Nanny McPhee: A ThesLally AU

Four

Lally sat in the children's study, reading another one of her romances, waiting for them. She always loved reading as it distracted her from life. Although, maybe a bit too much as many have said she put her nose in her books more than the world. What they don't understand is that the books she read were her world.

She had just gotten to her favorite spot when she heard a shimmering sound. She looked up from her book and nearly had a heart attack.

"You must be Namny McPhee?" she marked her place and set it aside, "You startled me. I can get lost in my other worlds."

"That's fine." Nanny McPhee told her, "Books are a good way to express oneself."

Lally nodded, "Was there something you needed?"

Nanny McPhee sighed, "The children are ill today. With measles."

"How dreadful?" she stated, "Well, then, I'll start home."

"Nonsense." Nanny McPhee announced, "Finish your book. I'm assuming it's a favorite, seeing how the cover's completely worn."

Lally stared at it, "Yes, but it's just a story. Not real." she sat back in the chair, "Only on pages do women like me get happy endings."

Nanny McPhee made an interesting sound before leaving the room, leaving Lally to eat her own words.

Cook was busy in the kitchen, kneading dough, when Nanny McPhee appeared beside her. She looked her up and down.

"For dinner this afternoon, I've made pulled beef and boiled potatoes, with some assorted vegetables." she explained, "I imagine it'll be ready by noon."

Nanny McPhee made a small M sound, and walked around the table to face her directly, "I assume the children might need something a little more.... austere today."

Cool looked up at her, her eyebrows furrowed, "Orse what?"

Nanny McPhee inhaled greatly, "The children are not quite feeling themselves today."

Cool sighed, exhausted, "Well, then. That'll mean cakes and ice cream. Not to mention raspberry cordial!" she pushed the dough aside, "I better get cracking, then! My own little girl is sick today, so I don't have the help I need!"

"Calm yourself, Cook!" Nanny McPhee insured her, "I'm in charge today. I understand that you were once in the Armed Forces."

Cook gasped, trying her best to keep her hand at her side, "I was that!" she walked with pride around the corner, "Cooked at a training camp in Gloucestershire, I did. And I kept those boys strong and all, I did."

Nanny McPhee nodded, "I'm sure you did." she exhaled, "Perhaps.... a broth of some sort for the children." she suggested, "You must be an expert."

"Best thin potato gruel with peelings in?" Cook said, reminiscently, "That always got them groaning, but by golly it kept 'em strong."

"Are you well supplied with peelings?"

Cook thought and remembered the compost pile. She turned on the spot and made haste for the peelings.

Cook carried a big pot of gruel into the children's room. She dished the stuff up into bowls and handed to each of them. The children stared at the bowls confused and disgusted.

"Get that up in ya." she advised them, "There's a lot of goodness in a turkey neck." she pointed at Oliver, "That'll put hairs on your chest." she walked into the middle of the room, breathing in deeply, "Oh, smell that. That is the smell that forged this empire. That pong is the pong of conquerors." she saluted as she approached the doorway, turning to look at the children, "All right, men. As you were."