Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Eliza strode confidently down the halls of Scotland Yard, greeting each police officer as she made a beeline towards that one familiar office. When she reached his office, she neither knocked or announced herself, she barged right in. And she did just that, because she was Eliza Scarlet, and because she knew she could. And William Wellington was the one Detective Inspector who had to become very good at expecting the unexpected.
“William, I have an announcement. ” Eliza declared, as she held her hands high with dramatic effect.
William’s back was turned towards the door, as he stood analyzing a document in his hand. Oh how Eliza loved when she caught him with his back to her, jacket off and gun holster still intact.
“Eliza, that’s the third time today, what could you possibly have to announce this time?” He chuckled and turned around to face her. Oh how he loved to see her face after a day of pouring over dreadfully morbid statistics.
“Yes, well… those two other times I came just to update you about the Stratford case.”
“When you say ‘update’, you mean how you felt it necessary to retell your brilliant, successful resolution to the case…twice?”
“Yes.” She smiled and crossed her arms behind her back, a gesture she knew he could not resist.
He gladly set the document down on his desk. He walked over to her, taking his time. When he reached her, he brushed his thumb underneath her chin, and kissed her warmly on her cheek. Because he knew he could.
“Let me guess… is this about our wedding?”
“Actually no, but we do have much to discuss about preparations.” She playfully adjusted his necktie. To think in just one month, Eliza and William were to be wed.
“Ah, I see.”
“Let me start all over, ehem…” She cleared her throat and raised her hands in declaration, again.
“William, I’ve decided… I’m going to cook Christmas dinner!” She placed her hands on her hips, because she heard that stances such as this could elicit confidence in situations in which one felt very, very little confidence.
William’s face immediately drained of color, as his lovestruck expression suddenly lapsed into sheer terror. Clearly, he was concerned.
“Eliza, have I upset you?”
“What? No, I don’t think so.”
“Is this some sort of payback for that one time I laughed at you when you got stuck up that tree? I still don’t know why you climbed up there in the first place. But I did apologize afterwards.” He said as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“I was up there because there were critical clues for my case– that’s besides the point. And no it is not payback. Ivy just received news that her mother is gravely ill, and she needs to be by her side for fear of her turning in for the worst. She’s already left for Hackney, so that means I need to basically learn how to roast a turkey, whip up a chestnut stuffing, and bake my mother’s Christmas Cranberry Pudding in twenty-four hours… for our dinner party.” The gravity of the situation had not sunk in yet for her. Eliza was many things: cunning sleuth, avid crossword puzzle solver…but chef was not one of them.
“Oh. Well you know, we could just go out for Christmas dinner? Fellbrooke’s is one of the two restaurants open on Christmas Eve…” William avoided Eliza’s eyes.
“Absolutely not! I can do this, William. I have learned a recipe or two from Ivy recently. Remember that shepherd’s pie I cooked last week? I thought that turned out quite fine–”
“– It was burnt.” William interjected, looking down at his feet.
“Well… you call it ‘burnt’, I’d say it had a rather “smoky” flavor to it. Some people like that.” Eliza crossed her arms and smirked at William.
“So… you’re really going to do this?”
“Yes, I am.” Eliza tried to look the part of a ready and prepared chef, as she lifted her chin.
“Alright, then. I have faith that you… will do splendidly.” William cleared his throat, failing to hide the instability in his voice.
“Really? Because you look like you have as much faith as a guilty man on his way to the guillotine.” Eliza glared at William.
He inhaled sharply. “I’m sorry. Let me start again.” He smiled at her, and rubbed her arms in encouragement. “I have no doubt that you will be able to do this. Whatever you put your mind to, you always come out brilliantly.” Now, that was more “supportive fiancé”.
She beamed up at him. “Thank you. Now, I must run. I must go shopping for all of the ingredients.”
Just as she turned around to leave out the door, he pulled his jacket and bowler hat from the rack.
“Where are you going?” She raised an eyebrow.
“With you.”
“William, I said I can do this. I thought you just said you had faith that I can do so.”
“I know, but… it just so happens I am also headed in your direction. I have some errands to run as well.” He grinned. “Ready?”
She chuckled and shook her head.
~.~
London the day before Christmas Eve was quite a spectacle. The shops were lined with frosted windows, holly filled the shelves, and decorated Fraser fir trees greeted customers as they walked indoors. One could hear the melody of bells ringing and carolers singing, and the sound of little children’s laughter filling the air. There was an effervescent sense of joy bubbling above the surface, even the chimney sweeper had a little more skip to his step.
