Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Edna screamed. Mrs Birling was dead. "OH MY GOD!" Sheila burst into the kitchen and stopped, stunned by the sight of her mother dead on the floor. Her first impulse was to cry yet she wasn't really that sad at the news her mother had passed. She was actually rather amused.

That evening Sheila sat on the sofa in the living room staring off into space (as TVs were not to be sold for at least another decade) when she realised she was quite lonely. Eric was gone drinking again- of course- it was all he did these days. Suddenly she heard a small knock on the living room doors. "Yes, who is it," she called out, unfortunately she had never seen a horror movie before so didn't know this was generally seen as a bad idea. Edna entered cautiously, "Sorry to interrupt Ma'am but I was wondering if you'd like a glass of wine." Sheila stared at her blankly. "Edna." Her brain registered slowly. "Yes Ma'am?" Edna questioned "Are you all right Ma'am?" An idea occurred to Sheila quite out of the blue, "Would you join me Edna? For a glass of wine, I mean." God what would her mother say, she'd only been dead for a day and she was already defying her. "Of course Ma'am" Edna replied and sat down on the sofa across from her. "Please just call me Sheila, class doesn't seem to matter anymore, nothing really matters to me." Unknown to Sheila she had just quoted the ending lyrics to Bohemian Rhapsody, yet unfortunately she would never know due to her dying before Queen became big. "Also" she continued hopefully, "You could sit next to me?" Edna walked silently across the room and sat awkwardly beside her, "Yes Ma-Mis-Erm I mean Sheila."

The two of them sat there in an awkward yet comfortable silence, Sheila glanced quickly at Edna and her heart rate increased, she looked away in confusion. What was this feeling, she had never felt this way with Gerald even at the best of times. She turned scarlet Edna was watching her curiously now, Jesus this was awkward. "Should I bring us some wine?" Edna asked breaking the silence. "Yes please" Sheila squeaked "oh fuck" she muttered. "Did you say something?" Edna asked turning around. "It's fine" was the only thing Sheila could think to say as Edna left the room. She was starting to think she had a crush on Edna. What would her mother have said.

"Fuckfuckfuck, oh fuck me" Sheila sighed, why did this have to happen to her. She leaned forwards putting her head in her hands "agggggghhh" she groaned, unfortunately this was the moment Edna decided to return. "Are you sure you're alright?" Edna looked quite concerned now. "Did you ever think my mother was a stone cold, fucking asshole who was to overprotective and obsessed about class?" Asked Sheila. Edna stared at her, was this a trap she wondered vaguely, she still couldn't trust Sheila (even if she was the best of the Birlings) she had seen how much influence her mother had over her. She decided to trust her this time, Sheila seemed upset enough to be able to handle it. "I think your mother was an interesting person." She began carefully. Edna began pouring the first bottle of wine into the glasses. Sheila began laughing hysterically and picked up an entire bottle. Edna opened her mouth to say something but quickly shut it in fear. "BAHAHAHAAHAHH" Sheila snorted, "My mother was a foul, cruel woman and you know it!" Sheila took a long swig from the bottle. "I think my mother died hating me." She said bluntly. Edna was pretty much lost for words at this point.