(Untitled)

[never_atone]

Working in the kitchen, Briony had found after only a few days service therein, was far better than working in the clinic. For one thing, the kitchen actually needed her assistance and her skills, for it was used much more often than the clinic. For another, the worst Briony needed to face here was some troublesome red sauce or the remnants of

Comments

[so_near_an_end]

Robbie and Cecilia were not so easily swayed to rise from their bed in the morning, preferring instead to laze about as sun filtered in through slots in the shuttered window, wrapped up in the sheets and one another. Though they would have been well content to stay together as such for all hours of the day, they knew it was not for the best. Various tasks needed accomplished and the body's craving for nourishment were ultimately the catalysts for their departure from the small comforts of their bed this morning

[iwillresume]

"No, I'm not," said Robbie, an innocent but teasing look on his face. "I'm perfectly serious. You can see for yourself later, if you--"

His voice immediately dropped into silence when he saw who was standing at the sink. The bemused teasing expression vanished from his face, replaced by something hard and frozen as suddenly as a door slamming shut. After a few heartbeats' pause he forced his voice into operation, flat and cold. "We'll come back later," he said to Cecilia, his hand locked hard around hers, but his eyes were on Briony.

[never_atone]

Her heart leaped into her throat and her mouth hung open, and for a few horrible moments Briony feared that this meeting would go just as miserably as the last. A history of vile misunderstandings forged a chasm between her and them, and every attempt to bridge it would only end in more misery.

But, without her approval or consideration, words flew from her lips, desperately quick in fear of their departure. "If I could only vanish from this place and leave you two to your happiness, I would in an instant," she said. "I love you both so dearly and I'm so ashamed of what I've done even with the best of intentions."

Startled, Briony stepped back, only to meet the damp counter with her back, and her hand flew upwards to cover her mouth. What was she saying? It was true, of course, but such things were better left unsaid. Cee had shown her so much.

[so_near_an_end]

Cecilia did not notice anything was amiss until Robbie stopped speaking, his voice abruptly cutting off. Puzzled, Cecilia tipped her head to better study his face. She felt ill at ease with the tension there, as well as the sudden tension in his hand against hers.

When he spoke again, Cecilia followed his gaze and her stomach began to twist upon itself violently. Stiffly, Cecilia nodded in accordance with Robbie's pronouncement. Fully prepared to turn and leave, Cecilia found herself pausing unexpectedly, Briony's babbling ensnaring her, keeping her tethered.

Oh, but Briony was quite the stage actress now, wasn't she? What with the hand pressed so tragically upon lips that would likely be quivering when fingers were removed at just the right dramatic moment. Incensed, Cecilia squeezed Robbie's hand as though to release some of her building ire. "Do you find us foolish, Briony? Do you actually believe we want to hear any of this?"