Chapter Text
Most of the ghosts gathered around the front step of Button House, studying the modest turnout for a VE celebration Alison had arranged with the help of the local village council. Kitty, however, was in her element, her childlike exuberance prancing in between the tables and admiring the cakes that the local women’s institute had provided. Fanny followed behind closely, her chiding audible over the soft hum of chatter across the grounds.
“It’s quite a good turnout considering the size of the village.” Pat chirped, one finger pushing his glasses back up his nose as he squinted in the bright sunlight. “See anyone you recognise?”
“No…” The Captain murmured, sighing as he scanned the lawn.
“Well, I’m not surprised. It is over 70 years since it the war.” Julian sniffed, rocking back on his heels with a carefree smile. “Still, not to worry. Actually, this reminds me of a birthday party the MP for Dunstable. Interesting story, he invited most of the cabinet and most of the Bedfordshire elite. Instead the only people that showed up was…um, guys? Guys. I’m trying to tell an amusing anecdote here. Hello? “ Julian leaned forward, looking between the Captain and Alison. Well that’s just rude.
“So, most of the people here are just family of the soldiers who were based here. Although up the back we have-“
“Tom! Thomas!” Robin suddenly shouted, jumping up and down and pointing frantically. His other hand had reached out, tugging the Captain’s sleeve unceremoniously.
Here we go. Julian rolled his eyes. And we’ve only just got him to leave his bedroom for longer than a couple of hours at a time. The Captain sniffed, standing to attention, a small smile on his face before he noticed Alison grinning at him.
“Go on, I’ll let you know if I find someone from back in the day.” The Captain nodded, swiftly marching off towards a quieter table set near the water fountain with Robin quickly following suit.
“They… They do know I’m right here, don't they?” Thorne asked confused, causing Julian to wrinkle his nose up. Surely he can’t be that thick.
“They weren’t talking about you, you berk.” Julian huffed, “I’m going to have a nosey. Work the room. See if there’s any familiar faces.” He trotted down the steps, before pausing on the gravel. “Are you coming?” he stepped to the side to let Humphrey’s body shuffle past. “Or have you got some drivel to muse over.” He smiled sarcastically at the poet who gasped offended. “Thought as much. Tatty bye.” He turned, long strides taking him quickly across the gravel and onto the lawn. Now… there should be some familiar faces here.
He scanned the tables, one eyebrow raised before he looked round at Alison who had struggled to catch up. “Oh, you’re tagging along are you?”
“Figured I might as well. Mike’s stuck chatting to Barclay and Bunny. Do you recognise anyone?” Alison looked up at him before smiling as they passed one of the villagers, one hand lifting to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
“Not many.” Julian admitted quietly, clearly deep in thought as he squinted across at another table before a playful yet slightly sinister smirk stretched across his lips. “Hugh Montague, I used to play tennis with him.” He pointed at a portly looking elderly gentleman who was sat beside someone who was at least 40 years his junior. His grin got wider. “And I can assure you that girl is not his daughter.”
“Well, she might be.” Alison argued, her voice remaining hushed so not to draw attention, “When was the last time you saw him?”
“Almost 30 years. But I know him well enough. Ah-“ He chuckled, raising an eyebrow as the young blonde leaned over to kiss Montague on his cheek, the pair laughing and leaning in close. “The sly old dog. A leopard never changes its spots, Alison.” He stood still, trying to work out a few more faces in the crowd. “That over there is Bernard Crimbley. He used to own the house on the other side of Barclay but lost it and his wife in a poker game and had to move in with his mother.” He sighed, rocking on his heels and tilting his head as he watched him.
“How on earth do you lose your wife in a game of poker?!” Alison stared stunned, raising an eyebrow at the low chuckle emanating from Julian. “I don’t want to know this do I?”
“No, no probably not.” He smirked, turning to look at the table in the far corner of the grass. “That there, is Ruth and Oscar Di-“ his brow furrowed, cutting himself off. No that’s not right. He had fallen quiet, turning to squint at the table of three. Ruth died long before I met her…
“What’s wrong? Who are you looking at?” Alison stood on her tiptoes, trying to peer at what he was looking at. Julian straightened, fingers lifting to straighten his tie. “That’s Oscar Dixon. The Captain might know him. He used to be a soldier here.” His voice had changed considerably, less smarmy and Alison picked up on it immediately.
“You knew him?” The politician scoffed.
“Of course I did. He’s Margot’s father.” His heart had begun to race as he stared at the woman sat beside Oscar, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed thickly. You’ve not changed one bit.
“Margot? As in… as in your Margot?”
“Well how many other Margot’s have I mentioned?” Alison clammed up for a few seconds, pursing her lips.
“Do… you want to go and chat? They have someone else at their table. I could see how they’re doing?” She offered.
“And say what? Hi, your trouser-less husband haunts my house. Oh by the way, so does your former captain. I’m Alison, tell me everything about you?” He felt himself snap a little before he sighed, shaking his head. “Thank you, but no. Besides… it looks like she moved on anyway. Bit young for her tastes, but good for her.” He swallowed, noting the long, curly and dirty blonde hair that was facing away from them. She always did like curls. Good for you, darling. Good for y- “Ah Wah wuh Where are you going?! I just said no!” He puffed, staring a little horror struck as Alison began to wander closer to the table. She turned back, smirking at him before turning away fully. “Excuse me, Alison.” His hand raised, knuckle extending as he began to follow after her. “You are ignoring my rights. I explicitly said that she’s clearly moved on. I don’t really care to find out the details of it all.”
