July 07, 2020
Review, Edit and Update
After fixing one or two typos, I again worked with dialogue, developing actions around the dialogue. This part of the writing exercise, like most of this little saga, was completely unexpected but enjoyable.
I did note one paragraph was in a smaller font than the rest. After struggling unsuccessfully to fix that problem on this blog site, I took it to my Pages program. All fonts are the same size now. It was a tough one and rather annoying to deal with.
I did note one paragraph was in a smaller font than the rest. After struggling unsuccessfully to fix that problem on this blog site, I took it to my Pages program. All fonts are the same size now. It was a tough one and rather annoying to deal with.
A Family Gathered
“Good morning, Elizabeth. It is such a lovely day!”
“Oh, good morning, Martha. I didn’t hear you come in. I’m just getting the coffee ready. Have you had breakfast?” Cook already had frying pans out and the tea kettle on to boil. The big green tea pot stood stolidly on the counter. Cook had loose leaf tea from the pantry ready to be steeped. Coffee and tea both were always available for whomever came in for a meal or maybe just for a break.
“I have had a bite to eat but what’s on the menu and who’s pretty silver car is parked at the front? I saw it as I was coming up the drive." Martha had been surprised to see a car parked at the front of the house. Lately, anyone parked at the back. Even Miss Emelina seldom used the front door any more.
“Well, you’ll never guess. It’s someone we haven’t seen for a long time. And he stayed the night!” Cook knew that Martha would be pleased to see Dr. Crawford. He had been a favourite of all the staff. Never any of that grating Upstairs Downstairs attitude.
“Oh, it’s a man…..Elizabeth, don’t keep me in suspense. Someone we haven’t seen for a long time?" Martha set her purse down on the table, wrinkled her forehead. Started to say a name.....Stopped....Smiled and said "An old friend of Mr. Michael’s..... It's Dr. Crawford isn't it?”
Cook laughed out loud “Martha, you guessed it right off. He came from the hospital after he’d cleaned up because he remembered my cooking." Her smile faded when she said "And he wanted to see Miss Emelina and Mr. Michael."
"Oh my." Martha slowly took off her sweater. “Why, I thought he had left Hartley. He and Mr. Michael were so close and he wasn’t even at the funeral. Did you say he wanted to see Mr. Michael?" Picking up her purse, her sweater over her arm she walked slowly past Cook to her office.
Shaking her head slowly, Cook replied “He didn’t even know that our dear Mr. Michael had passed. Poor Dr. Crawford was still lost in his own grief about Mrs. Crawford passing a couple of years before. Remember when he stayed out here for while after she died. It was so sad to see him so through all that.”
“That is the last time anyone of us saw him.” Martha and Cook didn’t see or hear Jeremy come down the stairs two at a time in his stocking feet. He was about to start whistling when he heard the two women chatting away. He caught his name a couple of times so thought he’d better pay attention. He cleared his throat, obviously not loud enough to interrupt the intense conversation at the coffee machine. He hesitated, grinned and cleared his throat a little louder followed by: “Ahem. What are you two ladies gossiping about? Did I hear my name?”
The two women jumped. Cook almost spilled coffee beans all over the floor. “Oh, my heavens, Dr.Crawford. You haven’t changed a bit. Sneaking up on us like that. And listening to us talk about you while you stood there like a naughty school boy.”
“Martha, it is so good to see you.” Dr. Crawford had opened his arms for a hug. Martha put both hands up, stepped back and laughed. "Stop it, Dr. Jeremy. You are such a sight for sore eyes but no hugs for you today........."
Before Martha could say anything else, Cook chuckled and said “Go ahead Martha, tell him.”
Martha blushed and looked away. Jeremy poured himself some coffee and sat down at the long table. “Tell me what, Martha. This house is just full of surprises. Emelina has a sister with a very interesting name. I heard the story of how every one of you deserted her when you learned of the pandemic. She eats in the kitchen now with the lot of you. She would never set foot in the kitchen in the good old days. And she survived. Looks better than I’ve ever seen her before. But for you, sweet Martha, what is your secret?”
Cook turned heat down under the oatmeal, heated the teapot with boiling water and rinsed it all around. “Just like a man. Can’t see what’s right in front of his nose." Martha had put her left hand flat on the table, tapping the table lightly. "Go ahead, Martha, show him."
