Who: Martine What: Cygnet's been given a very special mission When: A few days after Ben and Attie threw caution and logic to the wind Where: Making her way home from Green Park Status: Open
Martine had been surprised when her latest "call" in Dr. Ferguson's window led, not to a delivery - since they'd got to know each other, even briefly, the doctor had insisted she no longer climb in and out of skips to collect the parcels - but to a personal request.
Dr. Ferguson had actually wanted her to pass it on to Picasso since he felt - rightly - that he would have far more contacts around the City than she did. However, this was one instance where she could help him with no problems. It was, after all, a jeweller who helped her sort out her "escape" from home, and he did keep in irregular contact with her to check on her health and wellbeing, so she instantly thought of him. Plus, she trusted him with Dr. Ferguson's money and property.
Mission accomplished - and after reassuring Finn that the ring wasn't for her, much to his frustration at a thwarted celebration - she headed back for home. Dr. Ferguson had told her that he was going to see Aidan and tell him the news once he'd seen her, and she wondered whether the two were still together. She pondered heading in that direction, but she realised she really wasn't in the mood. Home it was, then.
It wasn't that she expected - or even hoped for, really - marriage from Noah. It really wasn't. The fact that they were together was genuinely enough for her, even if her feelings for him had progressed somewhat since he'd been shot... God, how long ago was that now? They'd spent less and less time apart since the event, and she'd assumed without words that his feelings for her had deepened as well. She still firmly believed that since... well, they'd just got closer was the plain truth.
But he'd now been gone for ages. She had no idea where - she never did, and it was safer that way for both of them, so she didn't complain TOO much to herself. But with him still gone, and with Aidan now ensconced in his new home/office/workshop - Jesus, her home was big. Of course, it wasn't - in fact it was minuscule compared to where she'd lived all her life prior to her "escape" - but now, with her there on her own again... well, she just hoped he'd be back for her birthday - that gave him plenty of time.
She found herself wanting her father. Not so seriously that she'd ever go and find him, naturally. But she'd always been a Daddy's Girl and the fact that he was working for and financing the Candidacy made no difference to the fact that she'd always loved him deeply.
She felt in her pocket - Dr. Ferguson had given her extra money for her trouble and insisted she take it. Perhaps she could find something a little out of her ordinary diet on her way home. God knew she treated herself little enough. She wasn't quite hoping for venison or lobster... but some fresh fruit would be more than a welcome treat. And ice cream. Ice cream had long been a comfort food going back into history. There was no reason now to doubt its efficacy.
For the first time since Dr. Ferguson had left her earlier that morning, Martine smiled.