a free meal and paid for our time. If you are going to be in such a mood I can get someone else to come join me."
"Now don't do that Bessie." He offers her arm, "I know I am cheap chap, but soon we shall retire to Cadgwith. As soon as this war is over you and I will sit back and enjoy a life a leisure."
Mrs. Holt looks to her husband and pulls in his elbow into her body, "That is a good dream. We have given up so much to have that tiny dream."
They stand across the street from Coventry Street Corner House. The two watch as the street lights go out one by one. Windows are covered by black curtains.
The store windows of the Corner House are now veiled with black thick material. They no longer could see the pastries in the window.
"I don't like this time of day." Mrs. Holt holds Mr. Holt's arm tighter, "Our city is being shut down."
"I am hungry," Mr. Holt begins to walk, "Come on Bessie. We need to be careful."
The couple open the front door to more darkness.
Mr. Holt pulls back another curtain.
The light instantly pounds their retina and they must readjust their eyes.
The transformation from the darkness from the street to the bright lights and happy chatter had an immediate effect on Mr. Holt. "You know Bessie, this is better than sitting at home listening to the radio."
"I agree."
"I don't much like having breakfast and lunch with strangers, but dinner will be just fine."
"I appreciate you coming with me. It is only a few days more."
Mr. Holt pulls Mrs. Holt, "I like to watch who is coming and going." He finds an empty table near the middle of the room. He notices his wife becoming timid, which is quite unusual. He notices her fiddling with her Sunday's best dress. He pulls out her chair and as she sits he whispers, "You are the best looking female here."
She blushes, "Why you say such things is beyond me."
He sits in his chair, "You know Bessie I have been thinking, Cadgwith could handle a puppy or two."
"Do not tease me. I feel like something is missing."
"I shall remind Clark and Luella that they are second to our pets."
"We did what was best." She looks down at her tea service, "I miss their company."
"I don't miss cleaning up after them."
"Cadgwith has self-cleaning pavement?"
"We shall take along the footpath following the sea." Mr. Holt smiles, "Leisurely rambles daily. We shall have clean air ..." Mr. Holt continues through supper all his grand plans for their Cadgwith retirement.
Kay writes an equation on the board, turns around to her students and see their frustrated faces. She puts the chalk down, "I don't need to remind you that Society for the Encouragement of Fine Arts is not just a place to mold your talents. This institution want to ensure graduates know how to manage finances, understand profit, market value and with a goal to make their alumni very wealthy."
A few heads perk up.
She adds, "How else will they be able to beg for contributions once you leave us for the real world."
She gets the laughter and hopefully motivation to concur the equation. She points to the board, "Anyone?"
She scans the room for volunteers and sees April through the rear door's square glass window. Who is signaling for her to come. She brings her attention to the students to see only the usual hand is raised. "I see our typical three Charles, Sidney and Mary. Anyone due for a tic in participation?"
She looks to her roster and suddenly feels a new tactic is needed.
Kay looks back to the class, "Charles."
He immediately comes to the front proudly and holds out his hand for the chalk.
Kay pulls it back, "Don't solve the equation. Teach them."
He stands confused. He watches his teacher walk to the back door, turn and repeat the instructions again before she closes the door behind her, "Don't solve the equation. Teach them."
April paces and hands Kay a piece of paper, "They have arrived in Tebay. I received a call from Mrs. Theobald."
Kay looks down at her watch, "We have another class after this. We shall leave directly. I was going to work with Christiana and Marvin today. I must postpone and work later this week."
"We will make the adjustment. I will see you in an hour. We need to leave as soon as possible."
Kay asks confused, "They are safe?"
"Mrs. Theobald is accommodating. However, I fear there is a price for her sacrifice."
"Right." Kay nods, "Five percent."
April and Kay cautiously drive, doing their best to maintain the speed for optimum petrol usage.
They arrive at Low Borrowbridge in less than their usual thirty-two-minute drive.
Kay exits the truck, runs to the house and returns shortly with wool blankets. She goes back in the home and returns with three hot water bottles.
Kay waves goodbye and quickly prepares the house for the new arrivals.
As she hangs up blankets around the fireplace she goes to the quiet radio and broadcasts a simple message, "This is the farm. The package arrived safely."
