Kay sips out of her glass of wine, "I am grateful you know." She casually returns to grading papers.
"Grateful?" April pulls up her head out of Anne of Ingleside, "What?"
Kay smiles and looks into April's eyes. "I am grateful for your family saving me."
April simply leans over and kisses her wife, "You saved me! My dear Kay, without you my heart would live a Silurian lifetime searching what will make my heart whole. That is a life which my scales clamp down in horror."
Kay sipped more wine, "In that case, you are welcome."
Summer 1927
Certified Industrial School for Girls
Elm House, Parson's Green, S.W.
London
Mrs. Fry leans over to watch Kay, "I am so sorry little one."
Kay stares out the windows, "I am destined to nothing."
"My dear, you should not lose hope. I have not. We shall be careful next time." Mrs. Fry looks out the window, "We shall be very careful from now on."
Kay doesn't cry only sighs quietly as she tells herself to accept her fate. 'Maybe I will give birth to a girl and leave her on the steps of Elms House. Maybe she will fare better than I ever will.'
April puffs up her chest and quietly leaves the orphan's room and begins to walk towards the exit. She stops and sits on the bottom step of the staircase.
Kate's door is open and she feels obligated to joins her, "What did Kay share with you?"
"Nothing" Which is absolutely true and Aprils did not feel obligated to go into any more detail.
April stands and turns to Kate, "I will fix this."
Kate remains seated, grabs onto Aprils arms and pulls her into a hug, "I believe you will." Kate pulls back with panic eyes, "For some reason, I believe you will. You must, must be careful."
April puffs out her chest and looks up in the direction of Kay's room. Nods her head in determination and exits Elms House with a plan. A plan to start working and taking care of Kay herself.
Kate returns to her office, as per instructions and waits.
"You first have to remind yourself that everything worked out in the end." Odea said matter of fact.
"Understood" Charlene spoke with a slight agitation to her voice.
"After the Prather Farm, a too-good-to-be-true opportunity came into Kay's life."
Charlene speaks to the room, "too-good-to-be-true is never a good thing."
"She was offered a position with a clock making company. Room, board and stipend. The independence and financial stability she desired."
Spring 1927
Saint Clair Tailor
Savile Row
London
Fiona goes through the small stack of letters for the residents. Without haste, she waves a letter high in the air, "April you have a letter."
April leaps out of her chair runs around to her mother and holds out her hand.
The family is curious and the other girls do their best to not display their jealousy.
April smiles and jumps up and down as she notices Kay's handwriting. It is a letter addressed to 'Saint Clair Tailor Shop, Savile Row, London. Attention Miss April Flint-Saint Clair', no return address. Her heart sank as she has been waiting three months to hear from Kay.
"Grandma? May I use your letter opener?"
Vastra smiles, nods.
April goes over to carefully opens the letter inside and reads.
She flips the pages over and nothing more is written.
Fiona grabs Alaya's hand, "Something is wrong."
Jenny is standing with anxiety and nods to Fiona in agreement.
April's heartbreak turns to panic. She heads to the bookshelf. She finds what she is driven to find, quickly flips through the pages and points. "There!" She holds, with shaking a hand, the letter next to the book and examines line by line.
"What is it little one?" Vastra asks with a serious tone.
April returns to the breakfast table with both the book and letter. Her voice wails in a whisper, "Kay needs help."
Vastra calmly takes the book and looks over the letter.
"Oh, she does look really dead," whispered Ruby Gillis nervously, watching the still, white little face under the flickering shadows of the birches. "It makes me feel frightened, girls. Do you suppose it's really right to act like this? Mrs. Lynde says that all play-acting is abominably wicked."
Alaya grabs up her daughter and holds her tight, "Now Madam Vastra is on the case."
April look up to her mother and nods.
Vastra reads the next few pages. "May I see the envelope?"
April hands it over and watches her Grandma process information with her eyes and tongue. She is hopeful.
"Commander Strax?"
He quickly gets off the floor as his playing another unsuccessful game of draughts against Mirum.
He stands at attention, "Commander Strax reporting for duty."
"We have an important investigation that has landed on our laps." Vastra stands, "You are in charge."
"Yes! He begins to bellow out instructions.
Jenny yells over his off-to-war chant, "Commander Strax!"
He turns his head to face his squadron second in command, "Yes! Are there further mission expectations?"
"April needs special attention. Would you please read her this book." Jenny passes Anne of Green Gables into the Sontaran's hand, " It should remind her that there are happy endings."
April nods in agreement.
Strax picks up the young girl, sits down on the recliner, and keeps April close. "Boy, are you are ready to listen?"
