Chapter Text
Siegfried couldn’t get his mind out of it. He had seen the look on Audrey’s face when he had been with Dorothy. He never thought that there was even the slightest chance that Audrey shared his feelings. He knew that Audrey had seen the expression on his face when she saw them. The situation was a mess. There was no chance he could lose her again.
He knew very well when he fell for his beloved Mrs. Hall. It was the exact second he first laid eyes on Audrey – his Audrey. He couldn’t believe the sight before him on the day she arrived at Skeldale house. What caught his eye was her perfectly kind face. He loved how smart and witty she was. There were times he had to leave the room because he just couldn’t take it anymore. Couldn’t take her anymore, without surrendering to her. Without the urge to kiss her with everything he got. What he wanted was to hold her and kiss all her pain and past away. What once was, doesn’t matter anymore. The only moment that truly counts is this moment. Except that he would have to deal with Dorothy afterwards.
Audrey sat on her bed, all frightened by what she felt when she saw Siegfried with Dorothy. Surely, she had had warm feelings for him for years, but she didn’t expect how deep the affection for Siegfried Farnon was all of a sudden. It came to her like tidal wave. She sat on her bed, trying to make sense of her feelings.
She really wasn’t sure at which point in their relationship she had fallen in love with him. He’s got divinely good looks with his light orange, light curled hair and beard with just a little gray-coloured strands of hair here and there. She knew very well that he had the skill to drive her on the edge of madness but at the same time he was the gentlest and most caring man on earth. But his temper was what she loved the most. He was so silly when he wasn’t in complete control of his own feelings and she knew very well that she was the only woman in this world to balance his intense character. He feels every single emotion to its fullest and is so overwhelmed by them and that is when he sweeps her off her knees. She thought that she sort of grew to love him.
Neither of them blinked an eye on that night and they both knew that tomorrow would be a battle for both of them knowing how they felt about each other.
There was a wintery morning light coming from the kitchen windows. Audrey had paid special attention to her appearance that morning. Her hair was in a practical bun behind her head, and she was happy that her prettiest pinny was clean and ironed that morning. It had some ruffles on the narrow sleeves, and it was navy blue which made her eyes bright like crystals.
Siegfried came down the stairs hearing the whistle of the kettle. He loved to wake up hearing Audrey doing her daily chores. It calmed him to know that every morning was the same. It brought sort of comfort to him, when he knew that every morning started the same way.
Siegfried walked to the kitchen humming and almost melted when he saw Audrey. Is it possible that she knew which one of her pinnies was his favorite? Damn he loved that shade of blue on her. He drank Audrey with his eyes. He was about to lose himself for those piercing blue eyes of hers. He had thought it all through at night when he couldn’t sleep. He decided to be happy and relieved that Audrey might have shared his feelings. He had sort of made peace with himself.
Audrey noticed him looking at her.
“Someone’s in a good mood this morning.” She said referring to his humming.
“Ah, good morning, Mrs. Hall. What a beautiful morning…” when I can share it with you my dear, he thought to himself.
He sat at his usual place, at the end of the table. The newspaper was waiting untouched before him. Unlike other mornings, he made no move to open it. Instead, he was watching Audrey’s every move when she did her daily chores.
Audrey sensed that he was checking on her and suddenly she became aware of herself. She was at the stove checking the teapot when she accidentally and inadvertently burned her hand on the pot.
“Oh –!” She flinched, drawing back.
“What is it Mrs. Hall? Let me see.” Siegfried was on his feet at once, taking her hand without hesitation. “Let’s put it under the cold water,” he said and guided her to the sink still holding her hand.
“Does it hurt?”
“Yes… a bit.”
He held her hand beneath the running water, his thumb brushing lightly over her palm as if to assess the damage – though the touch lingered longer than necessary. “Now, this should help. Does it feel any better?”
“Yes, I think so.”
Siegfried turned off the tap and reached for a cloth drying her hand carefully, never letting go.
“Now, looks better.”
“Thank you, Mr. Farnon. It feels better.”
They stood there for a moment when Audrey cleared her throat softly, “ehm… you can let go now.”
It took Siegfried a moment to choose the right words.
“If it doesn’t trouble you… I’d rather not.”
She lifted her head to meet his eyes, “right. Umm… It doesn’t trouble me.”
“Good… Then.”
And still, neither of them moved.