The passed two week for Arthur had been the slowest weeks of his life. The Colonel along with the other Officers at the Hall that evening did not need to enquire on the success of his evening. He had returned to his billets in a sour mood. The following day he threw himself into training the junior officers with renewed energy and ferocity. However, being an officer billeted at the Hollyworth estate meant he was not immune to the social obligations that came with the privilege of being a senior officer. On several occasions he had no choice but to dine and socialise when he would rather be by himself. One such guest was George Farr. The Colonel and Mr Farr had supposedly spent much of that Friday night at the Hall in conversation with each other, and after that night Mr Farr had been a regular guest to the various events and outings his fellow officers had organised. 

Arthur knew that this day would come when the messenger from Wakehurst invited the Colonel and himself for afternoon tea and to tour the Wakehurst Estate. Major Bradford, though not at all wanting an opportunity to be reminded of how he foolishly treat Matilda, had no choice but to accept the offer. Thankfully his arrival did not lead to the family and household staff to great the two of them at the door as he had dreaded, but instead was lead through to the back to the garden and then into the kitchen.

The last place he expected to find Matilda was in the Kitchen. At first glance he had mistaken her as one of the staff until Mr Farr reintroduced his daughter and thanking the Major again for his service to the family that night. Bradford tipped his head respectfully to Miss Farr, and stood their awkwardly awaiting for George to lead them through into the rest of the house. He was saved by Mrs Farr who quickly bustled them out of the kitchen into the sitting room.

He sat on the same chair as the one two weeks prior, and wanted to be anywhere except in that sitting room. To their credit, in between Mrs Farr constant chatter, and Henry’s questions which the Colonel had the pleasure in answering, Major Bradford did not need to converse much except for the occasional nod in agreement. After thirty minutes, which felt closer to two hours, he excused himself to take a walk around their garden to escape and distract his mind from what had transpired in that room two weeks ago.

Arthur made his way to the garden and sat himself down on the bench and closed his eyes. Counting down the minutes until he should return to the sitting room before it comes across as rude.