Gentle Sun

Catherine? Catherine!

...Clara? It's so early... did you need something?

*sigh* You're always so busy. I was worried I wouldn't find you at home... and I wouldn't have, if I didn't come so early.

Not that busy. I'm retired. I'm just going out to buy food for the week.

How about you? How's your mutual aid association going?

Well, that is what I came for...

Do you think you could... help me?

Can I come with you to the grocer? It won't take long.

Alright, come and help me pick a new detergent. The one I'm using right now leaves behind too much limescale.

You're still using Old Hank's? They changed their formula. It's cheaper, but nowhere as effective as it used to be...

We can talk about this once we're at the shop. What's this about the mutual aid association? What do you need me for?

Well... you know that we are all from single-parent families, and we help babysit each other's children.

It started out as a bunch of people sharing their schedules, so that they could leave their kids with someone when they have long shifts or a night shift.

That's how we've been getting by for all these years...

I know. It's been quite a few years. I'm amazed at how you've kept it going, and taking care of all those kids.

*sigh* The mutual aid association helped a lot with John. I was just returning the favor...

But... there are a lot more single-parent families after the war.

The association has to take care of a lot more kids. Nobody's home could fit them all, if we still did things the old way.

Some houses don't even have enough chairs, never mind desks for them to do their homework.

So we were thinking about pooling our resources to rent a bigger place.

Do you have enough money?

*sigh* We have more people, after all. We can come up with a fair amount when everyone chips in a little...

But... well... Ian and I were looking for a place together, but we... we had a fight.

He hasn't showed up at the association for four days...

Just let it go, Ian... there's nothing we can do if he doesn't want to rent.

We'll keep looking...

That bloody jerk! It's just a cafeteria warehouse! I asked around and I know for a fact his factory's not operating. What kind of 'other uses' could he have?

We may not have signed a contract yet, but we already paid our deposit...

How could he just go back on his word like that?

He did give us our deposit back...

That's what I'm angry about. He just threw the bag of money at you without so much as an apology. The way he looked down at us...

He was the one who broke his word. No explanation, not even so much as a polite word.

He thinks we're people he can just walk over, doesn't he?

...Do you think he's trying to drive up the price?

I don't think so. He would have said something if that was the case, wouldn't he?

I bet he wanted us to ask. Whoever asks first is at a disadvantage. That's how it is with bargaining.

*sigh* You really wanted this place, didn't you?

Of course I did. After all, you...

...Never mind. What I mean is, it's the right size and location. It took us such a long time to find it, and to get a deal done...

It's his place, and he gets to make the decisions... we have to accept that, Ian.

...

Why do you keep defending that guy? Aren't we supposed to be on the same side?

O-Of course we are, but there's nothing we can do about it...

What are two old folks like us supposed to do about it? If you keep whining, it'll just make me feel worse.

...

Alright, sorry, I didn't mean to upset you.

See you around.

...Ian hasn't shown up at the association since.

I... I shouldn't have said what I said. Ian was just standing up for me...

I'm just too meek... I didn't dare to speak up against the factory owner. All I did was sigh and lament. Of course he would be angry.

Ian sometimes looks hesitant when he's talking to me. Has he been tired of my attitude for a long time?

Why couldn't I be like you...

...You don't need to be like me, Clara. Lindy wouldn't have been so angry with me if I had half your gentleness.

At least, she would have been happier. I think.

...

See, there comes a time for everyone when they're not happy with themselves.

Catherine...

But that's enough for that. So, do you want me to help you take care of this matter?

No, I just...

Can you come with me to meet with the factory owner again... and have my back?

Ian was right. If he wanted to haggle, well, we can talk about it. At least he wouldn't demand an exorbitant price if he sees you...

Every factory owner in Highbury knows you, after all.

If I can get the deal done, then I can apologize to Ian...

How do you plan to pay for the extra expense?

I... I can pay it out of my own pocket, if it's not too much...

I-Is that alright? I hope I'm not troubling you too much...

Of course I'll help. And don't ever talk about troubling me. No need to treat me as a war hero. I'm just the same Catherine you've known for so long, the one who couldn't knit a sweater to save her life.

Let's see what's going on.

What are you doing here? I gave you back your deposit. I don't owe you a pence now.

What... what if we're willing to pay more for the rent?

Do you think you could, er, think about it...

Do I look like I'm after that little bit of rent you're paying?

