Chapter Text
Epilogue
As they went to bed that night, this time without hiding the fact that they shared bedroom, Siegfried opened the closet door to Audrey.
- I have emptied it, you can put your clothes in here now.
- What did you do with Evelyn’s clothes?
Audrey looked concerned.
- I packed them into a suitcase. I’m going to ask Helen to get rid of them.
- Those were really fine garments of high quality. And also very beautiful. I have taken care of them, aired them and darned the moth holes once a year.
- This whole time?
- Yes. They should be used. They’re too small for me and I wouldn’t be comfortable wearing them anyway. But we can take them to the WI and find new owners for them.
- Thank you, dearest.
He closed the doors to the closet, slipped under the covers at her side.
- I was thinking, she said, that little wrinkle between her eyes deepened, if I’m going to be Mrs Farnon..
- Not if! You are!
His eyes twinkling.
- I will be representing you and the clinic in quite another way.
- You have always done that, but go on?
- It is another thing, when it’s official. I think I would need to have some new clothes.
- Yes!! Let’s go dress shopping! I’d love that! And we have to get you a wedding dress! Cream coloured silk covered with lace.
- Oh no! Not white or even cream coloured! I’m divorced with a grown son. That would be scandalous! No, a sensible dress in lovely colours. That I can use again many times. Helen just gave me her fabric rations, she had saved up. Bless her heart!
- We’ll go to Leeds and look for a beautiful dress!
Audrey smiled at his enthusiasm. She had never realised before how much he appreciated a well dressed lady. And she had been walking around in her pinnies and old tweed skirts for ten years!
- That sounds lovely, but I think I’d better ask Mrs Driscoll. She lives here in Darrowby and is a wonderful seamstress. Even Mrs Pumphrey orders frocks from her. We should favour our local community. Maybe I’ll get one or two hats and some gloves at JA Dean’s.
- You are right! As always!
- And then I’ll make myself some new dresses and skirts. If the moths haven’t feasted too much, there are some beautiful fabrics in one of the boxes that we moved from the bedsit when Helen and James moved in up there. I’m thinking Evelyn bought them long time ago?
- Yes, probably. Maybe when we were travelling in Europe. Before the Great War. And you wouldn’t be uncomfortable wearing them?
- Quite another thing if I make the dresses myself. No, I’d be honoured. And one more thing: no big wedding! Just us and the family. Since it can’t be in church, me being divorced.
- I don’t care if we get married on the moon! The Alderson’s?
- Yes, and maybe James’s parents? And Mr Carmody!
- Of course! A good opportunity for him to study pair bonds between humans!
- I really wish Edward could come.. I’ll write to him tomorrow and tell him.
- That would be wonderful.
- I’ll prepare the food and Maggie will surely help out…
She yawned. The tension during the day and the lack of sleep the last week was taking it’s toll. Her eyelids fell down. She was exhausted. She sneaked in to his arms and yawned again.
- I’m sorry, my love, I don’t think I’ll be able to make love tonight, she mumbled against his chest. Too tired…
Siegfried cradled her softly.
- That’s quite alright. I’m very tired too, not sure I would be able to perform..
- Mhm…
She opened her eyes again. Something had come to her mind.
- Did you hear her?
- Who?
- On the radio? It was Vera Lynn again. After we had told everyone, she was singing my favourite; White cliffs of Dover.
- How suitable! Then I’ll sing my favourite to you. As a lullaby.
Audrey sighed happily. She loved hearing him singing.
In pianissimo he sang into her hair.
Be sure it's true when you say, I love you
It's a sin to tell a lie
Millions of hearts have been broken
Just because these words were spoken
I love you, yes I do, I love you
If you break my heart, I'll die
So be sure it's true when you say, I love you
It's a sin to tell a lie
She was breathing slowly, half asleep in his arms. Siegfried was also drifting off. But just before he fell asleep he heard her voice, drowsy and warm.
- I love you too, Siegfried Donald Farnon. And I never tell a lie.