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Chapter Text

Catalina I

“¿Dos hamburguesas, una con queso y otra sin y dos cervezas?”

“Si, gracias señorita.”

“Muchas gracias.”

“¡De nada!”

It was lunchtime at Humilde y Leal, a little restaurant in València owned by none other than Catherine of Aragon - ex-Queen of England. Only now she was known by her birth name, Catalina Trastámara. It wasn’t busy for a lunchtime, things were usually relatively quiet outside of tourist season, but there were a few tables in use. Workmen from the nearby construction site, a businessman only ordering coffee as he took advantage of the free wifi, some kids from the local university studying over their lunch - it wasn’t busy but there was enough to do. Just the way Catalina liked it. Five years ago she had been a part of Project Six, an operation designed to test whether influential women of history could do more good if they had the opportunities of modern day. They never divulged how it worked, all she knew was one day she died and the next she was waking up in a hospital bed. She was informed she was in the 21^st Century and her daughter had been brought back too to give her comfort.

Seeing Mary again had been the highlight of the experience, it was bittersweet in a way. Yes, finally after all these years she had her precious girl back and Henry was nowhere to be seen, but Mary was all grown up now. She was brought back at age nineteen, not in need of Lina’s guidance. Lina missed the chance to watch her daughter grow into the beautiful, smart young woman she was and she would never forgive Henry for that. Sure, she had plenty of reasons to despise him but the fact he separated her from her daughter was simply cruel. He had only done it to punish her for making it difficult for him to fuck someone else. Henry, to Lina, was worse than the devil - the devil only punished the guilty. Now, one of the rules for reincarnation was that they were not allowed to research the Tudor era. Nor was Mary allowed to tell Lina about what happened after her death.

This was to ensure privacy for Lina and anyone else from that time period who was brought back. Apparently the medieval period was the easiest time period to bring back from.

Obviously, completely avoiding the topic wasn’t realistic. So Lina was able to learn a few bits here and there. She new Mary got to be Queen and they had long talks about her bloody reign. One little fact she had learned was that Anne Boleyn had been beheaded by Henry eventually for incest among other things. Catalina couldn’t help but feel smug about all of that. Knowing Henry and his temper (and Anne’s for that matter) she doubted  the reasons given were fact, it was more likely that he had grown bored of her smart mouth. Mary had let slip once that she had siblings, one by Anne and another by Jane Seymour - Catalina’s old lady in waiting and apparently Henry’s third wife. Mary had spoken rather highly of Jane and Lina remembered her as a quiet soul. The two had gotten along, Lina almost pitied poor Jane for being the next stuck with that brute. Three wives…Henry had some serious commitment issues.

“Mary! Mija!” Lina called, spotting her daughter entering with her camera bag, “Can you waitress for me? I need to go in the back and cook.”

“Mami,” Mary put her equiptment down, “I’ve had a long day!”

Lina crossed her arms, “I’ve had long days too, like the 12 hour day I had giving birth to you.”

Mary rolled her eyes and sighed going over to snatch an apron off the hook, “You only get to use that a couple more times.”

Lina walked to go into the kitchen, stopping to peck her daughter’s cheek, “I gave you life, I get to rub that in whenever I like!”

She then walked into the back, immediately feeling a puff of hot air as she stepping into the room. All the air conditioning was out front, where the customers were and today was particularly hot. Fanning herself with her shirt, Lina walked over to the aptly names “heavy bucket” and used it to prop the kitchen door open before turning on the grill. After being reincarnated the two of them had six months of “modern training” teaching them the basics of the 21^st Century. Then they were given a large sum of money to set up their lives. Lina had sunk all of hers into this little restaurant and slowly built it from the ground up. Sure, they still lived in the tiny one bedroom flat upstairs. Sure, Mary had to sleep on the couch. Sure, they lived month to month with no savings. But Catalina would take this life over her last.

EARNING her money rather than having it handed to her because of her family name.

Lina and Mary had forged a nice little life for themselves. Lina ran the restaurant Monday to Sunday, only closing Sunday mornings for mass. Mary helped out a lot, only taking weeks off here and there for her side job as a wedding photographer. They had each other, that was the main thing. That’s what made this life so much better than their last. Catalina had once had everything in the world and she was more than happy to trade it all away for this time with her only daughter. They had their ups and downs as most Mother/Daughter duos did. Both had fiery tempers and when they got into it, they really got into it. Catalina liked being in charge and so did Mary, occasionally they’d clash -especially in the beginning. But in the end Mary surrendered the power to Lina. Respecting that her mother was the original Queen of England.

The Original Queen of England…who was currently flipping burgers at a tiny little restaurant in Spain. They had a chef that helped out in the evenings and they took on gap year students during the summer, but Lina couldn’t handle more than that. She had scared off a number of chefs since they refused to do things her way, their current chef (Eduardo) was stronger though. He would argue back and the two of them would quiet often scream until someone stormed out. But he would stay and he would cook and he was good at it. So basically he was Lina’s best friend. Today was just Lina though, not that she needed any more staff in. She was quiet content listening to the radio and singing softly to herself.

After a while a particular song came on and the soft singing turning into a full on performance ft. a spatula microphone. These were the little moments she loved. Being able to dance around her kitchen and cook delicious food. What she didn’t like…was seeing a face at the open back door as she twirled. Lina swore loudly as the bystander surprised her. She knew who it was and their presence was never good. In fact, if Lina guessed correctly her day was about to get A LOT more difficult.

“Maria!” Lina snapped, “You shouldn’t sneak up on people like that!”

“Sorry, Shakira.” Maria replied, raising an eyebrow, “I thought this was better than going through the front.”

Maria was Lina and Mary’s “handler” or “Lady in Waiting”. She worked for Project Six and was Lina’s personal liaison. Maria kept an eye on them and made sure they weren’t getting into trouble. She would offer them assistance where she could, even waitressing herself once or twice. Usually when she turned up there was a problem.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” Lina snapped, plating up the now cooked burgers

“We have an emergency.” Maria sighed, “And you’re not going to like it…”

Lina raised an eyebrow.

Well that’s not good…

Chapter Text

Anne I

“...oui...oui...non la robe rouge est moche !"

Anne Boleyn’s tone was fierce but from where she was sat comfortably out on the veranda, you would never think she was stressed. She was snapping down the phone at her assistant, the idiot had only been in charge a few hours and already cocked it up. This was why she never took time off! Nobody seemed to know how to run a goddamn magazine. Five years ago Anne Boleyn had awoken in the 21^st Century, neck still panging from the beheading that felt as if it was mere minutes ago. At the realisation that these odd people had not in fact saved her from the swordsman’s swing, that she had indeed died on the block, she had began to panic. Understandably, it was a lot to process. She bolted from the room and found a mirror, seeing her face staring back at her…the only difference being the thick red scar trailing around her neck like a collar.

He always did refer to her as a bitch. Well the joke was on him! Both Anne and Elizabeth had been returned, together at last. No Henry, no mistresses and no beheadings. The 21^st Century was indeed strange when compared with their time, things that would once have been punishable offences were now common place. Anne could now flirt and talk to whoever she wanted whenever she wanted. She could send Lizzie to the best schools, she could live on the French Riviera in this fancy house. Without any man to take the credit for the luxury. After the six month introduction to the 21^st Century, Anne had fallen in love with the fashion of modern day. The make-up, the scandalous clothing - it all fascinated her. So much so, that when she received her stipend from the project she spent it all on buying a failing magazine and a nice suit.

It took time for Anne to turn round the magazine, almost a year of living in a hostel with Lizzie. Then it took off, the magazine (Décapité) was quickly becoming the most popular magazine in France. Anne was even in talks of expanding into a UK and US office. Anne traded the hostel for a beautiful estate, she moved Lizzie from her failing public school to a top league table boarding academy. It works out well, Anne could work all week without worrying about Lizzie and then at the weekend Lizzie would be driven home by their driver. They rarely spent time together, but they always ate together Sunday evenings. A five star dinner cooked by Anne’s private chef usually spent in silence, but it was better than not seeing each other at all.

“Réparez-le ou vous êtes viré!”

Anne had definitely had a taste for the high life now. They both had really, it was hard not to! Before, in the past, Anne’s only taste of power came second hand. From the name her father made for them or who her husband was. Now she had her own and boy was she basking in it. The staff working for her ONLY worked for her. And she liked this power, she really liked it. If Anne said something wasn’t good enough it would change, if she didn’t like it she could have it scrapped. No need to compromise, it was her way or no way and it was safe to assume this power had gone to her head. Big time. But she had earned that right, once you get to Anne’s level of respect you are given permission to be as unreasonable as you like. Nobody will say anything because she would fire them then and there and had done so many times.

“Réparez-le ou j'aurai votre tête pour le dîner!” Anne snapped, “Au revoir, Blaise.”

Hanging up the phone, Anne reclined on her deck chair. Opening the newspaper and chuckling as she thought back to how her assistant had stuttered over his words as she reemed him out. He had lasted long than her last, but she doubted he’d stay for the full year. It made her weirdly proud, that if you can stand working under her for a year you could get an in at any magazine hiring. She had a reputation, one she was finally proud of and nothing could take the pride away from her. Anne heard someone approaching and turned to see Lizzie walking up the steps in her riding gear. Lowering her sunglasses to peer over them at her only child, smiling to her.

“Good morning, Maman.” Elizabeth greeted,

“Morning, mon chéri.” Anne greeted, “Pierre prepared us some breakfast.”

Elizabeth removed her helmet and went to sit at the table. She poured some juice and clicked her fingers to get staff attention, “Pierre! I’m hungry now!”

“Oui, mademoiselle Elizabeth.” Pierre replied, bringing out some well cooked breakfast,

Elizabeth waved him away once he had plated her up, “I’m starving.”

“Good ride?”

Elizabeth nodded, “I went to ride with Bridgette and Célia at Bridgette’s estate. Beautiful mare, I enquired about purchasing her.”

“Really now?” Anne hummed still reading the paper,

“Mmhmm,” Lizzie nodded, tucking into her breakfast, “Bridgette didn’t seem to keen but her father seemed to be easily swayed.”

“I’ll call him tomorrow.” Anne told her, checking the stock market figures,

“Really!?”

Anne looked up, reaching over to pat her daughter’s hand, “What my girl wants, she gets.”

“Merci maman!”

The elder woman smiled and then returned her gaze to her paper as the two ate in silence. Once they were finished the two remained on the veranda, enjoying the sunshine one only found in the south of France. Eventually Pierre reappeared and began clearing their plates, the duo didn’t look up at him. He was more like a piece of furniture to Anne at this point.

“Pierre, speak to the groundsman about extending the stable.” Anne told him in French, finally folding the newspaper up and placing it on the table, “We will be having a new mare coming from the de Chevrolet estate.”

“ Oui madame,” Pierre confirmed, putting all the plates on a tray that rested on the outside serving table, “Um…madame?”

“What is it?” Anne asked, impatient - she never liked staff addressing her,

“You have a visitor.” He said nervously, “I tried to turn her away but she said it was urgent.”

Anne raised an eyebrow, “Did you get a name?”

“Oui, she said her name was Maggie.”

That had both Anne and Lizzie sitting upright, suddenly their earlier relaxed state was gone. Maggie never came more than once a year to check in. She was here last month for that so why would she be back so soon? Anne made the order to bring her in, then Pierre was to leave them alone and not disrupt them until Maggie had left. He was just happy for a break and one of the reasons Anne kept him around was his discretion.

“Anne!” Maggie greeted fondly as she was led round the corner, “And Lizzie, how’re you both?”

“I’m fine.” Liz shrugged,

Anne rolled her eyes, “I’m well. Maggie, to what do we owe the pleasure?”

“No pleasantries, huh?” Maggie asked, sitting at the table and picking at some of the left over food, “Where’s the etiquette?”

“Etiquette is reserved for those I respect.” Anne countered, “Now why had you interrupted my breakfast?”

Maggie sighed, smirk dropping, “Okay, I have some bad news.”

“Right.” Anne studied her, “What sort of news?”

Clearing her throat the handler explained, “Some…government entities are rather unhappy with the recent discovery of our project.”

“So you didn’t get the correct permits or whatever, how is that anything to do with us?”

“I can’t explain now, but we will require you to return to the UK for a meeting.”

“No.”

“Anne--”

“I’ve told you before I’m never going back there.” Anne growled, “That country took my head!”

“We need you.”

“Tough.”

Maggie huffed, glaring at the fashion icon as she went for the low blow, “Do you like the life you have now?”

Anne sighed, “Yes.”

“And Lizzie - do you like living here? In this big house - WITH your mother?”

“Of course.” Lizzie shrugged,

“Then you owe us.” Maggie told them, “If you want to continue your life of luxury, you need to book a flight to the UK.”

Anne glared at her, unhappy at being told what to do.

“Fine. But I will be complaining the entire trip.”

“I would expect nothing less.”

Chapter Text

Jane I

“Okay, stop there guys! Nick, you were a little flat just after your big high note. I understand it’s an abrupt change, just practice for me a bit love. And Tina, go to the costume closet at lunch and find some appropriate shoes. I didn’t even know they made light up Doc Martins.”

“Yes Ms Seymour!” The students chorused,

The ringing of the school bell marked the end of the period and the students clambered off the stage to find their bags. Jane Seymour waved them goodbye as they went and went off to tidy the stage. Her year 7 drama class had asked to put on a musical and put it on for their parents. It was getting to the end of term and so Jane had made it their end of year assessment.  She wasn’t used to directing anyone. Sure, in her last life she had been gifted control of a number of staff, but she had always been uncomfortable ordering them around. Besides, Henry was usually the one doing that. He was always so good at delegating.

She loved teaching though. Jane had always liked kids, being a mother would always be her greatest achievement. It was the biggest flex that the students viewed the ex-monarch as one of her favourite teachers. Over the years in which she had worked there she had accumulated a number of “Thank You” cards that decorated the walls of her office. Requesting a fake teaching degree from Project Six had been a wise choice. That way she was able to hit the ground running and use the money to pay for a nice house in London. Originally she had wanted to return to Wiltshire where she had grown up, but there wasn’t a lot there for her. The only other place she really knew was London so buying a property there was the wiser choice.

It had been a tough transition, waking up 500 years later. Thankfully she had Edward with her as well. The project itself was to only bring back women, but Edward was a one off. The way they’d explained it was that they had brought him back as he would be what she was most comforted by. Apparently they’d brought back other historical figures with their children to offer comfort to them, someone ever had their dog brought back! Jane didn’t know who these other women were and she wasn’t allowed to look up Tudor history to see anyone it could be. Though if she was back it was probably safe to assume at the very least Catherine or Anne were back. It would be unfair for only Jane to have returned. Part of her wished Henry could have been brought back too, that he could of helped her build a little family unit with Edward. One they were denied due to her death.

Maybe if he had come back Edward wouldn’t be acting out as much. Her son had obviously been a king at one point, Jane knew this. He had also let slip on his sixteenth birthday that this was the eldest he’d ever been. That had devastated Jane to learn, she had hoped her boy had been able to live a long happy life. But sadly that was not the case and it was deeply saddening to know. It had made Jane want to coddle him, wrap her only son in bubblewrap - but he only pushed her away. It seems his time as King was enough to leave him with a sense of entitlement. Losing his power had made him mean and resentful. Jane pretended different, pretended she hadn’t seen him picking on students in the hallways.

Jane cleared up the stage, preparing to go back to her office and eat before lunch finished. Then she had her next class in the drama room. Just as she crammed the last prop sword in the box, two arms wrapped around her waist and Jane stilled in surprise. Obviously feeling her flinch, her attacker chuckled and let go to turn her round. She breathed a sigh of relief to realise it was only Jonathan. Jonathan “John” Knight was a geography teacher at the same school as Jane. He was also her boyfriend of three months. Getting into a new relationship was something that Jane hadn’t expected of herself. She had loved Henry and he had loved her back, Edward said he had grieved her loss for his entire life. But it was just time, she deserved happiness and was sure Henry would want her to be happy.

Part of her felt guilty, he had died alone whilst she would get a chance to move on. John was very different to Henry in a lot of ways. One was that John didn’t have the temper Henry did. She had vague memories of Anne Boleyn referring to his rages as those of a petulant child, but Jane disagreed. Whenever he screamed and shouted at her, as shaken as it would make her, Jane could excuse it. Henry was a very passionate man. He just felt things more deeply than others. John didn’t do any of that, he never shouted or raised his voice. He was kind and gentle in ways Henry never had been. Everything was still rather new and exciting but Jane couldn’t wait to explore the dating world.

Before, for the most part, Tudor relationships were a cycle of rich men pointing at any woman and saying “I want that one”. Even Henry. But now the women could have their own say. Jane had been able to place her own boundaries and John just…accepted them. She had said he wasn’t to introduce himself as her boyfriend to Edward and he hadn’t. She had said many times she didn’t feel comfortable staying the night with him until recently and he had been patient. It was a completely new situation and Jane was extremely excited to see what was in store.

“Hey, love.” John greeting putting his hands on her waist again,

“John!” Jane chided, red faced, “A student could see us.”

John laughed, “They’re all in the cafeteria!”

“Still…” Despite being concerned, Jane was smiling softly,

“Can I at least have a kiss first?”

Jane rolled her eyes playfully, “Fine!”

She went up on her tiptoes and pecked him gently. He smiled and released her. John offered to share lunch in Jane’s office and the blonde happily agreed. Leaving the theatre, they walked down the hallway to the drama office. Jane usually shared this space with the Head of the Arts Department, but she always got lunch off campus. This meant the couple could get their respective lunches and eat in peace. Or at least…they should have been able to. Only the closer they found a mysterious woman stood outside the office. At the sight of Jane this person perked up, Jane herself feeling her stomach knot in worry. Joan was her handler from the project. She had only just checked in with Jane? Why was she here now?

However, due to the simple fact John had no idea Jane was a reincarnated medieval queen and third and (as far as she knew) final wife of the Henry VIII, she couldn’t say any of that. Instead she plastered a fake smile on her face and approached her. Trying to hide her nerves.

“Hello, miss.” She really hoped Joan got what she was doing, “Can I help you?”

“Hi, are you Ms Seymour?” Joan greeted, catching on instantly,

“Yes I am.” Jane nodded, “Can I help you?”

“I need to talk to you - it’s very important.”

Jane nearly groaned.

She didn’t know what could be so important. But whatever this was, it freaking better be!

Chapter Text

Anna I

“Wow...das ist ein wahres Meisterwerk!”

“Die Farben sind wirklich wunderschön.”

Anna smiled as she overheard various interactions coming from every corner of the gallery. Another night, another boatload of Europe’s high society looking to buy yet another art piece. Anna La Mark, once known as Anne of Cleves - fourth wife of Henry VIII and later referred to as the “Kings Sister”. Their friendship was forced civility at best. He couldn’t afford to make an enemy of Germany and a single life in a fine house with more money than she knew what to do with was much better than returning to Germany until the next man came sniffing. Anna had a good life in the end, Parr may be the one who “survived” Henry but Anna lived longer than the rest. She had even become good friends with her ex-stepchildren, well until Mary became paranoid that she was conspiring to put Liz on the throne.

But still Anna couldn’t complain, she had a happy life. It was lonely at times sure, but she was content with it. Now, she could go about things without the limitation that was Henry Tudor. The ladies from Project Six had also brought back Prinz, one of her prized hounds. In her waning years that old dog had kept her sane and she was delighted to see him again. She hadn’t known what she wanted to do with her new life. One day she was just ejected from the Herstory Building, out into the real world with her dog and enough cash for whatever she wanted. She opted to start in Düsseldorf again, going back to where she was raised. Her first day there she broke the main rule of Project Six, she looked up herself. She steered clear of anything to do with the lives of Mary and Elizabeth, but she wanted to see how she was remembered.

Ugly.

She was remembered as ugly. The fact Henry couldn’t get it up their first night together was viewed through the historical lense as her being repulsive to him rather than him being OLD. Anna knew it was bullshit, she knew she wasn’t ugly. But sometimes you can know something but still question it. She had found her own way to cope with all of this though. Partying and merriment were a great deal different now to how they were before, the music and dances of the Tudor period now replaced by sexualised movements that were aimed more at seduction. Alcohol was drank in excess by most and Anna found that the more she drank…the more she liked herself. When she drank out in the clubs people liked her, women wanted to come home with her. She could do that now - enjoy the pleasure of being with women openly.

It made her feel good, being wanted or needed. Out on the dance floor those women thought Anna was beautiful and that was the boost her self-esteem needed. So her life narrowed to partying, surrounding herself with beautiful things in the hopes they would rub some of their beauty off on to her. For this purpose she opened her own art gallery in the centre of the city. Germany’s best and brightest minds often came to look at her displays and pay ridiculous amounts of money for the pieces there. Tonight she was hosting an event for an artist friend of hers in the gallery, people had come from all over Europe to attend and Anna made sure to circulate. Every opportunity was a networking opportunity after all.

“Rotwein?” A server asked as they held out a tray of red wine,

“Ja,” Anna replied, taking a glass, “Dankeschön.”

As she looked past the server she spotted a blonde woman looking closely at one of the art pieces. She was tall, blue eyed and gorgeous. Anna had always had a weakness for blondes. She took another glass from the tray and walked over to her target, navigating the crowds as to not spill a drop on her white suit. I know what your thinking, red wine and a white suit!? Well…Anna lived on the edge of danger. Approaching the woman with all the confidence of a flaunting peacock, Anna slid beside her and held out the glass of wine.

“Wine?” Anna asked, still speaking German but the author wasn’t about to start translating everything,

The woman look startled before relaxing at the calm smile she was met with, “What makes you think I’m in the mood for red wine?”

Anna sensed a challenge and raised an eyebrow, “Well what can I tempt you with? You name your price.”

The girl chuckled, “And what exactly is this price for?”

“I’d settle for your name.”

The girl eyed Anna up and down for a moment then smirked, “Dirty Martini.”

“Is there a better kind of martini?” Anna asked jokingly, she raised her hand and immediately a server came over,

“Yes Miss Anna?”

“Go into the back room to my private fridge and mix up a martini for my friend here.” Anna requested,

“Right away Miss Anna.”

Anna turned back to the girl who now looked a lot more invested than she had earlier, “Who are you?”

Anna chuckled and reached out to tilt up the girl’s chin, “For tonight just call me yours.”

“Cheesy.”

“And yet…you are intrigued.”

The girl snorted playfully, “That’s one word for it.”

Anna smiled, looking towards the piece the girl was stood before, “It’s a fabulous piece, don’t you think?”

The girl hummed, “It’s my favourite I think, far too much for me to buy - but it is pretty.”

Anna nodded, then reached out and turned the sign round so the price was no longer displayed. Instead the word SOLD was now visible.

“What are you doing?”

“This is my gallery,” Anna told her, “If I keep the piece here, perhaps I can convince you to come around more often.”

They chatted idly, Anna was sure to not let it get below surface level. Her conquests were kept at arms length, for all the pretty words Anna used that was still all this woman was to her. Even the painting, Anna would only keep it until the girl came to visit once - then she would just give the painting to her and lie about moving to England. She knew enough about there to lie convincingly. The girl was good to talk to and Anna pretended to be endeared by her games. The chase was always interesting but Anna always won them. Every time. The server arrived with the martini and, having been instructed by Anna prior, a fresh glass of wine. All her staff knew she was never to have an empty glass.

“So you’ve got your martini - I believe I am owed a name.”

The girl rolled her eyes playfully, “Alright, Rumpelstiltskin. My name is Gabriele.

“Nice to meet you, Gabriele.” Anna extended her hand to be shaken, “I am Anna.”

“Good to meet you, Miss Anna.”

Miss Anna? I can work with that…

“You know, if you like this piece I have one similar upstairs if you would care to see it?”

“Well I--”

Suddenly, someone collided with Anna from behind and she spilt red wine all over herself. Gabriele giggled whilst Anna turned to scold the assailant…only to freeze. There was Bessie, her handler, stood there trying to act all embarrassed whilst her eyes glittered with amusement.

“Oh…I’m so sorry!” Bessie said in English, obviously sarcastic,

Anna looked herself over and sighed, turning back for one last look at Gabriele, “Excuse me a moment.”

“Of course.” The other girl tried hiding her giggles with the glass,

Bessie then pulled Anna away to get “cleaned up”.

And Anna began plotting various ways to MURDER her.

Chapter Text

Kat I

Tap, tap, tap.

“Kat?”

Katherine Howard sat bolt upright at the sound of someone tapping at the window next to her. Her heart hammered in her chest as she began mentally checking off anything she could have forgotten to do. What had she done this time to make him angry? After a panicked moment she refamiliarised herself with where she was. No longer in her little flat in Lambeth with him, no she was in her car. Outside of “Pop and Sons Mechanics” where she worked. The person worriedly tapping on the window made up the “son” in “Pop and Sons Mechanics”. Jason “Jay” Popper was one of the few men Kat trusted. At first she hadn’t, for reasons that to her seemed obvious. But she needed a job and one of the things she’d found interesting about this new time period she was in were the machines. Kat wanted to learn how to make things work and how to fix them when they wouldn’t.

The first thing she did after leaving the Herstory Building was get her drivers licence. Using the money provided for a small flat in Lambeth and a cheap second hand car. It left her a large amount but truthfully…Katherine never wanted much. So instead she put it away in something called a savings account, only ever using it when one of her friends needed a bail out. Overtime it had gained interest too and sometimes Kat just liked looking at it. She’d never had anything of her own before, it was like she was scared it would all go away. That everything would leave her just as quickly as her head left her shoulders. It had become a nervous tick actually. Whenever she would begin to get stressed or upset her hands would cradle her neck, just over where the thick jagged scar was. Confirming to herself that everything was attached.

Anyway, after buying her little car, she had gone into the nearest mechanics to ask how to fix one of the teething problems she was having. Pop had been very impressed by how much she knew and how much she had fixed herself. When she expressed, tentatively, an interest in cars Pop offered her some part time work. She had originally said no, not trusting this random man the way she had trusted all those others. But she still went to that mechanics for parts or cleaning supplies and every time Pop would extend the offer. When Katherine got her motorcycle license she felt a little out of her depth with the repairs, so Pop offered to teach her. She, by this point, had built some level of rapport with him and so agreed. Katherine had never been happier since! Pop and Jay looked out for her like she was family, they had her round for Christmas and Easter every year. They even fired one mechanic who made an inappropriate advance - Kat suspects Pop was the reason he had a black eye after that day but the old man never confirmed.

Katherine had never known why she had been deemed important enough to bring back, but she was glad she was. She’d never had an actual father figure before, not until Pop. Even with everything else going on, the stupid decisions Kat had made - it was all still worth it. Which leads us to why Kat had spent the night sleeping in her car outside of her workplace for a worried Jay to find. It was no secret to anyone that Katherine was a vulnerable person, she was quiet and meek and sometimes would flinch at the slightest contact. Pop understood where this had come from, sensing it from her initial distrust of him, making a point to let Katherine know she was safe in his shop. In the beginning he wouldn’t so much as let her close the door when they were alone in his office, ensuring she knew she could leave if she desired. But if he could see this vulnerability so could others…

Todd Jenkins was a local thug. He had pursued poor Kat for months after bringing his motorcycle to the shop to get fixed up. Kat had enjoyed hearing him talk about the bike and decided that this time would be different, that it was okay to try dating. They were together a month before he moved in without telling her, slowly bringing more and more of his stuff over until there was no sign of Kat left in the downstairs flat.Then two months in he began shouting at her, being mean and calling her names. Or…at least she thinks he did? Todd always got mad at her for taking what he said the wrong way, she could just be really sensitive sometimes. She was trying to work on it but she wished he wouldn’t shout.

Kat’s flat was the bottom half of a terraced house, with the upper floor rented out to an older couple. Katherine had gotten on well with them in the beginning, keeping quietly to herself. But when Todd moved in they’d had a number of noise complaints and now they glared at Kat when they saw her. Jay always said Katherine could do better and his wife had offered to set her up with people, but to Kat it was all fine. He never hit her…of assaulted her the way the others had. Sure he shouted and threw things sometimes, occasionally talking in circles so much Kat just agreed to what he wanted to shut him up. But he never hit her.

