“Lost & Found” (Revised), Ch. 4: Jocie has Lunch with Matthew and Aunt Madge, October 22, 2014 Gratiana Lovelace
(an original fiction copyrighted by Gratiana Lovelace; all rights reserved)
[(1) right top, story logo]
[I will illustrate my story using my dream cast of: Richard Armitage for Matthew Drake, Kate Beckinsale for Jocelyn Burrows, Brenda Blethyn for Aunt Madge, and Michael Crawford for Michael Ferguson.]
Author’s Mature Content Note: “Lost & Found” is story with mature themes (D for drama and S for sensuality) of love and relationships. Most chapters will be PG or PG-13. However, if you are unable or unwilling to attend a movie with the ratings I provide, then please do not read that chapter. This is my disclaimer.
Recap from the previous installment: Jocelyn Jocie Burrows arrived from America and quickly lost her way in London after walking away from her hotel to sight see. But she found new friends in flower shop proprieter Aunt Madge and her grown nephew Matthew Drake. Matthew guides Jocie to a nearby small park where they chat and enjoy the scenery. Matthew is a tall, quiet, and reserved man and Jocie observes that Matthew communication seems to lack emotion. Then Matthew had gone back upstairs to his and his Aunt’s apartment upstairs upon their return to the flowershop, Jocie learned from Matthew’s Aunt Madge that he was in a devastating car accident where his wife and son were killed and he was severely injured. Jocie’s compassionate nature is deeply affected by their family’s sorrow. And Jocie’s compassion for and acceptance of Matthew’s health situation will be crucial for his improvement.
“Lost and Found” (Revised), Ch. 4: Jocie has Lunch with Matthew and Aunt Madge
Jocie is still comforting Aunt Madge after learning about the loss of Matthew’s wife and child in the car accident when around 11:45am, Matthew walks back down the stairs at the back of the shop and walks over to see his Aunt. Matthew’s arms are resting at his sides, but he flexes his fingers as he fidgets a bit nervously. When he is hungry, and his blood sugar is low, his body begins to give him such warning signs so that he eats something.
However, Matthew looks placidly at Jocelyn--the new person he met today. Jocie smiles sympathetically at Matthew. Matthew blinks in recognition and he slightly nods his head in acknowledgement. He has seen the look of sympathy on Jocie’s face now on other people’s faces more times than he can count--and he has learned to tune them out. In the beginning, other people’s sympathy would trigger waves of sorrow in Matthew. But gradually over time, he has numbed himself to shield himself from feeling overwhelmed by grief. Then Matthew turns to look at his Aunt Madge.
Matthew: Almost like a little boy, Matthew [(2) right] suggests hungrily. “Aunt Madge, it is almost time for lunch. We need to start making it.”
Aunt Madge FP: Aunt Madge smiles caringly at Matthew for him adhering strictly to their midday ritual of sharing food together. She lightly touches his arm in loving support. “Hhhh! Yes, Matthew Dear, let me close up the shop first.”
Jocie: “I have an idea.” Jocie says cheerfully. “Why don’t you let me take you both out to lunch? You have both been so kind to me today and Matthew showed me the park. I would like to say thank you in some small way.”
Aunt Madge FP: “Oh, that’s a lovely thought, Dear, but the only reasonably priced lunch place nearby is our local pub down the lane. And we don’t go in there.” Aunt Madge [(3) right] looks at Jocie searchingly, trying to hide her expression from Matthew with her hand.
Matthew: But Matthew notices his Aunt’s reluctance. “Aunt Madge, may we go out to lunch? We always eat at home. Why don’t we go into the pub?” Matthew offers his thoughts as observations with a tinge of wishfulness in his phrasing, if not in his vocal tone.
Aunt Madge FP: Trying to come up with a good reason not to go out to lunch—that is not the real one—she says “Well, for one thing, we don’t drink beer, Matthew Dear.”
Matthew: “Oh.” Matthew seems to sanguinely accept her reasoning as logical and sufficient to curtail a change in their normal lunch routine.
Jocie: Sensing that Aunt Madge is holding back, but not knowing why, Jocie [(4) right] remarks. “Well, I don’t drink alcohol either.” Jocie has not realized that Aunt Madge was fudging her answer to Matthew a bit. “But, I’m sure that they might have sodas to drink. Besides, you’re the only people I know in town. And I’m all alone.” Jocie really means this--she is utterly alone.
Aunt Madge FP: Then she explains under her breath to Jocelyn. “Jocelyn Dear, It’s just that, some of the pub patrons don’t understand Matthew’s situation and that makes it hard sometimes to interact with people.”
