Thea looked around them. ‘I beg to differ.’ She fixed Frankie with what she hoped was an encouraging but no-nonsense stare.
‘You lost me my job,’ said Frankie. ‘And now you want to help?’
‘I… what?’ asked Thea, not following.
‘There was a letter to Herbert. About that kiss.’
‘And?’
‘And who else could have sent it?’
Thea stared at her. ‘You can’t think it was me?’ She was both appalled and hurt that Frankie would think such a thing. She saw Frankie falter.
‘Who else would know? You were worried someone would find you out and blamed me.’
‘Why would I draw attention to it?’ asked Thea. ‘We were down an alleyway and dressed as men.’ She heard Mother Courage make an impressed whistling noise next to her. She paused, set her jaw and looked at the ceiling. She took a breath in, then let it out. ‘I mean that nobody could know it was us, and it is best forgotten, not highlighted in a letter.’ She glared at Frankie who glared back, but now there was doubt in her eyes.
‘Well, whatever happened it lost me my job, and it is difficult for me to forget it.’ She poked a finger in the direction of the stairs. ‘I am here. You can go back to your husband.’ Thea was about to retort that that wasn’t much better but then considered how Frankie must have spent the past month and decided that it was, indeed, far worse than being married to George.
‘I am truly sorry it happened,’ she said. ‘But you have my word that it wasn’t me.’ Frankie paused but then nodded in acquiescence. ‘Come home with me,’ said Thea.
Frankie looked wary. ‘Not for...?’ she gestured at Harriet, and then up the stairs.
‘Absolutely not.’ Thea shook her head to emphasise her point. ‘I should never have kissed you.’
‘Oh, we don’t get too much kissing here,’ piped up Mother Courage, clearly seeing a sale about to slip through her fingers. ‘Lots of the girls don’t like it and just do the business without.’ Thea glared at her.
‘It was not like that.’
Frankie stifled a smile at Thea’s harsh response. ‘Why?’ she asked, ignoring her current employer.
Thea sighed, resigned to sharing it all. ‘Because I am in love with someone else.’
‘Someone else?’ asked Frankie. Thea swallowed, looked away, and then nodded. ‘I assume not your husband?’ asked Frankie. Thea’s head snapped back towards her.
‘No, of course not.’ She took a step forwards. ‘I am genuinely sorry that I caused you any trouble, but I assure you that letter was not from me. Somebody is out to cause issue, and I intend to find out who, but for now, come with me. Be my gardener.’ Mother Courage whistled and they both stared at her.
‘An actual gardener,’ said Thea. ‘For my plants.’
‘Pants?’ asked Mother Courage.
‘Plants!’ emphasised Thea, turning to Frankie incredulously, but Frankie was grave.
‘I can’t,’ said Frankie.
‘Why?’ asked Thea.
‘You won’t want me.’
‘You are excellent at what you do. I have met nobody as talented at growing, Frankie, ever.’ Frankie hugged her arms and looked sullen. ‘What is it?’ asked Thea, confused. ‘You have deflected every time I have hinted at it in the past. I hope I am a good employer.’
‘How do I know you won’t get fed up? That you won’t throw me out when the next one comes along? It’s what your type do, isn’t it?’
‘Not me. I want to help.’
‘I’m not a charity case,’ said Frankie, stepping away. ‘I don’t need nobody keeping me.’ She made to turn but Thea was quicker, grasping one of Frankie’s arms in haste and then releasing it when she realised what she’d done.
‘Frankie, I need you.’ Thea knew her only option was to lay it bare. Frankie wouldn’t accept charity or half formed arguments. And honestly, she respected her for it. Frankie turned back.