And for Katherine that made him one of her better relationships.

But last night had been bad, he had been so angry about Kat having to work today. He thought Jay had bad intentions and wanted Kat to quit and stay home with him. It was sweet he cared but Jay was her friend…and very happily married. Anyway, he started yelling and Kat somehow managed to yell back. Trying to stand up for poor Jay. Todd went quiet then and told her to get out, shoving her out the door in her pyjamas and refusing to let her back in. She didn’t even have her phone and she wasn’t about to try and beat the door down. That would make upstairs even angrier. However, this was not the first time he’d done this and Kat kept a spare key to her car taped under the window ledge. So she drove to work and fell asleep in the drivers seat. What’s the worst that could happen to her that hadn’t happened before?

Kat rolled down the window and looked at Jay groggily.

“Have you been out here all night?” Jay asked, concerned,

Kat nodded.

Brief rage flew across his face but he said nothing and instead sighed, “Come on, I have some toothpaste and stuff in my locker. I’m sure Pop’ll lend you a spare shirt.”

She followed him inside and Jay managed to get her some stuff to feel human again. Vanessa, his wife, dropped by after an hour with some shoes and trousers she could wear. When Pop came in for the day he looked furious. Kat shrank away, afraid he was mad at her for taking advantage of their kindness, but at that he calmed himself down. Pop was a scary man to look at; bushy grey beard, skull caps, biker attire, etc. But ultimately he was a kind and genuine man. Kat was like his daughter and he hated seeing her mistreated, they all did. But you can’t help someone when they don’t see a problem. So instead they all got to work. Katherine was excited about the red corvette she was changing the oil on. It was a truly beautiful car and part of her wanted to ask the owner if she could try driving it. But she didn’t….because that’d be weird.

Pop called out to her just as she finished up on the corvette, “You done with that one, Duck?”

Pop always called her Duck or Duckie - calm front, with legs paddling dramatically under the water.

“You’ve always got more going on than you show.”

Kat nodded to him, using a rag to clean off the oil from her hands.

“Good job,” Pop grinned proudly, “You’ve got a visitor out by the desk.”

It made her feel guilty, how quickly she stilled. She shouldn’t be scared of seeing Todd…he was her boyfriend. She loved him. He never hit her, things could be a lot worse!

“It’s not him.” Pop said firmly, “If it was I’d have him dealt with quietly.”

Kat would have offered a chuckle at that, had she believed him to be joking. Instead she just nodded again and walked out of the garage towards the front building where the reception desk was. The garage was located at the very back of the lot so it was quite the walk. She used to ride her motorcycle the distance, it only took about ten seconds but still. However, Todd said a motorbike was too dangerous for her and so he sold it without telling her. He was probably right but it still made her sad, she loved that bike.

Walking out to the front she was surprised to see Maggie there, but offered a smile and went over to give her a hug. She liked Maggie, Maggie had made the new world less scary when she woke up.

“Hello Katherine.” Maggie grinned, “You doing alright?”

Kat nodded.

“Good,” Maggie’s smile faltered, “How's Todd?"

Kat looked down, hand coming up to rub her neck.

Maggie sighed, deciding to move past it, "We need to discuss something rather serious and I don’t know if you’ll think it good or bad.”

Kat cocked her head confused.

“We need you to come to a meeting in a week,” Maggie explained, “The Project is in trouble and you are one of few people who can save it.”

Kat blinked and took in those words.

Well...what could be worse than sleeping in my car?

Chapter Text

Cathy I

…simply being in the same room as such a dynamic and powerful woman was enough to make this journalist run out of words to describe the experience.

“Mummy!”

If I were to try I suppose “intimidating” would be the first word that sprung to mind. Being in the presence of such an important woman at…

“Mummy!”

Catherine Parr, sixth and final wife of Henry VIII, sighed, “You okay Mae-Mae?”

Little feet came padding into the room as an excited six year old ran into the room. It was a Monday afternoon and she was at home with her daughter. Catherine, no longer mad at the interruption (because honestly - who could be mad at that little face!?) turned in her chair to catch her baby girl. Mae giggled as her mother pulled her up into her lap and landed kisses all over her tiny face. This was all she had ever wanted. Catherine, now known as Cathy, had lived a very prominent life before. She was the first women to be published in English, she fought for women’s rights to a good education and had began forging the bear bones of the feminist movement. Now in this new life she could continue this work. She could do the things she loved without needed  a man like Edward to sign off on it. Whilst she loved Edward for all he did for her, this time Cathy could be self made. She didn’t want to give any man credit for her success.

The best part of it all though, was that she was given a chance to start where she left off before. Raising Mae from infancy, being the mother she had dreamed of being during her pregnancy. There were a lot of things she wished she could change. Her death being one…Mae’s father for another. But ultimately they were here now, Cathy had this chance to be a real mother. Not a stepmother, not a mother figure - a real mother. Thankfully without Thomas to try corrupting this innocent lump in her arms. Just thinking about that bastard mad her angry, remembering what he did to poor Elizabeth…bastard. She tried not to remember him, partly because it made her angry and partly because of the guilt she felt over her own involvement.

But none of that mattered any more, she was back. She had her daughter and access to all the resources she could ever want to continue her work. At the moment she was working for an acclaimed feminist website. Finally able to share her personal views with like-minded people and read their views in turn. The 21^st Century had its issues, but compared to the Tudor period it was a dream for Cathy.

“Did you have a good nap, sweetheart?” Cathy asked,

Mae nodded, clutching her stuffed guinea pig tightly in her little hands, “Yeah…”

“You hungry?” Cathy continued,

Mae nodded.

“Is Twitch hungry?” Cathy added, referring to the stuffed guinea pig in the little girl’s hands,

Mae nodded again.

“Well why don’t we get you both some food!” Cathy smiled, picking her up and walking her out of the study,

Mae and Cathy lived alone in their house in Blackfriars, near where Cathy herself was born. She didn’t really know where to start when she first left the Herstory building. This big wide world opened up before her and she couldn’t wait to start exploring it. Her handler had recommended she start with some films. Ways to expand her world view and see new places without having to travel far. Boxes with moving pictures inside, like plays but recorded on some sort of device. Cathy had become fascinated by them, obsessed with these tales that she could play out before her on demand. Countless stories, from mystery to fictional history. Cathy loved all of it! So every evening, after dinner she’d watch two films. One with Mae, something for kids of her age, then she would send her little girl to bed and watch a grown up movie.

The only film she ever regretted was the “Human Centipede”. NEVER again.

She carried Mae into the kitchen and sat her at the table.

“What do you want? Ham or cheese?” Cathy asked heading to the fridge for sandwich supplies,

“Mmm…” Mae hummed and brought Twitch up to her ear, wiggling him as if he were whispering, “Twitch wants cheese.”

“Does he now?” Cathy smiled, taking out the cheese,

Mae nodded, “Twitch says ham is made from piggies and he’s a type of piggy! It makes him sad…”

“Ah I see.” Cathy bit back a chuckle, “Well we can’t  have a sad Twitch, now can we?”

“No!”

Cathy set to work making the sandwiches. Mae was a fussy eater, she liked ham and cheese on their own in sandwiches but not together. It was something she was trying to get her daughter used to, trying new foods without tantruming, but it was slow process. Plating the food she cut Mae’s into quarters and brought it over to Mae.

“What do we say?”

“Thank you Mummy.”

“You’re welcome sweetheart.”

As they ate, Mae kept up a lively conversation with Twitch whilst Cathy checked some emails on her phone. Her boss, Emma, was asking for an update on her article. It was due that evening and if Cathy could settle Mae down with Paw Patrol for an hour or so she’ll be able to finish it. Looking up at her daughter upon hearing her giggle, Cathy felt a warm smile cross her face. She never liked dwelling on her past but occasionally she couldn’t help but delve in. There were six famed wives of Henry VIII and Cathy had always been careful to respect the rules of Project Six. Part of Cathy still hope that, although she didn’t know any of these women well, that they had been given a second chance two. She wasn’t stupid, Project Six made it kind of obvious. Six. As in six wives. Cathy would often wonder where they could be, what they would be doing.

She imagined the international ones were back in their home country. Hopefully all would be reunited with their children and some happiness could be found for Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard in that same regard. Cathy wondered if she would ever encounter them or if she had and never known. She could maybe ask her handler, but she doubted Maria would tell her. It could be assumed that they were probably kept separate for a reason. Perhaps Cathy would never know the answers but that was okay, she was happy to imagine hypothetical conversations with her godmother. Hypothetical debates on parenting with Jane Seymour. Hypothetical apologies to be made to Anne Boleyn.

“Mummy.”

Cathy blinked back to reality and looked at her daughter, “Yes sweetheart?”

“Twitch wants you to watch TV with us.”

“Does he now?” Cathy asked smiling,

“Yeah…”

“I don’t know Twitch,” Cathy said dramatically to the stuffed animal, “I have a big article tonight.”

Mae looked down, “Okay…Twitch understands.”

Cathy chuckled, “But maybe we can watch a couple episodes of Paw Patrol.”

The little girl lit up at that, “Really!?”

Cathy stood and picked up the empty plate, “Go put it on!”

With a little cheer the six year old ran from the table, Twitch in hand, to go turn on the TV. Cathy watched her go with a fond smile, there was nothing on this earth she loved more. She’d sooner rip the world in two before she lost her again. Clearing up the plates, she opted to leave them on the side and wash them up tonight after the article was done.

“Mae-Mae, do you want a drink?”

“Yes please!”

Cathy went to pour some juice for the both of them, humming to herself as she did so. Suddenly her phone began ringing in her pocket. She rolled her eyes, expecting Emma to be following up with her AGAIN. Her boss had a habit of ignoring emails. But the caller ID was not one she expected. Taking a moment to mentally prep, she answered - a little nervous over what to expect.

“Maria?”

“Cathy! Hey, how are you?”

“I’m alright…are you at a train station?”

“Close!” Maria said, “An airport, I’m on my way back from Spain.”

“Oh, that’s nice.” Cathy remembered a certain Spanish Queen that would match up her conspiracy theory, “So what can I do for you?”

“Are you free next Thursday?”

“I can be, why?”

“We’re having a little meeting and we’re going to need you there.”

“Is it important?” Cathy asked,

“It’ll be the most important thing you’ve ever done.”

Well…anything was better than Paw Patrol.

Chapter Text

Mary I

“¡Mirar de esta manera! ¡Sonrisa!”

CLICK

FLASH

“¡Hermosa! Muchas gracias.”

Mary looked at the view finder on her camera and checked the image. It was a nice one of the bride’s work friends, all smiling and making merry. Working weddings was never really her dream but Mary had kind of fallen into it. After the six months of 21^st Century training, Mary had built a fascination with camera’s. How you could take a picture of something and keep in forever, like an exact copy of the memory with only what she wanted to see in frame. They weren’t as rigid as portraits from her time, you didn’t just capture the scene - you captured the emotion, the moment itself. One day Mary hoped to do something more serious, become a real photographer. But until then weddings brought the money in.

She was just taking random shots of happy wedding attendees to pass the time before the cutting of the cake. It was funny, once upon a time such festivities were a regular occurrence in court. Her father loved parties, the few she had attended due to her intermittent spots of being in his favour she had enjoyed them. The dancing, the food, the rare show of family they were required to present to the court. They were the only times she ever really saw her siblings, back before things became so complicated. Everyone had a past, Mary’s was more bloodthirsty than most. She had been angry in her first life. Forged from the fire of her father’s fury and hardened by the ice of her mother’s absence. Mary had once held a rage that she took out on the whole world. Over 200 lives lost to her everlasting tantrum.

She had often warred with herself about whether she was the one who should have been given this chance. But at the end of the day, Mary knew there was no point in questioning it all. Now she had her mother back and that was enough to make her desire to be a better person. So far, Mary was doing just that. She was slowly becoming that better person. Though her anger couldn’t be placed solely on her parents, there had been other things troubling her mind. Her marriage to Philip for one. Half due to his constant mind games and seduction eyes aimed at her sister. Half due to the fact that all though he was the only man to bed her Mary could never love him. Try as she might she just couldn’t view her husband in the same way she viewed the women at court.

Though at the time she couldn’t act on it, she couldn’t  even reference it in second hand. That would have prompted questions of which she had no answers. In this new world such things were talked about more freely, parades were held in honour of people such as herself. It had still taken some time, coming to terms with who she was really. She had gotten her opportunity to experiment here and there. It was different than it had been with Philip, with him is was for duty with the others it was for pleasure. Jokingly she could see why the men of her day had enjoyed sex so much - when you were having fun it was a whole different ball game. This new world gave her the opportunity to find herself, to separate Mary Trastámara from Bloody Mary.

At first she had resisted change. She tried to go toe to toe with her mother and fight for the dominance she had grown accustom to as Queen. But being in relative poverty this time took its toll. They had to work together and when they were on the same team they flourished. Soon it was as though they were never separated. They got close. They worked in the restaurant together, they went to church together, they had telenovella screenings together. It seemed everything this time round would be perfect…

But then Mary came out.

It had taken a year for her to get the courage and eventually Mary just spat it out over dinner. This huge moment that had been building for months and months, finally out in the open. It was like a weight was lifted from her shoulders. Mary didn’t walk out the closet, she barrelled through it like a battering ram. But instead of acceptance and love, do you know what her mother said?

“No you’re not.”

That tiny insignificant sentence cut her to the core in a way nothing ever had before. They argued late into the night about it. Mary begging her mother to understand, Catalina saying that the Bible said it was wrong.

“I can accept others for their sins but you’re my daughter - that’s different!”

That was the first and only time Mary had cried herself to sleep. They never talked about it again, reaching a silent impasse of “if Lina didn’t see it, it wasn’t happening”. Mary could date who she wanted and even had a few girlfriends, but her mother would pretend she was normal. Catalina would act like she didn’t know Elena was more than a friend, that Alma was kissing her as a friend outside the restaurant, that the stuff on her face wasn’t glitter from Pride.  They never talked about it ever. Mary did stop going to church, but nothing else seemed affected. From the outside they were fine and they truly were close. But now there was this huge part of her life she couldn’t let her mother into. Occasionally it made her very sad.

But Mary loved her mother, so she put up with it. Scared to push the mystical gay agenda on her too much and shove her out of her life in the process. It was easier to hide away the gay at the moment. Mary had been single a few months and was quite happy to stay so until she figured out what to do about her mother. Martina had left her because their relationship wasn’t able to progress further. She wanted to meet Catalina, find out more about Mary’s home life. But for obvious reasons Mary was extremely resistant and it ultimately broke them up. Probably for the best anyway. Martina wanted to know the real Mary, however the real Mary was a 500 year old medieval monarch. Yeah…that conversation would go well.

“¡Mary!” Her photography partner called, “Van a cortar el pastel.”

Mary nodded and went over to where the couple were preparing to cut the cake. As she took the picture of this iconic moment, capturing it for the couple forever. Part of Mary began wondering if she’d have this. This being the happy ever after, perfect partnership, that she dreamed off. Would her mother even come? Or would she miss her next wedding like she missed her first? If Mary could change it, she would. If she could be normal she’d do it. She faked straight for so long, why didn’t she keep it in? Sure, it began feeling like she was going to explode and she spiralled for so long over it. But maybe her mother was right, maybe she would never be truly happy with a women. Perhaps she was looking back at her old life with her new life’s lense. Maybe she did like men in her last life but in this life she was brought back wrong.

Looking at the happy couple, the happy STRAIGHT couple, Mary felt her insides twist. That, what they had, was normal. That was how Mary was supposed to be but she wasn’t and she was so far past believing she could fake it again. But her mother’s rejection had an effect. It made her see her life different to how she had seen it before. Love and acceptance from the LGBTQ+ community now felt like enabling of some kind of sick perversion. Mary’s journey to self-acceptance forever tainted by a new form of inner hatred. She wished she could be the daughter her mother dreamed of, but instead every time she looked at another woman Mary felt as though she was letting Catalina down. The words her mother said that night would echo in her mind like a broken record…

“Mija, I don’t hate you. I’m just…disappointed at the choices you’re making.”

But Mary knew it wasn’t a choice…

…she was just a disappointment.

Chapter Text

Elizabeth I

“What about Austria?”

“We went there last year.”

“But it was fun right?”

Lizzie rolled her eyes as her friend’s bickered across the lunch table. Bridgette and Célia were arguing over where the group wanted to go skiing over the summer holidays. Today was the last day, they planned to put money down on the trip and head off next week. See, that was the best part of being rich. The expensive last minute flights and hotel bookings meant very little to them all. Lizzie just had to give the booking information to her mother and it was paid. One of the girls in the group, Georgina, wasn’t as rich as they were. It always baffled Liz when she heard Georgie saying she had to ask her parents or that she couldn’t go with them because “money is tight”. In both her lives Elizabeth had been surrounded by the rich and wealthy. Even the stepmothers she had that were “low-born” had come from fine houses and had their own distinct family names. The idea of people not having her ability to click her fingers and get what she wants was, in all honesty, rather sad.

But not everyone could be on of the social elite, like Elizabeth was. It was her birthright! She was the greatest Queen in English history and while she could yell that from the rooftops as much as she’d like to, it gave her the right to be a little entitled. Sure, now it was her mothers celebrity status that paid for their lavish lifestyle but being brought back at twelve gave her a twelve year olds mindset. Now she had the best of everything, a luxurious life WITH her mother. Maybe they could be a little closer but Liz didn’t care about that. As long as Anne topped up her credit card and signed the cheques then everything was fine. Besides, she was used to being sent away. All her friends parents sent them away too! It happened in her past life too, she was sent to live with Catherine Parr and…

…anyway - point was, this was all Elizabeth had ever really known about familial relations. Could you blame her? He own father yoyoed her in and out of the line of secession like a royal hokey-cokey. She suppose she was lucky in a way, some put their whole head in and couldn’t put their whole head out. A fact proven by the usually scarf covered scar on her mother’s neck. Elizabeth never really forgave her father for that, her ladies in waiting breaking royal protocol to remind her of how much her mother had loved her. Even getting a bible to her that Anne had wanted Lizzie to have. Nobody could keep the book too long least the king find out but the few times she held it were incredibly special memories.

It was like a heroes origin story, like in the superhero films Bridgette had made them watch now and then. Elizabeth was the hero of her tale. Raised under an emotionally abusive father, only getting restbite through her beloved little brother until his untimely death. Then her once loved sister rose to power and became a force against her. Locking her away in fear she would acquaint herself with Mary’s enemies. But eventually the evil Queen fell and Elizabeth ruled bringing in what is known now as the Golden Age. She was the winner of the three. Mary was known to be cruel and evil, Edward was never really a contender - leaving only Elizabeth stood to rule. So yes. Elizabeth Boleyn WAS entitled, but she had every right to be.

“Lizze,” Célia asked, “Where do you want to go?”

Elizabeth’s look turned sour, “I’m not able to go, Maman is dragging me to England for something.”

Bridgette and Célia, whom had never been to the small country before, looked excited. Georgie looked nonplussed, like Liz she too was English but had been sent to France for her education. Georgina would always complain England was too cold and rainy to enjoy, that she didn’t understand the tourism. Elizabeth on the other hand, like her mother, had bad memories of the place. She liked the being queen part, but everything before that was better left 500 years ago.

“I’d love to visit England.” Célia sighed wistfully,

“You wouldn’t if you’d lived there.” Was Georgina’s response as she picked at her food,

“Agreed.”

“You lived in the UK before you came to France, right Liz?” Bridgette asked, “Surely you want to see some friends whilst you’re there?”

Lizzie fought a wince, trying to remain neutral, “They’ve all…moved on by now.”

“That’s a shame.”

Indeed.

 “Hopefully Maman’s business there will be brief and I can come to join you all wherever you end up.”

“That’s a good plan.” Célia nodded, suddenly her eyes widened, “Did anyone hear about Rachelle?”

“From Biology?” Elizabeth clarified,

“Oui,” Célia confirmed, “Apparently she’s been seen out with the son of Etoile’s maid.”

Elizabeth went wide eyed, “No!”

“Totally true!” Célia grinned, “Etoile told me in strictest confidence.”

Georgina snorted, “And yet you told us?”

Célia shrugged, “You guys don’t count.”

“Remind me not to tell you things.”

“I can’t believe Rachelle would stoop so low.” Bridgette scoffed, “His mother is the help for Christ’s sake.”

“She knows better than to get caught up with someone like THAT.” Elizabeth huffed,

“Aren’t you guys a little harsh?” Georgie asked,

Elizabeth sighed, “You don’t understand because you’re new money. It’s alright. But something you learn quick is that only money understands money. Anybody less than high society is an embarrassment to be linked to.”

Georgie frowned, “But I used to be middle class.”

“In the past,” Elizabeth continued, “You have money now, even if you are still poorer than us. Besides, you’re one of us and we would never let you fall from grace the way Rachelle has.”

“Elizabeth is right,” Célia added, “The word elitist is only thrown around like an insult by those who will never achieve the status.”

Georgina looked conflicted, “…right.”

Lizzie didn’t point out her friends perplexed expression. Georgie was still new to all this, she had grown up with the fairy tales of the prince running away with the poor yet beautiful woman. Elizabeth had been raised differently with firm warnings against trying to do the same thing. Her friend would learn how this side of the game worked. That the poor and the rich did not mix, the elitist mindset was there for a reason. But that would come in time, Georgie would trust the wrong person or get in with the wrong group and would learn the price of befriending outside of her social class. Because that was the way of the world.

With all the changes of modern day, the game was the same.

The rich eat the poor, no matter what anyone else believed.

Chapter Text

Edward I

“FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT---”

“Get ‘im Eddie!”

“Go on Eddie!”

Eddie grappled with the other boy trying to overpower him and fling him to the floor. At sixteen he wasn’t the strongest yet, but his time on the rugby team had begun building muscle. Among his peers he was a domineering presence, his school wasn’t the roughest either so it was easy for him to be named top dog. It was him, David, Bradley and Mark. They ran this school with an iron fist and Jamie, the boy he currently held in a headlock, had questioned that authority. Edward Seymour knew his father would be proud of seeing him defend his throne. Growing up, his father never showed any weakness. Those who went against him were dealt with by force and now that Edward had a second chance he was going to make his father proud. Before he was weak. He had too many people whispering in his ears, the most he could do was help his stepmother get things published. Stupid books were his legacy.

Even his body had been weak, he’d died aged fifteen. Well not this time, this time he was stronger. Healthier. Bigger. Nobody would ever be able to called Edward Seymour weak again. That was actually his current rival’s crime. Elliot Adams had called him a nasty word that rhymes with wussy and when he refused to take it back, Edward attacked him. Grabbing him and beginning this weird dance grappling thing they were doing. A circle had quickly formed around them, watching as Eddie began overpowering his opponent. After a few moments of grappling he got the upper hand and Elliot was flung to the ground, letting out a grunt as the wind was knocked out of him. Edward quickly followed his trajectory. Straddling his waist and beginning to punch him over and over.

Elliot was only about half Edwards size, being two years below, but he’d fought a good fight. Now he was trapped on the hallway floor at Edward’s mercy. The cheers and shouts added to his mob mentality as Eddie laid punch after punch on his victims face. Had he been a rational person, Edward would be able to recognise that the “wussy” comment had not been spur of the moment. It was a whispered insult that had been building in poor Elliot for a while, seeing as the small boy was Eddie’s favourite victim. He would pick on him for anything and everything, no wonder today Elliot finally snapped. However, he was just no match. The fight probably only lasted for five minutes, but Edward savoured every moment.

He felt big and strong, just like his dad was!

But all good things must come to an end and suddenly, Eddie was pulled back and restrained by his Geography teacher. Mr Knight pulled him back away from the fight and Edward got a sick thrill out of how hard the older man had to work to keep him restrained. He could see Miss July helping Elliot to his feet. Eddie snickered when he saw the blood streaming from his nose. That’ll teach him to insult Edward like that. His smile dropped however, when he looked further down the hall. His mother was stood a little way away, watching the carnage with a sad expression. When she met his eye Edward huffed, the fight left him and he shrugged out of Mr Knight’s grip. Spinning on his heel he walked in the opposite direction, ignoring Mr Knight as he called after him.

Edward dared the idiot to try restrain him again, he’d knock that fucker flat. Sure, his mother would make googly eyes at the man sometimes but she wouldn’t say anything if Edward laid him out. Because he was stronger. He had to be stronger. When he would ask his mother about his Dad, she always mentioned he had a temper and Edward was self aware enough to admit he had one too. No longer reigned in by a regency council, he could let his temper explode any way he wanted. He was angry at a lot of things, but he channelled it into fighting. Because when he fought someone, he felt like the tough guy. He felt strong. As the King of England was it not his RIGHT to be stronger?

His mother said it wasn’t. She longed for him to be sweet and kind, to try and be a good person. But his father always said people mistook weak men as good men. That sometimes the way to keep your enemies on the run was to remind them of what it would cost to cross you. Then he decapitated Katherine Howard. Edward presumed that was the right action, she had cheated on him after all. He couldn’t remember much but his father said he deserved it and therefore, Eddie felt inclined to believe him.

“Yo, Eddie!” Bradley called, the boys catching up with him as he hid himself behind the bike shed, “Nice beatdown!”

“Yeah, wont see Elliot running his mouth again.” David laughed,

Eddie grinned, looking over his split knuckles, “Hopefully I broke his jaw so he can’t MOVE his mouth again.”

“Definitely broke his nose.” Mark commented, high fiving him,

David pulled some loose cigarettes out of his pockets, he would steal them from his Dad when the alcoholic drank himself to sleep. It took a couple of tries for them to manage the wheel lighter, Eddie found it hurt his thumb but daren’t say that aloud. If he were honest, Eddie didn’t really like smoking. It hurt his chest and made his voice go all dry and croaky, but his friends were cool and he wanted to seem as cool as them. Giggling from nearby caused him to glance out from behind the bike shed, Maisie Donaldson was whispering to her friends and looking over at him now and again. Eddie grinned, Maisie was cute and she had been rumoured to like him. She was like the female counterpart to him, she too was strong. She would viciously cut down any girl who messed with her and Eddie found her pleasing to look at.

“Son, she does not need to be kind or humorous. Your manhood cares little for wit and intelligence. Take that in a wife, don’t look for it in a whore.”

Eddie smirked and waved at them, the girls began giggling more and ran away.

“Maisie likes you dude, you should tap that.”

“Eh maybe.” Eddie shrugged,

“What you scared?” David teased, shaking his shoulders,

Eddie shrugged them off, turning to shove him to the ground, “The fuck you say!?”

“Nothing bro, nothing.” David winced, rubbing his back as Mark pulled him up, “Sorry man, I was kidding around.”

“I’m not scared of shit,” Edward growled, “I don’t want to get tied down is all.”

“Eddie, relax man.” Bradley chuckled, taking a drag, “Nobody said you had to marry her.”

Edward glared at them, growing inpatient with their banter. With a huff he took the excuse to put out his still lit cigarette, well aware he still had well over half left. It was hurting his throat and he really didn’t want to continue. Not that he’d admit it. Edward began skulking away, irritated with these idiots.

“Oh Eddie…”

“Eddie, man! I didn’t mean it!”

“Edward c’mon - don’t get pissy!”

He didn’t respond, instead holding up his middle finger to them as he headed out the school gates. There was no point going back into school, he was a king - he didn’t fucking need school.

Besides…he was almost definitely getting suspended.

Chapter Text

Catalina II

“Ugh, why is this more nerve wracking than the first time?”

Mary chuckled, “Is that why you yelled at the coffee shop lady?”

Catalina glared at her daughter, anger resurfacing, “I refuse to pay €4 for a coffee. That woman was insane for believing I would.”

“Mama,” Mary sighed, placing a gentle hand on her mother’s knee, “It’s not like last time, they’re not flying you over there to marry some guy.”

