Siegfried/Audrey if you squint and take the leap with me
Siegfried is met with an uncomfortable silence upon his return home.
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The air of unfamiliar silence hung heavy as Siegfried opened the back door. Mrs. Hall was not in the kitchen, the dogs not in their baskets. James mustβve been on an emergency call, as there was no sound of work being done in one of the small examination rooms. Helen was at Heston Grange, he knew, having run her there himself that morning.
The less thought given to the enormous silence left in Trisβs absence, the better.
βMrs. Hall?β he called, tentative. A half-sliced loaf of bread sat on the table, suggesting that she had been called away in a hurry. Never a good sign in this time of war. βMrs. Hall?β he called again, toeing off his muddy Wellies.
There was no answer, not even a woof from Dash or the pad of Jessβs paws as she came through the house to greet him. And the air remained still and laden with something unfamiliar and unwelcome against the brisk and bright spring outside.
βJess?β he tried, hoping that would get more of an answer. And it did, as the forementioned golden walked slowly from the dining room, her tail lower than usual, her bright eyes a bit sad. She greeted him with a slow wag of her tail, an impatient nudge with a cold wet nose against his hand. βWhere is everyone, girl?β
Jess, clever and observant, seemed to understand his question and turned back towards the dining room, looking back to make sure he followed. He followed, a bit hesitant, not knowing what he might find there. The source of the unease in the home.
Mrs. Hall was sitting at the table, Dash next to her with his head in her lap. She barely acknowledged his comforting presence, her mind elsewhere. It was then that Siegfried noticed the open telegram on the table in front of her. A telegram that could only bring bad news. About her son.
βOhβ¦β he sighed, unable to stop himself. Mrs. Hall turned towards him, clearly surprised to see him standing there. Her eyes were dry, no sign of the tears heβd have expected, but her expression was one he had never seen before.
βMr. Farnon, Iβ¦β her voice was rough, more from disuse than crying. He wondered how long she had sat in silence at their table. She looked back at the telegram and at him, though he could see words failed her.
βIβm so sorry, my dear,β he said softly, as though speaking to River or another scared animal. βIs it Edward?β He came to her side at the table, not wanting to read her sad news before she was able to tell him herself.
βRobert.β She looked at Siegfried and back at her telegram. βHeβs died.β She handed the telegram to him, but didnβt meet his glance even as their fingers gently brushed. βHe were in hospital. Died last month.β
Siegfried scanned the telegram, brief and impersonal. Robert Hall died of pneumonia in hospital in Scarborough. The solicitors had been unable to contact her until now. Only the deceasedβs personal effects to collect, she should contact if she would like to claim them. Buried in a pauperβs grave, an identification number and row given should she like to pay her respects.
βHe were a good man,β she murmured, her voice soft and tired. She looked up at him with soft blue eyes.
βYou donβt need to defend him to me, Mrs. Hall.β He put down the telegram, found that his hand had been snatched by hers, her grip strong and searching.
βBut that were before,β she said with a sigh. βThat were before.β
15 cups of tea, one box of biscuits, two hot chocolates, one minor nervous breakdown and 6 hours of fireplace videos later, I'm finally done. And happy. Animated version will hopefully follow tomorrow.
Audrey Hall in every episode 2/35 "Another Farnon"
This episode is something else, again! You immediately know that Audrey is a mother figure for Tristan. She calls him "my boy" a few times, he listens to her while he seems to completely ignore what Siegfried tells him. It is also interesting to see how much of a fifth wheel James is in this episode. He is often seen observing the close bond and inside jokes and mannerisms between Siegfried, Audrey and Tristan. Wondering how on earth he is going to fit in now. Then there is of course the insane amount of banter between Audrey and Siegfried. Her sarky remarks are accepted almost throughout the episode with one or two exceptions "Sarcasm doesn't suit a woman of your religiosity." But that does not stop her. Nor does it really bother Siegfried.
