Doe (#Wattys2016)

Chapter Twenty-Five

Thom and the girls were ecstatic to welcome Francis back to her daily commute. They exclaimed at how much they had missed her laughter and beauty (no offence attended towards Doe), they just couldn't believe how long she had been away. Francis was very embarrassed at their fuss and her smile was shaky. Doe felt uncertain for the first time about Francis mind. Francis spent most of the journey glassy-eyed, just listening lethargically to the staff's chatter. Thom kept glancing at Doe, making her feel uncomfortable too. The only thing Francis commented on was how the long commute was by coach and how it always got too hot or too cold, this made Doe fear that she was lining up all the negatives to herself to make the decision easier.

When they arrived at the manor, Draco was waiting for them. He and Francis said hello to each other unusually shyly and Doe's heart continued to sink. She reluctantly said goodbye to them and went to find Kitty.

Francis and Draco watched Doe climb the stairs, giving them one last glance before she rounded the corner. They seemed unable to look at each other directly, the silence in the hall marked by the ticking clock.

"I suppose I should see your father straight away," Francis said.

"Yes, but he won't have finished breakfast." Draco told her.

"Shall we go wait somewhere?" Francis smoothed her skirt out.

"We can take a walk."

They set off together, still in awkward company. Once in the garden Francis gave a sigh of relief. The sun was already burning through the morning mist, and the garden was heavy with Thom's flowers. Francis bent to smell a few, breathing in deeply to calm her nerves. Draco stood watching her. They walked on, and Francis stopped again to peer into the foliage at the already foraged strawberries and raspberries. She picked cherries off a tree and gave one to Draco he took it without comment. She sucked the flesh away from the pip as she twirled the stem between her lips, sighing at her own nerves. Draco spat his pip out neatly beside her; she looked down at the bleeding seed and spat her own out. She put the stalk in her mouth, savouring its taste of green and tied it into a knot, she went into the maze and Draco automatically overtook her to lead her to the centre. She followed him, thoughtlessly trailing her fingers over the sharp brittle leaves of the hedgerows. Once at the centre they sat down at the fountain, she took the cherry stalk out of her mouth and placed it in the water, she watched it sink slowly, it rested in an old wooden boat that had once raced on the surface. She sighed again, looked up at Draco and watched him stare at the water too. When he raised his eyes she looked away. The sun shone down on them and when Francis opened her eyes the world had been tinted blue. Finally, Draco suggested they go back. They didn't hurry. Francis touched the swing as she passed it, taking a moment to watch it slid from her and then back again.

Lord Lurie was waiting in his office, his golden eyes were hard and his was irritated by Draco's presence but none of them commented on it.

"I've been told you have a decision to make." Lord Lurie said, his long fingers knotted together under his chin. His voice was not its normal softness.

"A decision I've already made, my Lord." Francis said, trying to steady her voice.

"Of course you have."