Lina huffed, putting her own hand on Mary’s, thankful for the comfort but still feeling incredibly tense. It was understandable for the Spanish woman to be nervous. The last time she had gone to the UK from Spain it had been by boat. She had been sixteen years old on her way to marry Arthur. Sure, this time was very different. Whilst they hadn’t been made privy to what this “very important” meeting was about, Lina felt it safe to assume she wasn’t about to be married off to the highest bidder again. That wasn’t where her fear had stemmed from. No, this time her fear came from the giant mental cylinder she was being forced into. Flying was NOT a thing the first time round, it was boats or nothing. Even when she was awoken in the UK, she and Mary had been put on a ferry to Spain when they left the Herstory building.

Planes were terrifying. Cars were one thing that took Lina a long time to adjust to. Now double it in size and throw it through the sky at twice its normal speed and you will understand Lina’s mindset. Mary was enjoying her panic, not in a serious way of course - but when the landed Catalina would definitely find a way to wipe that smirk off. They were currently sat on the plane, waiting for take off, hands intertwined. Lina had a sense that her daughter was also afraid, but lord knows Mary wouldn’t show it. She was just as stubborn as her mother at times - it made Catalina so proud. The two of them were heading to Gatwick airport, planning to meet Maria there and be driven straight to the Herstory building. Lina had no idea what was going on. But whatever it was it seemed to be incredibly serious.

In the five years since her rebirth, never had they been requested to travel for a meeting. Maria was being very suspicious about it all and while Lina trusted Maria - she also knew that her trust had not always been placed in the appropriate places. Looking out the window across the tarmac, a sick sense of nostalgia washed over her. She remembered boarding the ship and looking back on to the dock, tears rolling down her cheeks as she was made to leave her home. Being force to leave her family and go to this far away country in which she didn’t know the language or customs very well. Catalina would become Catherine, wife of Arthur. The sixteen year old had no idea what lay in store for her, no clue what heartaches awaited.

As she remembered that feeling, Lina began hyperventilating a little. Suddenly the capsule they were in felt too small. She was sat in the window seat, trapped between her daughter and the side. Catalina didn’t do well in enclosed spaces, during her fear of actually flying for the first time she had forgotten the worst part of being in a place. She was to be trapped in a box with no escape. After years of being locked away from everyone she loved, Lina was bound to have scars on her psyche. Mary looked up the word once; claustrophobia. Even when she was working in the tiny kitchen at the restaurant, she had to make sure to leave the back door open so that she could escape needed.

Mary’s grip on her hand tightened, grounding her back down. Reminding her that she wasn’t locked away in her prison cell, she was in the 21^st Century with the daughter she had missed so much in life. The pilot came over the tanoy and told them they were about to take off and Catalina’s grip on Mary’s hand tightened.

“Anything you hear from me in the next two hours.” Lina muttered, eyes squeezed shut, “Do not judge me for them.”

Mary chuckled, “Okay Mama.”

_____

Lina would love to say she remained composed during the flight.

But if she did, Mary would have told you she was lying.

Walking through the arrivals gate, Catalina watched Maria attempt to hold back a laugh at the sight of her. She looked grumpy, that much was to be expected, but her hair had also poofed up to twice its size. Lina was shaky on her feet, still adjusting from being sat for so long, leaning on Mary to keep herself upright. Sensing the older Spanish woman would not be in the mood for small talk, once the duo were close enough Maria just took their bags and led them out to where a car was parked. The windows on it were tinted and Lina couldn’t help but notice a similar one a little further up. She missed the name of their driver, still focused on thanking the Lord for bringing her back to safe, solid, ground.

Mary and Maria chatted idly as the car drove through the streets of London. It was all so different to what Catalina remembered. A lot of fine buildings and large houses were gone, replaced by grey concrete with small patches of green here and there. Something she had remembered about stepping off the ship once reaching England was how green the area was. The rain had allowed plant life to flourish into the most beautiful landscapes. But none of that was visible now. It made her sad in a way, but in all honesty she didn’t know how she would have reacted stepping out on the airport to an identical scene to before.

They zipped through the busy streets, Catalina trying to see if she could at least recognise the area but eventually they pulled up outside the Herstory building. This was where Project Six was created and carried out, the base of operations if you will. The driver got out first, running round to the door and letting them out. Lina looked up at the tall building and almost chuckled as she spotted a rain cloud in the distance. Wouldn’t be England without the rain. Going inside they were taken straight through to the lifts, Lina visibly hesitated. Something that wasn’t lost on Maria or Mary.

“Can we take the stairs?” Mary asked, “I need to get my steps up.”

“Of course…”

Maria went through the door by the lift leading to the stairwell. Walking up the stairs was certainly more tiring but Catalina much preferred it. Maria’s phone going off made everyone jump a little and she chuckled as she checked it, ignoring Lina’s whispered Spanish. Her heart was weak dammit! At the appropriate floor, Maria brought them out to a hallway and gestured to a room - offering to be right back. The text message was apparently from someone else due at the meeting and she needed to go collect her. Catalina just nodded and headed towards the room, not even pausing for breath as she pushed open the door. Various people looked up at her…two of which she recognised well, three she didn’t. Four of them were sat round the large table in the room while the other stood off to the side.

“Edward…” Mary whispered from behind her, “You’re here…you…”

“Holy shit, Mary!?” A young boy shouted, wide eyed,

“Edward!” Jane snapped,

“Jane…Jane Seymour?” Catalina asked, not quite believing it,

“Lady Catherine, it’s nice to see you.” Jane’s eyes widened, “I can explain…the marrying Henry ..and…oh dear.”

Lina smiled a little, she and Jane had been friendly in their first life. She caught Edward rolling his eyes, Henry’s prized son. The slight resentment she felt at the sight of the boy made her feel shameful. It wasn’t his fault, nor was it Jane’s. Henry was the villain of this piece and he always would be.

“It’s alright, Jane.” Catalina smiled, “It’s just nice to see you.”

“I can’t believe they brought you back.” A snotty voice snapped, “After everything you did.”

Catalina turned to see a young girl with fiery red hair, she knew who this was by reputation. Looking to her own daughter she saw Mary’s face fall. It took everything she had not to smack the petulant child. But Mary could fight her own battles, Lina wouldn’t intervene until her daughter needed her. 

“Elizabeth I--” Mary began,

“Save it.” Liz waved her away, “I do not wish to hear your excuses.”

Mary stewed a little but a throat clearing prevented Catalina from comforting her child. There she was. The woman who ruined her life and started this whole three wives fiasco. Anne Boleyn was sat at the same long table as the others, checking her nails. She wore fine clothes with a long white scarf wrapped around her neck.

“Well, well - we meet again!” She said snarkily,

“We do.” Catalina got out through grit teeth, “Project Six…Henry’s three wives and three children.”

“But why us?”

“Because,” The standing woman said, “We believe you can potentially do more good with modern advantages.”

Anne blinked at her, “Maggie…”

“Please,” Maggie looked to Lina kindly, “Take a seat, the others will be here soon.”

At those words the three children in the room stilled.

“Mary? What is it?”

Mary opened her mouth to speak but then…

“Shut up Mary!” Liz snapped, “We can’t say anything!”

“Fuck it! Who cares?” Edward shrugged,

“Eddie! Language!”

He rolled his eyes.

“Mary, what haven’t you told me?” Catalina asked, getting worried,

Mary froze under her mothers gaze, both remembering the last time she had asked this question. Catalina had not liked that answer.

As if on cue the door opened again and another woman walked in with Maria, she paused at the sight of everyone else but didn’t look surprised. Holding her hand was a small child, no older than six or seven.

“Ladies…” Maggie spoke up nervously, “This is Catherine Parr.”

Parr? Why did that name sound familiar?

“Henry’s SIXTH wife.”

Anne slammed her hand on the table…

Jane let out an odd squeaking noise…

But Lina?

Lina could only think of one thing to say.

“Why does Henry ALWAYS get the last word!?”

Chapter Text

Jane II

Six…

Henry…Henry had SIX wives.

Three after herself.

She couldn’t believe it.

He loved her, didn’t he? She was the love of his life, he had told her that over and over. So why would he feel the need to marry again? Well…he was the king. Maybe it was more that he married whoever was eligible to keep up pretences of a strong household. Yes, she was still the one he truly loved. These other women were just place holders for herself. Henry was a man, men have needs, if he needed to pull another woman in to take her place then fine. It was just a shame two of them couldn’t seem to keep up with him. He dismissed two more wives before this Parr person. Obviously whoever followed her was enough to distract him from his grief. That was it! The next woman was such a pull to him that of course he forgot about Jane. He had to move on. As long as he was truly happy.

The silence in the room was awkward, only soothed by the toddler in Parr’s arms talking to a little stuffed guinea pig she was trotting along the table. When the door opened everyone jumped out of their skin, even the demure Anne Boleyn startled. A tall woman entered swiftly, looking over them with an ever growing smirk on her face. A dog was at her heels, tail wagging at it’s potential new friends. The woman’s eyes glossed over them all.

“I fuckin’ knew I wasn’t the only one!” A heavily accented statement left her lips, “Queen Mary, Lady Elizabeth and…scheisse - Edward!?”

“Lady Anne…” Mary sounded nervous,

Jane was a little surprised by this, the Mary she remembered was an angry child. This older woman was immensely different.

“Please, it’s Anna now!”

This Anna woman seemed to hold no ill feelings for Mary despite what the young girl appeared to fear. Instead she just sat next to Lina, calling the dog to heel. Letting it curl up next to her, Anna’s eyes went to Parr.

“Lady Parr.” Anna nodded, voice becoming a tad more managed, “It’s nice to see you.”

“Likewise.”

“Wait…you two knew each other?” Catalina asked,

“This is Anne of Cleves, or Anna, she was Henry’s fourth wife.” Parr explained looking to Jane, “Just after you.”

So she replaced me…

“Well I’m sure you made him very happy.” Jane replied in a clipped tone,

It was lost on Anna who shrugged, “We were only married a very short time. Six months. I was not pleasing to his eyes…he jumped on my lady of waiting as soon as I was out the way.”

Anna’s smirk disappeared entirely at that, probably just upset at Henry’s rejection. Jane was seething. He only married her for six months…he had thrown her memory away for a fling. She couldn’t understand it, she could barely speak.

“Poor Lady Howard only lasted a year.”

“Howard?” Anne spoke up,

“Daughter of Edmund.” Lizzie spoke up, remembering Katherine Howard’s link to the Boleyn family,

“You’d think he’d have learned about marrying into that family with me.” Anne huffed,

“I don’t think he cared much.” Anna shrugged, "He saw a pretty face, he didn't care for her bloodline."

“I was beheaded!”

“So?”

“So!?” Anne was angry, “He took off my head!”

“Yeah…you weren’t the only one.”

“What?”

“Well we all know the nursery rhyme.” Parr shrugged, stepping in to help Anna,

“Nursery rhyme?” Lina asked,

Anna raised an eyebrow, “Divorced,” she pointed to Lina, “Beheaded,” Anne, “Died.” Jane, “Divorced,” herself, “Beheaded,” no one, “Survived.” Her finger was held out to Parr.

Anna chuckled, “Though I outlived her so who’s the real survivor here.”

“So this…Lady Howard. She lost her head too?” Anne seemed fixated on this,

Anna nodded, expression turning from jovial to grave, “She didn’t get the pomp and flair of a fancy swordsman either. They used an axe and Henry didn’t even bother to attend.”

“She was nice.” Lizzie shrugged, “Shame she couldn’t keep her legs closed.”

Anna glared at her, “Don’t speak on things you know nothing about Elizabeth.”

The door opened again before anyone could say any more and this time the ladies in waiting walked in. Jane found herself feeling a little angry with Joan, surely she could have given her a heads up. Joan looked over the group with a smile, until she did a mental head count and realised someone was missing.

“Maggie…”

“Hmm?”

“Why do I only count five wives?”

“...” Maggie counted them, “Dammit Kat!”

Jane tried to hold back her laugh, no wonder Henry fell out with this one. He didn’t suffer fools lightly, if this grown woman was as Elizabeth says and held poor organisational skills on top…no wonder she was disposed off. And Jane held on to this thought, believing in her heart of hearts that Henry could do no wrong. That every action he had taken had been the right one because to believe anything else would break not only her perception of him, but her perception of her life. She’d go from the one he truly loved to one of six random women. That mentality was harder to hold on to, however, when the door burst open and a far too young woman burst in. Panting from the mad dash she had just suffered through.

Maggie chuckled, “You’re late.”

The girl smiled awkwardly, trying to catch her breath.

It was Anne who voiced Jane’s thoughts as Maggie talked briefly to the mystery girl about something.

“Brilliant,” Anne snorted, “Another child - this one belong to one of you two or is she the spawn of this mysterious Lady Howard?”

Anna and Cathy exchanged a look and Mary shuffled awkwardly in her seat.

“Mija?” Catalina called, confused,

“That IS Lady Howard.” Mary sighed,

Catalina looked between the two of them, “Well if I’d have known we could have been brought back younger I would have put a request in, she looks younger than you!”

“She was.”

That made all of them freeze.

“How…How old was he?” Jane found herself whispering, eyes not drifting from the CHILD at the head of the room,

“Father was fourty-nine if I remember correctly.” Mary told her, “Katherine was seventeen.”

Various sounds were made around the room. Even Anne’s face cracked slightly at the information. Jane didn’t know what to think, her mind just latched on to the fact that things were different back then. That having something new and shiny on his arm was probably good for image. That didn’t make it right but it solidified Jane’s place in his life.

“Ese bastardo…”

Suddenly there was a squeal and everyone turned to see Anna’s dog jumping up at the young woman. She was smiling and immediately dropped to her knees to fuss the creature, the German owner smiled at this and didn’t bother to call off the dog. Instead she stood and went to stand by him, waiting for Katherine to look up at her. When she did, the poor little thing went wide eyed and stood. Only to bow her head.

“Lady Katherine,” Anna smiled kindly, “It is very nice to see you here.”

Katherine smiled shyly, beginning to fiddle with her hands. When she looked past Anna to everyone else at the table, her brain must have made the connection very quickly and somehow her eyes went wider. Jane could tell the girl didn’t really know how to conduct herself in front of them, her silence was beginning to make them all tense. Anna gestured for her to sit and Katherine tentatively sat next to Mary, the other girl’s eyes studying the table intently. Like looking at Katherine was forbidden. Anna took the vacant seat next to Anne, letting her dog stay at the youngest wife’s side. The creature seemed to recognise her and Katherine seemed happy with its presence.

“Right then,” Joan began, “As you can probably guess by now Project Six was dedicated bringing back the six wives of Henry VIII and their children. We offered each of you a comfort person based on who you had around you in your previous life. Your kids, Anna’s dog, etc.”

Six wives…Jane still couldn’t believe it.

“So why are we here?” Anne asked grumpily, “I’m a busy woman.”

Joan’s smile became forced, already tired of Anne’s antics, “Well, a few government bodies found out about our experiment and have flagged it up to the council of ethics. They want to close this whole thing down and expose it.”

“So?”

“So…” Bessie took over, “If this whole thing gets exposed you can say goodbye to your anonymity, worse than that - people will question why we can’t bring back THEIR relatives, they’ll hold you all accountable for our decisions.”

Ah that is a problem…

“We are lobbying to get a ethics trial with the committee to defend the experiment.” Joan continued on, “We will need you all to attend and explain the good you’ve done since coming back. Why this programme should continue to exist.”

“And this couldn’t have been said over the phone?” Cathy asked, genuinely,

“Well we needed you all in the country.” Joan sighed, “You will all need to stay nearby in case they call for a trial at the last minute to screw us over, which is incredibly likely.”

“I cannot stay in the UK - I’ve a business to run!” Catalina snapped,

“Oh please, I have a business to run - you are wearing second hand clothing so I doubt whatever venture you’re invested in isn’t proving fruitful.”

“Shut up, Anne.”

“Just calling it like I see it.”

“ENOUGH!” Joan shouted, silencing the pair, “If you leave the country and we get called up, they will view you as the weak link. You will get this whole thing shut down. Thousands of potential women will be lost to history.”

Jane felt the defiance in the room subside, nobody wanted that on their shoulders.

“So where will we be staying?” Anna asked,

“...”

“Uhh…”

“Well…”

Joan cleared her throat awkwardly, “Due to plot convenience our other safe houses are out of action at the moment. We never prepared for anything like this--”

“What are you saying?” Lina asked, horror spreading across her features,

“--we have a beautiful mansion in Surrey just a tube ride away from the city.”

“Wait, wait, wait…” Jane finally spoke up, “We’d be living together?”

“Yes. We will pay for anything that needs to be shipped over and you, Cathy and Katherine will be able to go and grab your things on your way there now.”

Jane looked at the others. From terrified Kat, to seething Anne.

This is going to go well…

Chapter Text

Kat II

Katherine Howard was terrified.

Not only was she surrounded by her husbands ex-wives and their children, she was expected to live with them. Jane and Cathy had offered to just return to their homes, apparently they lived not to far from Kat, but the handlers had insisted it would be easier to just load all of them up in minutes just in case the committee left it until the last possible second.  So they all gave in and were led downstairs after the international Queens gave their information to have their stuff sent over. The plan was to hit the three local Queen’s homes to pick up enough stuff to last a few months. The idea was that they could pop back whenever if they forgot anything but Katherine didn’t even know if Todd would let her in.

Maggie had stopped Joan when she asked Kat for her car key. Kat had driven to the Herstory building herself and so Joan offered to get one of their drivers to take it to the mansion for her. Now, the last time Kat gave someone keys to her vehicle they sold it. This was something Maggie knew and so she offered to put Kat’s keys behind the reception desk and she could call Pop or Jay to come get it for her. She was still hesitant, that car was the only thing she had that was hers. She couldn’t bear to lose it. Still, she trusted Maggie so agreed and took the key to her car off the chain. Shooting a text to Pop to ask him for a favour, Kat climbed onto the bus and heading to the back. Maggie sitting beside her as silent support.

Everyone kept side eyeing her. Did they know about her? About everything that she did? They all seemed surprised to see her and Kat had no idea how to take it. Had she done something wrong already? Lady Anna seemed as civil as always and Prinz, the dog, was happy to see her. But everyone else was so cold and unnerving. They were currently parked outside of Jane and Edward’s home, the duo inside with Joan getting everything they needed. Jane seemed the coldest to her, barely looking at her besides the odd scowl. Katherine hated this. She wanted to go back to Pop’s, she felt safe there. Kat just wanted to go home.

Jane and Edward stored several suitcases in the bus’ storage compartment, then they walked back on board. Kat looked anywhere but them, keeping her gaze out the window as they began moving again. Her stomach twisted at the thought of seeing Todd again, how the hell was she going to explain this. Would he let her explain? Would he be sad or would he yell at her again? She didn’t want to be in trouble…

But Kat was always trouble, it seemed to attract itself to her. Mannox, Dereham, Henry, Culpeper - something about Kat just drew them in. The only healthy relationship she’d had with men was Pop and Jay, even then she still found herself subconsciously waiting for them to prove her wrong. To confirm that her trust was once again misplaced. It would kill her if it did. Kat had no one else. She didn’t even have someone in her last life to bring back. Maggie asked if she had anyone she would miss and the answer was no…she didn’t. There was nobody for her. She was still getting her head around trusting people this time around. Todd, though he had his moments, swore he loved her. He got angry but never hit her or…do anything she didn’t want to do. Sure, he wouldn’t always take the first no but as long as Kat didn’t waver he’d drop it.

Vanessa dyed her hair for her which took a lot of time for Kat to trust her to do. It took a year for her to relax completely around Pop and even longer for her to let Jay drive her home. Kat was desperate for things to be different this time, that she could have that bright future that she had missed out on before. But instead she was launched back into the past, back to the side eyes and whisperings of those from court. As her anxiety bubbled, they turned on to her street. She was slightly thankful she never bought her little flat, too scared that if she bought it someone would take it away. For that same reason she never had much in the way of material possessions either. Still, she needed her clothes and her…collection. Todd always made fun of her “baby toys” but they brought Kat joy so they were the one thing she refused to give up. Those little toy cars that resembled the real models. She adored them but had only collected a few.

Pulling up outside her apartment, Kat began shaking a little. Maggie noticed and concern crossed her face.

“Katherine, this is you right?” Joan called from the front,

Kat couldn’t find her voice.

“Is he home?” Maggie asked quietly,

Kat nodded.

“Want me to go with you?”

Kat nodded again. Anna, who was in the seat in front of them overheard the exchange, turned round to look at them.

“You want some back up Lady Katherine?” Anna asked quietly, “Me and Prinz are happy to join you.”

The younger girl blushed under the sudden attention, part of her wanted to ask Anna to come with. But this whole situation was embarrassing enough without dragging more people in to see Todd’s inevitable tantrum. So she forced a smile but shook her head, letting Maggie pull her up and out of the bus. Luckily the scarier international Queens were on the phone speaking foreign languages. Katherine felt very inferior. Sure, she could read and write relatively well growing up but she was hardly studious. She never learnt fancy languages or anything like that. Yet another thing that made her self-conscious around the older queens.

The two of them walked up the path and Kat remembered that Todd had kept her keys after throwing her out. There was no way to slip in and out quietly. Ignoring Maggie’s glance, Kat just knocked on the door. Todd had thrown a mug at the doorbell speaker during an argument and busted it, they never got round to replacing it. There was nothing for a moment, so Kat took a deep breath and knocked again. This time there was noise from inside and suddenly the door was yanked open violently. Todd was in an open dressing gown, hair messy, in his boxers with a beer bottle in hand. He raised an eyebrow at her.

“Wondered when you’d crawl back…” He took a long drink from his bottle,

Kat looked down, feeling small under his gaze.

“What? Nothing to say now, for fuck sake.” He snapped,

“We’re here for her stuff.” Maggie growled out, “Just let us in and we’ll be on our way---”

“What!?” He moved to block the door, unsteady on his feet, “Kat you can’t be serious! We had a little spat and now, what, you’re just leaving me!?”

Kat opened her mouth to speak but the rage in his eyes kept her mute. God, she was such a coward.

“Actually, Katherine has a family emergency.” Maggie lied, “I’m her cousin, she needs to come with me for a while. So let her collect her things, please.”

Despite her manners, it was clear from the tone that she was not asking his permission. Todd knew that and through his drunken haze, he looked to his girlfriend.

“I’ll get your fucking stuff.” Todd growled, dangerously low, “But I don’t want to see you back here. I call bullshit on this family crap, you don’t have family. You wanna just piss off and shag that Jay guy. I’m all you’ve fucking got - don’t forget that. ”

“I’m sure she’ll bare that in mind.” Maggie replied,

He turned with a huff and slammed the door closed, disappearing for a moment. Finally, Kat could breathe again. He wasn’t always like this, when he was sober he was usually quite sweet to her. Maggie looked like she wanted to say something but instead chose not to, knowing Katherine wouldn’t want to hear it. As they waited, Kat turned to look at the bus again - heart sinking when she saw they had a confused audience watching from the windows. Turning back to the door she felt like she wanted to cry. Kat just felt so embarrassed. The door slammed open again and suddenly a black bag was flung at Kat, taking her off guard and throwing her to the floor.

“Oh don’t be so fucking dramatic,” Todd snapped, taking another drink from his bottle, “There’s your shit. Clothes, women crap and your widdle baby toys.”

Ah yes…her toys.

Picking herself up shakily, Kat just nodded to him and let Maggie lead her away. She could see everyone watching from the bus and the humiliation continued.

“You’ll be back!” Todd called, “I’M ALL YOU’VE GOT!”

A smash sounded behind them, which prompted tears to start falling down her cheeks. He had thrown his beer bottle on the path directly behind them. Kat just clung to the trash bag, hiding her face behind it and refusing to store it under the bus. The tension from the others made her feel worse and she felt horrible as she flung herself into her seat again. Chancing a look up she caught Anna’s eyes.

They were sad…they pitied her…

…God how Kat hated pity.

Chapter Text

Anna II

The remaining ride was dead silent.

Even Elizabeth recognised that it wasn’t the time to start running her mouth off. The only sounds were Katherine’s light sniffling from behind Anna’s own seat, occasionally Prinz would lift his head from the German’s lap as if asking if they should help her. But Anna couldn’t force herself to do so. Part of her wanted to reach out, extend her previous kindness. However, the kid hadn’t learned from before. Anna and Katherine didn’t really know each other outside of formality. Anna had thought her a helpful lady in waiting and a kind soul. Yet Henry had painted this picture of her as a scheming vixen. Now, Anna was no fool - she knew most of the rumours were probably untrue. At the same time, Katherine appeared to be mixed up in a similar situation she had cried about before. She just didn’t learn and Anna could barely keep herself afloat, she couldn’t prevent someone else’s spiral.

As they left the city centre they began noticing a bit more green, breaking up the solid grey colours that now painted London. They dropped by Cathy’s apartment, taking a quick detour before leaving the city. Anna didn’t know what to make of all of this. Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour…all of the famed wives she’d only heard tales about where now sat with her on a minibus. Add on a disgraced Katherine Howard and the survivor Catherine Parr and this looked like one hell of a cluster fuck. She couldn’t even begin to work out where the friction would come from, all she knew was it was coming and it would leave them all rubbed the wrong way.

God she needed a drink.

It hadn’t occurred to her until she stepped onto the minibus, but this was probably the longest she’d gone without a drink in hand. Don’t get it twisted, she wouldn’t get blackout wasted every day - but she did always have a little something-something with her throughout the day. Y’know keep herself calm and chilled out. Looking down at her shaking hand she felt anything but, quickly bringing her free one up to hold it still. Hopefully, the handlers had thought ahead to stock up some alcohol at the house. The house itself was a large one, just off the main road and hidden behind a tall thick tree line with an equally big gate. Closing them off from the outside world. Anna was in awe of the grounds they drove onto, the driveway alone was HUGE!

“What a downgrade…” Anne muttered irritably from her seat in front of Anna,

Anna fought the eye roll, finding the woman to be up herself by nature. Edward and Mary were staring out the windows, whispering their excitement to their mothers. Anna smiled, she had missed the both of them dearly - even if she and Mary hadn’t always seen eye to eye. Once upon a time, the eldest Tudor sibling had been paranoid towards the end of Anna’s life. But clearly the ill will didn’t continue post-mortem - Mary had ensured Anna was buried with the respect she deserved and that was all she could ask for. Old misgivings need not be brought up, they were different people back then. Mary had been a hurting child denied her opportunity to grieve by an oppressive father and Anna was still involving herself in the political mind games surrounding the time.

Pulling up outside the house, the group began to get up. Anna cast a look back at Katherine, still gripping the trash bag in her hands and rooted to her seat. The small woman’s eyes were red from crying and she looked just as nervous as she had that first day being Anna’s lady in waiting. She made to reach out to her, only her own hands were still shaking so she quickly retracted it and led Prinz out the bus to grab her bag from where it had been stored. She was of no use until she had a drink. Even as Joan debriefed them before they could go into the house, Anna was barely listening. She wanted to get inside throw her stuff in her room and find a drink. Sure, she could go without if she wanted to - but there was nothing wrong with a little drink just to take the edge off a stressful day.

With this in mind, the moment Anna was handed her key with a little red tag, she made sure she was through the door first. Stepping in, however, caused her to pause. If the outside looked beautiful the inside was one step above. Walking into the foyer Anna was met with the sight of a stunning grand staircase leading upstairs. There was a living room to her left with the fireplace already lit. Up ahead on either side of the staircase were a few more rooms, one to the kitchen, one to the dining room and she could see the edge of a piano in another. But it was the room to her right which gave her the most joy. Like the living room there was no door, only a big archway revealing the whole room. There was a pool table, a treadmill, pinball machines…and a full bar at the back of the room. Stocked with booze. Thanking the lord above, she all but ran to the bar - immediately mixing herself a drink as everyone else pulled their luggage in and said goodbye to the handlers.

“Making those for everyone?” Aragon asked, tone lightly teasing,

Anna grinned, “Can do! Red or white wine for the grown ups and coke or lemonade for the children!”

Elizabeth scoffed, “Maman, I can have wine too - can’t I?”

Anne didn’t even look up from her phone, “Lady Anne, get her a red wine please.”

