Work Text:
During the days at Calendar Hall when there weren’t mad adventures or trouble lurking round every corner, the days could go by slower than the snails in the garden.
Today was one such day.
Hetty slaved away at the silverware, her movements automatic. The day would soon be over, she told herself. Not long now.
As it was summer, it was still light late at night and herself and the others had planned to secretly meet in the garden for a little while to wind down after supper.
She polished, and then dusted, and then polished again until…finally.
With a skip in her step she hurried downstairs to the kitchen where the others were already gathered, tucking into their dinners.
Much to everyone’s delight, Mrs Whittock had made her delicious bread with leftover ingredients. It was still warm, straight from the oven.
The servants munched in silence appreciatively.
“It’s lovely Mrs Whittock,” complimented Jack. Mrs Whittock looked pleased and ruffled his hair, and he feigned annoyance.
“Can you show me how to make it?” asked Sheila. “Of course, my dear girl,” answered Mrs Whittock, who was always pleased when the others liked her food.
Mrs Whittock had taken to thinking of Jack, Agnes, and now Sheila, Hetty and Gideon as her own children, even if the lot of ‘em drove her up the wall sometimes.
Once they had all finished their suppers they thanked her graciously then rushed away, leaving the old cook shaking her head in bemusement.
It was probably best not to ask what they were up to. Trouble seemed to follow that lot wherever they went.
Meanwhile, the five friends had rushed out into the garden, heading for the quiet spot in the grove between the trees.
Giggling as they raced, the group collapsed into the old stone blocks that were left from some long gone ancient structure.
Hetty was busy entertaining everyone with stories about Miss Constance’s many, ahem, whims.
“-and then she said, Mother, If I cannot dress up in a pink ball gown right now I shall never speak to you again!” recounted Hetty in an animated voice, illustrating the scene for the others.
Agnes could barely breathe. “Heavens, yes, you should have heard what she told Mr Calendar yesterday!”
Everyone laughed harder as Agnes told them of Constance’s sudden (and very fleeting) urge to join the circus.
After everyone had managed to breathe again, Gideon said, “Can you imagine if they were actually able to hear us right now?”
Comedically, he made a show of looking around, igniting giggles again.
Finally, tired out from laughter, they sat in silence, staring at the sky. Evening sun filtered through the leaves of the trees.
They would have to go back soon, but for now, they were content to just be.