The Stages of Grief (Ghosts BBC)

Thomas

Matilda is awoken from her nap by Alison, who knocks on her door until she calls for the other woman to enter.

"Hi, Matilda," Alison perches on the edge of her bed. "I want to apologise for what Mike and I said at lunch. It was wrong of me to brush your feelings aside like that."

"It's okay, Alison. I spoke to Humphrey and he told me about your accident. I feel like something similar is happening to me, but if I turn out to be wrong, that's on me. I'm just trying to stay positive for now, and not think about it." Matilda explains.

"Great, well, I spoke to the others, and they all agreed to allow you to chose the movie for film club tonight," Alison tells her. "Any suggestions? Mike and I are popping to the supermarket so I can buy any film you want, as long as they have it.".

Matilda grins, already knowing the perfect film for her new group of historical friends.

Feeling in a much better mood since her nap, Matilda wanders the halls cheerfully only to find Thomas sat in the library window, staring glumly out across the gardens.

"Thomas, how are you feeling?" She asks, sitting opposite him.

"Oh Matilda," he glances at her for a moment before letting his gaze wander back out the window. "It's kind of you to join me."

"What happened between you and the Captain?" She asks, curiously. She hadn't spent much time with the Captain but what she did know about him made her think he hadn't moved on much since he died.

"Oh, that silly old walrus, he interrupted my monologue on the beauty of autumn. It truly is the most magnificent time of the year with so many colours throughout nature. You know, the very poem was the talk of Higham House back in my day." He explains.

"He interrupted you?" She asks, wondering if that was all.

"Yes, to make an announcement, about you actually." He looks back at her. "You're in denial about being dead and we're not to mention- ah, I've made a mistake. I apologise, Matilda." He bows his head. "Although Julian says denial is the first stage of grief, perhaps I can help you through the other stages, whatever they are. We may have to converse with Julian on the matter." He suggests, the frowns on his forehead disappearing as he discovers a new purpose.

"I'd rather not talk about it, Thomas." She admits.

"Ah, you're still firmly in the first stage of grief, I see." Thomas nods sympathetically. "I'll question Julian on the other stages and devise a plan to help you." He stands, bowing to her once more before leaving.

Despite him directly ignoring her request to leave her be, she is pleased he seems happier in himself and no longer wishes to drown himself in the lake. Matilda takes the moment to look out across the grounds of Button House. Thomas was right about the beauty of autumn. On the drive, Robin and Mary are playing catch with Humphrey's head again. She's less surprised this time when Robin swings Humphrey around by his hair and releases him directly at the window where she is sat.

She jumps up from her seat when Humphrey's head bounces off the window, falling back down to the gravel. Matilda wonders just how enjoyable these games can be for him.

Matilda runs down the stairs as quickly as she can, bursting through the front doors onto the driveway. After their morning conversation, she had grown a fondness for Humphrey. The head had turned out to be the easiest person to talk to out of all the house guest at Button House.

"Hi, what's going on?" She asks, watching between Robin and Mary. "Robin?" She turns to him.

"We throwing Humphrey," he shrugs, looking down at the ground.