“Umm---”

“Technically,” Jane spoke up, “Lady Elizabeth is seventeen with permission from her legal guardian.”

Anna raised an eyebrow but poured the drink anyway. Who was she to argue? One by one everyone came up and got their drink, opting to sit in the living room for a brief chat before arguments broke out over rooms. The last person to walk up was Katherine who looked nervous about taking the remaining wine glass, Anna recognised the hesitation. She had done something similar when Henry would give her wine at court, always taking it with reluctance at his insistence. Thinking ahead, Anna instead gave her the lemonade she had poured initially for Elizabeth. Katherine smiled a thank you and went to join the others in the living room. Never one to let good wine go to waist, Anna downed the spare glass and felt the familiar comforting buzz in her head.

“Right,” Aragon began, standing at the front of the room, “We should all introduce ourselves.”

“We know who each other are.” Anne sighed, bored, “Besides, who put you in charge anyway?”

Catherine’s previous smile dropped into a tense look directed at the second queen. Anna should have expected that out of everyone, the first and second wife would hate each other most. Well, if Anne was going to continue being as irritating as she currently was, Anna would be team Aragon all the way.

“Still.” Aragon snapped, arms folding in front of her, “Should we not learn something about the people we’re living with, I thought you of all people would want to brag.”

The comment was probably meant to offend but instead Anne shrugged and sat back in the arm chair, waving for Catherine to get on with it.

Aragon bit back whatever scathing remark it was that she wanted to spit out and introduced herself, “I am Catherine of Aragon, though now I go by Catalina. I’m sure you all know that I was married to Henry’s brother Arthur at sixteen, he died and so I was imprisoned for seven years and handed to Henry. I became Queen in 1509 and ruled with Henry until 1533 when that one came along.”

Anne gave a look of faux shock, “Moi?”

“Anyway, this time round I used the money from the project to move back to Spain and open a little restaurant.” Catalina concluded, “It’s doing quite well and I am enjoying a quiet life.”

A snort came from the second queen, “That’s ALL you’ve done?”

“Yes.” Aragon snapped, “And I am very happy, thank you very much. Why don’t you tell us what you’ve done?”

Anne stood and moved to the front of the room with an air of grandeur, kicking Catalina out of her position and forcing her to take up the abandoned armchair.

“I’m the Anne Boleyn, Henry’s second wife who was sexy enough to break England from the church.” Anne began, immediately rubbing some people in the room the wrong way, “I married the human pit stain in 1533 and was beheaded for false charges of witchcraft, adultery and incest when I couldn't give the prat a son. He lopped my head off in 1536. Now I run the VERY successful Décapité magazine, creating hundreds of jobs and donating a sizeable amount to charity.”

The last line was punctuated with a shit-eating grin directed at Catalina who simply rolled her eyes.

“I’m Jane Seymour,” The timid blonde spoke up desperate to break the tension, “Third wife after Anne. Henry and I were married in 1536. We were quite happy until my death in 1537 after I gave birth to my Eddie.”

She smiled at her son who merely huffed and continued picking at the couch.

“..anyway,” She continued, “I’m a music teacher now at a local high school. So I hope we can all start off on a high note!”

Anne rolled her eyes at the pun whilst everyone else either offered an amused smile or light chuckle. Jane looked slightly embarrassed so Anna decided to rescue her, she was a gentlewoman after all.

“Right, I’m Anne of Cleves but if you call me Anne we’re going to fight.” She began, half-joking, “I go by Anna. I was only married to Henry for about six months in 1540, it was purely political. He couldn’t risk having trouble with Germany but he wanted to stick his dick in my Lady in waiting so I became his “dear sister”. Worked out fine for me, fine palace, good divorce settlement and no man around to tell me what to do with it.”

There was a chuckle around the room at that. Anna patted herself on the back for easing the tension. She expected Katherine to begin speaking next, only she didn’t. The shy girl was staring into space, no longer present in the room with them. Anna wanted to groan, she supposed she would have to step up once again for the girl. Sipping her wine she clapped a hand on Katherine’s shoulder ignored the sudden jolt the girl made.

“This is Katherine Howard who has apparently gone mute.” She laughed, alcohol loosening her tongue substantially, “She married Henry in 1540 aged seventeen, he was nearly fifty at the time - it was as creepy as it sounded even by the standards back then. He accused her of adultery charges too and beheaded her in 1541.”

The tension was back now and Anna thought back over what she’d said, awkwardly she looked down at the young woman, “Sorry…I shouldn’t have been so blunt.”

Shakily, Katherine patted the hand still on her shoulder. Silent acceptance.

“Uhhh…” Catherine Parr was next, quickly slipping in to take eyes off the frightened young woman, “I’m Catherine Parr, or for the sake of the three Catherine’s - call me Cathy. I married Henry in 1543 and was stuck with him until he died in 1547. Then I left him, married Thomas Seymour…”

Anna noticed two different reactions to that name. Jane looked intrigued at the mention of him whilst Elizabeth froze to the spot.

“...died giving birth to this little one,” She lifted Mae a little from the spot in her lap, “A year later. Now my main work is in publishing, but I part time for a feminist magazine as a journalist.”

Edward looked up at that, “Good for you.”

That was the first time he sounded sincere all day.

“Why thank you Edward.” Cathy smiled kindly,

Now Jane was the one looking sour and Anna found herself wanting to laugh at them all. Everyone was just as messed up as she was to a varying degree. They had the bickering wife and sidepiece, a jealous mother, a feminist writer, an alcoholic and a mute.

What could possibly go wrong!?

Chapter Text

Anne II

This was ridiculous.

She was Anne Boleyn, beheaded wife of Henry VIII. She was the CEO of one of the most famous fashion magazines in the world with more fame and money than she knew what to do with! Yet here she was, forced to live in a ten person house filled with her worst enemy and a bunch of randoms. She could hear the chaos on the first floor as everyone yelled and argued over rooms. The fashionista had sprinted up to the attic as soon as room claiming was suggested, it as easily the largest room and Anne deserved the best. The basement room was probably just as big but nobody wanted to be stuck in the windowless dungeon.

It had taken a few trips to get all her stuff up the stairs, she had travelled with a large number of suitcases with the bare necessities. Things like clothes, shampoo, her expensive exfoliating mask that made her skin glow slightly. She was slightly irritated at the fact nobody in the house had gone to fetch her bags when she gave the order. No matter, she would endure. The Boleyn’s were survivors after all. Hopefully they would be stuck in this hovel for long and soon she would be flying back to France with her daughter, once again allowed to forget the others even existed. Six of them too, fucking six wives! Anne didn’t know why she was so shocked. He chucked Cathe--Catalina for her and when Anne gave him a beautiful daughter he chopped off her head, jumping into bed with Jane straight after.

But Anna seemed to be too strong for Henry to manage, Howard had reached the same fate as herself (though it seemed Anne’s was the only one worth any historical merit - Henry didn’t even attend Katherine’s) and Parr…well Anne didn’t know much about her but she doubted the woman lived up to the legend that was his first beheaded wife. None of them were a threat, none of them compared to herself. She didn’t really know what to think of them.

Catalina hadn’t changed, still playing the queen. The leader. Firm yet strong and incredibly annoying and bossy. The tension between them was just as thick as it had been before and Anne couldn’t help but feel smug around her. In their little battle of wills, Anne had won the man. She was the winner, even if victory was short lived. It was almost humorous in a way. The great Catherine of Aragon…now but a pitiful waitress.

Jane was the same weak willed bint she had been before too, only this time it appeared she was unable to reign in her son - Lizzie and Anne may not talk often but the girl would never show her such disrespect. A pitiful replacement for herself. Henry needed someone who’d go toe to toe with him, who’d check him more often. Sure, it lost Anne her head but at least she still had her self respect.

Anna seemed okay, more straight forward and direct - most of the Germans Anne has met were like this. She too had the ability to take charge but as long as she didn’t try to boss her around they’d get along. But at the same time her mutt was a pain in the backside, slobbering beast got its dribble on her favourite scarf. In another world though, she could see herself and Anna getting along. They were of the same social standing with ties to the high society art community.

Katherine was nothing really. Just a tiny, silent girl with no real value in Anne’s eyes. Pretty little thing, probably why Henry liked her, but there was nothing to her. No bite, no edge. Anne had noticed that unlike her own scarf that she used to cover her scar, Katherine went with a choker which was more her style. A sick part of Anne wished to compare their wounds, reaffirm that Anne’s death had been the most tragic - the most important.

And Cathy…well she was just kind of there. Cuddling her toddler in the corner of the room with little to say. It wasn’t the same irritating muteness of Katherine, Cathy would pipe up with her two cents every so often. She seemed awkward around Lizzie though and Elizabeth seemed to be intimidated by her too. There could be a history there, maybe they fought or something? Anne would have to find out.

Mary wasn’t sending her death glares this time which was probably a win. She seemed more subdued and quiet now than she had in their previous life. Anne didn’t know what to make of that really. She could concede that perhaps having her mother around had calmed her substantially. Not that it was Anne’s fault she wasn’t there in the first place! That was all shit-head’s fault.

“Anybody want a cup of tea!?” Jane called from somewhere below Anne,

A few shouts of approval sounded but Anne ignored the summons, instead checking herself out in the mirror. It was warmer inside, she was sweltering under her scarf a little. Assuming she wouldn’t need to explain her scar to anyone she removed the silk radiator from her neck. Anne was a beautiful woman, it wasn’t vain to think so. But her scare made her ugly. It was her one imperfection and she hated it. The solid thin collar of red forever reminding her of the past, of what HE had done to her. Ripping her from her daughter when she was barely two years old. She would forever be making up for it. Making sure Lizzie got the best education, best food and anything else she could ever want. Anne owed her that. Which reminded her that she should probably check the food situation in the kitchen.

Checking her hair one more time, refusing to look anything less than perfection (ignoring the scar of course) she went downstairs. Jane, Edward and Katherine were in the kitchen. Jane was making hot drinks and listing off things for the grocery list for Katherine to write down. Poor kid must have gotten trapped down here. Edward meanwhile, was carving his name into the table with a penknife.

Because of course he was.

Katherine looked up when she walked in, eyes immediately going to the scar. Growing defensive, Anne crossed her arms and glared at her.

“And what pray tell are you staring at?” She growled out, “Go on then, show me yours.”

Katherine stilled and for a moment Anne thought she was frozen (served her right). But then careful hands went up to her neck and removed her choker. As it fell away it revealed a thick jagged scare, not a clear swoop like Anne’s. Whatever axe they had used was blunt, hardly the appropriate end for the queen of England. But it was still…jarring. Kat was so small and young, such an aged scar looked unnatural. Thankfully, Lizzie swooped in then with a distraction.

“Edward, I saw you left your bags in the big room so I just took them out again.”

“You what!?” Edward snapped,

“Well you don’t need all the space.” Elizabeth shrugged, stealing one of the cups from Katherine’s hand once Jane had given it to her,

“So!?” Edward stabbed his knife into the table and something about the blade made Anne’s anxiety rise,

“Maman,” Lizzie sounded bored, “Tell him I deserve the big room.”

“Anne - tell your daughter she’s a spoilt brat!”

“Edward be nice…” Jane chided softly,

“SHE FUCKING STARTED IT!”

“Maman?”

Anne wasn’t listening, the argument fading into white noise as her eyes stayed on the blade embedded into the table.

Suddenly Anne didn’t care about what was in the food cupboards.

Suddenly she wanted to go and get her scarf.

Chapter Text

Jane III

The house was definitely tense.

Sometimes it was hard to know who was fighting with who. Sometimes it was Anne and Lina, other times it was Edward and Elizabeth. Even Jane and Cathy had raised their voices to each other yesterday. She couldn’t even remember why the publisher had rubbed her the wrong way, she just had. However, at the same time they all managed to slip into roles that made each day go by smoother. Catalina cooked all the meals and Jane would wash up afterwards, Cathy kept an eye on the kids as everyone managed their businesses from afar/Jane went into the school.

Summer break started next week so Jane was still going into work. Edward had indeed been suspended after his latest fight, only escaping expulsion due to his mother being one of the best teachers at the school. Elizabeth’s school had already broken up, perks of private school, which meant the two teenagers were moping around the house. They were currently waiting for an update from the ladies in waiting to see how long roughly they’d be stuck together like this. Some were already spending more and more time away from the house. Anna was in calls with Germany all day, they out all night at whatever club or bar she’d found. There had been a few nights Jane was sure she hadn’t even come home.

No wonder Henry lost interest in her. She was out of control.

Jane had been coming to terms with why these further three woman had been married to her husband and she believed she had worked it all out. Anna had tried painting Henry in a negative light, but given how she was currently presenting herself Jane doubted what she said was true. Anna was too wild, too aggressive. She had said her marriage for Henry was purely political, that it was to strengthen international relations between England and Germany. So it was hardly Henry’s choice to marry her, he was probably forced. Poor man could only hold out six months with her behaviour and he was still kind enough to call her family and give her a fine house to live in. He didn’t have to, he was just generous like that.

Then there was Katherine. The mute. She still hadn’t spoken to anyone in the house, despite constantly being around and engaging quietly in whatever was going on. Jane had been tolerating her, she was young and probably had little say in her marriage to Henry. But that didn’t make her blameless. The Howard’s and the Boleyn’s were related, Anne had confirmed that she and Katherine were first cousins. They were also Jane’s cousins but that was neither here nor there. With Katherine being  direct relation of the shamed second wife, it was more than likely that she had been sent to seduce Henry to get their family back in good standing. Sure, she may have had almost no choice - but she wasn’t blameless. She had seduced Henry and manipulated him into marrying her, only to have (as Lizzie had suggested) multiple affairs.

And Cathy? Well, Jane didn’t know what to make of her yet. Though there was something about that woman that just rubbed Jane the wrong way. She had this holier than thou air. Like she would use big words that Jane didn’t understand and when she questioned what they meant, Cathy would just huff and make her feel stupid. The sixth wife just had this way of talking that made everyone else feel inferior. How Henry stood her, Jane would never know. Maybe it was for Edward’s benefit? He seemed to not hate her, though Jane didn’t know why. They must have been close before though, which churned Jane’s stomach in a way she refused to explain.

However, it all came to a head one morning two weeks into their co-habitation.

Jane went into the kitchen for breakfast that morning to find mostly everyone around the kitchen table. The only noise was from the little radio Catalina had. On their very first shopping trip, she and Cathy had bought a two pack of these tiny little battery powered radios. One was in the kitchen, usually set to some Latin music channel. The other was in Cathy’s office. There were three offices in the mansion. Anne took the big one, Cathy took the one with the bookshelves and Anna happily settled for whatever was left. Usually when the radio was on in the kitchen, it was a sign that Lina had begun cooking for the day. Only this morning, when Jane entered, she saw Lina leaning her back on the counter top looking frustrated.

At the table there was the more usual sights Jane had become accustomed to. Anne was sat at the head of the table, reading the paper occasionally stopping to sip her coffee. Cathy was cutting up Mae's breakfast (she always prepared Mae's food, not letting Lina do it for whatever reason), laptop open on the table so that she could reply to emails at the same time. Jane would offer to help but Cathy always declined. Plus, Jane didn’t really want to offer anything for her husbands ex-wife. Elizabeth and Edward were both on their phones quietly with Anna and Mary having light conversation. Occasionally, Lina would mutter something in Spanish and the two would look amused at her anger. Upon Jane’s confused expression, Mary chuckled and answered the silent question.

“The sink broke.” Mary explained,

“Stupid thing…”

Upon closer inspection, Jane noticed Lina’s shirt was soaked.

“You missed it,” Edward smirked, eyes still on his phone, “Thing went off like a hose!”

“She couldn’t turn it off,” Mary snickered, “Luckily Katherine knew to turn the water off.”

Looking towards the sink, Jane saw that Katherine was laid under it. A selection of tools scattered around her as she fixed the problem. That was a surprise, Jane always thought the mute was a little dim. To see her appear to know how to fix something so technical was unexpected. Jane snorted, it was hardly ladylike for a woman to be doing manual labour. Sure, for those from the 21^st Century it was fine, but Katherine had been Queen. She had been raised as a fine lady - this was not something fine ladies did. But Jane kept her mouth shut and just took her seat as Katherine stood up herself. She observed the younger girl turning the tap on and Lina gave a small cheer when it turned on normally without drowning anyone.

“Thank you, mija!” Lina sighed, “You’re a marvel!”

Katherine just ducked her head shyly and gestured to help. Lina shook her head, “You’ve done enough. Go sit! Extra pancake for you!”

“Wait, why does she get an extra pancake!?” Edward snapped, finally looking up,

“Because she got off her trasera to actually help me.” Catalina snipped, going to finish washing her hands, “What have you done?”

“Still unfair…”

“Be nice Edward.” Jane chided, stepping up and earning a glare from her son,

“Maman, tell Lina I would also like an extra pancake.”

Anne didn’t look up from her paper, “Catalina, you heard the girl. Just do it.”

“Sorry, do I look like your personal chef!?” Catalina snapped, growing agitated, “I swear you can all get nothing and like it.”

“If Lizzie gets an extra pancake I want one too!”

“Nobody is getting an extra pancake!” Lina shouted,

“This is bullshit…”

“Edward!” Jane chided, again, “Language.”

His eyes snap to her and glared, “It is bullshit! I was the fucking king!”

“Edward!”

“NO! I WAS KING AND I WILL GET THE RESPECT I DESERVE!” He stood sharply, drawing all eyes to him,

Jane jumped at his tone, she never liked shouting. Silence spread through the room at his words and even Jane noted how much he sounded like his father then. Mae gave a whimper and Edward’s eyes softened a fraction and looked to the Parr family.

“Edward! Sit down and shut up.” Cathy snapped, sending  the boy a harsh look, “You’re upsetting Mae.”

Edward clenched and unclenched his fists before slamming himself back into his seat. Jane was shocked, never before had Eddie backed off so obediently. He never listened to her like that. There was that gut twisting feeling again. Edward was her son. Jane’s biggest pride came from being a devoted mother and wife so why the hell was he choosing to listen to Cathy over her!? Who was he to Cathy!? Jane had tried over and over to get him to listen, to fall in line and just be good. Cathy swoops in and manages it first time. How was that fair!?

“...soo could I get an extra pancake?” Mary asked in an attempt to break the tension,

Lina rolled her eyes and flicked the back of her daughters head with the teatowel.

“OW!”

“Don’t be stupid then.”

Chapter Text

Elizabeth II

Elizabeth Boleyn was not happy.

They’d been stuck here a lot longer than expected and her mother had gone for a meeting today to see how much longer they could be waiting. Summer was rolling by and she was trapped in stupid England while her friends were having the time of their lives skiing. The whole house was super depressing. Catalina cooked all these weird foods that Elizabeth couldn’t help but turn her nose up at, Jane kept glaring at Anna and Cathy, Anna kept trying a failing to get everyone talking ending with her heading out to some bar alone instead, Kat was silent all the time and only appeared when something was broken and Cathy mostly stuck to looking after Mae. The sixth wife wouldn’t even let Elizabeth play with the toddler, which was ridiculous because Elizabeth was AMAZING with kids. Or at least she’d say so.

Worst were her siblings. Elizabeth hadn’t forgotten how things were before, how she had been treated by her older sister. Mary had locked her in a tower, keeping her imprisoned out of fear of a coup. Elizabeth wasn’t even planning a coup but that hadn’t mattered. Her sister had been paranoid and irrational, burning her enemies as frequently as their father chopped off heads. Like father like daughter she supposes. Their father had always preferred Mary to herself, especially after Jane Seymour stepped up to bring Mary back into the fold. Jane was an old friend of Catalina’s so her loyalty was to the first wife. Liz had learned long ago that you never could trust a Seymour. However, for Elizabeth, every time her father looked at her he saw her supposed treacherous mother. It was no secret that Liz missed her mother more than she loved her father either. She would wear her mother’s jewellery where she could, she attempted to pull the Boleyn family back into good graces.

Jane was Mary’s favourite stepmother, but Elizabeth had much preferred Cathy. Or at least she had done. Cathy was the only one who would discuss Elizabeth’s mother with her. Obviously, Cathy didn’t know Anne personally but she knew of her. She had asked about her predecessors to her ladies of waiting quietly and relayed it to Elizabeth when asked. Little Liz had appreciated that, so much so that she had wished to stay with her favourite stepmother after the death of her father. That had ultimately been a mistake. Things were different then, such things said and done by men were excused as mere games. Games which even Catherine had joined in with at times. Though, to Cathy’s credit, when she realised the true extent of what her husband was doing she sent Elizabeth away.They had remained friends via letters until the sixth queen’s death.

But despite the lack of hostility or blame, it didn’t stop the twist in Elizabeth’s stomach when she and Cathy made eye contact. It didn’t make her comfortable alone in a room with her once favourite stepmother. It didn’t stop her from noticing now and then how much little Mae resembled him. It was almost laughable, the only person who ever showed her attention was someone she never wanted it from.

Elizabeth Boleyn was a lot of things, but stupid was not one of them. She knew she was entitled, she knew it got frustrating for those around her. Even her richer friends thought her too much at times. But could you blame her? Who else was going to sing her praises? She WAS the greatest Queen that England had ever had! That’s what all the books said, anyway. Who else would celebrate her for that? Who in her personal life would have validated her for that? Her absent mother? Her neglectful, dead, father? The sister who was so jealous of her success she had her locked away? If Elizabeth didn’t sing her own praises nobody would. So yes, she was entitled and spoilt - but she deserved that.

She EARNED the right to gloat. To be proud of everything she did before.

Finally, the historians said that she was better than Mary. That Mary was the villain Elizabeth had known her to be. Sure, when they were young they were never living together long enough to clash majorly but Mary had always been the fire to Lizzie’s ice. Mary would rage and scream at her sometimes, her temper always getting the better of her. She resembled their father in that way. Meanwhile, she herself would stand there calmly and take it. Not any more. Now history had confirmed who the true winner was between and it was Elizabeth - nothing could take that away.

“Elizabeth!” Her mother called up the staircase, “Can you come down here?”

Lizzie ignored her, scrolling through Célia’s social media.She had posted loads of pictures from the slopes and it was safe to say England’s greatest Queen was feeling the FOMO. Stretched out on her big bed in the big bedroom (Edward was never getting it, little thug never stood a chance).

“Elizabeth!?”

The red head sighed as she flicked through the pictures, hoping the ladies in waiting would give the all clear so she could go home.

“ELIZABETH!”

Lizzie huffed and rolled over, “Coming!”

Irritated at her afternoon of sulking being interrupted, she stomped downstairs to where everyone was gathered in the living room. Stood at the head of the room were Lina, Anna and Elizabeth’s mother - they were the ones who attended the meeting today. Elizabeth walked right up to the armchair where Katherine was sitting. The younger girl glared and crossed her arms, upon noticing her Kat raised an eyebrow in question.

“Move.” Liz ordered,

For a moment, Katherine looked like she was going to argue - but ultimately decided it wasn’t worth it and moved. Triumphantly, Liz took her spot. Looking up in time to catch disapproving look from her sister, she just huffed and poked her tongue out. In response Mary just sighed and looked away.

“So latest update.” Anna spoke up, “They have no idea when this is all going to kick off and so we’re stuck together for a while.”

“They want us to continue trying to make the most of out new lives.“ Lina continued, “For example, I’ve called Eduardo to take over the restaurant and whilst I’m here, I may as well try and open a second place. Become international!”

Anne snorted and Lina glared at her.

“I’ve moved my gallery more online so I do not have to do the sales in person.” Anna also contributed, “And Jane can go back to the school when it reopens in a few weeks and Katherine can do…whatever it is you do day to day!”

Liz smirked, “Well I’m sure that’ll be fun for you all, but I’ll be back to school by then.”

Anne suddenly looked a little nervous.

“Maman?” Lizzie did not like that look, “I’ll be back at my boarding school…RIGHT?”

“We have been asked not to leave the country.” Anne confessed,

“BUT THAT’S--”

“Bullshit, we know.” Anna rolled her eyes, “Believe me, your mother fought for you. We have to stay together so we’re easy to locate.”

“You’ll be going to the school I teach at.” Jane tried to be helpful, “Eddie goes there and he’s turned out alright!”

All eyes turned to the boy who was pulling hairs from his own head and lighting them with a lighter. Jane bristled and snatched the tool from him, ignoring his protest.

“Maman!” Elizabeth stood, furious, “You cannot expect me to stay here!”

“Oh my God, Elizabeth - shut up!” Mary groaned, annoyed, “Nobody wants to be here, you’re not the only being affected.”

“Well unlike you I’m not used to be surrounded by people who hate me.”

Mary huffed, “For God sake…”

“Mary.” Lina snapped, “Lords name in vain…”

“Lo siento, Mama.” Mary replied,  

Something about the way Mary and Catalina interacted made something in the redhead snap. To push away the feeling Elizabeth honed in on what she believed to be a weaker version of her sister, “What’s it to you anyway?”

“What?”

“Why are you involving yourself in my discussion with my mother?”

“Because you’re yelling about it in a crowded room.” Mary argued, annoyed, “Sheesh, you’re such a spoilt brat. I swear you weren’t like this the first time round.”

“Like you’d know!”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Elizabeth erupted, “YOU LOCKED ME IN A TOWER!”

To Mary’s credit, a sheepish look covered her face, “Well…I…”

“You were jealous, I know.” Elizabeth snapped,

That peaked Mary’s attention, “Jealous? Of what exactly?!”

“Sure Father loved you, but nobody else did - did they?” Elizabeth snapped,

Mary grit her teeth, “Shut up Liz…”

“Your people didn’t love you, they loved me.” Elizabeth smirked, enjoying the reaction, “History doesn’t love you, it loves me. YOUR HUSBAND DIDN’T LOVE YOU - HE LOVED ME!”

“Shut up, Liz.”

“Aww have I hit a nerve?” Elizabeth teased, “Have I made THE Bloody Mary upset? Are you still jealous that even your own husband would sooner throw you away for me? Does it remind you of how evil you truly were?”

“You were married…” Lina’s gentle voice was lost under the aggression,

Especially when Mary lost her temper.

“I DON’T GIVE A SHIT IF HE LOVED YOU!” Mary shouted, standing to go toe to toe with her sister, “I NEVER CARED ABOUT HIM.”

“Pfft bullshit!” Elizabeth laughed,

“It’s not!” Mary looked like she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, “I only wanted to keep him away from you because he was a terrible person! But I never loved him Elizabeth and he never loved me.”

“Oh I forgot. Monsters are incapable of love!”

“For fuck sake Liz, it’s not because I was a monster!” Mary snapped, seething, “IT’S BECAUSE I’M GAY!”

Silence.

Elizabeth stepped back a little, really not having expected that.

The tension left the room and Mary suddenly looked very, very embarrassed. She turned to her mother and Catalina just shook her head, walking out the room. Elizabeth felt a little guilty as Mary’s face dropped watching her mother leave. She’d never seen the two of them not get along before. The silence was deafening as everyone stared at each other, trying to work out how they got here. Thankfully, as always, there was an Anna to save the day. She swirled her scotch in the glass, cleared her throat and raised her free hand.

“Me too.”

The tension eased a little and Jane went to check on Lina. Everyone slowly dispersing after a while.

Elizabeth went back to her room feeling confused. Sure she had won their argument, she truly believes she did.

But why did that make her feel so shitty?

Chapter Text

Cathy II

When Cathy walked into the kitchen for lunch she wasn’t surprised to find Catalina was dancing along to the radio as the Spaniard made food.

Mae had gone down for her afternoon nap which gave the publisher time to go and get a late lunch. It must have been later than she thought if Lina was already starting on dinner. Cathy had locked herself in her study, her daughter playing on the floor behind her until she got hungry. After feeding her, the publisher was able to carry on for a little longer before the child got pre-nap grumpy. She knows that if she asked, one of the queens would have watched Mae for a while so that Cathy could get her work done but that was probably not a good idea. None of them  had experience with small children. Even the biological mothers handed their child off to wet nurses or died. Nobody could look after Mae better than Cathy could. There was no point in trying.

