Parade's End Epilogue

Welcome to London

Grey's Inn, London

Everything had been prepared for the arrival of Michael and Sylvia. The flat was now furnished, unlike the last time Sylvia stayed there, when there was only a bed in her room. Michael and Sylvia arrived in London on a Saturday. They went straight to the flat and Christopher went to Valentine's house.

Sylvia and Michael sat down in the drawing room and asked for tea. Michael was telling his mother stories about things that happened in school and in Groby when she wasn't there. Christopher arrived and caught his son and Sylvia laughing. They stopped as he entered the drawing room.

"Father! Come sit with us." Michael invited.

"I'll go inform Bridgette that you're here." Sylvia stood up and exited the room.

"Do you reside around here?" Michael started asking his father. "You've never told me where you stay."

"I'm just a couple of house away. 10 minute walk. You should come and visit us sometimes."

"Us?" Michael asked curiously.

Christopher was taken aback. Opportunely, Sylvia re-entered the room with a paper in her hand. "A letter just arrived. It's from the school." She handed the letter to Christopher. "It's just a letter to welcome Michael." Sylvia smirked.

"They send letters to welcome students?" Michael asked.

"No, only this time because the school knows your mother." Christopher said. "School commences on Monday. If there's anything you need, just let me know."

"He's got everything that he needs." Sylvia stated.

"Well then I suppose you're ready."

After a minute of silence, Sylvia made a proposal. "I was thinking, maybe we should have a small party. For Michael. Tonight. It would be nice for him to know the people of London."

"A party?" Michael asked.

"You could meet some of the children. Doesn't Miss Montgomery's daughter go to St. Paul's as well? The younger Montgomery, I mean."

"Yes, she does." Christopher confirmed.

"I think it will be good for Michael to know her, and the other children as well."

"I don't think there's enough time to prepare." Christopher objected.

"Tomorrow afternoon then." Sylvia insisted. "I'll ask the maids to prepare something quickly and you shall invite the people... You may include your mistress if you wish." Christopher nodded.

The next day was very busy. The maids started tidying up the place early in the morning while Sylvia and Michael went to church. When they got back home, Michael went up to his room and was expected to remain there until lunch. Sylvia walked to the telephone to phone the Montgomery's.

"Hello?" answered the elder daughter, Claire Montgomery.

"Hello, this is Sylvia Tiet- Satterthwaite. Is this Claire Montgomery?"

"Oh, Miss Satterthwaite. Yes, it is."

"Oh, I'm just making sure that you can come for the party this afternoon. Michael, my son, is very much looking forward to meeting someone of his age."

"Oh, of course! My sister can't wait as well."

"We'll see you then."

"Alright, goodbye."

Sylvia hung up the phone and walked into the drawing room. There stood Christopher and Valentine, looking out of the window. Sylvia's footsteps startled the both of them and they turned around to face her.

"You're a bit early for the party." Sylvia said with a sarcastic smile.

"No, we came to help arrange the place." Christopher answered.

"Well there's no need for that. Everything's been settled." Sylvia chuckled.

"Yes." Christopher said promptly. "Where's Michael?" Christopher continued.

"In his room." Sylvia answered monotonously.

"May I speak to him?" Christopher asked.

"I suggest you go up to his room." Sylvia raised her eyebrow at him. Christopher squinted his eyes and quickly understood what Sylvia was trying to say. It wasn't a good idea for Michael to see Valentine.

"Yes. Alright." He looked at Valentine, "I won't be long." Valentine nodded.

Sylvia and Valentine were left alone in the room. One would think that Sylvia would say harsh things to Valentine but instead, she asked her how things had been for her and Christopher.
"We're doing fine." Valentine said politely.
"Do you still live in that old house?" Sylvia asked.
"Yes, but my mother has moved elsewhere. So it's just Christopher and I, and my brother."
Sylvia turned silent and she remembered her own mother. Valentine noticed. "I'm...very sorry to hear about your mother."
She chuckled. "It's alright. Would you like some tea?"
"That...that would be lovely, thank you." Valentine was surprised by her politeness.
Tea eventually came and so did Christopher. Christopher stood near the fireplace and watched the two of them.
"Why don't you sit down and have some tea?" Sylvia asked him.
Christopher sat beside Valentine and poured some tea in his cup. None of them uttered a word until Michael walked into the room and stopped by the door. He saw Valentine, who smiled at him and which smile was not returned.
"Darling. Come sit here." Sylvia demanded. Michael walked slowly and sat beside his mother. "Are you excited about the party?"
"Yes. I am." He answered dully as he continued glancing at his father and Valentine.
Christopher noticed and so he introduced her to him. "Michael, this is Miss Wannop."
"Hello, Miss Wannop." He greeted insipidly.
Christopher waited for a while before continuing. "Uh, Miss Wannop is-"
"I just remembered I need to do something upstairs." Before Christopher could stop him, he ran out of the room and up the stairs. Christopher gave Sylvia a worried look.
"I'll go talk to him." Sylvia said and followed Michael. Christopher followed too, leaving Valentine alone in the drawing room.
Christopher caught up with Sylvia. "I don't think I can tell him."
"Well you have to, Christopher. You can't just keep him in the dark."
"I'm afraid of what he would say and what he would do."
"Of course it's going to break his heart but it's better that he knows."
"There's going to be a party today. I don't want to ruin it for him."
Sylvia sighed. "Tell him tomorrow then." Sylvia said as she rubbed his arm.
Christopher went back to the drawing room and found Valentine putting on her hat.
"I don't think it is a good idea for me to stay for the party." Valentine said.
"What? No, you should stay."
"No, I don't want to make it bad day for Michael." she smiled and rubbed his cheek, "I'll see you at home."

A couple of minutes later, people started coming in and Michael was feeling better, seeing people of his age. They started playing games and telling stories. Rose Montgomery went to the same school that Michael was going to go to so she told him more about the school.
Later on, food had been served and the children ate in one table and the adults in another. They all had a good laugh and the adults adored Michael. He was already as famous as his parents.
When the party was over, everyone said their goodbyes. The children had one last laugh before they departed.
Michael had been exhausted and wanted to go straight to bed, which his parents allowed. Both Christopher and Sylvia tucked him in.
"Are you going to stay here?" Michael asked his father.
"No, I'm afraid I can't. But don't worry, I'll be back tomorrow." He smiled and they left the room.

"I'd better go." Christopher told Sylvia. She didn't respond but she walked him to the door. "I'll come back tomorrow." Still Sylvia didn't respond and just looked him in the eyes.
"Go to bed. You must be exhausted." Christopher looked in her eyes and gave her a kiss on the cheek and said goodnight.