Jocie: “Of course, I understand, Aunt Madge. It was just a suggestion. We don’t have to go there if you don’t want to.” Jocie is accustomed to not getting what she wants, or her suggestions being considered seriously. Her previous boyfriend tended to be somewhat controlling of Jocie--part of the reason she finally ended their relationship and headed to England--for a fresh start. However, Jocie is hungry, too. “But, well, might the pub have takeout that we can order and bring it back here to eat?” Jocie looks shyly hopeful at Aunt Madge.
Matthew: Then Matthew takes Jocie’s side. “Yes, Aunt Madge. I would like that.”
Aunt Madge FP: “Alright Dears.” She sighs with being outnumbered. “We’ll go to the pub--as long as we don’t spend too much time there, it should be alright. Let me just go freshen up a bit.” And Aunt Madge dashes upstairs to her bedroom and applies some face powder, rouge, and lipstick--staples of a woman of her age of fifty years.
***
So, Jocie, Aunt Madge and Matthew close up the flower shop and walk the one block down the lane to the pub. It is a boisterous place this Friday August 13th before the weekend begins, filled with animated conversations and a big screen tv with some sporting event going on. But, when Jocie, Aunt Madge and Matthew walk in the front door, some of the pub patrons stop their conversations and look at them. It is a little awkward, so Jocie tries to smooth things over. She takes Aunt Madge’s and Matthew’s hands and walks with them toward the bar [(5) right].
Jocie: She smiles at the patrons who have stopped to look at them and then she says to the bartender. “Hello, lovely to meet you. I’m Jocelyn, I’m new in town today from the States. And Aunt Madge and Matthew here have kindly welcomed me warmly to your city. So, I am repaying their kindness by us all having lunch together.”
Bartender Michael: “Aye, Lassie. Welcome to you. I’m Michael Ferrrguson, the ownerrr of this fine establishment.” Michael says in a slight Scottish brogue as he nods to the three of them. The other bar patrons slowly return to their own conversations.
To Jocie, the Bartender Michael [(6) right] looks to be in his mid fifties, but still with a good crop of wavy, slightly graying reddish hair.
Jocie: “Thank you.” She says smiling warmly in a soft relaxed voice that Matthew finds so soothing. Jocie is still holding both Aunt Madge’s and Matthew’s hands in hers--as if they were childhood playmates out together for a playdate. Jocie has a youthful spirit and she feels a connection to the kindly older woman and the tall handsome quiet man at her side.
Bartender Michael: Then Michael turns to the two people in Jocie’s company whom he knows quite well. “Hhhhh! And, tis rrreally good to see you, too, Madge and Matthew.”
Matthew merely smiles and slightly nods his head. Jocie looks up at Matthew as he unconsciously squeezes her hand while Aunt Madge looks tenderly at the bartender Michael.
Aunt Madge: “And we, you, Michael.” Aunt Madge smiles hesitantly at Michael and he smiles caringly back at her.
Jocie having observed Matthew dispassionately watch the exchange of greetings and introductions--still wondering about Matthew and his situation--she turns back to look at the Bartender.
Jocie: “Mr. Ferguson? We were hoping to order some lunch to take back with us to the flower shop. So, may we see a menu?”
Bartender Michael: Instantly frowning, Michael looks first at Jocie and then at Aunt Madge. “Don’t ye want to eat herrre, Madge? It’s been such a long time, since ye werrre last herrre.” Michael’s voice is tinged with disappointment--and longing.
Smiling shyly at Michael, a pink blush evident on her upper chest peaking out of her ruffly blouse, Aunt Madge graciously concedes the point.
Aunt Madge: “Yes, Michael, it has.” She nods to him and smiles warmly. Then she looks around the bustling pub. “But, it looks like you’re very busy in here today.”
Aunt Madge remarks warily and sneaks a glance at her nephew Matthew to gauge how he is handling being in a small space with dozens of people in it.
Bartender Michael: “Yes, we arrre. But you might as well sit down and wait for your food afterrr ye place your orderrrs.”
Jocie senses that there is a connection between Aunt Madge and the bartender Michael, but she can not quite tell what that is yet. Jocie lets go of Aunt Madge’s hand and places her left hand on Matthew’s left arm--his left hand still firmly but gently holding her right hand. This is the most human contact Matthew has had in a very long time. He has missed having even this small tenderness--of holding hands.
Jocie: “Matthew, will that be alright with you if we sit at a table while we wait for our food to arrive?” She asks looking up at Matthew and smiling warmly.
Matthew: Looking down at Jocie for a few moments, Matthew replies blandly, but in his deep velvety voice that Jocie finds so mesmirizing. “Yes, that will be fine, Jocelyn.”
Michael guides them to a table off to the side of the bar. He holds a chair out for Aunt Madge and looks at her hopefully.
