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[and_far_away]

All the preparations made, Sharpe opens the front door and leads Steph through.

On the other side is a typical farmyard - a few birds visible pecking up food, Danny the dog flopped out in the shelter of the barn, animal sounds coming from the other side of the buildings.

And the farmhouse.

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[alwaysroomforhope]

Steph curls her hands around Cass, tight enough that the tiny kitty cheeps in protest, and stares wide-eyed at the surroundings.

It's so ... countryish. It's like being in a picture!

But it's not Milliways, and she's fiercely, stupidly grateful for that.

"It's ... pretty."

[and-far-away.livejournal.com]

Sharpe grins at her.

"Far cry from the city, isn't it?"

[alwaysroomforhope]

"Really really," Steph agrees. "It's ... so quiet."

[and-far-away.livejournal.com]

"That it is. And that's why I like it."

[alwaysroomforhope]

Steph twists to see if the Bar's still behind them, suddenly feeling isolated.

[and-far-away.livejournal.com]

He hasn't closed the barn door yet, so there it is in all its glory.

He offers a sympathetic smile. "My door's pretty reliable, lass. And we've got our badges."

[alwaysroomforhope]

"Yeah," Steph agrees, and looks back forwards. "Not that I want to go back anyway. Just ... it's really ... you're really alone out here."

She'd forgotten how big the world is.

[and-far-away.livejournal.com]

"Well, there's the village not far down the road", he points out. "And alone's not always a bad thing."

[alwaysroomforhope]

"Do I get to meet the baby?"

She missed her chance in the bar. But - babies!

[and-far-away.livejournal.com]

"Of course", he says with a grin. "Both of them, even. And the wife. They're in the house."

[alwaysroomforhope]

"Then what are we waiting for?"

[and-far-away.livejournal.com]

Sharpe just laughs and leads her towards the house.

[alwaysroomforhope]

Steph follows, eyes wide and curious.

One might note that she's already looking much better. She's interested in the world, not just her own woe. Good step!

She hovers in the door a little, looking kind of nervous and feeling rather out of place in her boys' clothing and twenty-first century boots.

"...hi?"

[and-far-away.livejournal.com]

The thin dark-haired woman in the kitchen looks up in some surprise, then gets to her feet.

"Richard! You didn't tell me we were having a guest."

He looks mildly abashed and says, "This is a friend's lass from America. Needs a place to stay for a few days before she moves on."

[alwaysroomforhope]

Steph smiles nervously. "I'm Steph. Um, Stephanie. Um. I can go - I didn't realise you - I mean, I can go now if you like -"

She looks at Sharpe, a little panicky. She hadn't actually thought about this. She doesn't want to put anyone out!

[and-far-away.livejournal.com]

Lucille shoots Sharpe a very definite and recognisable Look, then turns to the girl with a smile.

"No, I won't have it. Most of the rooms are closed up, but if you don't mind sharing with Patrick..."

[alwaysroomforhope]

"That'd be really awesome. Thank you so much!"

[and-far-away.livejournal.com]

Her enthusiasm is clearly infectious, as Lucille's smile widens.

"Now you must tell me what brings you all the way to France."

[alwaysroomforhope]

"Oh... I, uh." Steph stumbles a little. "I'm - just passing through, sort of - and Mr Sharpe offered me a place to stay for a bit?"

It ends on a question, and she glances quickly at Sharpe to see if that was okay. Damn magic bar.

There's an element of 'you-haven't-told-her?' in the glance, as well. She's a little surprised by that.

[and-far-away.livejournal.com]

Sharpe's return look says, clearly, 'when was there time?'

He smiles at them both, though.

"Like I say, she's Leroy's lass, come to see where he fought now it's safer."

The question of why she's not chaperoned is left diplomatically unspoken. The implication being that she ran away.

[alwaysroomforhope]

"Yes," Steph says, gratefully, and looks a little embarrassed that she's such a rebellious runaway girl. Not a young lady at all. "I'm... yes. Do you want - any help around the house, or anything? While I'm staying?"

She can cook and sew! ... if she has an oven and a sewing machine... but she'll try.

[and-far-away.livejournal.com]

Also going unmentioned is the fact that Leroy - who was, in fact American - fought and died in Spain. Lucille never knew him, however, and doesn't know or remember that.

Lucille shakes her head firmly. "You're a guest."

[alwaysroomforhope]

"I'm a gatecrasher," Steph contradicts meekly. She glances at Sharpe again. "Maybe I could - help you do stuff, or something, then? There must be heaps to do on a farm, right? Cows and pigs and stuff?"

[and-far-away.livejournal.com]

"Well, there's the animals to be fed", Sharpe allows, returning Lucille's glare with an innocent look. "If you insist."

[alwaysroomforhope]

"I definitely insist," Steph says, relieved at the prospect of something to do. She gives Lucille an apologetic smile. After all, she's just a bad-mannered teenage runaway, right, she can't be expected to know manners...? "Just show me where to go."

[and-far-away.livejournal.com]

"Later", Lucille says firmly. She is going to have some control here, dammit. "For now... you must be hungry."

[alwaysroomforhope]

Steph isn't, really, but that was sort of an order.

"A little. Would you like any help cooking? I totally make a great lasagne..."

[and-far-away.livejournal.com]

Lucille has only rarely left her little corner of Normandy, and never left France. She looks interested in the Italian dish, though.

"Lasagne? Is that from America?"

[alwaysroomforhope]

Steph glances at Sharpe again for help. Man, she's gonna really have to watch her mouth.

"Uh ... I think so."

[and-far-away.livejournal.com]

"Then if you'll show me how to make it, we'll have that", Lucille decides, removing the need for help. "To help you feel at home."

Hey, she's doing her best with the situation Sharpe just sprung on her.

[alwaysroomforhope]

Steph ... has jsut realised she only knows how to make it if she has easy access to instant pasta, spices, sundried tomatoes ...

"...I might not remember. Maybe I could just - help you make something you know how to do already? That's totally less risky."

[and-far-away.livejournal.com]

"All right", Lucille says easily, if with a fleeting odd look at the girl.

But then, she's used to Sharpe's people being a little odd. She's met Harper.

[alwaysroomforhope]

Steph hopes she won't prove too odd ... but the next few days are going to be a challenge, all right.

"Just lead the way."

[and-far-away.livejournal.com]

Lucille smiles at her and leads her to the kitchen.