Chapter Text
Prudence Stanley hadn’t been this happy in decades. Her health was back. Her good-for-nothing brother-in-law was finally gone. Her sister was whole and healthy (and hopefully eventually happy). Her son was visiting her from England. Most importantly, her beloved niece had returned home from England and had reunited with her dear husband.
Prudence looked with satisfaction around her drawing room at the party to welcome her niece back — there was Guy and Isabella, actually managing to make Margaret laugh. Inspector Hugh Collins and his sweet wife; apparently Collins was up for another promotion. Albert and Cecil, still here, still devoted. Young Jane and her young man. Phryne’s rabble-rousing Dr. MacMillan, chatting quietly in the corner with her friend, Rosie Sanderson. Prudence didn’t know why Rosie Sanderson had never remarried, but she could appreciate the appeal of setting up quiet housekeeping with another woman, rather than having to manage a man’s moods and whims. Prudence hoped that she and Margaret would now finish their years together in a similar sisterly fashion.
And then there was her niece and nephew — standing next to Dr. MacMillan and Miss Sanderson, beaming at each other like two fools in love. Prudence felt so contented to see them together again — anyone could see how much they loved each other, and she had desperately missed her niece’s warmth and the inspector’s quiet presence during their estrangement. Prudence took a glass of sherry that had been offered to her by Mr. Butler and turned back to watch her favourite couple.
Although, there was something odd about the scene in front of her — some type of nebulous energy that she couldn’t quite define. Jack’s arm was on his wife’s shoulder, Phryne’s arm was around him — that was all right and proper. But Phryne was stroking Miss Sanderson’s arm in a very particular fashion, considering she was only her husband’s ex-wife. And the inspector was beaming like a fool, not just at his wife, but also at Miss Sanderson and Dr. MacMillan. Strange. Perhaps he was just happy Phryne was home.
The doctor said something, and elbowed Jack in the ribs while Phryne burst into uproarious laughter. Jack shifted uncomfortably and looked down at his shoes with some type of smirk. Miss Sanderson had turned bright red. Prudence watched as Rosie sidled over to the doctor and wrapped her arm around her waist. They must be very close friends. Prudence shook her head, she had never been able to understand how free this generation was with all the touching and hugging.
But still, there was something rather unusual happening with the four of them — a closeness that Prudence couldn’t place: Mac was now whispering intensely in Rosie’s ear, as Phryne said something that set them all laughing and blushing.
It must just be the younger generation.