To be honest, Cathy usually worked non-stop through Mae’s nap so that she could play with the girl when she woke up. Sadly, today that seemed like it wasn’t going to happen. You see Catherine was suffering with one of the worst afflictions known to man…writers block. Now, being the professional that she was - Cathy had her own cure for writers block. She would play the classics station on the radio and try to use the music to inspire her. Something about Mozart stimulates the brain don’t you know!? But sadly, her radio refused to turn on. Mae had knocked it over the last time Cathy had been holding her at the desk, poor thing had the music knocked right out of it.

Thus the writers block would remain until the stupid thing was fixed. And if something needed fixing there was only one person to find. Normally, Cathy would try to avoid the other queens. It was nothing personal, in fact for the most part it was just that she hadn’t really had to socialise with other adults in a very long time. Sure, she could have a conversation with Lina and even Edward when he wasn’t being a prat. But Jane would only talk about motherhood and ask about Henry, Anna would try and goad he into drinking, it’s Kat’s fault she had to marry Henrat and Anne…

Well she could barely look Anne or Elizabeth in the eye, not after what Thomas had done. What Catherine had allowed him to do…what she had helped him do…

Anyway, it was safe to say that Cathy entering the kitchen was a step out of her comfort zone. As previously said, Lina was dancing to the radio with Jane working on some sort of lesson plan prep for back to school at the table. Both women acknowledged her, Jane with momentary eye contact and Lina was a smile as she sambaed by the stove. Taking her usual seat, Cathy put the radio down and began fiddling with it - trying to get it to work.

“Mama!” Mary called, walking into the kitchen with a shirt in hand, “El chico diablo hizo un agujero en mi camisa. ¿Puedes volver a coserlo?”

Catalina smiled over her shoulder, “Put it on the back of the chair, I’ll do it later.”

Mary draped the shirt on the chair and pecked her mother’s cheek with a smile, “Thanks Mama.”

Cathy exchanged a confused look with Jane. Weren’t they being all distant this time yesterday?

“What’s wrong with your radio?” Jane asked,

“Oh, Mae broke it.” Cathy sighed, “I was hoping to find the resident handyman somewhere to see if she can get it to work.”

“She fixed the devil toaster yesterday.” Catalina said, “If she can fix that then the radio will be no problem.”

Jane shifted uncomfortably but said nothing. Even if she wanted to, she was quickly cut off by the entrance of said handywoman - Katherine Howard. However, she was dressed differently than usual. Katherine was a jeans and band t-shirt type girl, there was always music playing from the basement room. The jeans were still there, only they seemed to be old - covered in various black stains and smudges. Her shirt was very different to her usual, it was a uniform shirt and just as stained as her trousers. It was blue with a white logo on the chest; Pop and Son Mechanics.Around her waist was a tool belt.

There was an odd choking noise and Cathy looked to Mary, watching her choke slightly on the coffee she poured herself. All eyes went to her and she turned red.

“I’m…going to edit those wedding photos.” She spluttered before all but running from the room,

Catalina watched her daughter go before moving the conversation on, “Katherine, mija, Cathy’s radio is broken. Would you mind looking at it before work?”

Katherine smiled slyly and raised an eyebrow.

Lina huffed, trying to sound annoyed but her amusement shone through, “If you fix it, I’ll set aside an extra slice of cake for you tonight.”

Satisfied, Katherine sat opposite the publisher and Cathy handed over the radio. Ignoring the flash of annoyance that flowed through her. It wasn’t fair to blame Katherine for her own marriage to Henry. None of them had a choice, not really. Still, sometimes it was hard to maintain logic when the emotion ran too high. In an effort to distract herself, Cathy swallowed her pride and attempted to lure Katherine into conversation.

“So..you’re a mechanic?”

“A me-kat-nic!” Jane grinned,

Despite herself Cathy chuckled at that, Lina throwing them an amused look at the same time. That was enough for the blonde who glowed under the reaction to her pun.

“You should have a look at Mary’s car,” Lina suggested, “She bought a cheap one since we’ll be staying a while - it keeps making this annoying click-click-click noise.”

Cathy watched in awe as Katherine removed some tools from her belt and began tinkering with the radio device, “How do you know all this stuff?”

Blushing slightly, Katherine shrugged.

“It’s certainly a far cry different from what we would have been made to do before.” Jane added, “Henry wouldn’t have approved.”

Cathy saw Lina tense and Katherine fumbled slightly with the radio at the mention of his name.

“Well,” Lina’s voice was strained, “Henry was hardly a feminist.”

Jane’s posture went rigid, “He loved women. His daughter was the first Queen of England!”

Lina span round, eyes like fire, “MY daughter was the first Queen of England, if Henry had his way she would have held no more status than his bastards”

Jane glared, “I disagree. Sure, he made his mistakes but Henry was a good man deep down.”

“He cut off Anne’s head…” Cathy found herself saying,

“For the time that was the way whores were dealt with.” Jane said simply,

Katherine flinched but Cathy was the only one who noticed. The younger woman just kept her eyes on the radio. Suddenly, Cathy felt that churn in her stomach as she remembered how she herself got linked to Henry in the first place. Katherine had probably just been reminded that her own loose morals had ended with her decapitation. They kept it in the family one supposes. That bubbling resentment became a flicker of anger and unfortunately, Cathy began stoking it.

“The word whore isn’t exactly feminist either.” Cathy snapped,

Jane rolled her eyes, “I am a feminist Cathy. I just seem to remember things differently to you all!”

“No you’re not.” She laughed, “You went from being so brainwashed by one man you thought the sun shone out his backside, in fact you still do and then as soon as we’re reincarnated you got with this other guy. You even let your own son run over you - you have no agency Jane! You are not a feminist - no one in this house is!”

Lina bristled, “I’m sure you don’t mean me when you say that.”

“Please! You all do it!” Cathy growled, “Anne’s magazine promotes unhealthy body ideals for women and continues the stereotype that women are only beautiful if they’re size zero. Anna objectifies women worse than any man I’ve met, bar Henry. You, Lina, are relying on a MAN to run your business back in Spain and Katherine - you’re just continuing the cycle that got you beheaded in the first place!”

“What on Earth are you talking about Cathy?”

Cathy’s resentment bubbled up big time and she couldn’t stop it, “Katherine was so weak willed that the second any man was nice to her she opened her heart and legs to him. She was only with Henry a year, A YEAR and she couldn’t stop herself falling for another man’s charms. That’s hardly feminist. She’s allowing these men to infect her life and we all saw she’s made the same mistakes in this life.”

“Catherine.” Lina barked sharply, “That’s enough!”

“You’re right, it is enough.” Cathy laughed, “I’ve had enough trying to push away the fact that YOU owe me an apology.”

Katherine blinked at her, confused.

“If you had just held out until that pig died then I wouldn’t have been forced to leave my own relationship to join the legion of women victimised by Henry Tudor.”

“Victimised is a strong word.” Jane tried,

“For God’s sake Jane!”

“He wasn’t that bad!” Jane was getting angry herself now, “There were worst people to be married to!”

“The fact we were forced to marry him--”

“I wasn’t!” Jane snapped,

“The rest of us were!”

“He was also forced to marry you! Look how he dumped Anna, he probably didn’t want to be married either but he had to for his own status. I mean…look at Katherine - of course he wanted someone beautiful on his arm!”

“HE STILL DECAPITATED HER!”

“SHE STILL CHEATED AND IT WAS APPROPRIATE AT THE TIME!”

“BEING A WHORE SHOULD NEVER BE A DEATH SENTENCE!”

“I’m sorry.”

Three pairs of eyes snapped to the quiet girl sat at the table, fight leaving Cathy as the guilt flooding in.

“W-What?”

“I said,” Katherine spoke up, voice quiet and soft, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry you had to marry him because of me.”

Cathy blinked. That had been what she wanted but somehow it didn’t make her feel better. Everyone was so stunned by her talking that nobody was able to respond. In the meantime, Katherine clicked something into place on Cathy’s radio and the sound of Bach began playing through the speaker. She closed it up and slide it over to Cathy.

“I fixed your radio.”

All Cathy could do was open and close her mouth like a goldfish as Katherine left the room, not so much as looking back at them. Cathy felt awful, body sagging in the chair as she looked at the radio. It wasn’t Katherine’s fault. She knew that, logically Cathy knew that. But Jane just got under her skin and everything bubbled up.

“Well that wasn’t very feminist of you.” Jane muttered,

Cathy slammed her head on the table.

No. It wasn’t feminist at all.

Chapter Text

Catalina III

“What about that one? Large dining space, large kitchen.”

Lina though about it, “No, when people come to eat I want them to feel like they’re back in their childhood home. Small intimate dining space.”

Anna nodded, understanding, “So like they’re having a home cooked dinner?”

“Exactly.”

Catalina had recently begun her search for a new restaurant space and, as Anna owned several galleries in Germany, she had gone to the fourth queen for assistance. They were sat in the living room, scrolling through a website advertising properties. Lina had worked her butt off for the last five years and had quite a big budget to spend on setting up this new place. However, unlike her first restaurant which had been purchased because she needed somewhere to live immediately, Catalina found herself overwhelmed by the choices available. She was just happy Anna knew how to do all this, it made everything all the easier. Anna was a good woman, even if she was on her second wine glass of the day - it was only 2pm after all.

Mary had offered go scope out the lot when she decided on one but Lina worried about her driving that death-trap car. Cars shouldn’t click like that, they just shouldn’t! She was a mother, a Spanish mother at that - she worried! Anyway, everyone had offered to help where they could. Cathy had sent her some stuff about food safety laws she got through the culinary writer in her magazine. Though this may be her still feeling guilty for her little outburst the other day. Jane said she could talk to her headmaster about advertising jobs on the sixth form job board. Katherine, now back to being mute, had nodded when Lina asked if she knew people that could set up the kitchen for her when they found somewhere. Which reminds her…

“I need to measure whatever kitchen space there is when we find the right place.” Lina remembered, “I don’t want Katherine to get there and try to install a grill that doesn’t fit.”

Anna nodded before leaning away from the computer to look at Lina, “Did Katherine really talk?”

Lina nodded, “It was completely out of the blue! Cathy was ranting about feminism and arguing with Jane and then she little one just apologised.”

“Yeah right…” A snort came from the arm chair,

Ah yes, Catalina had tried forgetting that Anne had been reading her magazine while they worked. The Spaniard had tried to dissuade her but that seemed to make the second wife double down. So she let it go and attempted to cohabitate peacefully. No matter how difficult Anne made it.

“She did, Jane and Cathy heard it too!” Catalina said, “She has a nice voice.”

“When she was my lady in waiting she used to sing or play instruments for me when asked.” Anna remembered fondly, “I remember he being more…lively before.”

“Well having ones head chopped off will do that to a person.” Anne griped, still reading her magazine,

Lina rolled her eyes, “Did you want something?”

“Peace and quiet…maybe a Ferrari.” Anne shrugged, flicking to the next page,

“This was a big milestone for Katherine.” Catalina snapped, “You be nice - she’s your cousin!”

“Pfft, so’s Jane and I can’t stand her either.” The French woman huffed, “What has family done for me anyway?”

“Okay, okay,” Anna interrupted before things could go any further, “Let’s not do a Cathy and start yelling things we regret.”

Catalina agreed and decided, yet again, to take the high road. She stood up and smiled down to Anna, “I need to go start dinner anyway.”

Unfortunately, Anne latched on to this, “Just order a take away then you can continue looking.”

“A take away…” Catalina’s eyes bore daggers into Anne,

Anna, sensing danger, also stood and made sure to position herself between them, “I think what Anne meant was that, as much as we love your cooking, there’s no harm taking an evening off.”

“Exactly.” Anne replied sweetly, looking over to them, “Plus my stomach needs a chance to recover from all the spices you use. I get that spices are cheap nowadays but that doesn’t mean you need to use a full pantry’s worth.”

Catalina chuckled, “Anna…hold my earrings!”

Anna barely had time to dodge the gold hoops thrown her way and hold Catalina back from attacking Anne. The whole time Catalina was screaming in rapid fire Spanish - who the hell did Anne Boleyn think she was? NOBODY insulted her cooking. Especially not since they all realised Catalina was the only one who could cook without burning the house down. In all honesty, someone else saying this would earn them a tongue lashing rather than a full on attempted assault, but Anne just brought this ridiculously childish side out of Lina. She went from poised and rational to a bickering sixteen year old. Something about her just riled Lina up. Anne was the same, she would turn up her snotty-bratness whenever Lina was around.

It was never a pretty sight either.

“For God’s sake Lina!” Anne snapped, standing herself, “You’re not the Queen any more - people are allowed to criticise!”

“Well I wonder whose fault that is?” Lina replied, giving up getting past Anna,

“Will you get over that already!?” Anne snapped, “I regretted it didn’t I?”

She gestured to her scarf.

“When Mary told me what happened to you I did view it as poetic justice.” Lina smirked,

“Yeah, well - I wore yellow to your funeral. So I guess we’re even there.” Anne shrugged,

“Of course you did…no grace. It’s no surprise Henry eventually got fed up with you.”

“Well I guess we’re in the same boat there!” Anne snapped, “Though had you cooked for him a lot sooner I’m sure he would have ditched you a hell of a lot faster! He certainly didn’t grieve you…”

“I didn’t need Henry to grieve for me!” Lina laughed, “My people did, my public did. I died a saint in their eyes, you were just a spoilt who--brat.”

Cathy had been right in saying that word wasn’t very feminist, so Lina didn’t want to use it. No matter how much she wanted to hurt Anne.

“The people’s Queen…huh - it’s a wonder how Mary turned out isn’t it?” Anne looked evil then,

Anna tensed and Lina bristled. She knew what Mary had done, it sometimes kept her daughter up at night.

“You’re not supposed to have known that.” Lina muttered,

Anne shrugged, “And yet I do. Your daughter BURNED people alive. She was cruel and vicious…”

“Stop it…”

“My daughter was named one of the best Queens England has ever had, meanwhile history paints yours as evil.”

“Stop it, Anne.” Lina growled, “Before you say something you regret.”

Anne knew she had struck a nerve, “Tell me, how does it feel? To have given birth to a girl who was just as bad as her father?”

“Mary is not him.”

“Hmm, you’re right.” Anne’s tone was breezy in contrast to the harsh words being spoken, “She’s not just like him…she’s worse than he ever was.”

Catalina saw Anne side eye her, aware that the German was preparing to hold her back again but Lina wasn’t just teenager-angry any more. She was pissed.

“Well,” Lina spoke evenly, not letting her voice betray emotion, “At least my daughter loves me, yours barely looks you in the eye unless she’s asking for something. Elizabeth can’t stand to be around you any more than I can.”

Anne’s triumphant look dropped into something dark and the tension heightened. The two glared at each other from across the room, their statements hanging in the air.

“Ladies, come on.” Anna mediated, breaking the silence, “There’s no point throwing insults. Lina go cook, Anne go…turn a puppy into a fur coat or whatever fashion people do.”

“Gladly.” Catalina smiled, a sickly sweet butter-wouldn’t-melt-in-my-mouth smile, “But since Anne has so many complaints about my cooking, I suppose I needn’t save her a plate. Right Anne?”

The gauntlet was laid and Lina was aware that she had given Anne two choices. Accept defeat and take the free meal or double down and eat take away alone.

Anne Boleyn, ever stubborn, would only make one choice.

“I can sort myself out. Besides, maybe now everyone will get an appropriate portion size.”

With a shrug, trying to appear indifferent, Lina turned and went into the kitchen.

Having won the battle, but not yet the war.

Chapter Text

Edward II

Edward had decided he hated his new living situation.

HE was the King. He may have died young and weak but her certainly wasn’t now and the sooner all these women understood that the better it would all be. But they just didn’t. His mother got it and she was too stupid to even teach a real subject like maths or English. His mother understood that the man of the house was a coveted position that could only be held by males. How his father could stand any of them, Edward didn’t know. No wonder he went through them all so quickly. He’d even heard his mother telling Catalina that she couldn’t understand Henry’s choices in them either. All of Edward’s step-mothers seemed to be problematic, why he even married them at all was a mystery?

Take Lina for example. Yes, she could cook - but back then that was hardly the skill of a good queen. No matter how fat his father had gotten, Edward had never see him demand his wives lower themselves to cook for him. Now, though Eddie would never admit it, Catalina was his main rival for the position of ‘man of the house’. She was in charge of everything, ordering the other queen’s and himself around like she was top dog. This was untrue of course, EDWARD was top dog…the others just hadn’t realised it yet. This was fine, modern women tended to forget that men were the real dominants of the world. Still, nobody listened to Eddie’s commands but everyone listened to Lina’s. Even Anne and Lizzie did on occasion.

Ah…Anne Boleyn. Apparently so ‘sexy’ she broke England from the shackles of Catholicism…Edward didn’t get the hype. She was an attractive woman but her smart mouth and snotty attitude made her instantly unlikeable. Anne had this scathing, sharp tongue that no man would ever want on a woman. Like Henry had told him many times before, “Women are like rubies. Beautiful to look at and men without look at those with in envy”. To be honest, Eddie thinks he only liked Anne because she rebuffed him. Nobody denied a king. Though knowing his dad, he probably wanted a mistress. He was forever telling Eddie that you marry the pliant and fuck the wild. Edward thought of Maisie at school when he heard this. She was wild and if he thought about it, what need had Edward for pliant when Lina made his meals and Jane made his bed?

His mother was the only woman in the house that made sense. She cleaned, she doted, she fussed - like normal women should. Sure, it still wasn’t behaviours you would see in a queen but she was the right level of pliant. Jane was definitely a good choice, Edward understood why Henry thought of his mother so fondly. Jane was a meek woman, especially around himself and Edward liked it that way. Getting what he wanted when he wanted, she was the only one to treat him like the King that he was. See, if his thick-as-shit mother could grasp it why couldn’t the others?

Anna, well he understood the quick divorce. Anna was no a queenly woman, she was more a man that most of his friends. She drank, attended clubs, poker nights. Back in the day she would hunt and flirt, he even had a memory of her dancing with Katherine at one point. He didn’t believe her too ugly for his father, he believed his father realised she couldn’t be controlled. If Anna wanted to do something she would which is fine for a friend but not for a wife. Besides, Anna preferred the company of women (as did Mary apparently, due to her shocking confession). This didn’t bother Eddie much, Anna was more a man than a woman in personality. She rarely showed herself much though meaning she was of no threat to his status as man of the house.

Katherine was a threat, though not a big one. Now, most of Edward’s ideals did come from Tudor England. But there were a couple that had adapted with the times, though maybe not in such ways as some would like. Something Eddie had learned from his friends was it was the man’s job to fix things. His mates always had stories about their father’s fixing a door or plumbing or whatever. Whenever his mother called a plumber or electrician out they were usually a bloke. But here, Katherine did all of it. Bitch didn’t even talk, she just did it quietly for no more than extra of whatever goody Lina was cooking. She didn’t deserve extra pancakes, or if she did then as King so did Eddie!

The only one Edward was fond of was Cathy. Cathy had never hidden behind giggled hand like the others had back in the day. The final wife was who she was and remained unapologetic. However, she was also pliant. She maintained her wifely nature and made a good partner for his father. Whilst he did not always agree with her forward thinking ideals, Edward found it amusing to aid her where he could. Let her have her hobbies of writing and publishing, what was the harm? Even now, her views were definitely more militant but Edward saw no harm in letting her have her hobbies. Let her and her little friends have their magazine, it kept them quiet.

And his sisters…well they were the worst.

“Oooh that one’s nice.”

Edward winced at his mother’s tone, she was so annoying! They, as well as Anne, Lizzie and Mary, were sat in the living room watching some show about people wasting their money on houses abroad. Currently they were watching an old couple looking at places in South America. He didn’t want to watch it, all his friends were watching the football at Bradley’s house. Edward was still grounded for that stupid fight on the last week of term. Mae was playing with Titch or Totch or whatever on the floor, Cathy had shockingly left her out of site for five minutes whilst she ran to the bathroom. A rare occurrence that Anne had jokingly commented on from behind  her newspaper.

“Where are they now?” Anne asked, looking over said reading material,

Eddie swore she only pretended to read it to look intelligent.

“Peru.” Mary hummed, staring at the screen,

“Who’d want to live in Peru?” Edward found himself muttering,

Anne shrugged, “I went to Peru once, it was nice. I ate guinea pig.”

Little Mae’s head snapped up from the floor and she pulled the stuffed toy to her chest, “W-What..?”

“Oh! Sweetie, I’m sure it wasn’t a nice guinea pig.” Jane tried to soothe,

“Annie’s gonna eat Twitch?” Mae asked, eyes wide with fear,

Anne, to her credit, looked nervous. Suddenly aware of the little toy Mae was playing with. Edward would share no such embarrassment, instead he began to tease.

“Oooh,” He reached out to snatch Twitch away from the toddler, “Yummy, yummy Twitch!”

Mae ran over to try and get him back but Eddie simply stood, towering over the toddler and holding the toy to his ear.

“What’s that Twitch?” Edward asked it, mockingly, “You WANT to go on the plate? With ketchup!?”

“Nooo!!” Mae was tearing up, “Give it back!”

“Edward! You give back the toy right now!” Jane shouted, nearly managing to sound angry,

Edward just smirked at her, “Make me.”

All eyes went to her, waiting for her to do something. But Jane just looked down, allowing Edward to continue.

“Who wants a Twitch drumstick!?” Edward laughed, pulling at the toys leg,

“You’re such a douchebag.” Elizabeth muttered,

“G-G-Give it back.” Mae was sobbing,

“Just give her the toy, Edward.” Mary snapped,

Edward laughed, Mary may have been able to boss the round as children but not any more, “Make me.”

What he didn’t expect was for Mary to make him.

Mary stood and pinched his ear, HARD. Edward would forever deny the pained squeak he let out  as he dropped the stupid thing. Mae scrambled to grab it, sniffling into Twitch’s fur as she held him tightly. Edward felt mortified as Mary dragged him to the sofa and shoved him down. Once freed, he brought up his hand to rub his ear - preparing an insult. However, before it left his lips a sudden thwack hid the back of his head.

“OW you hit me!?”

“You deserved it.” Mary snapped back,

Rather than challenge his big sister, Edward brought his other hand to soothe the pain in the back of his head. He sulked as Mary went back to her seat. Surprisingly it was Elizabeth that went to tend to Mae, rubbing her back as the six year old sobbed her heart out. See that was the pliant thing to do, tend to the child rather than stepping to the man. With his pride hurt, Edward went to make one more dig.

“This is why Philip wanted Liz and not you.”

Mary shrugged, “And yet she’s the one who died a virgin.”

“Shut the fuck up Mary.” Elizabeth growled,

“Anne!” Jane implored, hoping she would say something,

Anne just looked back, confused, “Jane?”

“MAE!”

Suddenly, hurricane Cathy blew in. Snatching the toddler up from the floor and cradling her to her chest. Eyes like fire, even Edward began regretting his earlier actions. He didn’t mean to be cruel, he was just bored. There was nothing to do so he started making his own entertainment. Though, he didn’t want to hurt Cathy in the process.

“What did you do!?” Cathy asked Elizabeth,

Eddie was surprised to see snooty, annoying Elizabeth flinch the way she did at Cathy’s voice.

“N-Nothing, Lady Catherine. I promise.”

Anne seemed to notice it too, “Hey! Don’t start accusing her of anything, it was the resident psychopath that made her cry.”

Cathy’s eyes met his and it hurt him a little that she instantly knew who they were referring to. Something about the way Cathy held Mae away from them, looking around afraid and wide eyed like they were all seriously out to hurt her or her child, churned his stomach. The fact she had even made the great Elizabeth Boleyn back down was even more terrifying. Though Eddie had an idea of where that had come from.

“Edward…” Cathy muttered,

Despite himself Eddie didn’t feel as amused as he had before.

“I…uhh…”

Cathy sighed, looking disappointed, “Forget it.”

She then left the room, clutching Mae tightly, leaving everyone stuck in the tension she left behind.

“Well done, Eddie.” Mary muttered sarcastically,

Yeah…well done, Eddie.

Chapter Text

Anne III

Anne was not a happy bunny.

Big problems had come up at the magazine, nothing she couldn’t fix of course but it was harder to do over phone and email. This whole situation was ridiculous, how dare their handlers forbid her from leaving the country!? Did they not understand who she was? Living in this house was like a waking nightmare. Firstly because she couldn’t be there to yell at her staff for the stupid mistakes they were making and would continue to make in her absence. Idiots the lot of them really, there would be a mass cull of staff when she returned home mark her words. It was exhausting trying to work around deadlines and timezones, everything would just be so much easier back in the office. The second reason was the more obvious: her current housemates were not what she would call ideal.

Starting with the more notable feud - she and Lina would never get along. Though the Spanish woman was different this time round, more fun and joking as opposed to her stoic holier-than-thou attitude from before. Anne still couldn’t stand her though. She hated how Catalina, as she insisted on being called, would boss them all around. It was like she and Jane were her ladies in waiting again. Anne despised her for it. This time Catalina would not be first pick, she would not be the one beloved by millions who would then look on herself in scorn. She had worked so goddamn hard to prove everything Henry had said about her as a lie, she had built her own empire from the ground up. And hers was bigger than his. She refused to be pushed aside by some wayward Spanish bitch. Yes, she may be the first wife. Yes, she may have been more loved than Anne. But she was still the stubborn old bitch sent to die alone, because Henry CHOSE Anne.

Sure, he later changed his mind but it’s the sentiment of the thing after all.

Then there was Jane, well Anne wasn’t completely sold on her yet either. The stupid woman thought the sun still shone out of Henry’s asshole. They had to completely ban discussing him now because Jane’s outlook was so warped that she turned outright aggressive when they tried to convince her of how evil he was. It was funny though, Anne wondered if her current boyfriend (James…or Jason…she wasn’t listening) lived up to the God that was Henry Tudor. Please read previous sentence with appropriate level of sarcasm. She couldn’t control her brat either, like sure Anne wasn’t winning mother of the year any time soon but at least Elizabeth hadn’t nearly burnt her room down…TWICE. Obviously, Anne held resentment for Jane. It wasn’t lost on either of them that Henry’s wish to remarry the blonde had been a factor towards Anne’s eventual beheading. But on the day to day Jane was pleasant and quiet company, annoyingly one of the better presences in the house.

Anna was fine, Anne supposed. She was rather suave and friendly, able to speak with Anne and keep up the intellectual dialogue which would lose the others in moments. They had shared a drink one night recently, discussing fine art - that had been rather pleasant. Finally SOMEONE who was smart enough to keep up. Though she did get amusement saying things around Jane and Katherine, things from before, that would leave them both thoroughly confused. Anne forgot how much amusement one could get from mocking low borns. Still, Anna did drink an awful lot. In fact Anne could go on record saying she had never seen the German sober. But that wasn’t any of her business, hopefully she’d only be in her presence a couple of weeks. This couldn’t drag on forever after all, they’d have to go home

Katherine, the now not so mute, had begun talking. A few sentences now and then, they were rare but true to what Anna had said the woman could speak. Anne made a point not to interact with her too much, family had never been kind to her so why would she risk that again? Still, occasionally the tiny thing made herself useful and fixed whatever had broken in the house and earned some form of sweet treat from the Goddess Catherine of Aragon. Again: to be read with sarcasm. The funniest part for Anne was watching Mary frantically abandon the room when Kat entered it. Since her dramatic come out (followed by Catalina’s dramatic storm out) it had become very apparent that pretty women caused a famed gay panic for the once bloody queen.

Anne was actually slightly pissed that Mary thought KATHERINE more attractive than herself. Sure, they had hated each other but Anne thought she was sexy…

Then there was Catherine Parr, or Cathy as they had began calling her. Seriously the Tudor era only had like eight women names and it was eternally infuriating. Well besides her overwhelming overprotectiveness of her child there wasn’t much to say about Cathy…

Knock, knock, knock.

“Un moment.” Anne sighed, hitting the button to mute herself on the intercom, “Come in!”

Elizabeth poked her head round the door and Anne barely looked at her, flicking through the papers on her desk for the number she needed.

