[Open post] pieces of your presence here

[umpteenthdream]

It's one of those late mornings - Helen's been up since dawn, feeling that slow quietness that comes with nostalgia. Her son got married - he and Bridget give her joy, but that has also set her to remembering her own marriage

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[invsbl_eyebrows]

These two need to meet. Tom's heard about her. From Muraki, if the typist remembers correctly, when the two of them were discussing the shortage of Australians at the Mansion.

Tom's heading into the kitchen, looking for something to eat. He wasn't expecting to run into anybody, but when he does, he greets her, friendly as always. "Hi."

[umpteenthdream]

M2 is a mum before she's many other things - and though this one's not her son (her married son, she has to remind herself), something about Tom's meek ways reminds her of him.

"And to you," she replies kindly. "Would you like some biscotti? It's just fresh made, and cooling off..."

[invsbl_eyebrows]

"Er," Tom says. "Sure. I was just looking for something to eat."

He doesn't really know what biscotti is, actually, but he's too embarrassed to admit that.

[umpteenthdream]

"Have you had breakfast yet? There's coffee and biscotti, if you like..." Helen is more than happy to share.

[invsbl_eyebrows]

"I already had breakfast," Tom says. "I just got hungry again."

[umpteenthdream]

That makes Helen look at her watch. "Oh my," she says, surprised by the time she's reading, "it is close to lunch, isn't it..."

[invsbl_eyebrows]

"Yeah," Tom says, and grins. "So I guess that makes this brunch."

[umpteenthdream]

"How very American of you," she replies, amused. "Well, I suppose I could put something together..."

Helen is already looking into the pantry, thinking up a menu.

[invsbl_eyebrows]

"What are you going to make?" he asks. "I'm Tom, by the way."

[umpteenthdream]

Helen grins a little, and as she starts foraging into the icebox, she says, "Helen Curtis."

She doesn't answer the question right away, but then she looks pleased.

"Ah. Wraps."

[invsbl_eyebrows]

Her name gets a reaction from Tom. He perks up a little, excited, but trying not to seem too excited so he won't look like a dork.

"No way," he says. "You're Helen Curtis? Are you really from Australia?"

Muraki's mentioned her to him.

[umpteenthdream]

Blink blink.

"Yes, to both," Helen replies. "-- why are you suddenly acting as though you've met the Queen of England?"

[invsbl_eyebrows]

Tom blushes bright red. "Muraki mentioned you," he says. "I, um, don't meet many other Australians here."

[umpteenthdream]

Ah, of course.

Oh dear.

"I am pleased that he did," Helen replies. "Though if you felt lonely for home, you should have sought me out earlier, sweetheart." Her smile is a touch motherly. "Whereabouts do you come from?"

[invsbl_eyebrows]

"Sydney," Tom says. "I used to live in Newtown."

[umpteenthdream]

Helen smiles, tilting her head a little.

"I'd only been once, when I was a college student," she replies. "I have a very vivid memory of a traffic jam, that was forgotten as soon as we were able to eat the best jambalaya I've ever tasted."

She tilts her head, curious, "were your parents artists themselves?"