She repeats the message.
"Thank you. I was beginning to truly panic." Mirum responds.
"I have to finish preparing the home. I will have April talk to later."
"I will information Odea and Jennifer." Mirum gets quiet, "Hold on someone is breathing. Hello?"
"It's ... me ... Odea."
"Are you okay?"
"I just ran up two flights of stairs. I heard the crackle."
"Did you hear Kay's report?"
"No. Is everything alright?"
Kay chimes in, "They have arrived and April is to return soon. I am sorry I have to go."
"She is preparing the house for the little visitors."
"I understand. I am glad they are safe."
"Odea? How are you?"
"I am keeping myself busy as I am hoping I can talk to Ada tonight."
"Remember it might not work. They need repeaters. Also, be patient her voice might have to travel quite a bit."
"I know. Any word, any sound to let me know she is alright." Mirum stands, "I am sorry I do have to go. Olga is at an appointment."
"I will be here with my radios watching the sea."
"Don't you ever get bored? Just sitting there watching the sea?"
"I write, read, listen and watch the sea."
"What about Miss Dithers?"
"Shrug. Shrug."
"Sounds like you have a mystery to solve."
"It is just the two of us and I want to respect her privacy. You go back to work and cause some trouble."
"Bye."
"Bye."
Mirum waits until Odea has left the radio, "She sounds a bit better. Don't you think Kay?"
"You certainly have excellent hearing. I was putting my hand over my mouth. How did you know?"
"You breathe through your nose."
"I better go before it gets creepy."
"Bye."
"Bye."
Kay stops at the mirror. She is a little frustrated as Mirum's sensitive ears have resurfaced her own insecurities about her large nose. "This large obstruction, in the middle of my face, is disgusting," she whispers into the mirror.
She puffs out a long disappointing exhale and gathers her energy to continue her essential work.
Twenty minutes later she hears a honk.
She puts on her coat, hat and gloves and out the back.
April opens the door holding two girls in her arm wrapped in wool blankets.
The same wool used to keep their produce from freezing in their hampers are keeping the cold out on more important cargo.
Catherine gets out of the truck.
Kay doesn't hesitate, passes Catherine and picks up the wrapped bundle and dashes into the house.
Kay kisses April and takes her turn to pick up the rest of the family.
Kay returns over an hour later with Alaya, Fiona and a bundled Lytha.
Alaya holds Lytha enters the house while Fiona and Kay bring in the luggage.
The kitchen's large table is filled of young girls defrosting.
Kay sits next to April.
Catherine asks standing, "tea or cocoa?"
Kay considers Gaea's cup to see a darker substance. She looks to Catherine with a childish grin, "Cocoa please."
April grab's her wife's hand, "You took longer than usual. Mrs. Theobald had new gossip?"
Shaking her head no, "We had to settle accounts."
"What accounts?"
Kay pulls out a folded receipt, "The phone call, tea, biscuits, extra wood."
"What?" April looks over the receipt.
"She charged everything. Under the guise of hospitality, she offered tea, biscuits and kept putting wood on the fire to keep everyone warm."
"What is janitorial fee?" April points to the fifth item.
Gaea quickly responds, "We tracked mud on the floor. We are sorry."
Kay looks to the girls "You have done nothing wrong. We are so glad you are here with us; I hope you won't miss the sea too much."
Alicia smiles, "It was too cold to go in the water."
All the girls nod in agreement, even the still cold Lytha.
Catherine puts a large cup of cocoa in front of Kay and gets a look at Mrs. Theobald's receipt, "That woman. She gave us the pretense she was being nice."
Kay sips her cocoa, smiles and replies, "Mm mm. This is very good."
"It is good to have a big kitchen again." Catherine smiles while continue to take in stock. "Da! Good kitchen." She grabs a tea and sits down at the large table.
April asks Kay, "What do we owe?"
"Nothing." Kay in almost tears, "She has taken it off our credit. Saturday, we shall have less than a pence after we have completed our trades."
April pulls her Kay close and looks to the girls, "We can fix this. Speaking of ... Catherine, I understand you would like to utilize one of our out houses? We would like you to do a science experiment and trade goods."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Your vodka is good?"
"The best."