“Elizabeth,” She greeted, distractedly, “It’s not like you to knock.”

“Well I knew you were busy--”

“A-HA!” Finding the number Anne clicked the intercom again, “Je l'ai trouvé, sept deux trois huit…”

“Maman, I need to talk to you.”

“One second Lizzie, this is important.” Anne said, still not looking at her, “Désolé ma fille est là--”

“Maman, please…”

“--il est sept deux trois huit neuf sept”

“Maman?”

“Oui, est-ce que c'est passé par là ? Parfait.”

“MOTHER!”

Anne snapped her head up at that. Elizabeth hadn’t called her mother since…well since Henry had demanded she did. After coming back it had always been ‘Maman’, it was their thing. Once she actually looked at her child she realised how distress Elizabeth looked. Now, at this point anyone would know Elizabeth Boleyn wasn’t one to show any other emotion than contempt. So to see her stood there, having KNOCKED to come in, look pale and red eyed. Well…that certainly took Anne aback.

“Réparez-le vous-même. Je te rappellerai.” Anne said into the phone and then hung up, “What’s wrong mon amour?”

Elizabeth seemed to struggle to find words, again unlike her, “Edward was…uhh…being an idiot as usual and wouldn’t give me the cake he took from Katherine.”

Anne rolled her eyes, stupid Edward.

“Anyway, we fought and plate slid out of my hand and hit the floor and the noise startled Mae and made her cry…Cathy was really mad.”

Anne sighed and picked up her purse, “How much was the plate?”

“It’s not about the plate, can you just listen!?” Elizabeth asked, voice taking on a strange desperate tone, “For once, can you listen and not throw money at it!?”

Stunned, the elder woman dropped her purse and looked at her daughter. Not saying anything more.

“The…The handlers said we can talk about stuff now right?” Elizabeth asked, “Like…we can talk about before?”

Anne nodded, growing more concerned.

Elizabeth came to sit at the desk, fidgeting with her hands, “There’s something you need to know, not something I kept from you…I never thought it was appropriate. But when Cathy told me off earlier I panicked and got all weird and….and you need to know why.”

“Okay.” Was all Anne let out,

“After father died, I was sent to live in Cathy’s house and she remarried the man she had planned to be with before my father sunk his claws into her.” Elizabeth sighed, “Cathy was great, we stayed friends but…but my time in that house was…it uhh…”

Anne took a deep breath and straitened up a little, “Lizzie, tell me right now - did she hurt you?”

“No!” Elizabeth rushed out, “No…no, she was heavily pregnant. She did some stuff but once she knew the extent she sent me away…”

“Extent of what?” Anne was confused, “And some stuff!? Liz are you lying to me? Because if she hurt you I need to know.”

“No…Cathy didn’t hurt me,” Elizabeth looked down, taking shaky breaths, “But her husband tried to…”

Anne takes back what she said previously.

Cathy is a two-faced bitch.

Chapter Text

Mary II

Mary hadn’t known what to think when Elizabeth demanded they open the pool today.

The pool had been cleaned and readied for them when they first moved in but given the not-so-sunny English weather the group had no chance to use it. Today, however, the sun was set to be up and warm all day which made it perfect pool weather. Anna had been the one to surprisingly boost Elizabeth’s suggestion, voicing that it would be a good way for everyone to bond. It took some convincing but soon everyone had come round to the idea after a light discussion at how horrified they all were to learn how little people wore whilst swimming nowadays. The silly topic really had forged a fragile bond between the group and so out they all went. Katherine and Cathy were working during the day but had promised to come out when they were done, it was strange that Anne seemed to almost push them to leave.

The editor had been extra cold to all of them lately, especially when they were together as a group. She had seemed her usual level of miserable that afternoon though, stretched out on the sun lounger in a green bikini that Mary assumed was top of the line. It looked funny with the scarf still round her neck. One could see the difference between the three mothers currently outside. Catalina had refused to undress at all and was in shorts and a top, dipping her feet in the pool as she sat on the side. Jane was in a white one-piece swimming laps happily, avoiding her ridiculous son’s leaps off the diving board. Anne was the only one in a two-piece leaving little to the eye, it was amusing to Mary who had never really seen the second wife as the motherly type.

Elizabeth had commandeered the giant floating flamingo that she now lay in, shades on, floating dead centre of the pool. Edward kept splashing her when he jumped in, but got little more than an eyeroll after the first few insults spat at him. Meanwhile, Anna had made them all cocktails - one of which Mary was enjoying from her sun lounger beside the German. Currently, the duo were talking about Anna’s latest conquest. The one who had left a hickey on her neck. Mary was a lot of things, but she’d never been smooth. All her relationships kinda happened by accident. She really had no idea how she did it…shit was like magic. As Anna talked Mary had her camera round her neck, taking action shots of everyone around the pool.

Elizabeth had, of everyone, been the most excited to have her photo taken which was a surprise. Mary had never worked out how to connect with her little sister in their new life, but these were steps in the right direction. It was an opening.

“Okay, Liz - pose!” Mary called,

Elizabeth did indeed pose, looking like she was in the lap of luxury there on the flamingo. Only just before Mary took the snap, Edward cannonballed into the centre of the pool leading to quite a hilarious action shot. She had Eddie, landing in the pool and sending a hug wave towards Liz who intern had the greatest panicked face as her flamingo capsized. Behind them Lina was belly laughing and Jane had facepalmed. It was a pretty funny photo…maybe not one to show Lizzie right now as she was screaming at Edward quite angrily and Mary didn’t fancy attracting the teens attention. Instead she showed Anna the picture, the German woman laughing.

“Anyway,” Mary said, looking through her photos, “What were you saying?”

Anna sipped her cocktail and let out a small noise when she remembered, “Oh yeah, the girl…what was her name? Oh well. She agreed to come back with me and I ordered the cab.”

“I don’t remember seeing her this morning though.” Mary commented,

Anna had joined them for breakfast.

The older woman snorted, “I kicked her out long before breakfast.”

Mary frowned, “Isn’t that a little…”

She trailed off, worrying she’d cause offence if she kept talking and this time round she refused  to willingly upset anyone. Anna merely chuckled, nonplussed.

“I got what I wanted. She got what she wanted, twice.” Anna shrugged, “I saw no reason to extend it to anything more.”

Mary laughed a little, looking back through her camera lense, “I don’t know how you do it.”

Anne was just in the right light for a good photo op, the sun was coming over the house behind where Mary was sat lighting her perfectly. She snapped the pic and then turned to take some of the others.

“Well, you could to.” Anna shrugged, “It’s a different world out there now. Plenty of women out there.”

Mary hummed, snapping a photo of her mother and Jane laughing.

“Stick with me young padawan - I’ll teach you the ways of the woman!”

Mary snorted, “Gross.”

She turned her camera again and her mouth went dry. She dropped her camera, thankfully it was attached around her neck so she didn’t break her very expensive equipment. Beside her, Anna started chuckling at what had caused such a car crash reaction in the once terrifying monarch. Katherine had finally walked out to join them, already in her swimwear. A bright pink bikini. Her hair was wet, probably meaning she’d showered after getting home. Mary felt the gay panic rise from within, if Katherine with a toolbelt was bad - her half naked was definitely nose bleed inducing. Anna took a sip of her cocktail and leaned close to Mary’s ear.

“That.”

“W-What?” Mary asked tearing her eyes away once remembering she wasn’t alone,

“You sent me a letter long ago asking me what your father saw in her - that’s what he saw.” Anna gestured to the woman in question as she began spreading out on her own sun lounger, “Can’t blame him though, can you?”

It was of no surprise that her father would have married Katherine merely for her looks. Mary knew how pigheaded her father could be and hearing Anna mimic this sentiment made her feel a little uncomfortable. But Katherine was very attractive, by the standards of both lives she was beautiful. But that wasn’t the part Mary had been initially attracted to, it was the fact that the other woman could fix things herself. When she saw something broken, Katherine would swoop in and fix it with this confidence that Mary was in awe of.

But that was it. Obviously.

Mary was just in awe of her handiness.

Still, that little feeling in her chest marked that it could be something more and Mary had no clue what to do. Well, not true. She knew what to do. If this was a crush, which it wasn’t, she couldn’t do anything. Not with her mother around. Their current system of ignoring Mary’s sexuality worked so well and she didn’t want to disappoint the only person in this world that saw past her bloody reputation. If it was kept out of the house it was fine, but she didn’t know how she could hide something with someone inside the house. To be honest, she felt guilty for even looking at Katherine in that way. For thinking about her as much as she did. It made her feel like a pervert, like if anyone were to find out she was in awe of Katherine they’d see her as disgusting like her mother did.

Now, her mother had never called Mary that. Lina had never expressed more than her disappointment, but it was easy to see. Mary would never even say her mother was a bad mother. She adored Lina and the two of them were very close. They could both live with this unsaid part of Mary’s life, it wasn’t like her sexuality was her only personality trait. But despite them both ignoring that part like one would ignore walking in on their parents private time, it still reared it’s ugly head. Occasional reminders of her daughters sexuality gave Lina this strange look in her eyes. Mary could only ever read it as disgust. Every time Mary so much as looked as a woman now that look came to mind, making her feel dirty and ashamed. So she couldn’t make any sort of move on Katherine, even if she wanted to (which she didn’t). She wasn’t like Anna, she wasn’t suave or confident. No, Mary was just a creep. At least that’s how it felt.

“Aww you’re blushing!” Anna teased, “Someone have a little crush?”

“Shh!” Mary span to her so quickly she nearly gave herself whiplash, “My mother will hear!”

Anna studied her face and the amusement quickly shifted into a sad understanding.

“Sorry…I didn’t know Catalina was like that.”

Mary sighed, “She wont have a problem with you. It’s just…when it’s me it’s different.”

The German raised an eyebrow, almost as though she wanted to argue. However, her eyes suddenly went past Mary and she began to look amused again.

“Well whether you like her or not, she’s coming over here.”

Mary, once again, span round at record speed and sure enough Katherine was approaching. She looked uncomfortable…oh no, had she noticed Mary’s staring? Was that what made her uncomfortable?

“Hello, Lady Howard.” Anna greeted jokingly, eyes very obviously checking Katherine out,

Katherine crossed her arms over herself, like Anna’s gaze was also making her uncomfortable. No…it had to be Mary’s presence. Katherine and herself had not had the best relationship in their past life, from what Mary could tell Anna and Katherine had at least been friendly.

“Please don’t call me that.”

Mary still wasn’t used to the fifth wife talking, it was still relatively rare. But she had a nice voice, Mary vaguely remembered her father saying she had sung for him and wondered whether she would ever get to hear it for herself.

“My mistake, Katherine.”

“Kat is fine.” Katherine smiled awkwardly, then she looked to Mary, “Can we talk?”

“M-Me?”

Pull yourself together for fuck sake!

Kat nodded, smile taking on a more genuine quality. She nodded off to the side, obviously wanting to take the conversation away from where anyone could hear. Gulping her nerves down, Mary went to follow.

“Do you girls want a cocktail? I’m making a fresh batch!” Anna called after them,

Mary turned to decline but was surprised to hear Katherine, or Kat, confirm she wanted one.

“I thought you didn’t drink.” Mary said once they stopped a little way away from the group,

Kat shrugged, “When I want to I do.”

“Right…” Mary looked anywhere but Kat, to nervous her eyes would go somewhere suspect by accident, “What was it you wanted?”

Kat sighed, “I wanted to say sorry.”

That got her attention. Mary’s eyes snapped to meet Katherine’s.

“What?”

“For the ladies in waiting thing.” Kat said, eyes looking guilty,

Mary had to think hard to remember, when she did she nearly laughed. Back when Katherine had been Queen, Mary had not reacted well and so, as a power play, Kat tried to dismiss some of Mary’s staff. Let her know who was really in charge, y’know? Mary had completely forgotten about that and the memory of how mad she had been over something so ridiculous made her smile, forgetting her panic.

“You don’t need to apologise,” Mary told her, “Lord knows I wasn’t the most welcoming. If I’d been Queen at your age I probably would have done loads of stupid shit to prove my rule.”

Kat’s body sagged with relief and Mary felt a little bad, had she been that worried?

Mary tried to send her a reassuring smile, “Look, we’re okay. My father was an ass and we both got tied up in his mind games. I’m sure we both have regrets from our past lives.”

Kat smiled back, visibly more relaxed. She nodded and Mary sensed that because Kat had no more to say, she wouldn’t force herself to. To be honest, it was understandable. Back in their day men yelled jump they asked how high. Having the right to choose when they were going to talk and when they weren’t was a luxury. It marked the conversation as over and Mary stepped out of the way to let Kat go and get her cocktail from Anna. She felt relieved herself, that was not what she had been expecting but at least she knew at least one person in this house didn’t hate her.  Despite her earlier fears, Mary found herself watching Katherine as she walked back towards Anna.

That was until she made the mistake of looking past her, locking eyes with her mother.

Her mother’s gaze holding that look mentioned before.

Feeling a little sick, Mary decided not to go over to where Anna was giving Katherine her cocktail. Instead she distracted herself from the nausea by running towards the pool and cannonballing in herself. Sending Elizabeth, who had only just clambered back into the flamingo, tumbling back into the water.

“MARY!”

Mary heard no more as she went below the water.

Trying to drown out the laughter coming from Katherine and the judgement coming from her mother.

Chapter Text

Elizabeth III

“Ugh…look at it. It’s ghastly.”

Elizabeth looked at herself in the foyer mirror, dressed in the school uniform Jane had managed to find for her. It was gross. Rough and scratchy, nothing like the high end uniforms gifted to them at her private boarding school. The colour was an ugly beige with a brown tie and skirt. Disgusting, especially for someone such as Elizabeth who knew about the finer things. Not only had she once been the ruling monarch of this country but in this life she had also been raised with substantial wealth. To degrade herself by wearing such a disgusting uniform, to be forced into dressing in polyester of all things…well she was rather glad her friends back home wouldn’t be seeing this. Part of her wanted to storm upstairs and yell her mother into sending her back to her real school, but ultimately Lizzie decided against it.

After she had told her mother about her time in Catherine Parr’s charge, it had taken a near our of pleading to stop Anne storming downstairs and unleashing a fury that could make even her father quiver. Truth was, Elizabeth didn’t know why she chose to tell her mother when she did. Part of it was indeed because someone in her life, an adult, should be aware of her tension around the elder woman. Whilst she recognised that Cathy could have done very little to stop her husband from anything he did, Elizabeth still somewhat feared her. It was like looking at Cathy brought all those memories back and pushed her back into the soul of a terrified fourteen year old, hiding in her chambers to try and avoid her groomer. Cathy had sent her away as soon as she realised the true extent, whilst most historians (men) seemed to have decided this was due to jealousy Elizabeth knew better.

There was another reason behind her confession. It was no secret by this point that Catalina and Mary’s relationship was not as perfect as it seemed, but the two of them were still very close. Elizabeth had begun wishing she and her own mother had such a relationship and believed sharing something so important could build that bridge. In her first life she had longed to have her mother still with her, many risked their lives to tell her how much Anne had adored her. When they finally were reunited it was great, at first. Now they’d just settled into completely different lives. They weren’t mother and daughter, they were cohabiting. For as spoilt as Elizabeth was, all she had came with a price. Most of the time she cared very little for the cost, instead enjoying her immense riches. But sometimes, sometimes it hurt to know her mother had traded their time together for money and power.

“You look like a potato.”

Elizabeth was ripped from her daydream by a bored, smarmy tone. Her eyes locked on to Eddie through the mirror, the boy in question was stood on the staircase - smirking at her.

“Get lost.” She snapped, “This uniform is disgusting.”

“You sure it’s just the uniform you’re talking about?” Eddie quipped,

Elizabeth span round to glare at him, “Fuck you, Edward.”

“FuCk YoU eDwArD.” He mimicked,

Once upon a time, Elizabeth had mourned her only brother. She had loved him dearly and despite his young age, during his time in power he had done his best to protect them. However, that man was far different from the petulant little boy stood before her.

“Do you have a reason to be here?” She asked, annoyed, “Or are you just planning to be annoying?”

He shrugged, jumping down the last two steps to come and stand before her, “I was on my way to meet my friends and caught you picking out your insecurities in the mirror. What was the focus? Your ginger hair? The freckles?”

Elizabeth went red with fury, “Careful, Eddie - your jealousy is showing.”

He snorted, “Jealous, of what?”

“My looks,” Cue hair flip, “My intelligence, my general perfection…the fact I was able to rule as an adult and became the best Queen in history.”

Edwards smirk fell, Elizabeth honed on it immediately - she had tapped a nerve it seemed.

“Aww what’s wrong?” She teased, “Upset that I brought in the golden age whilst you never reached middle age?”

“Shut the fuck up.” He growled,

Elizabeth did not, folding her arms across her chest, “Like most of your court, I don’t listen to little boys.”

He actually began to shake with rage, “I said shut up…”

“Oh please - you weren’t a real king, simply a novelty.”

“I WAS KING!” Eddie exploded,

Elizabeth barely flinched, “Some king you were! Probably better you withered away when you did - you’re too much like father.”

“SO!?”

“So it was better you DIE AS A CHILD THEN GROW INTO A HENRY 2.0!”

“ELIZABETH!!”

Both sets of eyes flew to the door to the recreation room, Mary stood there - eyes like fire. For a moment, Elizabeth was flashed back to her imprisonment after her mother’s death. When she and Mary had lived in the same house and she was at the mercy of her sisters explosive temper. There were a few seconds of silence that followed, allowing Liz to truly digest what she had been saying. Upon recollection she felt her gut twist. It had been a low blow, not that she would apologise - Edward started it. But looking at how angry Mary looked as the eldest struggled to calm herself, Elizabeth couldn’t help but feel bad. It was easy to forget now that they were all together again, but Edward’s death had hit them both hard. Mary especially.

Mary has run back to London the moment she heard their dear brother was on his death bed, she saw him before the end. Elizabeth had asked her about it as his funeral, the older girl couldn’t bare to describe it. Simply stating he wasn’t their brother when she saw him, that he looked gaunt and decrepit. Witnesses who had seen the boy king at the window in his final days attested that he already looked dead. The memory of how he had been before his death, Liz knew, had haunted their eldest sister. Whilst the three had never been all that close, the idea of a how a family worked was different back then as well as their father’s cruelty to his daughters. They’d had their problems and feuds, but Edward’s death was…well it was awful. Not something she should have made light of.

“He started it.” Was all Elizabeth could say,

Mary looked at her and closed her eyes, stealing herself. When they opened, Elizabeth nearly shrank at the disappointment in them, “How could you say that?”

“He started it!” Liz repeated louder, like the louder her point the more validity it gained,

“Oh yeah?” Mary crossed her arms and looked at her, “And how did he do that?”

“He…He…” Elizabeth sighed, “He said I looked like a potato.”

Yes, she was aware of how stupid that sounded.

“For God sake Liz…”

“Oh don’t you start.” Elizabeth grew defensive,

“What?”

“We all know Eddie’s your favourite.”

Mary blinked, “Well that’s just not true.”

“Isn’t it?” Elizabeth continued, “You went running to his side when he called, you locked me in a tower!”

Her big sister flinched, “I apologised for that.”

Elizabeth glared at her, secretly happy she’d managed to flip the gaze away from herself.

“Apologies don’t make up for years of emotional abuse.”

At the mention of “abuse” Mary looked rather hurt. The elder went to say something, whether to apologise or defend herself Lizzie wasn’t sure. But instead, Mary simply shook her head and walked towards the staircase. Going up to her room rather than dignify Elizabeth with a response. It filled the younger sister with a sick sense of victory though this only lasted a moment…right up until she remembered she wasn’t alone. Looking back at Edward, the boy was glaring at her. Elizabeth stared back, asking what he was staring at with her facial expression. Once again he merely snorted.

“Who knew the best Queen in history was such a bitch?”

Then he turned and walked out.

Leaving Elizabeth alone in the foyer. She looked back at herself in the mirror, choosing to ignore the guilt trying to bubble up. Instead focusing on superficial things.

Reluctantly agreeing that Edward had been right…

…she DID look like a potato.

Chapter Text

Katherine III

Not for the first time, work had become a safe haven for Katherine.

The house was exhausting at the best of times. Everyone was constantly intense, there was no break in any of it. Every ten minutes someone was screaming at someone else. Kat had always hated loud, it reminded her of her childhood - Henry, her step-grandmother, Mannox, Dereham. They all yelled. A lot. Katherine had hated it then and now that she had an actual choice in her life, she chose quiet or if quiet was impossible she’d listen to music. The house’s regular chaos had her playing music all the time when she was in her room. It drowned out the yelling. Still, work was always better - she practically sprinted out the door every day. Even taking extra shifts just to get out of the damn house. Work was quiet, the guys respected her space whilst she worked and Jay always turned the radio down a little when she got in.

Sure, now and then she would get a rude customer who yelled about women not making good mechanics. But the boys at the shop always backed her, refusing to touch any car that was tainted by sexism. Kat had never been able to trust men before, no matter how much she tried they always let her down. However, her boys at the shop gave her hope. They were the big brothers (or in Pop’s case - father) she wished she’d found in her original family. Blood was thicker than water, it drowned you a lot quicker. Found family were far superior in her mind and she loved hers with all her heart. The LIW’s had offered to bring someone back for her, anyone from her first life to make the world less scary. But there was no one.

That was fine, though. Because now she had Jay and Pop and Lina (Lina constantly supplying cake and treats instantly got her on this list).

With Todd out of the picture, Katherine could safely say she was happier than she had ever been. Todd alone was a mistake, like all the others he had been so kind and sweet when she met him. Then once she let him live with her he became just like the others. But not completely. He was never abusive, he didn’t hit her. The others all did. Still, she couldn’t help but feel relieved he was out of the picture for now. Or at least that’s what she thought, but unfortunately the Gods never favoured Kat Howard and it was only a matter of time before everything came back to haunt her.

She’d been at work about an hour and Pop had given her one of his special jobs. Now, the first time Pop had mentioned his “special jobs”, Kat had been filled with terror at what that could mean. However, all it meant was usually one of his friends or family needed something fixed on a car or bike. He always said he never trusted just anyone to work on things for his family, only Kat and Jay got these special projects (occasionally he’d allow Sonny or Jack who had been working there for a while, but not often). However, motorbikes were Katherine’s babies. She loved them, there was something so fun about zooming through the streets way too fast. Weirdly, the initial appeal had been how they reminded her of horses despite being nothing like them.

So the bike she was working on now was an old Harley from one of Pop’s old biker gang friends. It had been ready for scrap when Pop put her on to it and she had spent the last few weeks rebuilding it from scratch. It made her miss her own bike, the one Todd had sold. She had only ever owned two bikes, the one that was sold and the old motocross bike she kept in Jay’s garage. Todd never liked her doing motocross and often yelled at her for it, saying it was a man’s sport and that she could get hurt. So to stop him from selling the other bike she gave it to Jay. Maybe now she moved out she could ask for it back? She missed her bike, she missed motocross. So there she was, finally finishing this beautiful piece of machinery when it happened. A sharp deep voice bellowing from outside the garage.

“KATHERINE!”

She immediately jumped up with a start at the harsh tone. Spinning on her heel she felt fear grip her chest as she saw her boyfriend storming up to her - ignoring the receptionist who tried to stop him. He looked mad, why was he mad? What had she done? It was like pins were pricking every inch of her skin and all she could do as watch as he marched into her personal space waving a piece of paper around.

“WHAT THE FUCK!?”

Kat couldn’t help but flinch at the tone, words dying in her throat. Don’t speak, it would only lead to saying something to make this worse.

He slammed the paper into her chest, forcing her back a little. She cocked her head and looked at the document. It was a past due electricity bill. Katherine hadn’t the heart to stop paying the rent or utilities on the flat, she didn’t want to be the reason Todd was homeless. But Vanessa had prompted her to start cancelling at least some of the bills, starting with electricity. The document was basically a confirmation that the electricity had been cancelled. Two and two came together and suddenly Kat realised that might have been a mistake.

“The fuck is wrong with you!?” Todd spat, liquid splattering Kat’s face, “It’s your fucking flat! Why should I be paying YOUR bills? Stupid bitch…”

Kat trembled, the letter getting screwed up in her hands as she tried to speak up.

“Oh don’t look like that,” Todd rolled his eyes, “Just fix your fuck up and pay the fucking bills like you’re supposed to. Christ, you have like ONE thing and you can’t even do that right!”

She took a deep breath like Jay had taught her, trying to muster any courage at all, “I-I don’t even live there…w-why would I--?”

“WELL THAT’S NOT MY FUCKING FAULT!” Todd exploded, “YOU’RE THE ONE WHO FUCKING LEFT! OR DON’T YOU REMEMBER? ARE YOU THAT STUPID?”

“HEY!” A new voice sounded and suddenly Kat was being gently pulled back so that Pop could step between them, “Now I know I didn’t just hear you disrespect my girl like that.”

Todd snorted, “Back off old man, this is between me and my woman.”

“Old man!?” Pop growled, “This old man will throw you out of here arse over tit if you even think of talking to any woman like that again.”

“Right, I’d like to see you try.” Todd stepped back, looking confident…

…until his back collided with Jay’s chest. Now Todd was tall, but Jay was huge - looming over the other man by a solid head. That made the thug shrink a little, he had always been afraid of Jay. That was Kat’s theory of why he hated him so much. Suddenly, Kat was pulled further back and she saw Vanessa. The older woman must have been dropping off Jay’s lunch. She safely removed Katherine from the impending fight, pulling her further back. She noticed Sonny also looking over, setting his tools down carefully in case he needed to jump in.

“Okay boy, listen up.” Pop’s voice was ice cold, “You’re going to turn on ya heel and get out of my garage or…” He lifted Kat’s wrench up from the floor, “I’ll use this to take off a different set of nuts and make you swallow all three.”

Todd tried to keep his front, making out to be tougher than he was, looking past Pop he made eye contact with Kat again, “You gonna let him talk to me like that?”

Kat said nothing, simply clinging to Vanessa who glared at him enough for them both.

He huffed, straightening his jacket, “Fine. But this isn’t over.”

“Let me show you out.” Jay said, shoving him out the garage and walking him back up the yard,

Once they were out of sight, Kat crumpled to the floor - trying to calm down. Vanessa kept a hand on her shoulder and after a moment Pop came to crouch in front of her.

“You okay, Ducky?”

Kat knew not to lie so shook her head.

“You want to clock out for the day? Head home?” Pop asked gently, tone very different from how he’d spoken to Todd,

Kat shook her head harder, she couldn’t deal with the house - not now.

“What an asshole.” Vanessa hissed,

They stayed in silence for a while until Jay came back to tell them the Toad had left. Sonny offered to make them all tea and slowly they all went back to work. Pop staying with Kat as she silently finished the bike. This is what made her feel okay, the bike all fit together normally. It just all clicked and worked and that was that. Nothing to tiptoe around or figure out, it all just went together and worked. Why couldn’t life be like that?

She straddled the bike, smiling slightly at the familiar feel. She turned the ignition and it purred beautifully.

Turning to look at Pop her smile widened, “It’s ready.”

He chuckled, “Great job, kid.”

She reluctantly turned it off and removed herself from the bike. Running her hand along it felt bittersweet, she had enjoyed working on it.

“It’s a beautiful machine innit?” Pop asked,

Kat nodded, “When will your friend come for it?”

“He wont be.”

She looked at him at that, confused. Pop only smiled at her, it almost looked like he was proud of her.

“My friend gave me the bike because he got a new one and thought it was scrap,” Pop began, “I was going to fix it up myself and sell it…then I remembered that toad had sold yours. I knew you would never have accepted it as a gift, so call it your payment for fixing the bike.”

Kat was stunned.

“It’s yours.” Pop confirmed for her,

Her eyes began watering as she looked over the bike again. Suddenly, before she could stop herself, she turned and flung herself at Pop - pulling him into a strong hug. He chuckled and hugged her back gently, avoiding the back of her neck as he did so knowing she hated things touching her neck. It was so overwhelming, from Todd yelling at her to this moment it had been an emotional day. But this…this was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for her. Not only was she being gifted something, but there were no strings attached. Pop didn’t expect anything from her, or demand anything. He did it because he wanted to. That was it.

