Charlotte woke up a bit later the next day. She'd stayed at the bar until midnight when she had left with Mary who was anxious to send the babysitter home (even though they'd been warned it would be a late night). She'd really enjoyed performing. The crowd had been fantastic and there was a really good atmosphere. But it had also been a bit... strange. Not only her conversation with Sidney which had given her a lot to think about, but she'd also met some interesting people. Like Esther who was working behind the bar who was rather abrupt and sarcastic, although she seemed nice enough, and her brother Edward, who she was sure had been hitting on her, but he was drunk and as a result his efforts were pretty pitiful.
Charlotte hauled herself out of bed and headed to the bathroom for a shower. She let the water wash over her as she prepared herself to leave Sanditon today. She'd not checked train times yet and if she was honest, she was putting it off. She wondered if Mary and Tom would mind if she caught a later train... Thinking about going home also brought Sidney's words back to her again. At first, Charlotte had been a bit offended by his remark, but looking back everything he had said was... well, nice, but at the same time, it was frustrating. It was all very well Sidney saying that she needed to figure out what she wanted, but she had been trying to do that for months! And what was this about writing songs to help her discover herself? Charlotte had written a few songs before, but going home meant very little privacy. How was she supposed to find the space to write songs as well as her dissertation when she'd be living with a houseful of people?
After her shower, Charlotte got dressed and made her way out into the hallway. She poked her head into the sitting room where she saw the Parker children and Sidney sat on the sofa watching TV. All of them, including Sidney, were still in their pyjamas and it was a pretty adorable sight, particularly as James was sat on Sidney's knee and kept trying to play with his nose. Sidney looked up when he heard her enter.
"Morning." He said his croaky morning voice which was surprisingly sexy.
"Hi. What time did you get in?" Charlotte asked.
"Around 1am."
She walked in a took a seat in an armchair. "What are you watching?"
"Cars 2. It's Henry's favourite movie." Sidney said.
"Is this also a Parker tradition then? Sunday morning movies in your pyjamas?"
"Only when it's been a late night the night before." He replied with a yawn. "Mary's set out some breakfast things on the table if you want to help yourself?"
"Where are Mary and Tom?"
"Mary's in the shower. Tom's still asleep." Sidney answered.
"Right. I might grab a coffee. Do you want anything?"
"Sure – I'll come with you." Sidney got up out of the sofa, taking James with him, the other children barely noticing him leaving as they were so transfixed with film.
"Are you heading back today?" Charlotte asked him as they made their way into the hallway.
"Yes. I'm catching a train at 4.30."
"I haven't checked train times yet. Perhaps I'll get the same one." Charlotte mused, her heart sinking at the thought of leaving.
Sidney shrugged. "If you like."
Sidney sat James in his highchair and gave him some toast.
"I googled you by the way." Sidney said, to initiate conversation.
"Oh yes? And what did you find?" Charlotte asked.
"Your paper on Rawls' Theory of Justice."
"Huh. I'd forgotten about that."
YOU ARE READING
Sanditon Melodies
FanfictionSidney's train to Sanditon is delayed, and when it finally arrives, he is annoyed to find his reserved seat occupied. Who is this girl that has stolen his seat? And what is it about her that he finds so intriguing? Can he open himself up to the poss...