...

Wh-What's your price? We can talk about it...

Are you deaf, grandma?

If I'm not renting, I'm not renting. I'm being nice because of your age. You should be grateful.

You call that being nice?

What's that, another grandm—wait, y-you're that war hero?

I'm Catherine Fletcher.

...Fine. What do you want?

I'm not planning to reopen the factory. No workers for you to rally. There's nothing you can do to me.

Besides, this is my property, and I get to decide what to do with it. I didn't even sign a contract with her. She's not a tenant, and there's no law that can do anything about it.

I'm showing plenty of good faith by giving her back the deposit.

First, explain what you mean when you say you're not planning to reopen the factory.

Oh, where's this going? That 'social responsibility' stuff?

Me and my rotten luck. No good deed ever goes unpunished in this city.

Sounds like you have a lot on your hands. Maybe we can find some common ground, in which case I might be able to help.

...Why do you want to help me?

Why shouldn't I, if helping you helps the workers?

Alright, at least you're not one of those bucket-heads who only know how to yell.

But don't bother.

You want to talk social responsibility, come back later and talk to the Columbians.

You sold the factory to the Columbians?

Not the whole factory, just the buildings. The factory is bankrupt.

Just because we won the war doesn't mean people like me got access to any loans.

If you can sell the buildings, you can put it up for collateral. I know a thing or two about these things.

No, you don't. If the Columbians didn't buy my buildings, they would buy somebody else's. At the prices they set, I wouldn't even be able to pay the interest if I tried to compete with them.

I hung in there for two years... I was happy when we won the war. I thought I had made it.

I could have hung on for a few more months... or so I thought. But then the Columbians came, and I didn't need to anymore.

Unless you thought I could hire workers at half-wage, 'leader of the workers'?

No. Parliament wouldn't allow it.

Thanks to that Minimum Wage Bill that you people passed in Parliament...

For you, going bankrupt means selling your factory for a nice little sum that would let you live comfortably in retirement at your country manor.

Do you know what it means for the workers if their wages get slashed in half?

...

I do, whether you believe it or not.

I failed because I knew these things.

Or you were just unlucky.

The workers need not, and cannot, take responsibility for your bad luck.

...I hate talking to people like you.

I don't hate talking to you. You're hardly the worst person I've met.

I hope luck will favor the people of this city.

I asked Clara what price you set. Like you said, you didn't rent her the warehouse for the money.

...It's not like I didn't want to do some good. If heaven would let me.

But heaven didn't show as much kindness to me as I tried to show others.

Bah, forget it. Why am I even telling you this.

Anyway, the warehouse's sold. You heard me? Don't come back.

'It's not that I don't want to help, I just can't help anymore.' Is that what you think?

If that's really the case, maybe you can hear me out. There's still a way for you to gain some appreciation, if you're up for it.

I'm done over here, Catherine!

What? No way you worked faster than me—

You bet I did! I want my pint of beer.

Good work, folks. Drinks are on me.

No! We had a bet. He owes me one, even if you're buying.

This round's still on me. You can collect from him later.

Please, allow me. Come over to my place afterwards, Bernie, Galvin and Catherine, and let me play host.

No need to be so polite, Clara. It's just a little prefab, easily done.

Yeah, spend that money on food for the kids, not beer for Bernie.

I'll let you settle that bet by turning the beer you owe me to bread for Clara.

But you've helped so much...

They're on the night shift today, Clara. They can't come.

Oh... alright. Another day, then.

What about you, Catherine? You have the time, don't you? This could never have happened without you...

I couldn't have imagined that the factory owner was a good man... I hardly dared breathe when the two of you were talking the other day.

Good man, huh... I suppose.

You won't find an empty plot of land in Highbury, outside of scattered spaces on factory premises. Fortunately, all he sold were the buildings, not the land.

Will we be alright when the Columbians come?

No problem. I had a look at the place that day. There wasn't much use for this little corner anyway, other than storing some junk.

We'll patch up that brick wall later so that it'll be separated from the factory area.

Besides, we have a proper lease signed this time. Today's Londinium has some rules, at least. There's nothing to be afraid of.

It's all thanks to you, Catherine...

All I've done is help out for a couple of days. It's nothing compared to how you've been taking care of the kids for so long.

It's not like I'm good for much else at my age... it's not so much that I'm taking care of the kids as the kids are keeping me company.