Pop would probably never truly understand how much this all meant. He never could know the extent of what she’d gone through.

But he didn’t need to, because like he’d said many times.

“Your past doesn’t define you, Ducky. It’s all about who you are today.”

It’s amazing how one act of kindness could make a shitty day the best day ever.

Chapter Text

Anna III

The bass was thumping from the speakers as Anna made her way across the dance floor.

From inside the club there was no way to know what time of it was, the only lights were coming from the dj booth. Colours flashing and moving across the sea of dancing people, packed in together like sardines. Anna loved it, loved everything about it. The noise, the music - all of it! It was like home, a hotbed of sin and depravity she would never have been able to partake in during her first life.  The part she most liked was that everyone around her was for once just as drunk as she was. Nobody cared if Anna had one more drink or shot, nobody cared. To them she was yet another face in the crowd having a good night. Sure, she would much prefer to be in one of her regular German clubs but this would do for the meantime.

To be honest, everything in the house was constantly tense. Usually it all passed over Anna’s head, given that she was half sauced most of the time. But sometimes she noticed the staring, she’d say something or her last drink made her a little clumsy and she’d catch the concerned glances from the others. They judged her, the same way Henry had. A one off glance enough to seal their view of her. Thinking something was wrong with her. Nothing was wrong with her, she was fine - having a couple drinks throughout the day didn’t mean there was anything wrong with her. A bloody mary in the morning to cure her hangover (plus the added excuse to playfully tease real Mary about her legacy beverage). A bottle of corona with her lunch to reward her for a good morning’s work. Scotch to swirl during phone calls to keep her hands occupied and attentions focus. A nice red or white wine with her dinner. She liked to drink, what’s so wrong with that? She was still present and both her personal and work life weren’t hindered by any sort of overconsumption. Anna was fine.

“What can I get for you?” The bartender shouted over the music,

“Vodka coke and four sour shots please.” Anna replied, then her eyes caught something at the back of the bar, “And gimmie some poppers too.”

He nodded and prepared the drinks in plastic cups, the vodka coke in a larger glass and the four shots in…well…shot sized cups. Anna tapped her card and waited for the accepted screen to pop up. Now to a mere mortal, this would seem like an impossible carry - but Anna was a seasoned pro. The poppers bottle was put in her pocket first, that could wait for alcohol to be delivered first. She grabbed the big cup in one hand and used her fingers to pick up the shots in a bundle. Everyone was far too drunk to care about fingers in beverages. Anna left the bar, squeezing her way back through the crowd to the group of beautiful girls she had attached herself to that night. They cheered when she appeared, thanking her for the shots and downing them. The blonde was the only one she was really interested in, but she had learned long ago that it was easier to pick one off when you were in with the rest of the herd.

Leaning in close to the girl’s ear, she pulled out the bottle of poppers and showed them, “You want?”

The girl laughed and nodded, still dancing as she watched Anna open the bottle. Ever the gentlewoman, Anna offered her the bottle first. The girl took it and brought the bottle to her nostril, she closed the other and took a big inhale. Then she pulled the bottle away and began giggling, handing it back. Anna smiled and repeated her targets action, immediately her head rushed from the drug. It made her feel a little dizzy but it was a good high. They danced a while more, the poppers being passed between everyone in the group. Then the blonde girl began sending Anna the look. That was when she knew it was time to make her move.

“You want to get out of here?” Anna asked,

And of course, blonde-girl said yes.

_____

The sunlight streaming through the window was blinding when Anna awoke that morning.

For a second she was somewhat delirious, especially with the pounding headache punishing her for her exploits the night before. When she was able to focus, it was then she noticed the arm wrapped round her stomach. Some random blonde was laying face down in Anna’s bed and it didn’t take a genius to work out she was all types of naked. Sitting up the German moved the arm from her waist, taking a second to hold her head in her hands to try and soothe her headache. Then Anna got out of bed, she liked to be dressed before kicking girls out. However, as she stood she caught sight of her reflection. Normally, she had an old plaid shirt draped over the standing mirror, blocking her from seeing herself but somehow the clothing had shifted revealing a sliver of visibility.

Caught by the glimmer of her own skin, Anna paused. These moments early in the morning often left Anna with a rare moment of clarity, in which she would feel all the horrible things she would later drink away. Because of this clarity, rather than ignore the mirror or re-cover it and ignore, Anna felt drawn to the mirror. She walked up to it and pulled the shirt off completely, looking at her full form staring back at her. Now, Anna would consider herself physically fit. She had muscles and abs that she had earned through her rigorous gym routine. But those weren’t her focus…her hips were kinda big and meant that tops and shirts looked big. Her butt too, and not in the good way. Her shoulders were really broad too. It made her feel unfeminine, which was stupid because gender norms were for losers. Even so, it was hard to shake the self consciousness that came from the thought.

That was why Henry had publicly humiliated her, because she wasn’t pretty or womanly enough for him. She didn’t know why she cared, it wasn’t like Henry was a catch himself, but again - sometimes these things still hurt. Anna couldn’t say how long she stood there picking at herself, judging herself, tearing her own self-esteem to shreds. It was only when she heard mystery girl begin to stir did she finally recover the mirror and start getting dressed. Surprisingly, blonde-girl got dressed and left with little argument. Anna even being nice enough to show her out, still in the back of her mind thinking over the imperfections she had highlighted in the mirror. She barely said goodbye before slamming the front door closed and pausing for a breath.

Then Anna turned and made eye contact with Jane who was walking down the stairs, clearly having seen Anna letting her friend out. Then there it was again, the judgemental stare tinged with pity. Anna hated it, despised it, loathed it. She would prefer Jane scold her for being a fuck boy (girl), but Jane didn’t instead she just stared. Anna broke the gaze first, quickly making her way to the bar to make her bloody mary. She was tired, had a headache and was feeling super low. The drink would help, it always did. So she made her drink and made it strong.

Strong enough to knock out a lesser drunk…

Strong enough to smell the alcohol from across the room…

Strong enough that Anna forgot her self-loathing and let her believe the judgement of other was unfounded.

Because she was fine!

Anna was adamant, she was fine.

Chapter Text

Jane IV

Jane was way too happy that the school would be opening up soon.

Unlike everyone else in the house, Jane had been off for the summer giving her no break from the house tension during the day. Occasionally she could find an evening to go and see Jonathan but he had been a little busy himself. He was a wannabe film maker and so had been off filming his latest short film. His projects never really got off the ground, but Jane was supportive. She stood by him and watched each film without complaint. She let him ramble for hours about how excited he was to get filming or listen to his complaints about the process. She knew all his regular cast members, friends of his from university. During school holidays Jonathan spent every moment he could on his self-proclaimed masterpieces.

Still, whilst Jane was more than proud of her artistic boyfriend, she was kind of glad that once school started up next week he would be around a lot more often. Today would be the start of all that. It was Friday and with school starting again Monday, all the teaching staff had come in for a quick meeting and to make sure everything was ready for the new term. As ever, it was slightly embarrassing when Jane’s headteacher pulled her aside to beg her, again, to try and control Edward this year. The staff were also terrified that Jane’s cousin’s child would now be attending, fearing she would be just like her son. Jane had nearly laughed at that, in some ways the duo were as bad as each other - especially when they fought.

Jane hated when they fought. The two of them could be incredibly cruel to everyone in the house, but when they went head to head it was like a competition. Who could hurt the other more? Who could say the worst thing? It was almost frightening to watch. And no matter how much Jane begged, Anne would never intervene to stop her daughter. She would either feign obliviousness or outright ignore Jane’s pleading. It wasn’t like the blonde could stop them herself, Edward would just shout her down and tell her to be quiet. He resembled his father a little in that way, of course she could never blame either of them. Sometimes it just wasn’t a woman’s place to intervene in such a manner. Though that didn’t quell the fear that the two hotheads now being in the same school would bring nothing but more animosity.

Having just left the pre-term start meeting, Jane headed over to the drama block to start preparing for her first lessons back on Monday. Letting herself into her office, she shivered a little at the cold stale air. Her computer took a while to boot up, a side-effect from lack of use over summer. To be honest, Jane was rather good at keeping on top of her workload but she still had one or two lesson plans to finish up. She also quickly glanced over her class lists and saw that unfortunately Elizabeth was in one of her classes. Oh well, it’s not like she’ll be her usual cruel self in public…right?

Knock, knock, knock.

“Come in.” Jane called still typing on her computer,

“Someone looks busy.”Jonathan said with a smile, leaning on the door,

Jane turned and smiled at him, “Not really, just triple checking everything.”

“Shame.” Jonathan sighed, looking amused, “Thought I could tempt you with a distraction.”

The blonde snorted, “I think we’re both far too old for a fumble behind the bike sheds.”

He laughed, coming to sit in the spare chair, “Didn’t think you would enjoy such a thing Janey.”

Jane rolled her eyes, smiling. Jonathan leant forward and kissed her softly.

After pulling back Jane’s smile became a lot more lovesick, “Hi.”

“Hi.” He repeated, he brushed his nose against hers and sat back, “So how are things in the new house?”

Jane sighed and felt irritation rise again, “Ugh…stressful.”

“Why do you have to stay there again?” Jonathan asked, “I don’t think you told me.”

“Uhh…” Jane paused a second, “I can’t explain too much, it’s like a witness protection thing.”

“Oh, are you alright?” He looked worried,

“I’m fine, so’s Edward. We just need to stay out of our house until the uhh trial is over.”

“When will the trial be?” He asked,

“We don’t know yet.” Jane confessed, “I’m finding those we’re living with to be…difficult.”

Jonathan reached out and put his hand on her knee, “Well no matter how difficult they are, I know for a fact there’s nobody in the world you can’t get along with. You even get along with the maths teachers…and nobody likes maths.”

That earned a giggle, Jane felt her chest warm, “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Being with Jonathan was different from being with Henry. In a number of ways. Jonathan was certainly a lot more attentive and gentle. He wasn’t the type of manly man Jane had been expected to marry in her first life. But he was sweet and kind, Jane seemed to find she preferred that. He didn’t shout or scream either, even when she was being stupid or deserved it. Whilst her Henry would always be her beloved, Jonathan was a good man and Jane found she loved him just as much. It made her feel guilty sometimes, that she was replacing Henry. Though this feeling had now ebbed slightly upon the gained knowledge that Henry himself had remarried three times. No matter the excuses she had made in her head for them.

But right now, that first life and her resentments from it were far from her mind. Instead she just enjoyed the moment with her current love.

Happy he was back and that they had more time together.

_____

Jane drove back to the mansion after her day of set up.

Jonathan had initially offered dinner until some of his cast members asked him to go with them for a celebratory meal. He had offered to turn them down but Jane pushed him to go, he never got to see his friends during term time with everyone so busy. Especially Harry and Julia, his leading man and lady whom he was especially close to. Besides, Lina was quite the cook so it wasn’t as if Jane would be missing out on some glorious meal. It was more the company she wanted but that could wait until their planned date tomorrow. Pulling up out front she was met with a rather interesting sight. The garage door was open and Katherine appeared to be sat on a motorcycle with Anna inspecting it and Lina appearing to be ranting at her.

Curious, Jane parked up at her usual spot on the driveway and got out the car. Immediately hearing Catalina’s dramatic tirade once the door opened. Amused, Jane approached the group - wondering what the hell was going on.

“--and you need to promise me you’ll always wear your helmet and drive below the speed limit and never go for long distances or on motorways or take corners too fast and…are you sure you want a motorbike? I could fork out for a better car if you’d like or something a bit more sturdy and protective. At least wear appropriate leather riding gear and knee pads and shin guards! I know they’re not really for motorbikes but--”

“Lina!” Anna chided, “You’re overwhelming the poor thing.”

As Jane stopped beside Lina, she noted that Katherine did definitely look a little overwhelmed. But the younger quickly shook it off and smiled.

“What’s going on?” Jane asked,

“Katherine came screeching up the driveway on this metal death trap and--”

“And Lina went all Mum mode.”

Catalina glared at Anna for that comment and Jane caught Katherine giggling out the corner of her eye. She also caught the teasing wink Anna sent the younger girl. Jane didn’t know why but something about that action irked her. The same sense of annoyance she felt catching Anna sneaking out her endless stream of lovers in the mornings. Jane had no idea what this feeling was, maybe annoyance that the woman that stole her husband could open her legs so willingly? It definitely wasn’t a homophobic thing. Jane would be the first to admit she hadn’t understood homosexuality and that the frequency of it in media made her uncomfortable at first. One has to remember that such things were illegal in her day. However, overtime she came to accept that it wasn’t anything evil or wrong. With no Henry around she was permitted to believe in religion however she liked, nobody could guide her anymore.

When Jane thought about it, she didn’t really believe in any of it anymore. Her beliefs used to be Henry’s, not her own. Turns out, she didn’t really care which church she went to. It was to make him happy, not to find anything from it for herself. Due to this, without religious doctrine telling her so, Jane had no reason to hate those who followed a different path. Live and let live, love is love. Jane had been in love twice and why should she forbid others from having what she had?

So no, it wasn’t homophobia. But something about Anna rubbed Jane the wrong way and the origin of this emotion was alien to her.

“Lina,” Jane said, distracting herself with the matter at hand, “I’m sure Katherine--”

“Kat.”

“I’m sure Kat is just fine whizzing around on this thing.” Jane said,

“Jane!!” Catalina whined, “You’re supposed to be on my side! No extra cake for you!”

Kat’s ears pricked at this, “Do I still get extra cake?”

Catalina looked at her and her gaze softened.

“Fine. But you’re buying a helmet.”

She then turned on her heel and stormed inside, leaving the remaining three behind.

“Hey!” Anna shouted after her,

“How come Kat’s the only one who gets extra cake!?”

Kat giggled and got off the bike, patting Anna’s shoulder as she passed.

“I’m just her favourite.”

Anna made a noise of irritation and Jane just watched the exchange.

That feeling creeping back up again.

Chapter Text

Cathy III

Cathy awoke that morning at 5am.

She had begun feeling ill at midnight, putting a stop to her usual late night google deep dives whilst Mae was asleep. It was a weird feeling, like stomach cramps. She always got really bad period pain, probably a side effect from childbirth so it was probably just her time of the month. Or at least that was what she thought, until she woke up that morning in a very familiar pain she often got once a year. It was ridiculous to be honest, she should have kept a better eye on the date. Issue was that since moving into the mansion time had lost all meaning, she was trapped in her office trying to avoid people she hated and then going to bed. The same thing day in and day out. No wonder they all blurred into one. Unfortunately, today had managed to sneak up on her.

The 5^th of September - Cathy’s death day.

Every year it was difficult to keep going throughout the day. Usually, Catherine would be forced to call into work and pretend to be sick. Nobody minded since Cathy would never call in sick at any other time of year. But the issue was Mae, she couldn’t go to a sitter or anything like that. Cathy wouldn’t have it, she would just endure the crippling pain and keep looking after her baby. There were no other options, the last time she let someone take Mae from her arms she died and her daughter became lost to history. That wasn’t happening again - ever. So she would try to keep going through the pain. Still, it was intense. It felt just like giving birth only there was no end. From midnight to midnight, the pain got worse and worse. Starting with uncomfortable contractions and ending with something akin to being torn in half.

It wasn’t to debilitating at the moment, something like pretty bad period cramps, so she decided to go and get some coffee. At least that way she would feel a little more ready for the horrific day ahead. Using all her effort she managed to get to her feet, making her way out of her room and into Mae’s. She was hunched over as she quietly peaked in to see her darling girl fast asleep. She decided the girl could wake up a little late today, it would make life easier for the day. Once making sure nothing was amiss in her daughter’s room, Cathy slowly made her way downstairs. She was surprised to find people in there.

Jane was dressed in her work clothes with her school lanyard around her neck. It was the first day of school today and she appeared to be checking over her plans, making sure she had everything ready. Katherine was also there, in her work uniform, helping Lina cook. This was a relatively new thing, Catalina found out Kat couldn’t cook and so had begun teaching her. It surprised Cathy that Lina seemed to connect with Kat, it felt like they shouldn’t get along. Something about Lina being upset about her ex-husband dating some young floozy? It actually made Cathy respect the older woman more, it was rather progressive of her to not resent Katherine for her youth.

“Morning,” Catalina greeted, “Breakfast wont be ready for a while yet.”

Cathy went to answer but a sudden cramp made her wince, that seemed to spark interest from the others, “I-I think I’ll stick with coffee.”

“You alright love?” Jane asked, looking carefully at her, “You look rather pale.”

“F-Fine.” Cathy grunted, hands clutching her stomach,

Katherine quickly pulled a chair out for her and Cathy dropped into it.

“Period pain? There’s paracetamol in the cupboard.” Catalina told her,

“No…” She supposed they should know, “I-It always happens th-this time of year.”

Suddenly, realisation clouded Jane’s features, “You’re death day?”

Cathy nodded.

“I get cramps too,” Jane confessed, “They get worse, don’t they?”

Cathy, again, nodded.

“I don’t know why that happens,” Jane continued, “I died after childbirth, it shouldn’t hurt like that.”

“I hallucinate being imprisoned again.” Catalina shuddered, “I think it’s different for everyone.”

“I get flashbacks.” Katherine spoke up, placing a mug in front of Cathy,

Cathy looked at it, then back up at Kat who was distracted by whatever Lina was saying. Taking a sip she was surprised to find Katherine had made it to her standards. The pang of guilt was back, only drowned out by another cramp. This time she hissed through her teeth and Jane looked at her, her eyes looking sad.

“Listen, why don’t you lie down today?” Jane said,

“I-I can call into work,” Cathy explained, “But Mae--”

“Oh nonsense,” Lina spoke up, “I can look after Mae.”

“Don’t you have to look at venues today?” Jane asked,

Catalina clicked her tongue, “I could cancel, I suppose.”

“I could call off work.” Kat spoke up, voice quiet, “Look after her…if you want…”

“No!” Cathy quickly said, wincing when she realised that sounded harsh, “I a-appreciate the of-offer but Mae needs her mother.”

Catalina and Jane exchanged a look at that, but they didn’t comment. Probably for the best, Cathy was in no mood to be chided. She stayed in the kitchen with the others, accepting the hot water bottle from Catalina when offered. Listening as the restaurateur continued instructing Katherine how to cook breakfast. Time passed and soon breakfast was ready and Jane and Katherine ate and left for work. Catalina offered some to her, but Cathy declined. She tended to be unable to hold anything down on her death day. Eventually, she had to go upstairs and wake Mae. Passing an irritable Elizabeth and Edward on the stairs, both looking angry at being in their uniforms. Eddie because he hated school, Lizzie because the colour clashed with her hair or something.   

Hobbling down the hallway she let herself into Mae’s room, feeling better at the sight of her adorable princess. Trying to mask her pain, she walked over to the bed and sat on the edge. Gently calling her girl’s name, after a moment the little girl stirred and big brown eyes fluttered open. Little hands coming to her eyes and rubbing away the sleep. She sat up and reached out for her mother to hold her. Trying not to voice her pain, Cathy pulled the little girl into her arms and kissed her forehead.

“Good morning, Mae.” Cathy said as enthusiastically as she could, “Did you sleep well?”

Mae nodded, clinging round her mothers neck.

“Do you want breakfast?”

She nodded again.

“Okay,” Cathy chuckled, “You have to walk yourself though, Mummy is a little sick today.”

“No…too sweepy.” Mae muttered,

“Mae, please…”

“No.” The little girl said firmly,

Cathy sighed, never wanting to disappoint her daughter. She had been robbed of so much before. Never getting to see her grow up, never knowing what happened to her. It was hard to let go of all that, she was desperate to make sure she never lost sight of her girl again. All she could remember from before is laying there in her bed, in more pain that she’d ever felt, cradling her newborn in her arms. She remembered thinking Mae was the most perfect little girl in the world, that all the pain had been worth it for this moment. Then she was ripped away, her attendants were muttering worriedly and after that Cathy remembered asking for her baby until everything faded to black. She died a few days later.

“Where’s my baby? Give me my baby!”

Shaking the thought away, she forced a smile at her daughter and stood carefully - picking the little girl up. Her daughter clinging round her neck and Cathy shakily carried her out the room and down the stairs. The pain was beginning to get worse, a firm reminder as to why she had to do this. Why she had to keep her daughter close, why she couldn’t let anyone take her again.

Cathy would do anything for Mae.

Because she was her mother and NOBODY was taking that chance away from her again.

Chapter Text

Edward III

“So…how big is it?”

Edward smirked, leaning up against the back of the bike shed with one of Anna’s cigarettes between his lips. He’d snatched them from  her room before school, the German woman was passed out drunk from last night so she barely did more than snore. The key was to only take a couple, then she would just assume she’d smoked them at some point on her drunken night out. He’d taken enough for himself and his boys: David, Bradley and Mark. All of whom were now stood in their usual hideout behind the bike sheds, pretending to smoke because actually inhaling made them want to hack their lungs out. It was the first day of school and the four of them had all lamented how “over this shit” they were already.

It was such a load of crap, his stupid mother had grounded him all summer so he couldn’t do anything but sit in the house. Now he was ungrounded but forced to go to school. Do you know how embarrassing it is to be driven to school with your Mummy and big sister. Fucking mortifying and because of this, Edward had made it a point to act out more and maintain his street cred. He shouted at teachers, threatened the nerds in younger years, threw paper balls at Maisie Donaldson under the guise of gifting her his attentions. She had rolled her eyes and thrown them back, flirting in the way only delinquents like them could. Mr Knight had pulled him aside before he could start round two with Elliot Adams, trying to lecture him about a fresh start this year.

Fucking pussy.

“The house is huge, like a giant fuck off mansion!” Edward bragged, “And I’m the man of the house.”

“Yo…”

“Cool!”

“When I’m not busy I’ll invite you guys over.” Edward shrugged, trying to seem cool, “But like…obviously a mansion like that attracts lots of girls though.”

“What about Maisie?” Bradly asked,

Eddie shrugged, “What about her?”

“Well…don’t you two like each other?”

He snorted, “My Dad always said it’s always better to have more than one mare in the stable just in case one breaks their leg. Or like gets pregnant or some shit.”

His boys laughed and Eddie grinned, happy to be king of the castle in the eyes of his peers. Suddenly, he noticed David’s back straighten as he looked past them. Something on the other side of the shed grabbing his attentions. Eddie followed his gaze and saw the subject of their conversations walking through the courtyard. She appeared to be honing in on someone, that was always awesome. Maisie fought like a dude and Edward thought watching her kick the shit out of people was hilarious. He watched, amused as Maisie stormed towards someone. She was so fit, totally Eddie’s type…y’know if he ever WANTED to settle down. However, when he realised who she was storming towards his smirk dropped slightly.

Lizzie was sat on a bench reading some French book, totally unaware of the storm heading towards her. Something bubbled up in him, longing for him to go and protect her. Before he realised he’d done it, Eddie had flung away his death stick and walked out from behind the bike sheds. Once he realised, however, he froze - not wanting to show he gave a shit about Elizabeth. She was a bitch after all.

“Oh shit!” Mark said, “It’s the new girl!”

“Maisie’s gonna destroy her!” David laughed,

“Good,” Bradley snorted, “She fucking snooty, proper talked down to the teacher and everything. Posh little bitch…”

“She’s my sister.” Edward growled, turning to glare at his friend,

“Shit man I didn’t know!”

Trying to recover his image, Eddie coughed and collected himself, “It’s cool…my father was a player, like me. He had a ton of bitches when he was alive. I have two half sisters - both older. Lizzie’s a bitch.”

He turned to look back and saw Elizabeth talking to Maisie, the look on her face showed whatever she was saying to the girl equivalent of him wasn’t kind. He sighed, stupid girl never knew when to keep her mouth shut. Deep down, Edward felt conflicted. Sure, Elizabeth could be a pain in the ass but he didn’t ACTUALLY want her to get beaten to a pulp. Part of him still remembered the kind, sweet Lizzie he’d known in their first life. The one he protected as much as he could when he became king, going as far as executing his uncle after learning what he had tried to do. But…there were so many people around. His boys, Maisie, the school. Did he really want to be associated with Lizzie more than he was? That was torpedo his reputation.

So he did nothing as Maisie pulled her arm back and smacked Liz to the floor. He could only watch, arms crossed as everyone around them cheered the “fight”. Then Elizabeth sat up, hand on her cheek, looking around for an ally of some kind. Someone to offer her assistance or save her. Her eyes landed on Edward and he stilled. She looked so scared…but what could he do? With a sigh he shook his head at the situation.

Then turned and walked away, hearing his sister cry out as the next punch landed.

______

Edward walked through the drama block, having decided to go and throw coins at the theatre geeks practising their A-Level pieces. He didn’t know why watching Lizzie get a well deserved sock in the face had upset him so. Like why the hell would Edward care? Given Lizzie’s attitude it was bound to happen sooner or later, right? She brought it on herself really. It wasn’t his job to protect her, isn’t that supposed to be feminism or some shit!? Grumbling to himself, Edward scuffed his shoes down the hall. Listening out for any geeks doing plays that he could harass. His friends had stayed to watch the beat down but truth was, Edward wasn’t in the mood.

However, as he rounded the corner he was met with a sight that made his mood drop even further. There at the end of the hall, outside her office, stood his mother. Jane Seymour, Edward’s mother, Jane, Janey, J-Dawg. Jane Seymour, mother of Edward. There she stood, leaning against her office door…with his geography teacher’s tongue down her throat. For a moment he was too disgusted to speak, unable to make heads or tails of what he was seeing. But once it registered in all its horrifying glory, he felt all the anger in his being rush forward.

“WHAT THE FUCK!?”

Jane shoved Mr Knight away from her, bright red, “Edward! I…It’s…”

His eye twitched as he glared at her. How could she do this? How could she spit on his father’s memory by replacing him with this joke of a man? His father was a fucking King. His mother needed to know she could do no better and shouldn’t even try. She should be like that Victoria chick, remain in a permanent state of mourning like a dutiful wife should. But no. Instead she was frenching Mr Knight in the hallway for anyone to see.  Edward’s hands shook at his sides and he didn’t know how to respond. He wanted to explode at her, scream and shout and tell her off for daring to entertain anyone that wasn’t his father.

Mr Knight rubbed the back of his neck looking awkward and Eddie wanted nothing more than to pummel him into the floor but even in a state of rage he knew hitting a teacher wouldn’t end well for him. So rather than scream or shout or beat the shit out of that asshole, Edward turned and kicked over the trash can. Ignoring his mother’s calls as he stormed out of the drama block and he didn’t stop until he had walked out the gates.

It may of been the first day…

But Eddie was already so fucking over school.

Chapter Text

Mary III

Mary knew she was doomed the second the car started juddering.

In hindsight it was her own fault. Her mother had said if she was going to get a car whilst they were here don’t just buy the first one you see. But Mary hated shopping, so what did she do? She saw something red, cheap and nearby and clicked buy. When she first drove her mother to do a food shop, Lina had pointed out a very prominent click-clacking noise that Mary hadn’t noticed. Putting it down to her dear mother being her usual over-protective self, she had brushed off the concerns but ever since then she had noticed the noise more and more. It was as though it was getting louder and louder, however it was hard to say whether that was true or if Mary was just more aware of it.

That was of course until this afternoon. See, she was on her way to pick up a parcel Eduardo had sent from home. It got stuck at the post office and in order to get out of the CHAOS in the house following what seemed to be a traumatic first day of school for the children, Mary had volunteered. Basically, Lizzie had stormed upstairs immediately shouting something in French about how much she hated school and Jane walked in looking mortified, asking if Eddie was home. Apparently the little grease ball stormed out of the school gates after catching Jane with her boyfriend.

To be fair Mary had slight memories of her mother getting her face practically mauled by her father and even if he hadn’t been evil it would have been just as traumatising.