Bartender Michael: “You can sit herrre. It’s out of the way and ye will na be disturrrbed. And I can pop overrr to chat with you when I’m not needed at the barrr.”
Jocie does sense more keenly now that Michael has an interest in Aunt Madge.
Jocie: “Thank you.” Then taking Matthew’s arm lightly, she asks him. “Matthew, would you like to sit down?” He nods and he sits facing the wall with his back to the rest of the pub—less distractions for his mind Jocie reasons--and Jocie sits in the chair next to him. And Aunt Madge sits on the other side of Matthew--in the chair that Michael holds out for her to sit in.
Aunt Madge: Looking shyly up at Michael, Aunt Madge says a bit breathlessly. “Thank you.!”
Michael the Bartender: “My pleasurrre, Lassie.” His voice quivers.
Jocie: Looking over the menu, Jocie asks Matthew “So, Matthew, what’s good here? I’m new, so I’m open to trying new things—within reason. No haggis please.”
Bartender Michael: Michael cocks his head to one side. “Aye, ye know what haggis is?”
Jocie: “I have an inkling.” She puts her hands up on front of her in mock protest. “No offense, but a stuffed sheep’s kidney--or whatever it is--just isn’t my thing.”
Matthew: Giving his delayed response after looking at the menu, Matthew says “Jocelyn, I like the fish and chips.”
Jocie: “Oh, yes please! I’ve heard about that. That will be what I’ll have with a soda. What about you Aunt Madge and Matthew?”
Aunt Madge: “I’ll have the same.”
Matthew: “Me, too.”
Bartender Michael: Michael looks over his shoulder at one of his servers and barks their order. “Thrrree fish and chips and sodas it is.” Michael turns back to look at them, winks at Madge, then he goes back to the bar to see to his other customers.
Aunt Madge: Trying to start a new subject to redirect her thoughts, Aunt Madge inquires. “So, Jocelyn Dear, I never did ask you what brought you to London and how long you will be here?”
Jocie: Jocie begins hesitantly, shyly. “Well, I’m looking for a change in my life and I wanted to go someplace new. So, I chose London since I love all of the BBC dramas and shows, but we don’t get them much in the states--or we have to wait longer for them to air. And as to how long I’ll be here, that depends. I have a two month long tourist VISA, but I’m hoping to find work here so that I can stay longer.”
Jocie doesn’t really want to go home. Nor does she have much left at home. Most of her friends had been her ex boyfriend’s friends. So when they split up, Jocie really had no one on her side.
Aunt Madge: “Oh, and what is it you do dear?” Aunt Madge wonders what this youngish woman does for a living.
Jocie: “I teach communication theory at the university level—public speaking and interpersonal communication mostly. But, I’ve also done some academic advising. So, I thought that I would check out the local universities to see if there are any openings for a foreigner like myself who has knowledge and experience with the American higher education system--in case they have students who would like to study in the States.” Jocie shrugs her shoulders and smiles sheepishly.
Matthew: “That sounds important, Jocelyn.”
Matthew smiles slightly at Jocie. He rarely shares his opinions--nor even worries about having opinions. He lives in a protected cocoon with his Aunt Madge. But Jocie seems to be drawing Matthew out--by virtue of her sweet manner and open personality as well as because she is something different in his everyday existence.
Jocie: “Oh, that’s kind of you to say Matthew. I just do my bit to help out my students. You know, I’m getting a bit parched. So, I’m going to ask Michael the bartender for our drink orders now.” She stands up. “If you’ll excuse me.”
Matthew: Matthew [(7) left] also stands and says pragmatically. “There are three of us. So, you’ll need another pair of hands for the third glass. I’ll help.”
Jocie: “Thank you Matthew, I will.” Jocie [(8) right] says smiling at him.
So, Jocie and Matthew walk the few feet over to the bar and wait for their drinks. Then, they return with the drinks and set them down on the table. Aunt Madge is just hanging up her cell phone call.
Matthew: “Who was on the phone Aunt Madge? Is it a flower order?”
Aunt Madge FP: “No, Matthew Dear. That was Ellen my afternoon girl for the flower shop.” Aunt Madge explains for Jocie’s benefit. “She can’t come in to work today and I have no one else to watch the flower shop.” Then turning to Matthew, Aunt Madge apologizes. “So Matthew, we’ll probably have to reschedule your 1:30pm speech therapy appointment this afternoon to another day.”
Matthew: “They don’t like cancellations at the last minute.” Matthew vocal tone is bland. But Matthew’s lips purse and his eyes narrow in concern. The doctor’s office receptionist always reminds him not to be late or miss appointments. So he remembers that.