Eliza loved this time of year. She always looked forward to the energy of the city as there was a rush to gather items for a Christmas gathering and gifts to be bought. One particular shop, Partridge’s, always had the most darling snowglobes. When she was a child, she remembered spending her afternoons with her parents gazing up at the variety of snowglobes laid out throughout the shop. She missed them, and part of her heart would always echo that familiar, suspended emotion that only those who have grieved would truly know. But at the same time, Christmas meant a chance to reignite the joys she once felt, which became vivid once again as she stood outside Partridge’s that afternoon and peered through the snow lined windows.
For William, Christmas meant the scent of candied almonds from the village markets and the taste of freshly baked butter rolls in a kitchen far too small yet abundantly kind. What many people did not know about this Detective Inspector was that he was almost as in love with food as he was with a certain petite blonde that never failed to run rings around him. Food carried memories of a family he never had but of strangers turned friends at a boarding house years ago. He would never forget that winter years ago, having been convinced to step into the kitchen of Mrs. Antonelli and to spend hours learning the art of baking and patiently cooking a roast goose. He reminisced about this as he bought a bag of candied almonds from the market stand and walked up to Eliza.
“Very charming. You loved this store when you were young, didn’t you?” He asked her.
“I did, and it hasn’t changed a bit.” She peeled her face away from the window and pulled out an ingredient list from her pocket. “Right! So, first thing’s first– we need to order a turkey from the butcher.”
“Right down the road, best butcher in town– ol’ Jonathan. Let’s go.” William motioned through a mouthful of candied almonds. He really had a sweet tooth.
Eliza took his arm, as they set out on the mission to find the ingredients on Eliza’s lengthy list. She was dressed in her ruby colored Inverness coat, fleece lined and cascading down her back. Her navy blue felt bonnet was tied underneath her chin, and her hands were tucked into a fur hand muff. William’s dark gray wool coat swished in the cool air as he strode down the city street, with his plaid scarf effortlessly laid over his shoulder.
As they entered the busy butcher shop, the owner’s deep voice carried through to the back.
“Mrs. Peters, you’re just in luck! Last bird left!”
“Last bird?! Oh, no, no– sorry, excuse me.” Eliza made her way to the front counter, a look of panic on her face. “I will pay you double for that turkey, ma’am.” She pleaded with the lady.
“So sorry my dear, I really cannot. You should try Humphrey’s on the other side of town.” The lady turned her back and paid for her bird. Eliza watched her walk away, and sighed defeatedly.
“Jonathan, been a long time hasn’t it?” William held his hand out, as the butcher shook it with as much warmth as was depicted on his face. The two men laughed after recounting the last time they saw each other.
“Really, man– that cannot have been the last bird, eh?”
“I’ve got a few birds… alive in the back.” The butcher chuckled as he motioned behind him.
“Alive? ” Eliza cried in horror. Her shopping trip was already stressing her out.
“C’mon, man. It’s me.” William slapped the butcher’s arm. “My fiancé would be most grateful if you helped us out in this hour of need.”
“Fiancé? You’re jokin’! Finally getting hitched, are you?” The butcher smiled at William and Eliza. “What are you doing with this bloke?” He teased Eliza.
“Please, Mr. Jonathan. Is there really no bird in the back?… Dead, preferably.”
“Alright, alright, you know what. I’ll do you a solid. Wait here.” The butcher appeared a minute later with a heavy brown sack.
“Thank you.”
As they exited the shop, Eliza turned to William. “Well! That was a lucky one, wasn’t it? You’re quite the city mayor, William. You know just about everyone, don’t you? Wait… didn’t you have some errands to get done?”
“You know, I just realized... I actually got them done yesterday.” William winked.
“I thought I said I could do this without help, William.” Eliza raised her eyebrow, and pressed her lips, unable to hide her smile.
“I know you can. But since I’m here now…”
“Eliza! William!” A voice called from behind them. The voice belonged to Dr. Rose Harlowe, their dear friend and a bold as brass character from Brooklyn, New York. Eliza had met Rose at a women’s conference years ago and as two young headstrong women hell bent on paving their careers, they naturally connected. While Eliza spent her days chasing clues, Rose ran a research laboratory she had established with her late husband, focused on an emerging school of thought: experimental psychology. The ladies in London often described her as “shockingly blatant” and a woman of rather “loose morals”, while most men had to admit that she was both brazen and beautiful, and absolutely alluring. Not that it mattered what most of London thought, because to Eliza, Rose was her unapologetically confident, trusty best friend.
