Reception

[fiery_ring]

The reception takes place in the Big Top, which is more than large enough to accommodate the crowd. Outside, a large hog roast is taking place, with food and drinks aplenty.

It's a good time for Carlotta to catch up with her friends from school, most of whom she hasn't seen since the start of the war. A few of them have married in that time and brought husbands, some are in work or still at university. A petite, pretty woman, Alison, has brought a daughter of about two; finally a distraction from an incessant need to worry what her hair looks like. A tall, strapping woman, Mirabel, is sporting a burn scar on her face; rumour has it, she has been serving in combat.

The circus folk mingle among the guests, bringing food and occasionally breaking out into acrobatics. At the front of the tent, Fred the Bouncer sits with Wolf, his large guard dog.

Comments

Re: Action!

[fiery_ring]

"There's blood groups." Will says. "Mine's A positive, I know from the army."

Re: Action!

[ostro_goth]

"And if the child has the same, it is much more likely that you are his father?" Teja says. "But on the other hand, it might be because Fern is your cousin to begin with?"

Re: Action!

[fiery_ring]

"Depends what Fern's blood group is." Will agrees.

He looks back towards the door of the tent, where Little William is still bawling and trying to claw his way out of Fern's grip.

Re: Action!

[ostro_goth]

"Whatever it may be," Teja says, "it is clear the child does not wish to be with her."

Re: Action!

[fiery_ring]

"Fern!" Will moves over. "Look, whoever takes custody of Little William, this isn't the time. We're not going anywhere, let him go to my parents' tonight and tomorrow we'll do this calmly."

"You think you're so damn clever." Fern snaps.

"You can either drop the kidnapping charge, or admit I'm not the father." Will says.

"Well that's highly inconvenient, since you are the father." Fern snaps. "I can't believe you thought he could be brought up with these... these scum!"

"We're not the ones causing a scene at a wedding." Fred points out, holding his large wolfhound back.

Re: Action!

[ostro_goth]

"If you call these people scum," Teja adds, "it is like a piece of charcoal calling the freshly scoured copper kettle black. Are you not a black marketeer?"

Criminal, in other words, which is surely worse than mere 'scum'.

Re: Action!

[fiery_ring]

"The charges were dropped." Fern says. "On the grounds that I was coerced into doing it to help feed the child abandoned by his father."

Re: Action!

[ostro_goth]

"Who was with his relatives," Teja says, icily. "And here his father is, willing to take care of him as you probably cannot."

Re: Action!

[fiery_ring]

"I had to leave William with my in-laws because I couldn't afford to keep him." Fern snaps at Teja. "And got in trouble with the law trying.

"What rubbish! The rationing generation have everything they need, just not everything they want." Will says. "And what they need is taken away on the black market. How would you like it if Little William's ration of egg had been sold to someone for profit?"

Re: Action!

[ostro_goth]

"It probably was," Teja says, looking at her darkly.

Re: Action!

[fiery_ring]

"So bring it on Fern." Will says. "I'm ready to step up. Blood test."

Re: Action!

[ostro_goth]

"Have we a doctor here, to do it now?" Teja says. "I would offer my sahs, for the drawing of blood, if needed!"

Re: Action!

[fiery_ring]

Fern looks at Teja, as though he is mad.

"As if I'm ever letting William near these common people again. He's staying with me, and if you won't leave Carlotta, you can jolly well travel regularly to visit, and support him."

Re: Action!

[ostro_goth]

"Mind what you speak, or you shall talk yourself out of everything," Teja warns her.

Re: Action!

[fiery_ring]

"Fern!"

Will's sister Libby comes to join the scene.

"Look at how much this is upsetting William. His reunion with you should be a happy moment, not like this. Why not let him spend one more night with Will and Carlotta, and then tomorrow do this calmly?"

Little William is still bawling his eyes out and struggling. Will reaches out and gently takes the little boy's hand, and he starts to calm down.

Re: Action!

[ostro_goth]

Teja stands back; they seem to be getting this in hand.

Re: Action!

[fiery_ring]

"He's not staying with Carlotta." Fern says.

"Well could he stay with my parents?" Libby says. "And tomorrow we have a proper meeting? You're ruining Will and Carlotta's big day, and you did it on purpose."

"And you don't hate me now, do you?" Will says, with a bit of a puppy eyes look.

"...Fine, he can stay at Aunt Polly's tonight. Just until he's calm. But tomorrow, we're doing that blood test." Fern says.

Re: Action!

[ostro_goth]

Teja turns around to see how Carlotta is doing.

Re: Action!

[fiery_ring]

Well, she's not being arrested, but she is being interrogated by her grandma and looking pretty miserable.

Re: Action!

[ostro_goth]

Teja comes over and looks at both women, willing the grandmother to be silent at least.

Re: Action!

[fiery_ring]

"This isn't your business." Carlotta's grandma says to Teja.

"It's fine." Carlotta says. "The dirty laundry has all been aired."

Re: Action!

[ostro_goth]

"It is," Teja contradicts the old lady. "I have known of much of this, and would stand by Carlotta, rather than tell her off as you seem to be doing."

Re: Action!

[fiery_ring]

"I'm not telling her off." Carlotta's grandma says. "I'm just shocked that she knew about the affair and went ahead with this ceremony."

"To be honest, it made me even more committed to the ceremony." Carlotta says. "I married Will in sickness and in health. The war has hurt him, and I'm not going anywhere. At least he's been honest!"

Re: Action!

[ostro_goth]

"She is free to forgive if she wishes to," Teja says. "Is not forgiveness a virtue, in your faith?"

Re: Action!

[fiery_ring]

"This should have been sorted out properly, not aired in public." Carlotta's grandma says. "Now everyone will know, and the whole family will suffer."