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+---- Thread: Reunion (/showthread.php?tid=1035)
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Reunion - Tobi Zimmermann - 02-07-2025
Tobi sat on the edge of her seat as her father squeezed her hand. "I think this is the place." The cab drew to a stop and they got out of it. Tobi had a basketful of things for Pippa, namely some things to keep her occupied including art supplies. She hoped her best friend was alright. They reached the door and her father rapped upon it, glancing over to his anxious daughter as they waited for soneone yo answer. "I am very glad for you both that you may see her today." She nodded and squeezed as well.
RE: Reunion - Tristan Wells - 02-08-2025
It was Tristan who opened the door. He had sent Pippa up already with tea and biscuits. It wasn't fancy, but then, neither was Pippa's last clean dress, and neither was the drawing room, which hadn't been dusted in a few days, nor his collar, which had a coal smudge on it from cleaning and lighting the fireplace the drawing room just now. Unfortunately, he was quite unaware of the latter.
"Miss Zimmermann, welcome," he greeted. But it wasn't her female companion she had brought, and although Tristan was glad not to welcome her, the presence gentleman, Mr. Zimmermann no doubt, made him more anxious than he already was. Their world and his had no business mingling. Was there etiquette at all to govern hosting ones social superior, when the visit was forced by necessity and formal acquaintance to be avoided? He didn't dare extend a hand but bowed his head to the gentleman - "Welcome, sir." - and decided to leave the decision of an introduction to Miss Zimmermann or the gentleman.
He stepped aside and opened the door wider. "May I take your hat and coats?" The absence of a maid to perform these duties only increased their social disparity. How had he gotten himself into this mess?
RE: Reunion - Tobi Zimmermann - 02-11-2025
Mister Zimmerman nodded kindly and said, "Much obliged," as he passed on coats and the gentleman's hat. Tobi wore her hair in a gentle bun and no hat at all to pass on. She had been too excited and forgotten.
The man looked around and took note of the lack of housekeeping, but not because it was anything bad. It made him appreciate the man more for his work.
"Doctor Wells.... How is she?" Tobi couldn't help but ask.
RE: Reunion - Tristan Wells - 02-12-2025
At least neither of them made it more awkward. The gentleman was civil and Miss Zimmermann seemed too concerned about Pippa to probably even consider the social pickle.
"Much better since learning of the most recent developments," he replied while he took their things and put them away. "But I must insist you tread carefully." His voice was low. He did not want Pippa to hear him, but he also felt that a warning was due, especially now that there was a third party. He trusted Miss Zimmermann to handle Pippa's predicament with compassion. He wasn't too certain about Mr. Zimmermann.
He wasn't too certain Mr. Zimmermann wouldn't jump to conclusions either. Tristan's gun was back in his desk drawer. He now regretted removing the bullet.
"It's not my place to tell you any more, but she's suffered enough as it is and her nerves are in a delicate state. So be gentle on her. This way."
He led them upstairs. The door to the drawing room was open. It was on the good side of the building, with two tall windows looking out on Flowergate below. The furniture was comfortable and in a good state, but the room was otherwise modest. It lacked the elaborate decoration and clutter so common in drawing rooms where ladies received their visitors. The lack of an Angel in the House was only one explanation, however, for the apparent austerity. More than a few items that had previously graced Tristan's shelves and mantlepiece now graced the local pawnshop's window.
Tristan gestured for the guests to go in. "Please go through. She's in here. If you need anything, I'm right across." And he gestured at the door of his study.
RE: Reunion - Philippa Danes - 02-13-2025
"Please do stay with us... I am sure that Miss Danes will want you to speak on her behalf for things we might not understand," said Mister Zimmerman, and then he would stand and so would his daughter, pausing to wait for Tris to follow but his daughter almost ran toward where Pippa was.
The two women embraced tightly and they were both moved to tears. Upon spying the roundness of Pippa's belly, Mister Zimmerman's lips drew a line across his face. He was not jumping to conclusions other than empathy for her situation.
He remained silent and did not stop his daughter from interacting with a woman who could be seen as a blight for a pregnancy out of wedlock.
Assuming Tris followed, the older man would turn to him and murmur, "I am assuming somebody took advantage of her grief." He was not unkind about it, worry etched in his brow.
RE: Reunion - Tristan Wells - 02-14-2025
Tristan hesitated, but then nodded and followed them in. It was his own house, but he felt like he was invading a private space.
He watched the gentleman's expression change as he noticed Pippa's belly and Tristan felt his stomach tie into a knot with anxiety, both for himself and for Pippa. But when Mr. Zimmermann spoke, he relaxed. There was compassion under the anger, a perceptiveness to the young woman's vulnerability and the tragedy of the situation, that put Tristan's fears to rest. He gave the slightest nod, his eyes communicating the sad truth more fully than the gesture.