He sped up a little, stopping just short of the table, not daring to get too close. “For the last time, I do not want to-“
“Hi, I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Alison Cooper. I, uh, I own Button house now.” She smiled shyly, extending a hand to Oscar who sat in a wheelchair, tucked in under the table. “A little birdy tells me that you were a soldier here?”
Oscar looked up, thin lips kinking in a smirk as he nodded taking Alison’s hand and shaking it firmly, his green eyes lighting up. “I was. Lieutenant Oscar Dixon.” His voice was hoarse, age having ravaged his vocal chords. “Served under Captain Will Parker till I was dispatched to France in ’44.” Alison nodded, impressed.
“Wow. And is this your family?” She gestured to Margot and the unknown woman. Julian tilted his head, half tuning out as he watched them. On closer inspection, Margot truly hadn’t changed. Older, yes, but her hair and eyes were still a deep dark. I wonder if she still uses that fancy face cream she used to use.
“Yes, yes. This is Margot, my daughter.” Oscar gestured to Margot who shook Alison’s hand politely, partially mimicking the smirk her dad had just made. She never really was one for new people and small talk. Julian noted silently, carefully watching as Margot pulled her hand back to rest it back on her purse that sat on her lap. Odd. She’s wearing her wedding ring. Unless she got married again? He craned his neck, eyes narrowing as he tried to get a better view of the ring. “And this is my granddaughter, Julia.”
Wait, what?!
“Hey, Julia Fawcett.” The younger woman reached forward to shake Alison’s hand, and Alison raised both eyebrows, smiling a little stunned as she looked between Julia, and Julian who stood behind her.
“Wow, it’s safe to say you’re curls aren’t from your mum’s side then!” Alison gestured to Margot playfully who sat with a poker face, though one eyebrow raised.
“Um, no… n-not that I know of. Margot here is my step-mum. Curls are my Dad’s… apparently.” She smiled innocently, before faltering as Margot stared at her.
Julian could barely believe his senses, his complexion now a pale green as he circled round the table to get a better look, vaguely aware of Oscar now regaling Alison on the changes to Button house in the 70 odd years since he was last there. How the bloody hell… He paused, looking behind him quickly before perching himself on a seat that had been discarded from the next table, eyes narrowing as he examined the girl. She has to be in her late 20’s. There’s no way… How on earth did she end up with Margot of all people…? She loathes children! He turned his head to look at his wife who had relaxed a little now that the subject was steered towards a safer subject. You must’ve had a fit when you found out… Still, I assume it all worked out amicably if she’s here with you. The question is… Who the devil did I knock up? And why didn’t I know? He turned once again to look at Julia, sighing as he studied her features. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree it would seem. He noted with a soft chuckle as Julia lifted a hand to rub her slightly upturned nose, light green hooded eyes squinting in the sun before her fingers moved to push the mass of long tight curls from her face. She fidgeted in her chair, long legs stretching out under the table before crossing at the ankle. He sighed, turning to watch Margot again, his elbow resting on the back of his seat. She’s got to be what, 78 now? Bloody good age Darling, definitely taken after your father with that one. He smiled, slightly lost in his own thoughts as he watched her smitten until he felt eyes on him.
He frowned, turning to expect one of the ghosts spying on him, perhaps the Captain finally realising that one of his old soldier friends had shown up after all. The politician sighed, turning to acknowledge the presence before freezing as he spotted Julia staring in his direction. He stared back, rooted to the spot for fear of sparking a reaction. She can’t see me. Something behind me perhaps? His head quickly spun round to check, seeing nothing but the vast green estate of the house. As he turned back, sure enough, she was staring directly at him. A small smirk toyed at the corner of her lips, eyes studying him closely, eyes drifting down to his bare legs and sock suspenders that graced his lower half before the smirk got wider. She sniffed an almost silent chuckle, shaking her head amused before looking up wide eyed as Margot caught her.
“Don’t.” Came Margot’s hushed warning, half hissing so as not to draw attention. “Not today please. Not here.”
Julia frowned, looking down as she picked at her nails, before looking at Julian out the corner of her eye curiously.
He was up like a shot, immediately backing away and causing Alison to look up confused despite being deep in conversation with Oscar. “Ohhhh she saw me! Sh-she can definitely see me!” He retreated back, all but running away from the table.
“What?? Where -“Alison just about caught herself mid-sentence, struggling to compose herself after Julian’s outburst. “I’m… actually, I’m sorry to interrupt Lieutenant, I’m uh… I think I can hear my husband shouting on me. I’m just going to check to see if everything’s alright.” Alison smiled awkwardly, quickly making her excuses before hurrying to find out what the fuss was about.
Julia shook her head again with a sigh, smirking to herself as she reached for her glass of lemonade, sipping it quietly before setting it back down on the table and made to stand up. “I’m just going to the little girl’s room, back in a few.”