Jocie: Jocie raises her hand. “Well, I don’t have anything planned. I would be happy to accompany Matthew to his appointment if he doesn’t mind.” Jocie senses that Matthew needs an escort. “You would just need to give us the address for the taxi driver.”
Aunt Madge FP: Aunt Madge looks back and forth between Matthew and Jocelyn with uncertainty. “Ohhh! I don’t know, Jocelyn Dear.”
Setting down their food in front of them—on plates, rather than in to go boxes as they had asked for--Michael butts in.
Michael the Bartender: “Oh Madge, let the gerrril take Matthew to his appointment. And you take a breatherrr for once.” Michael looks Jocie up and down--his eyes narrowed, appraising her trustworthiness. “She seems alrrright.”
Jocie: “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Michael!” Jocie smiles warmly. Then she turns to Matthew. “But we haven’t heard from Matthew, yet. What is your wish, Matthew?”
Matthew: Matthew benignly looks at Jocelyn. He finds her to be pleasant, and more relaxed than his Aunt Madge. So Matthew nods his head in agreement and almost smiles at Jocelyn when he replies. “That will be nice.”
Michael Bartender: “See Madge? Even the boy herrre likes herrr.” Michael teasingly says to Madge, while pointing at Jocelyn with his thumb.
Aunt Madge FP: “Alright. We’ll try it, just this once.”
Matthew: “Alright.” Matthew tends to parrot what others say or do.
Jocie: “Alright.” Jocie is not consciously trying to imitate Aunt Madge and Matthew. She just concurs with them in the most natural way she knows how--by replying using their same expression.
Jocie smiles warmly at Aunt Madge, and then at Matthew. They return their smiles to Jocie. Then the three of them tuck into their food and proceed to have a lovely lunch at the pub--with Michael hovering attentively in the background, ready with more drinks or paper napkins, and such.
But is Jocie getting herself in over her head by taking Matthew to his doctor’s appointment? Some might call Jocie a people pleaser. She is not intentionally trying to ingratiate herself with Aunt Madge and with Matthew in this instance. She just naturally possesses a caring heart. But Jocie’s caring heart had been trampled upon in her last relationship--with the ex boyfriend. So she needs to tread carefully in developing her future relationships. Yet, Jocie does not want to lose her open and giving spirit. So Jocie will accompany Matthew to his doctor’s appointment today--and she will just see what happens.
To be continued with Chapter 5
“Lost & Found” Ch. 4 References for Wattpad, October 22, 2014 Gratiana Lovelace
(1) “Lost & Found” title graphic representing Matthew is an artistic blurring of a portrait of the Spooks character Lucas North (as portrayed by British actor Richard Armitage) found at http://www.richardarmitagenet.com/images/gallery/Spooks/Spooks9/album/episode2/album/slides/2_199.html
(2) Image representing Matthew hungry or wanting something is of Lucas North (as portrayed by Richard Armitage) from Spooks series7, episode 5 (pix217) http://www.richardarmitagenet.com/images/gallery/Spooks/album/ep5/slides/5_218.html
(3) Image representing Aunt Madge Drake is a cropped and brightened portrait of British actress Brenda Blethyn found at http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H_ETHv0i8i0/Ti2-TA0VimI/AAAAAAAAask/iPSoRfv9KpI/s1600/Brenda%2BBlethyn4.jpg
(4) Image representing a plaintive Jocie (portrait of British actress Kate Beckinsale) was found at http://www.iceposter.com/thumbs/G106287_b.jpg
(5) Image representing Michael’s busy English Pub http://www.streetdirectory.com/stock_images/travel/simg_show/11578716210347/1/the_penny_black/
(6) Image of British Actor Michael Crawford representing Michael Ferguson bartender was found at
http://crowdfusion.myspacecdn.com/media/michael-crawford-interview-1-part-i-621x322.jpg
(7) Image representing Matthew Drake is a Lucas North (as portrayed by British actor Richard Armitage) pix from Spooks series 7 or 8 on RANet found at www.richardarmitagenet.com
(8) Image representing Jocelyn Burrows (a smiling portrait of the British actress Kate Beckinsale) was found at http://www.moviespad.com/photos/kate-beckinsale-image-a8481.jpg
Ch. 4 - 5 on Blog with embedded images and reference credits (I separated these two chapters for posting in Wattpad. So, please don’t read ahead to Ch. 5, since I am adding to it for Wattpad.):
http://gratianads90.wordpress.com/2011/12/20/lost-and-found-chapter-4-lunch-chapter-5-therapy-appt-122011-gratiana-lovelace-post-82/
Ch. 4 Images for Wattpad:
http://gratianads90.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/blostfoundch4wattpadimages_oct2214gratianalovelace.jpg