"Have a seat," he said quietly. He did not want to say more and interrupt the girls' emotional reunion.
RE: Reunion - Philippa Danes - 02-14-2025
Pippa hugged her friend and cried the same way she had with Tristan and Tobi gently rubbed her back before pulling away to look at Pippa. "You are safe now, that it what matters," she said softly while the girl nodded in return. Her father sat where indicated and Tobi sat with Pippa.
"Perhaps you can shed some light on this, Dr. Wells... Where is the bastard that touched her?" Pippa went red and answered for herself. "He was a sailor, I doubt I shall see him again... He tried to have me marry his partner." She gave a grimace because it was not her proudest moment.
"I see," he said, his voice rightfully angry. He wanted Tristan to fill in whatever she couldn't as she looked very overwhelmed. "How far along do you think she is?"
RE: Reunion - Tristan Wells - 02-15-2025
Tristan sat down as well, only to be startled by Mr. Zimmermann's colourful language in the presence of two young ladies. New money or just American? he wondered quietly. Pippa blushed but answered before he had recovered. American, then.
Pippa's consequent silence drew him back to the grave matter at hand. "Five and a half months," he said quietly. "He and his partner were gone before I even found out about it, but from the sound of it, neither of them would have done much good sticking around." He was reluctant to bring up Mr. Blacke. He still hoped for a more suitable solution now that Pippa had been found. "What's done is done. Miss Danes is not to be blamed. She was in a delicate state of mind and was preyed upon. I should have done more to protect her from such encounters." His lungs felt rather full. "I'm sorry," he told the gentleman who seemed to have a fatherly interest in the former maid.
RE: Reunion - Philippa Danes - 04-11-2025
"We are glad for your interference at all," said the young redhead as she clutched Pippa's hand. Pippa gave a grateful look toward Tristan and said, "He was very kind to take me in. Dr. Wells is a fine doctor and I should like for him to remain my doctor for as long as he would care for me. I would like to remain in England for now. I am not ready to go back to America... I do not know if I shall ever be, if I am honest."
She clutched at the locket that was one of very few things she had left from her old life. "You can do anything your heart desires, Miss Danes," said Mister Zimmerman, then said, "You are quite wealthy and shall continue to be so with the right guidance. I have nothing pressing to attend to at home for a time, I can find a reputable solicitor for you and you won't have to lift a finger until you are ready. Your solicitor will guide you through this new normal."
Then Mister Zimmerman turned his gaze back to Tristan and said, "I have offered a reward for her safe return back in the states, I would like to offer you one hundred pounds for the fact you took care of her regardless of mistakes. You did the best you could. it is not every day a young woman like Pippa finds her way into somebody else's life and I am sure it seemed like a very outlandish story that her family was killed in such a manner."
RE: Reunion - Tristan Wells - 04-12-2025
Tristan gave Miss Zimmermann a grateful look, before turning to Pippa, who joined in his defence. A subtle nod of the head was all his stiff, English education would allow, but there was an affectionate glow in his gaze. Tender-hearted child. Bless her.
He was glad to hear that the Zimmermanns meant to help her with Pippa financial affairs. He had been a little worried that the orphaned young heiress would be taken advantage of by those who claimed to be her friends, but both the short interaction so far and his gut told him that the Zimmermanns had Pippa’s best interest at heart.
But when he was offered money, he hesitated. Principle told him to reject, but desperate pragmatism told him that was a fool if he did. A hundred pounds could save his practice, and more importantly, his face. It would give him time to reform his business and make it profitable. It would give him a break, so that maybe he could finally think again. Yet that same rigid education had instilled in him a sense of honour. Principle mattered. He hadn’t saved Pippa. He hadn’t even been as kind as he could have.
“You are very generous, sir,” he replied, looking at Mr. Zimmermann apologetically, “but I cannot accept. I did not take care of her on a charitable basis. Pippa… Miss Danes,” he quickly corrected himself, hoping the liberty would be overlooked given the circumstances, “applied as a maid, and I hired and treated her as such.” He turned gaze to Pippa remorsefully. “Rigidly so at times. She worked hard for her upkeep and, as I only learned this morning, she even used her hard-earned money to fill my larder. It was her own hard work and willingness to humble herself that sustained her.” His eyes lingered on her for a second, before he turned back to Mr. Zimmermann. “My good sister, Penelope, treated her more like a friend than I did, and Lord Gordon and your family did more to ensure that she was found. It would be wrong of me to accept a reward for what I didn’t do. I’ve lost a few days of income while she was ill, and if you would compensate me for those, I’d be much obliged, sir. Beyond that, if you wish to do something me, please do what you can to hide my involvement in the matter. I’m afraid gossip is already spreading and I’ve had to send my sister away to ensure her safety.”