Oh dear, look at me, being pessimistic again. You're not offended, are you?

No, I'm not. I know that's the kind of person you are. Whatever you think about yourself, Clara, I think you're amazing.

...

Are you thinking about Ian? Unhappy that he's cross with you?

...Maybe. I can tell that sometimes when he looked at me, there's something he wanted to say, but couldn't say out loud.

If you can tell what he's thinking, he can tell what you're thinking. Perhaps he has his own considerations.

That day... I was quite sure there was something he wanted to say to me, but he never actually said it. Then he just got angry with me for days. What was I supposed to do...

I know, I shouldn't have said that he made me feel worse...

I want to invite everyone from the association to gather once I've cleaned up the place... do you think Ian will come?

Don't ask me. Ask him.

Can I plant something here, Clara? My teacher wants us to observe how seeds sprout. I brought the peas and cans!

Don't tell me you're trying to make canned peas sprout.

Don't be silly! I'm not stupid. My dad bought fresh peas from the grocery store!

Can I plant them, Clara? Can I?

Of course, darling. There's some dirt piled up over there that you can use.

Do you take care of all these children by yourself?

There aren't so many usually. They came because of the gathering...

I'm not by myself. The others take turns to come over and help. I don't have to go to work, so I have more time.

Ian's retired too. He can help you.

...

Is he not here?

...I went to his place a couple of days ago to tell him about the gathering, but he wasn't at home.

I left a message with his neighbor, but...

Is he avoiding me?

...Have you ever thought about talking to him, Clara?

Talk... about what?

Forming a family, the two of you.

—!

Wh-What are you talking about?

I'm not saying you have to form a family, but at least let him know that you like him. Don't keep everything in your heart.

C-Catherine, I... I... you...

Did you think I couldn't tell?

But... at my age...

What good is there in hiding it? What do you have to lose by saying it?

But people don't talk about these things at this age...

What about 'this age'? It's not like your brain's stop working, or your heart's stop beating. You like being with him, care about him, and look all sullen when you don't see him. It's obvious, isn't it?

People will gossip so much...

And what about it? All the things that you and Ian have done at the association, what kind of person you are, it's there for everyone to see.

Taking care of children is a good thing. This is different. It's so... shameful...

...

I, I don't mean to say you're wrong, Catherine. I'm just... I'm talking about myself...

Are you saying that you're being 'shameful'?

I know you. You always treat people sincerely, as you treat Ian.

There's nothing shameful about being sincere.

I know we're at 'this age', but all the more reason to go for what you want, while you can.

How much time do we have left? What is there to worry about?

But... he's still angry with me... what do I do...

You know what kind of man Ian is, don't you? Kind, gentle soul, just like you. Did you really think he would stay angry with you?

Even if it's not today...

Oh, look who's here.

*huff*... *huff*...

Ian!

You... you came?

Why are you in such a hurry...

Baldi didn't tell me until this morning! He was grinning from ear to ear, saying, 'I almost forgot! Clara came to look for you again...'

That bloody bastard!

I thought you were angry with me...

I... yes, I was a little angry that day.

I... never mind.

Don't 'never mind'. Clara gets anxious when you swallow your words like that, like she's been these few days.

...

I... I wanted to have the association here because... because Clara is the one who cares for the children the most.

The other places were all too far from her home...

How much time would it take for her to go back and forth with her bad legs? What if she has an accident?

I... I was concerned for her, only to be told that I was being upsetting...

I was a little hurt.

Oh... Ian...

I'm so sorry, Ian! You know I always say the wrong things... I didn't really mean it...

I know. I stopped being angry the next day.

Then why didn't you come to the association?

...I was out all day these few days, trying to come up with the money and see if I could negotiate with the factory owner...

Then I learned from Baldi this morning that you and Catherine had taken care of it!

He didn't dare play games when he saw Catherine, did he?

Depends on how you define 'playing games'.

By the way, I think Clara has something to say to you.

Oh...

Clara...?

...Ian.

Catherine said to me... no, Catherine didn't put me to this. I wanted to say it myself...

Ian... what do you say that we... got together?

We... what?

See, you've helped me so much, and I think... I think you're really nice. What do you think about me... about you and me?

Clara... good heavens...

How... how could I have made you say it... I've always... I know that you... you would have minded...

I... heavens, Clara, I never thought... never thought you would...

O-Of course! I think you're really fine, really!