"We need petrol and it might help us keep out tank full for the farm and going to work in Carlisle. It is a long drive three days a week, which is why we can't watch the girl on our own." She looks to the girls, "You all are important to us, and we are so pleased you will be with us. There are some changes."
Gaea asks with a concerned face, "What changes?"
April looks to her mothers, "They are registered for school Monday."
All four girls sit up startled and there is an energy in the room.
"Don't get too excited." She leans on the table, "You must wear your devices all day. No exception."
Two pout.
Victoria and Lytha nod in agreement.
"It seems only Victoria and Lytha will be going to school while the two can stay here watching Catherine peel potatoes."
Gaea turns to Alicia, "I will, if you will."
Alicia shrugs.
Gaea and Alicia look to April and nod.
Lytha begins the questions, "What is she like? What is her name?"
Kay looks confused, "She who?"
"The teacher."
"The teacher is Mr. Wilson and he is quite a pleasant man."
The adults laugh as each child reacts differently to the information.
Alicia lowers her eyebrows.
Victoria smiles.
Lytha sits band and folds her hands defensively.
Gaea simply asks, "Can a man be a teacher?"
Kay smiles, "Yes. Remember in Anne of Green Gables and Gilbert Blythe gave up his post in Avonlea and taught at White Sands. He did that so Anne was able to remain at Green Gables with Marilla."
Lytha replies, "That is in Canada, that doesn't count."
"He is a very nice gentleman. Although ..." Kay sips her cocoa, "he does have one quirk."
The room goes quiet.
"He has a heavy left foot." She smiles, "He has a wooden leg."
"Like a pirate?" Victoria asks, "Did you see it?"
"I have never seen the leg. He has a special shoe. When he stands still he looks no different than any other man. When he walks, the left leg hits the floor slightly louder."
"Are there other girls?"
"Yes."
"Are they expecting us?"
April shakes her head, "If Mrs. Theobald knows, everyone knows. Since you spent the day with her she has given insight on your personalities and your social graces to everyone in the area."
"There is some bad news." Kay looks to the girls, "The daily schedule is quite boring. If you all help it will get done faster."
"Doing what?" Lytha is excited and hoping it will involve petting animals.
April opens the folder from the middle of the table and reads it to everyone, "Feed the chicken, cows, pigs and ducks." She pauses to see the girls all but running outside to the cold improperly dressed. "Collect eggs and feathers."
Fiona quickly asks, "Collect feathers?"
"Blanket and pillow stuffing." Kay responds, "When we have enough we will trade it or use it ourselves."
April continues, "Clean stalls, lay out new hay, bring wood from the barn, bring in wood into the barn to dry." She closes the folder, "Then we eat breakfast."
Lytha tries to get tall as possible, "When do we get up?"
"Five."
There is a groan from all five girls.
"Do not worry, you will get used to the early morning. Besides we do this two times a day Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The rest we do it three times a week."
"Why?"
"To eat, trade and feed the rest of the family." April looks to the girls, "Those food boxes you receive with vegetables, soups and other things all comes from this farm." April looks at the clock, "In fact, we have to take care of the farm right now."
Kay gets up and starts to fill multiple kettles and puts the on the stove.
"Do you want to come out to watch?"
The girls nod yes.
April opens a box containing four thick red long underwear, "This will keep your body warm. It will not protect your face, head, toes, or hands. You must wear these in winter, no matter what. Do you understand?"
April disrobes and show herself wearing the thick long underwear.
"We got this idea from the lab coats for the morgue." April hands one of the girl's red underwear to everyone to see. "We took two, sewn the tubing and then sewn the two-long underwear together."
The first kettle whistles.
Kay brings over a kettle and pours the hot water in a tube. April body becomes slightly fuller and warmer.
The girls get excited and queue up to get their own warm underwear.
Once all is set up and ready to head out the barn.
Fiona and Alaya watch from the window, like a skein of ducks, following April out to the barn.
Catherine, Alaya and Fiona quickly take opportunity of quietness to unpack and prepare dinner.
Two hours later they return to the kitchen, slightly cold, hungry and full of stories.
Alicia liked the ducks.
Victoria demonstrated how the cows ate their food.
Lytha was determined never to eat eggs again.
Gaea simply says, "There is too much poop."