Like a young woman in love, Martha held out her left hand and wiggled her wrinkled fingers. Jeremy pretended not to notice, then squinted at Martha's hand. “What’s this I see sparkling just like the sparkle in your eyes? An engagement ring? Martha, what does your daughter think of this….and your grandkids?….Who’s the lucky man? It can’t be Digby, he’s bit of a stuffed shirt to be buying diamonds for his girl. Better not be Giles. He’s married and much too young - I mean too immature - for you.”
“He’s missed it, hasn’t he?” Cook sounded like she’d won a bet, then looked towards the back door. "Who's that coming in now?" The back door had opened and shut firmly but quietly. James Edward Digby walked into the kitchen.
After a quick 'good morning all' James ordinarily went quickly to his office before coming out to get a mug of tea. But on this morning, he stopped in his tracks, hesitated and with surprise in his voice he said "Dr. Crawford! Where have you come from?"
“Good morning Digby! I came from upstairs - stayed here last night after Cook fed me and talked my ear off. I had wanted to see Mike and Emelina…..I had no idea that Mike wouldn’t be here. That was a sad bit of news. But I’ve been hearing all kinds of stories about the place and now I see Martha is engaged to be married!” Jeremy hesitated. He saw a tender look pass between Digby and Martha. “It’s you, Digby?" Jeremy was astounded. He got up, poured a second mug of coffee and set it on the table. "This is all too much to take in, especially when I’ve only been up for an hour." Jeremy grabbed the nearest chair and sat down with an exaggerated thump.
“Good morning everyone.” Emelina had run down the stairs, dressed and ready for the day. “My goodness, we’ve got quite a kitchen full. I’m glad to see everyone keeping their distance. Jerem, you're still working at the hospital and with patients with Covid19, so we have to be extra careful. Jeremy, maybe I’m a bit late with this question but should we be wearing masks?” Emelina had missed all the bantering that had gone on, but sensed the warmth of kitchen.
Jeremy got all serious and professional for a few minutes “The public health officer, Dr. Henry has encouraged mask wearing in places where distancing can’t be maintained. This kitchen is pretty darn huge, and all of you are really good at keeping good spacing. "All seriousness aside and especially to change the subject, I’ve just learned that Martha and Digby are engaged to be married. I'm just speechless. And the last time I saw you, it was Upstairs this and Downstairs that. The Beauforts vs the staff. Digby was the only one we saw upstairs, unless Brigitte did some maid service at a get together. Where is Brigitte anyway? Don’t tell me she got married and left the country? Now look at all of you. Everyone in the kitchen like it had always been the most normal thing in the world.”
Jeremy, despite all his brashness and teasing, was truly happy with the home he had come into. Emelina was like a different person, but a person he truly liked. He had always liked her, but she had an edge. A line that no one crossed. He guessed something or someone had softened that edge. “So, Mrs. Beaufort, when am I going to meet this sister of yours? I hope she’s not all high and mighty like you were.”
Everyone, including James, burst out laughing. “What’s so funny? Makes perfect sense to me. The younger sister learns from the older sister. What’s her name again?”
Emelina recalled all the times when she tried to teach Dez how to be 'proper' - with extremely limited success. “ Her name is Desperanza. Dez, for short. She’s always hated that big long name. When you meet her you’ll understand that her big long name just doesn't suit her very much at all.”
Cook had been walking back and forth from her stove and cupboard to the cupboard by the table, carrying the porridge pot, scrambled eggs, and bacon. Martha, made toast and then set the table with plates, bowls, cutlery and napkins. “Breakfast’s on the table for those that want to eat it. If you want seconds, just bring your plate and I'll serve it for you. I’m the only one touches the serving dishes to keep everyone safe.” No one argued with Cook when she laid down rules along with the food.
They all sat at the long kitchen table. Occasionally, the silence of good food, a chair would scrape on the floor. The only other sounds were crunching toast, click of cutlery against plates, and ‘More, please.' Jeremy sat back in his chair and watched his new/old friends. He knew he would not be staying away for long unless duty called.
“My mother used to tell me that when push comes to shove,
you always know who to turn to. That being
a family isn’t a social construct but an instinct.
~ Jodi Picoult
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