April nods and places her hand on his hand.
He blinks, pulls her close and begins to read.
Vastra exits the room with her companions following directly behind. They go down one floor to her office. "This Kay girl is in trouble." She hands the letter to Alaya.
"What does this mean?"
"According to the book April gave me, the girl is looking to be rescued. In the book, she cries out to her god to get to safety."
"Does she get a rescue?" Asked Jenny.
"Apparently she does but according to the book the girl doesn't like the boy who rescued her."
"She likes him." Fiona looks to Jenny, "She loves him but too prideful."
"Focus." Vastra nips the conversation quickly. "This is the letter and envelope, we need clues."
"Are you able to detect Kay's scent?" Fiona asks her wife.
Alaya licks the envelope, "It is strong. I taste salt like tears."
"We must begin at Elms House." Alaya looks to her group, we shall report back here in five minutes.
Alaya and Fiona stand in front of Elms House as they hear footsteps coming to answer their knock.
"It is Kate." Alaya whispers.
Kate opens the door and notices the serious faces, "What's is wrong?"
"Can we talk in your office?"
Alaya closes the door and licks the air to check for privacy. She turns around and subtly nods affirmatively.
"We need to know where Kay has been employed," Fiona says without hesitation.
Kate senses the urgency and without out a question, she goes to her file cabinet to pull out a file. She opens it and writes on her pad an address. She rips it off her pad and holds out the address for them, "It is April? Has she not heard from Kay?"
Fiona informs Kate what has transpired and continues, "We are on the case."
"I want to help." Kate puts on her coat and hat, "I am ready."
"Who is watching the girls?"
"They will be in classes or apprenticeships. Besides Mrs. Fry is here." Kate opens the door and heads to the kitchen. She swings open the door, "I am going to out. I have some important things to take care of immediately."
Many young girls all respond, "Yes Miss Kate."
"This is the address."
Vastra, Jenny, Fiona, Alaya and Kate are standing in front of a small stone garage, not the established business Kate was informed as Kay new assignment.
They split up with each investigating the building.
Fiona and Kate went up to the garage door and knocked. Nothing.
A few children were walking by. Fiona instantly called to them, "My automobile needs a look over. Is this garage open?"
"Awright geeezzaa! This garage is never open. The owner lives up da street. The 'ouse wiv da red door. His name is Oliver. Chicken an' Rice guy. Sorted mate."
Fiona yell, "Jenny!" Then whispers to her wife, "We need our Eliza Doolittle."
In a few seconds, Jenny and Vastra come running, "What did you find."
Kate smiles at the young boy, "Please repeat what you have just said?"
"Lawd above! I already told deese two ladies., innit. This garage is never open. The owner lives up da street. The 'ouse wiv da red door. His name is Oliver. Chicken an' Rice guy. Lor' luv a duck! I 'ave already wasted me time. How abaaaht a donashun fer me an' me friends? Know what I mean?"
Jenny pulls out a few pounds, "Thee 'ave been quite 'elpful. Thank you. "
The lad takes the money, "Blimey! Thank yew miss. Nuff said, yeah?" He tips his hat and the groups of children continue to a new destination, to spend their new found wealth.
Alaya smiles as she can hear them arguing over sweets or sausage rolls. 'Great now I am hungry.'
Alaya knocks on the red door. She examines the humble home with little repair to the outside. She notices the movement of a curtain and stands at alert. The door opens up and a gin-blossomed middle-aged male answers. "Pardon me. I was told you have a garage. My car needs a tune-up."
"I 'ave not worked on automobiles fer over a decade. My suggesshun is ter 'ead over ter 'igh street an' yew'll find a motor club across from da bank."
"Will you take look, the engine is making a funny sound." Alaya smiles, "If you are worried about payment, my husband will pay for insurance of my arrival."
"Gawdon Bennet! Thee 'ave pounds on you?"
Alaya opens purse and pulls out forty pounds, "Just take a look. If there is a repair I am sure my friend will assist in compensation."
Fiona smiles and waves from the Fiat Zero down the street.
"Lawd above! for'y pounds fer a look."
Alaya hands him the forty pounds and they head to the Fiat Zero.
In the rear of the small house, Vastra licks the air and nods.
Jenny kneels down and quickly unlocks the back door.
The humble home exterior is misleading as the furniture and conveniences are quite modern. They enter the kitchen to find a brand new Quality gas stove. Jenny points out and whispers annoyingly to Vastra, "I wanted that, you told me it was not available."
Vastra teases with a hiss, "It wasn't when you inquired."
Jenny smiles and continues her inspection in the kitchen while Vastra and Kate head throughout the small home.
