Chapter Text
Whereas her blue coat brought out her eyes, her new one - was it tan? Camel? Beige? - brought out everything about her. It made her skin sing, it set off the maroon of her dress beneath, and made her look almost regal.
Even when she was walking away from him.
Siegfried leaned against the back of the Rover and waved her off, trying not to think about how lovely her hair looked and definitely not thinking about how she would be away in Sunderland for a week. Mrs Hall got around five steps away before she turned and rushed back. “I never said, there’s a little stash of chocolate in the pantry, behind me pickled eggs, just in case Jimmy comes over. He and Rosie share a little square. Don't let Tris know it’s there or he’ll snaffle the lot.”
“Chocolate. Pickled eggs. Jimmy not Tristan. Go. You’ll miss your train.”
Her lips pursed together before she nodded, trying to think if she’d forgotten anything else. Satisfied, she tapped her suitcase (which definitely had Mary’s birthday gift; she’d checked three times) and turned back for the platform.
…Only to turn back once again before stepping foot across the threshold. “Did I tell you-”
“-Honestly, Mrs Hall, we are three grown men! Three grown men of military training, no less! We will survive a week despite the absence of your exemplary care.”
She wasn't convinced, and her face showed that, but she dutifully nodded once again and turned, this time actually disappearing around the corner.
Siegfried waited a beat, half-expecting her to reappear, but she didn't and so, with his smile gradually lessening and the ghost of sadness setting in, he got back into the Rover and drove to Skeldale House with his foot on the floor.
The house was empty when he walked in, just Jess and Dash bounding through the halls to welcome him. He crouched down to them and scratched at their ears, “She’ll be back,” he promised, “she’ll be back.”
It hadn't been lost on him, though neither had voiced the real reason, that she had left Dash in the care of Skeldale while she was away. Her excuse had been that Dash hadn't really enjoyed the train travel, that it took him a few days to right himself from the journey. Siegfried suspected he had been left as a promise for her to return; if not for her job and her other family at Skeldale, then at the very least for her dog.
The phone ringing wrenched him back to his feet, and he headed for the nook with two followers in tow. “Darrowby 2297.”
“Mr Farnon?”
“Mrs Hall?”
“Mr Farnon, my train’s been cancelled. Somethin’ about an unexploded bomb found near the tracks further up the line.”
“You can't go to Sunderland?”
“No…” She said, and her sadness was palpable down the telephone line. “No, they’re saying no more trains today and the one tomorrow wouldn't… It wouldn't get me there in time.”
Siegfried's heart fell for her; he knew exactly how her face would be, how wide her eyes would be, how defiantly determined she’d be in not letting her chin wobble in emotion. “I’m awfully sorry.”
“Aye… Well… Can't be helped. Could I ask ya to come get me, please?”
“Of course! Of course, I’m on my way.” He dropped the receiver down and made for the door but halted, much like Mrs Hall had done at the station as her mind had spun faster than she could keep up with.
Siegfried turned on the spot, ideas careening through his mind for what he could and should do for her. He finally managed to stop his jerked movements and grabbed for the pen and pad near the phone, scribbling a quick message:
Gone to Sunderland.