“Rose! So good to see you!”
“And what are you two doing coming out of the butchershop?” Rose asked.
“Well, did you know… Eliza’s cooking Christmas dinner.” William announced.
Rose threw her head back in laughter, smacking William’s arm as if joining in the comedy of the situation. “Oh, that’s a good one, William! You must really be in the Christmas spirit to be crackin’ out jokes…”
Eliza’s smile melted away, offended. “No actually, I am cooking Christmas dinner. Ivy’s mother is in poor health and she’ll be away indefinitely.”
“Oh…” Rose cleared her throat. She could not hide her disbelief, as well as anxiety. “You are?”
“Yes, I am.” Eliza huffed in irritation. William quickly looked at Rose, as they quickly exchanged a wide eyed expression.
“Well, that’s… exciting!” Rose said in a rather delayed recovery, smiling widely. “I cannot wait for the dinner party tomorrow night. I’m sure everything will be fine….Just in case though, I can bring a sweet potato pie, croquettes, and… hell, while I’m at it– even a ham!”
“ Rose! I said I’ll be cooking, do not trouble yourself.” Eliza rolled her eyes. William mouthed “please do” to Rose, in desperation.
Just then, Eliza recognized a familiar face amongst the crowd gathering at the street market.
“Rupert?!” They all turned to see Rupert Parker walking towards them, a bright smile on his face. He was accompanied by his wife, Tilly Parker. Rupert had moved to Germany, his wife’s home country, to settle into married life two years ago. Eliza and Rupert missed each other dearly, having developed a close friendship after Eliza decided to inherit her late father’s detective business. She would never forget how Rupert had been her first investor, and perhaps, it was not just her business he had seemingly invested in, but to an invaluable friendship that would surpass time and distance.
“Well, isn’t this a surprise! Seeing all of you here!” Rupert joyously greeted everyone. It had been several months since he and Tilly had last been in town, and it was evident by his embraces and the group’s spirited conversation, how much he was sorely missed in London.
“What brings you to town? I thought you mentioned in your last letter you would be spending Christmas in Germany?” Eliza asked.
“Well we did! But then Tilly’s family decided to spend the holiday abroad. So we thought how funny would it be if we surprised my mother and Hattie here in London. But then, when we arrived, we found out mother had left yesterday to Paris to see her sister, so… it’s a whole thing.” Rupert chuckled and shook his head. “Well, long story short, here we are!” Tilly did not seem amused, as she did not enjoy the rush of London.
“Oh, you must come to Christmas dinner at my house then!” Eliza said with excitement.
“Splendid, we would love to! Wouldn’t we?” Rupert smiled at Tilly. In her notorious lack of subtlety, she half smiled. Apparently, she did not forget how Eliza had convinced Rupert to refuse her marriage proposal, initially.
“Wonderful, and I’ll be cooking Christmas dinner, by the way.” Eliza said.
Rupert and Tilly’s eyes widened, mouths slightly agape. “Sorry… you’re cooking Christmas dinner?” Rupert looked at William, who nodded, with concern.
“Why does everyone look terrified when I announce that I’m cooking dinner?” Eliza crossed her arms.
“Because you cannot cook.” Tilly blurted out, or perhaps did so with intention. She smirked.
“I think she means that you may not be as experienced as… most people in this area. Although you certainly do try, which is great! Erm…” This was Rupert’s flaccid attempt at a save.
Eliza sighed.
“You know what, we’ll bring our cook’s famous potato au gratin… oh! And a ham!” Rupert expressed his bright idea with enthusiastic hands. Eliza was not amused.
“Oh! Wonderful, we’ll have two hams then! The more the better… just in case, right?” Rose winked at him, and he winked back. “Rupert dear, I will be the bartender for the night… shall I make your favorite drink again– Sherry Cobbler?”
Rupert laughed out loud, and playfully tapped Rose’s arm with his hand. Rose and Rupert lost count of all of the parties that they ended up marvelously drunk, thanks to that infamous drink. “Oh, you fox! You’re terrible, you know. Yes, please do.” They all laughed, except Tilly of course.
They all eventually parted and continued on their respective paths. Eliza and William continued their search for ingredients on the list. William looked down at the number of items on the list, and questioned Eliza with a look.
“Everything will be fine, William. I can just feel it.” Eliza said to William. “Even if everyone doesn’t think so…” She muttered to herself.