Vastra points to the mail.
Kate instantly and carefully goes to the mail and writes down everything in site, quickly in shorthand.
Upstairs Vastra quickly examines the bedroom and built-in.
Kate and Jenny stop what they are doing as a primordial hiss comes from the upstairs.
They look at each other with a horror in their eyes.
They listen.
Vastra informs Jenny, 'I am alright. Be down in a minute.'
Jenny whispers, "She is okay. Be steadfast and let us finish up as quickly as possible."
Vastra continues her evaluations with more anger than she expected. The box room is a converted studio with paint and blank canvases. She opened the door to the loo to find a luxurious set. 'I want this,' She says to herself. She looks up and notices the attic door with the rope finishing up swinging.
Jenny finishes her inspection of the kitchen, the cabinets and notices the rug under the table is a bit bulky in the middle. She pushes the table back to see a door. She hears Fiona's enthusiastic voice.
She places everything back into place.
Vastra has gracefully made it to the first floor in haste.
Kate does her best to look as if the mail is untampered.
The three head back out the door. Jenny makes sure it is locked at they slip away back to the designated location.
They discuss what they have discovered over tea in a private corner of a tea shop.
"We need to return," Vastra whispers. "I am truly disturbed."
Jenny touches her wife hand to offer comfort.
"I suggest we survey his daily habits," Alaya speaks up contemplating the possible criminal activities. "We will inform Scotland Yard and then seek another time to enter when he isn't there."
"I want to be there." Kate whispers passionately, "I want to help."
"You can do some research." Jenny looks to the new full human in her life. She hopes Kay will adjust and welcome them in their lives. 'Even if it is for a short time'. "See if there are other assigned girls to similar address."
"Also," Fiona adds, "See if there is also more addresses that seem to be fake."
"How will I do that?" Kate imagines the list of addresses is quite long. "I have a large four-drawer file cabinet. It is not a simple task."
"How about giving us a few addresses at a time." Jenny is looking forward to someone new. "When Fiona comes by with books you can simply hand them over."
"I can do that." Kay mentally prepares for late nights.
Vastra looks into Kate's eyes with a stern warning, "You must keep your activities safe. Do not share what you know or any of your activities."
"What?" Kate becomes defensive, "You can't possibly Elms House and its staff have anything …."
Jenny interrupts in soft tones, "She did not mean that."
"What did she mean?"
"We have five individuals with knowledge and we will soon have a few Scotland Yard detective privy. That is too many." Vastra explains herself in almost irritated voice. "I am not accusing anyone."
"Vastra, manners." Jenny forces an angry whisper.
"I am sorry." Vastra bows and speaks with a softer tone, but not less irritated, "It could be someone spying on Elms House. It could be a previous girl ..."
Kate mutes Vastra for a moment. She ponders the pass girls who have left angry. Each of them seeking freedom and wanted to live a life without accountability. Her eyes go soft.
Vastra stops speaking, "What is it, Miss Higgs?"
"I was just remembering a few girls who sought independence." With tears in her eyes, she continued, "I begged and pleaded. Without skills, a bed or a support group I fear what becomes of them. They were simply too angry and determined."
"Anger is always the shortest distance to a mistake," Vastra says as a reminder to the group and appreciative of a new audience member. "Combined with desperation their lives would be dependent on the kindness of strangers. A trait that is not attracted to angry individuals."
Kate looks at her empty teacup.
Fiona, who is nearest, plays mother to fill Kate's teacup.
Kate looks to Vastra, "Do I keep this from Mrs. Fry?"
"I am afraid it does."
Kate sips the tea, "I will abide by your wishes. What should I do if another girl is assigned to the same address?"
"Call us immediately."
Kate nods in approval, "I shall think on my feet."
"That is all we ask." Vastra adds, "You are quite a brave individual Miss Higgs. Who would have ever thought? You are full of surprises."
Kate smiles and readjusts her seat, "Thank you. I think."
Fiona smiles, "It is a good thing."
The groups of five disband. Kate returns to her office with a sense of exhilaration while the other feel a sense of urgency.
Kay assists the girls out of the truck and comes to her wife's window. "Come in for tea. We have a few minutes before we tend the animals."
April smiles, "Let the girls do their homework. I miss working with just you."
"Turn the damn thing off."
April turns into her true self.
"Better." Kay smiles as she kisses her wife.
Kay enters the kitchen to see all four girls diligent in their homework. Catherine smiles as she places a small cup of hot cocoa at each girl's side with two biscuits and asks Kay, "Tea now or later?"
"Now, please." Kay smiles as she plops in a free chair, opens up her journal to write about her day and waits for April to join her.