Review, Revision, Edit and Update
I didn't find this to be a terribly interesting episode. The ending was particularly weak. Jeremy's thought about helping Emelina just kind of popped out of nowhere. Consequently my revision is a filling of that huge gap. The last paragraph was given much more definition.
Besides that revision, I did improve sentence structure in one or two places earlier in the episode.
Sun Warmed
In the back of her mind stirred a desire to do something for the staff. What that may be, Emelina did not know what it could be. Up early, she slipped quietly out of bed to let her husband sleep. She and Jeremy had spent a very relaxing weekend, but she could tell he was still in need of extra rest. An unspoken rule, they had not spoken of hospitals, Covid or the running of the estate. Cook had already come in and sent up coffee and fresh scones. A lovely morning, Emelina pulled on a sweater over her pyjamas and took her mug of coffee out to the porch. The scones could wait until Jeremy was up.
Musing quietly to no one in particular, Emelina said “There has to be something we can do. Just this cup of coffee reminds me of how cared for I am - and anyone that comes here. But I’m not going to talk to Jeremy about this after all. He doesn’t need my worries on top of everything else.” Shivering, she took a sip of her rapidly cooling coffee. She turned at the sound of the door opening. “Em….you’re up early. Why didn’t you wake me? Come back in the house.” Jeremy, his hair tousled from sleep, was at the door in his bare feet and pyjamas. “Sweetheart! You’re up! Go get yourself some coffee and there’s fresh scones, butter and jelly. I’ll be right in.”
~~~~~
It started out as a lazy morning, but Jeremy was restless and hungry. The scones vanished quickly, he looked for more to eat and was still unsure about how to get more food. The rattle of the dumbwaiter, along with the aroma of bacon, eggs and fresh toast saved the day. With a sigh of relief, he got out plates and cutlery, calling to Emelina “Breakfast’s here, Em and I’m not going to wait for you.” She had come in from the porch and went straight to the shower. “I’m just getting dressed - make sure you leave some for me!”
~~~~~
Breakfast finished, plates scraped clean, they put everything back in the dumbwaiter. “Let’s go walking again, Em. You didn’t get me out to the garden yesterday. Do you think Samuel is in yet?” Em was pleased and almost amused. She didn’t remember him ever being concerned about the garden before, but decided to follow his lead. “He should be. Samuel’s usually at work before Cook is even here. I'm sure he gets up with the birds. By the time we get out there, he’ll be ready for a break - not that he ever wants one.” Still cool and a bit misty, they put their jackets and matching Tilley hats on, setting out to the garden. “The orchard is really quite beautiful, Em! Look how the trees are blooming.” Jeremy stopped suddenly and looked around, his voice quavering. “It has been so good to be out and away. Let’s keep going before I start being foolish.” Em put her arm through his “You’re not being foolish, Jer. And it’s wonderful that we can be out here together.” She looked up and pointed. “There’s Samuel over by the fence. Working away at something.”
The morning slipped by quickly, Jeremy completely involved talking with Samuel about the garden. To his credit, he did try to maintain the correct distance from Samuel. At least outside they didn’t need masks. The two men walked the rows, Samuel talking about what he’d planted, what had come up, how he’d be stringing up the red runner beans, bending over every now and then to pull a weed, or prop up a new shoot with the side of his well worn boot. Em had started out with them but soon just left them be. On her cell, she called up to the kitchen to ask Cook for a coffee break basket for the three of them. By the time Emelina walked up to the back porch, the basket was there - a thermos of coffee, one of tea as well as fresh baking and a couple of hearty ham sandwiches. Returning to the garden with her delicious cargo, she called out to them. “Gentlemen. Time for a break!” Engrossed as they were, they didn’t hear her. A little louder she called again. “Gentlemen! Break time!” They both stopped short. “Miss Em! No one’s called me a gentleman for a long time - maybe never. Sure is good to hear. Let me take that heavy basket from you.”
~~~~~
Sitting by the shed in old chairs always waiting for company, they were warmed by the mid morning sun. With good food, warm drink and the sound of gulls crying in the distance Jeremy was relaxed and grateful. He glanced at his wife. She and Samuel were laughing and chatting comfortably. He had seen her with the others in her employ, just as comfortable and pleasant. Sitting back in his chair he wondered whether he could help Emelina somehow?
“After all, the best part of a holiday is perhaps not so much
to be resting yourself, as to see all the other fellows busy working.”
~ Kenneth Grahame, Wind in the Willows
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