THE FLAPPER'S FAN

Chapter 15 - Where did you get the Newspaper?

Mrs Brewer had left early and we took advantage.  I spent the night in Nick's room but once again retreated to my own in the early hours of the morning before the sun came up and the housekeeper arrived to start breakfast.  I was enjoying scrambled eggs when the doorbell rang.  Nick answered it himself as he was on his way downstairs at the time, and when he entered the kitchen he was holding a note.

"Another trip?" I asked.

He kept reading the letter and nodded.  "Yes, but only overnight.  I just have time to pack before the car arrives."  I wanted to help him, so I could have a moment alone before he left, but it was difficult with Mrs Brewer there.  She was kneading bread and she didn't look up as she said.  "Go on then, go and say goodbye."  I looked at her in surprise and she stopped and wiped her hands on her apron.

"You don't think I know what young people do in a house alone by themselves all weekend?  And it's me who does the laundry too, my dear, I'm not daft."

By the heat in my face I was no doubt glowing red with embarrassment but I wasn't about to pass up the chance and I made it to Nick's room as he was closing his suitcase.

"Mrs Brewer knows," I panted.  He laughed.

"Of course she does, I could never get up to mischief without her knowing about it."  He bent to kiss me before picking up his coat.  "She likes you though, and she hasn't given either of us a lecture, so I think that's as close to approval as we'll get."

I wondered how I would look her in the eye when I had to face her again.

"It's alright for you," I muttered as he pulled me to him.  "You're escaping and leaving me to face her alone!"

He laughed again and kissed me soundly, then again with such emotion that when we broke apart my throat was closed with unshed tears.  How silly, it was only one night!

"Don't do anything about Grace until I get back, we don't know what this danger is, or what form it will take, and so far we have no idea who she's afraid of.  Just keep an eye on her for me."  He grasped my hand and we descended the stairs together.  He kissed me softly at the door.

"I'll call to let you know when I'll be home."

I nodded, unable to speak and watched as he strode to the car, giving a cheery wave as he drove away.   The smile slid from my face as I walked back inside.

"Edith, dear, could you come and help me with this please?"  Mrs Brewer called from the kitchen.

I sighed.  Time to face the music.

It was another pleasant day, so I walked to Grace's house, enjoying the chance to people watch. Nannies with prams, mothers holding children's hands, men in smart suits and hats. I watched the old fashioned buses and automobiles chug by, smiling at the absurdity of my situation. My mother would never have believed this, I thought, then caught my breath at the pain it caused. I had barely thought of her since I'd arrived, which in itself was enough to cause me pain. But she would have loved this adventure, and she would have really liked Nick, and Grace. I made it to her house and almost bounded up the steps. I had worked myself up to telling her about Nick and I, and to ask about Sarah's father, and my face already wore a smile of anticipation when I knocked.

The door was opened by Nanny Pearson nanny wearing an annoyed expression.  It cleared into a polite smile at the sight of me.

"Miss Eddie!  I'm sorry, Miss Grace is at the studio today."

"Oh, that's alright.  Could you tell her I dropped by?"

She bobbed a curtsy which startled me a little and said she would.  She watched me as I descended the steps and walked out onto the street before shutting the door firmly. I was a little deflated and didn't feel like returning to the empty house nor the office where the evil typewriter awaited to torture me further, so I walked along enjoying the day.  Sometimes I felt like I was inside a documentary only this was in technicolour and the people weren't walking in jerky double time like the news footage of the day.  My stomach was rumbling as I came upon a small cafe offering sandwiches and tea.  It was bland and not too fresh but it filled my belly.  There was only one other patron, a businessman reading a newspaper. Oddly, he was reading the "New York Times".  I leaned forward.