Anyway, she’d just picked up the parcel and was driving home when suddenly her car’s clicking noise became deafening bangs. Then she slowed to a stop as smoke billowed out from under the hood and no matter how much she turned the key, the car refused to restart. Mary had gotten out, cursing everything and anything in frustration, opening the bonnet and coughing as the smoke was released. She had no idea what to do! Whilst she hadn’t been to keen to stay in the house earlier, it was cold out so she wanted to be indoors at some point this evening.

With no other option, she had phoned her mother to ask her to come and get her. Never one to disappoint, Catalina immediately went into a string of I told you so’s and mother knows bests. Mary deserved this and so she suffered through, knowing it would be the price for her rescue. Once she had gotten through her mother’s overdramatic tongue lashing, she ended the call and leant against her car awaiting rescue. The stress of the day began to hit her and she soon found herself looking through her handbag for the cigarettes she stole from Eddie when she caught him with them yesterday. She’d been getting better, smoking less, which she knew Lina had been happy about but desperate times called for desperate measures.

Mary had been halfway through her death stick when, further up the previously vacant road, came a rumbling sound. It was a motorbike. She tensed a little, suddenly becoming hyperaware that she was the only person stood on this road. It was the only road towards the somewhat desolate area the mansion was in, ergo there was not a lot of traffic out here. Nothing but fields and cows, it was farm country after all! So a motorbike this far from the city gave Mary a bad feeling. That was until a familiar pink helmet came into view. The biker came to a stop a little way behind the car and they swiftly put out the kickstand to keep it upright.

As Kat removed her helmet and shook out her hair a little, Mary felt herself reach peak gayness. Like if gay was a scale from 1 - 10, she was at 36. She broke the scale. Scale is gone. R.I.P scale - destroyed by the image of Katherine Howard in bike leathers.

Of course her mother would send Kat...

Thankfully, Mary attempted to take another drag during her gay daydream (gaydream - if you will) and in her distracted state tried to smoke the wrong end. When she burned her lip with hot ash she gave a little yelp and flung the cigarette away. Cheeks heating up when she saw Kat raising an amused eyebrow at her.

“I uhh…my car broke.” Was all she could think to say, mentally face palming,

Kat just kept looking amused, but somehow it was clear she wasn’t really laughing at her - more at the situation. Then she looked past Mary at the car and went wide eyed. Now, after Elizabeth had been a little twirp about Mary buying such a cheap old car, she had made a point to park it out on the street near the mansion rather than on the driveway…also it didn’t reverse too well so she couldn’t back down the driveway. Again, really cheap car. So that explained why Kat hadn’t really seen her car before. But upon seeing it, her bike helmet fell to the ground and she ran over to get a closer look.

“Dodge Viper!” Kat suddenly shouted, taking Mary off guard as she pulled the bonnet up, “This car is a classic. V10 engine, 400 horsepower - this is a machine! It’s a first generation, where did you get this?”

Mary blinked, “I bought it cheap online.”

“Luck you.” Kat wasn’t even looking at her, too focused on the car to realise she was rambling, “The the original makes of these were kinda dangerous, they had no airbags and if you drive too fast it’s super easy to lose control if you’re not used to it. I drove one of these once when Jay broke his leg and couldn’t test drive for a customer to make sure it was fix, it ran like a dream! But that was a second gen and…”

Suddenly Kat must have heard herself because her back straightened and she looked sheepish. Mary giggled a little, it was nice seeing Kat get all excited over something. She never usually talked much at all, let alone ramble like that. It was cute…

Wait.

No! Not cute. Mary chided herself, Kat’s a nice girl she didn’t want to freak her out by being all…well herself. She remembered how uncomfortable Kat looked when Anna checked her out and if Anna made her uncomfortable, Mary being a pervert definitely would. Okay, maybe pervert was a bit strong - Kat could be called cute platonically of course. But Mary knew what she meant when she called Kat cute, she knew what thoughts like that could lead to and that was unfair. Kat, for all Mary knew, was straight and thinking about her in any way that wasn’t friendly made her feel guilty and dirty. Though it was hard not to think this way when Kat was dressed in, again, BIKE LEATHERS and smiling sheepishly at her.

“Sorry…it’s a nice car.”

Swallowing her panic Mary made herself smile back, “It’s okay, I don’t know anything about cars so feel free to teach me.”

What the hell did that even mean!?

Kat grinned and looked back at the engine, thankfully no longer smoking. She looked over a few things and slowly a frown took over her face as she concentrated. Mary wasn’t staring of course, but it was interesting seeing Kat in her element. She looked objectively good, leaning over the car with the lighting in the right place and the green field behind her. Before she could really think about it, Mary snapped a photo of the scene on her phone. Her photographers eye running over it, whilst Kat was too distracted to notice. Then Mary realised how creepy that was and stuffed her phone in her pocket. Why couldn’t she be fucking normal!?

Suddenly, Kat pulled out her own phone and started to text someone. Once done, she turned to look at Mary, “Was it smoking earlier?”

“Yes, it started making loud noises then all this smoke came out and the car stopped.”

“Yeah, the engine overheated. I’d need to have a better look with tools but chances are that there’s an issue with the cooling system. Or maybe it needs more lube…”

The mention of lube caused Mary’s brain to make car crash noises and she became unresponsive for a few seconds. Then she remembered that car lubricant was a thing to make cars do things and Mary felt embarrassed for that tangent her brain momentarily went down.

“I texted my friend Sonny, he’s gonna drive out with the tow truck and drop it at the house.” Kat told her, going towards her helmet that still lay abandoned on the floor, “I can have a better look at home.”

“Oh…well I can pay for--”

Kat shook her head, “I think I owe your Mum a few favours for all the free food.”

Mary chuckled, “Catalina Trastámara shows her love through cooking, I think she loves you more than me judging by all the free pancakes.”

“I doubt that.” Kat rolled her eyes,

She shrugged, “No need to protect my feelings, now she can bother YOU for grandchildren.”

Kat snorted at that and gently pushed the motorcycle helmet out to her. Mary took it, confused, “What’s this?”

“Well you need a ride home don’t you?”

Ride…home…helmet….

“I’M GOING ON THE MOTORBIKE!?”

Kat nodded, going to straddle the bike.

“B-But,” Mary followed dumbly, holding the helmet to herself, “What about you!?”

The other woman simply smiled and patted the spot behind her. For a second Mary tried to decide if she should walk, but the house was still quite a ways away and it would start getting dark soon. Kat leaned over and took the helmet out of her grip, dropping it over her head. Once more, Mary’s cheeks went red as she felt calloused hands adjust the chin strap and click it together. Then Kat shut the visor, shielding Mary’s gay panic from view. Shakily, Mary got on behind Kat - trying not to focus on the perfume that seemed engrained in the head wear. It was making her feel light headed…but in a good way…if that makes any sense.

“How do I not fall off!?” Mary asked, looking for a handle or something to hold on to,

Kat laughed, Mary could see her back shaking to show this but the helmet meant the quiet noise didn't get through. Then she suddenly turned on the engine and the motorbike growled to life, startling Mary. As the ex-bloody queen jumped out of her skin, in her panic she grabbed Kat round the waist. Barely registering what she’d done, that was until Kat said…

“Just hold on to me.”

Mary felt her heart speed up and she suddenly wanted to be sick. It wasn’t that Kat had said the wrong thing, it was just that she felt dirty again. Clinging to Kat like this, enjoying the closeness. It felt embarrassing and wrong, but she daren’t let go. Right now all she could do was hold on tightly as they made the journey home. Push all of her negative emotions away. There was nothing else she could do, she had Kat’s permission to hold her like this.

So Mary allowed herself to enjoy it, no matter how much her brain shouted at her that she was wrong. That she was dirty for enjoying it.

For once, Mary just held on tightly and allowed herself to enjoy the ride.

Chapter Text

Anne IV

Anne had not handled Elizabeth’s news well.

Understandable, of course, finding out your daughter fell victim to one of your housemates’ perverted husbands was bad enough. It was worse when you added on said housemates own involvement. Elizabeth told her that Cathy had no idea what the extent of it was. That she had been pregnant at the time and so was not watching after her husband as well as she should have. But that didn’t matter - Anne may not have been the perfect mother in her past life or this one, however that did not mean she wouldn’t fight to the death for her child. Her first instinct had been to storm downstairs and rip Cathy apart arse to chest. But Lizzie didn’t want her to. She didn’t want a fuss, she didn’t want the household to know what happened.

So Anne stayed quiet, locking herself in her office more as to not catch herself around any of the others. Between her constant feuding with Lina, her resentment for Jane and the utter loathing she had for Cathy - besides her daughter there was nobody around she’d want to see. Even if she did, her instinct was to take out all her anger on them instead. Now, Anne wasn’t completely oblivious to her behaviour and mannerisms. She knew how difficult she could be at times, but she was a business owner. She couldn’t play nice with everyone constantly read to stab her in the back. Anne had experience playing political mind games back in her first life and very little had changed in this one. She could run rings around the best.

But her explosive temper could get her into trouble.

Right now, after Lizzie’s revelation, Anne was ready to pop at any moment and whilst she may never be described as nice, she didn’t really want to go off on some random person. Seriously, she didn’t. But the news about Cathy had pulled her wire thin temper taut and the slightest thing would snap it and cause an explosion. However, that afternoon she had been stuck in meetings all day and so couldn’t do her usual thing of ordering catered meals for lunch. Lina was still not cooking for her, the petty bitch, so Anne had been getting meals professionally made and delivered for her and Lizzie. Whilst delicious, she hated admitting she somewhat missed home cook food. Tasted different somehow. Anyway, by the time Anne was finally done with her meeting it was well past lunch time and her stomach was grumbling.

So after a few minutes of internal debate, she decided it was probably safe to go to the kitchen. Lunch for those at home would be over now so hopefully she wouldn’t see anyone. How wrong she was. See what she didn’t know, couldn’t have known, was that whilst Lizzie, Eddie and Jane were at school various mishaps throughout the day had led to the others all remaining at the kitchen table longer than usual. Meaning that when Anne walked in, she felt her irritation rise. Anna was sat with a bottle of beer next to her, looking over some pictures of artwork from her gallery. Mary was at the head of the table on her computer, Anne assumed she was editing a picture or something. Kat was leaning against the counter top, listening attentively as Catalina rattled off about something Anne couldn’t care less about.

And then there was the bitch herself. Sat tending to Mae, as always. That wire thin temper pulled in Anne’s stomach at the sight of her. In fact, she could feel herself actually shaking with fury - but she kept somewhat calm. Lizzie wouldn’t like her attacking Cathy here and now, she promised she wouldn’t. And whilst Anne may not be a good person or even a good parent, she was a woman of her word. So she summoned her strength and ripped her eyes away from the bitch and focused on finding the take out menus. Jane and Anna had finally stopped Catalina shredding them on sight by promising to keep them in the sticky draw that never seemed to open for the chef. Kat had tried fixing it four times and everyone else could open it just fine, Anne had begun thinking Catalina had no idea how drawers worked.

Reaching the draw behind Mary and pulling out the wad, Anne slowly began looking through them for what she wanted to eat. Ignoring any conversation going on behind her. They weren’t worth her time or energy. Finding a good Chinese place she remembered Anna bringing home at three in the morning one day (Anne had been up late for a call with a designer from America). That’d do for a good lunch she thinks, so she plucked it from the file and threw the rest back into the sticky drawer. However, when she turned round, her thoughts were suddenly far from food. You see, from where she now stood Anne could see what Mary was doing on her computer. What website she was using. L'épéiste was the rival magazine to Décapité. Whilst Anne’s magazine was certainly higher in sales L'épéiste did better with online traffic, selling the clothes shown in the magazine from their website.

Anne DESPISED that rival magazine, more than she hated anything else in this world. So when she turned round to see Mary on THEIR website looking for clothes…well Anne lost her mind. That was the final straw, snapping her wire thin temper in two and causing her to see red.

“What on EARTH do you think you’re doing!?” Anne snapped,

Mary turned, confused, “Looking for new clothes? I have a date later this week…”

Out of the corner of her eye she caught Catalina’s back stilling. She could have commented on it, pinched the one weak point in the strong mother-daughter relationship. But that was a low blow, Anne didn’t want to get that far. Not yet at least, she had to stoke her fury fire a bit more first to make it sting the right way.

“You’re buying from L'épéiste…my rivals!?” Anne growled, “Are you blind? How could you even look at the garbage they flog.”

Mary shrugged, “I think their clothes are nice…”

Anne snorted, “Well, you would judging by your style sense.”

Catalina whirled round to face them, unable to stand quietly anymore, “Don’t you DARE speak to my daughter like that!”

“Please,” Anne rolled her eyes, finding all the arguing calming, “She said much worse to me when I married her father - at least what I say is true!”

“Must you continue to cling to the past?” Catalina said, eyes flashing, “Will you forever hold it over our heads that you had it hard.”

“I DID HAVE IT HARD!” Anne yelled, “THE JUDGEMENT, THE MIND GAMES - I’M SORRY IF IT’S SO HARD FOR EVERYONE TO ADMIT BUT I HAD IT HARD!”

“WE ALL DID!” Catalina shouted, “EVERY SINGLE ON OF US DID! Anna was rejected for her looks and forbidden to marry, I was locked away from my CHILD for the remainder of my life because the King preferred you, Jane died before getting a chance to raise her son…hell even Cathy was forced to leave the man she really loved for Henry.”

At the mention of her name, Anne tasted something bitter. Her gut twisted tight as she remembered what Elizabeth had told her. More anger piled on until she was irate, toe to toe with her lifelong nemesis giving her the perfect outlet. She knew she could throw all of this at Catalina and she would send it right back.

“Please! You at least got to spend time with your daughter! Anna got a luscious house in Richmond - the King’s sister! Jane was the one he truly loved and SHE,” pointing at Cathy “got to marry said randomer AFTER HENRY DIED!”

“THAT DOESN’T MEAN IT WASN’T HARD!”

“MAYBE IT WAS BUT I HAD IT HARDER!”

“THAT’S BULLSHIT AND YOU KNOW IT!” Catalina was red faced, “I LOST SO MUCH TIME WITH MY DAUGHTER!”

“I LOST MY HEAD!”

“YOU WEREN’T THE ONLY ONE!” Catalina screamed, “IT DOESN’T MAKE YOU SPECIAL ANNE!”

“NO WHAT MAKES ME SPECIAL IS THE FACT I HAD TO LOOK HIM IN THE EYE AS HE KILLED ME!”

“STOP IT!” Mary stood, silencing the room apart from Mae’s crying,

You could hear a pin drop.

“Kätzchen,” Anna’s voice called steadily, breaking the momentary silence, “Are you okay?”

Anne’s eyes drifted to the girl in question for the first time since she walked into the room. Something about the look on Kat’s face resonated with her. She’d seen that look on herself in the mirror. However, any guilt was swiftly pushed away. None of this was her fault. Kat was just sensitive. The little thing was trembling a little, hand rubbing at the choker that hid her scar almost unconsciously. She was white as a sheet, eyes glazed over slightly. Though once she realised everyone was looking at her it all clicked into focus again. Her hand awkwardly left her neck and instead joined the other in making a tight fist at her side.

“S-Sorry.” Kat mumbled, looking embarrassed,

With the confirmation that Kat wasn’t about to have a panic attack or something equally ridiculous, Anne looked back to Catalina. Planning to start the argument again, but it seems Anna knew her too well and quickly intervened. She took a long swig of her beer and slammed it down on the table, taking attention from Kat (or in Anne’s case, Lina) and bringing it to herself.

“I think,” Anna began, “We have all been forced into a situation with little time to get to know one another. Hell, most of us have not left the house since we got here.”

Well…that’s true.

“So what would you suggest?” Catalina asked,

Anna grinned, her normal mischievous grin. She lifted her beer and took another long sip from it…

“Ladies - let’s go out tonight! A bonding trip.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“Deadly.” Anna shrugged, “Maybe seeing each other in a more social, fun setting would help us bond.”

Anne sighed, watching quietly as everyone was slowly talked round to the idea (except her. She refused to leave her precious daughter) she became more and more aware of the fact this would not end well.

But fuck it - she lived for chaos.

“I’m in.”

Chapter Text

Anna IV

The noise and warmth of the pub sung to Anna like a siren’s call.

She was pleasantly surprised that most of them had agreed to come out with her. The only one that declined was Cathy. Everyone had briefly argued that Elizabeth was certainly old enough to babysit, but for whatever reason Anne had shut it down. Instead she sided with Cathy, accepting the claim that she probably wouldn’t enjoy the night if dragged out against her will. It was weird to see the Anne Boleyn team up with anyone, especially Cathy whom she seemed to have a weird tension with. Not that Cathy seemed to notice, she only seemed to focus on her daughter. The last person who needed convincing was Katherine but after a bit of convincing she caved into joining them.

So they headed off that evening to one of Anna’s local haunts. It was a bar that seemed pleasant enough to the others, but only Anna knew that at 8:00pm the music would start and the dance floor would open. Her plan was, hopefully they’d all be too drunk to notice by that point. In her mind the best way to build bridges was a simple night of fun and revelry - two things Anna personally excelled in. They had commandeered a booth and sat themselves in the least controversial places which took some manoeuvring. The sofa in the booth wrapped round, going: Jane, Catalina, Mary, Anne. Meanwhile Kat and Anna had dragged two chairs over to sit at the end. In theory there would be space for Kat too but she hadn’t seemed so keen on squeezing in.

The awkwardness was stifling, nobody daring to start a conversation. Whether it was due to a fear of offending someone or stubbornness, Anna wasn’t sure.  It made the German woman long to slam her own head against the table just so they could at least discuss the red trickling from her forehead. But she didn’t. Instead she posed a question that she had heard many an English drinker say:

“Shall I get a round in?”

Anne snorted, “May as well, but don’t get upset when I turn my nose up at whatever swill they serve here.”

Anna grinned, “Well, I’ll have you know that this particular establishment has a rather vast and expensive wine list.”

She plucked the wine list from where it lay on the table and held it out to the snooty woman with a flourish. Anne took the list and glanced over it, face softening as she noted that there were indeed some acceptable choices.

“In that case, I would go for the Margaux - thought it’s usually extremely expensive.” Anne commented genuinely, “If you would rather me pay my own way, I am happy to do so.”

The German woman’s grin fell into an easy smile, acknowledging some sincerity from the woman for the first time.

“I think I can safely say, nobody around this table is short of money.” She chuckled,

Though she noticed Kat wilt in the chair as she herself eyed a wine list. The German cursed herself, her comment had been meant to lighten the mood - she forgot that Kat and Jane were not as…financially secure as the others were. So as everyone began discussing what drinks were good, Anna nudged her old friend to get her attention.

“Please don’t think I’m being rude,” Anna whispered quietly, “But if you worry about paying for yourself--”

“Oh,” Kat’s eyes widened, “I can pay! I have the money for one or two, just means things are a little tighter when bills go out.”

“Bills?” Anna asked, “I was not told we were paying for our accommodation.”

“We’re not.” Kat sighed, “Todd came to the shop the other day to complain the electricity was turned off. I paid it off that day, but the next bill is this week and it’s set me back a little.”

Anna didn’t like the sound of that, “And…how much does he contribute to your bills?”

“...”

“Kätzchen…” Anna felt the fight die on her lips, that was not what tonight was about, “If you need any help, you only have to ask. It can even be a loan if you insist on paying it back.”

Kat smiled at her softly, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Back to the rest of the table, Catalina was holding the drinks menu between her and Jane.

“I don’t usually drink, I’m too busy.” Catalina muttered, “Mary - you’re young what would I like.”

For a moment Anna considered suggesting a Bloody Mary but she decided that could ruin the mood. Still, she thought it was funny.

“What about a cocktail?” Jane suggested, “I quite like a cider normally, but if Anna’s paying…”

“Get what you want!” Anna chuckled, “Money is no object.”

“In that case I’ll have the…Passion Fruit Pleasure.” Jane decided, “Would you like that too Lina?”

Catalina shook her head, “I’m not a huge fan of fruity drinks.”

“How are you with wines?” Anne asked,

There was a tense second of silence as Catalina looked up at her.

“I usually go for red with wine.” She said carefully, as if trying to find out where Anne’s inevitable snide comment would be coming from,

Anne, however, remained indifferent. She placed the wine list in front of the Spanish woman and pointed at one of the drinks listed.

“Try the Waterbrook Syrah. It’s more of a spicy wine - tastes more vanilla-y than fruity.” Anne said, “From Colombia I believe.”

“So because I speak Spanish I should love it?” Catalina raised an eyebrow at the perceived slight,

Anne shook her head, “No, just imparting some knowledge I had about it.”

Lina looked a little torn before looking back to Anna, “I’ll try a glass of that then please.”

Anna masked her shock at the two getting along and nodded. Her eyes then went to Mary, who shrugged.

“Can’t go wrong with a vodka and coke.”

“Top shelf vodka, I assume?” Anna asked,

“Oh obviously, you’re paying right?”

Anna chuckled, “Kat! How about you?”

“Bottle of Carling, please.”

“You sure? You can get whatever you want.” Anna repeated, “It’s on me.”

“I know,” Kat grinned, “And I want a beer.”

Anna couldn’t argue with that, so instead she stood to go and get the orders in. Mary offered to help her carry everything back and the two of them stood quietly at the bar. Anna tapped her card on the counter, waiting for the barman to come over. Eyes drifting around until they locked on to a woman smirking at her. Now, Anna was a regular here - everyone either knew her or knew OF her. This woman had nothing but sin on her face and far be it from Anna to not indulge her. So she gave the barman her order before flashing an extra £50 note.

“And whatever the lady at the end of the bar’s drinking.” Anna stuffed the note in the tip jar with the barman’s name on,

He grinned wide and nodded, setting off to pour all the drinks.

“Really? Flirting with some girl right in front of our salads?” Mary asked jokingly,

“Please, I heard about your date - little Miss Can’t-Flirt.” Anna retorted, “Must be doing something right.”

“Eh, I used an app.” Mary shrugged, “I’m always a nervous wreck on dates, flirting for me just feels awkward.”

Anna nodded sagely, “Well the key is not to force it. Most of flirting is honest compliments, small touches here and there. It needs to be natural.”

“How can something I’m trying so hard to do look natural?” Mary asked,

The German woman turned to where that woman had just been handed her new drink. She turned back to Mary and smirked, “Watch me.”

Leaving her friend behind, she saddled up to the mystery woman and gently bumped her.

“You know, when someone buys you a drink it’s polite to say thank you.” Anna commented,

The woman smiled shyly, “Thank you. Not every day a beautiful woman buys you a drink.”

“Well, it’s not every day you find a beautiful woman sat alone at the bar.”

“Oh! I’m just waiting for my friends.”

“I would be happy to wait with you.” Anna smiled, “Scare any potential threats away.”

“I’d think someone paying for such an expensive drink and coming on so strong would count as a potential threat.”

Anna laughed and lightly placed a hand on her shoulder, “I apologise - sometimes I can’t tell the expense of things. I own an art gallery back home, it affords me the luxury of not looking at prices.”

“An art gallery huh?” The woman said wistfully, “Wow, you must have seen some amazing works.”

“Oh yes,” Anna nodded, “I’ve seen many beautiful things in my time.”

“I’d bet.”

“I’d go as far as to say - I have quite the eye for them.” Anna winked at her,

As the woman descended into giggles, Anna’s eyes drifted past her to where Mary had arrived at the table with drinks. She seemed to be explaining to Kat the reason for Anna’s absence, the smaller girl turning to giggle in their direction. Anne and Catalina were talking rather amicably which was a relief in itself. The only one not distracted was Jane, who was instead staring at Anna with an unknown emotion on her face. Something about the look felt…maybe judgemental? Anna couldn’t give another reason as to why Jane would glare at her so. Did she know and dislike the woman Anna was speaking to?

“...and you seem to want to go back to your friends.”

“Huh?” Anna blinked back to the conversation, “I’m sorry! Forgive my distraction, I promise my eyes are on you.”

“They’re not though,” The woman shrugged, “Thanks for the drink.”

Then she turned and walked off. Dammit Jane. As Anna approached the table (and more importantly her whiskey) the blonde almost looked proud that her glare had ruined Anna’s fun. As Anna took her seat again she noticed everyone else had shuffled, Mary taking the end spot by Jane and forcing Lina and Anne to be next to one another. Though, as Anna had suspected, they were discussing the wine Anne had recommended.

“Kat, did they not give you a bottle opener?” Mary asked,

“Did they not?” Anna went to stand again, “I can go and ask for one.”

“No bother.” Kat simply used the table to pop off the cap like a pro,

Now this surprised Anna, but she did also take note of how flushed Mary got at the action.

“So why beer?” Jane asked, “You strike me more of the fruity drink type.”

Kat looked nervous and begun picking at the bottle label, “I…uh..was at this big ball once in court. It my first as Queen and I asked Henry if I could have some ale because wine gives me headaches.”

That name earned her everyone’s attentions.

“I’d never really been in a situation like that before, there were so many new things and I got overexcited. So I asked him what he was drinking and if I could try some.”

Her eyes glossed over at the memory. Anna didn’t know if she should try and comfort her, however she decided to put her hand on the back of Kat’s chair. Using her other hand to sip her whiskey. Kat never spoke this much normally and NEVER about before. The polite thing for them to do was listen.

“Henry said no, that women who drank beer or ale were ugly.”

Anna felt a sharp pang in her chest. When she was at court she had drunken beer and ale, perhaps that was why he had ensured the history books painted her as they did? Maybe that was one of many reasons why she would always be known as the repulsive wife, the one the king couldn't bare being married to for longer than a few months.

“So when I came back, Pop and Jay offered me beer at a barbecue and I told them a…slightly edited version of the story.” Kat smiled a little, “So Pop told me to drink one as a, quote, “personal fuck you”. I’ve drunk beer ever since.”

Jane looked like she wanted to say something in defence of Henry, as she always did. But when she locked eyes with Anna, who had taken the story personally, she probably realised that would not end well. So she thankfully kept her mouth shut.

“Well then,” Catalina decided, “I suppose next round we’ll have our dear Gatita choose a beer for each of us.”

Jane opened her mouth and Anna sent her a harsher look.

“Would cider count? Beer hurts my stomach.”

“I think it’s not the drink, but the message one sends behind the drink.” Anne said, “You can drink whatever you like, if it has meaning to you then it has meaning.”

“So what is the reason for the ridiculously expensive French wine you’re drinking?” Anna asked, aiming to keep the tone light,

Anne shrugged and swirled her glass.

“I’m rich, French and want to get hammered.”

And for once: Anna agreed with Anne Boleyn.

…minus the French part obviously.

Chapter Text

Catalina IV

Catalina de Aragon was sat in her fathers court, bored out of her mind.

She kept her back straight and tried to remain attentive but the subject matter did very little to amuse the thirteen year old. Her sisters were also in attendance for some reason, with her mother and father sat at the head of the room on their thrones. Catalina had long since lost track of whatever they were discussing, instead letting her eyes travel around the various faces in the room. Mostly there were old men, like her father’s age, here to discuss business with the King. However, the servants quietly attending to them proved interesting to watch. One servant girl in particular caught her eye. Currently refreshing a man’s sangria, Rosa was one of Catalina’s favourite servants. Despite the power imbalance, their age had allowed them to forge quite a sweet friendship.

Catalina cared little for her friend’s status in the palace, something about her just caused an instant liking. It was like an immediate connection was made between them. She, herself, could admit that the relationship between them sometimes hinted at deeper feelings than they had discussed. Catalina was not naive to the tingling in her spine when Rosa had kissed her cheek a few nights ago. Such a small gesture had been enough to distract the Princess ever since, her stomach going all warm and fuzzy at the thought of her. Now, in this day and age such things were not talked about - especially between women. Catalina had no idea what her feelings meant. They could just have a very close friendship or it could be something more, it wasn’t like the Princess could ASK anyone about it.

So instead she just caught her friends eye and returned the small smile she was sent.

“Rosa,” A sudden voice barked, “Would you please go to my chambers and collect my coin purse?”

The Queen’s sharp gaze flicked between the two of them and Catalina sunk slightly.

“Si, su Majestad.” Rosa curtsied before handing off the sangria jug to another servant and escaping out the door,

“Catalina, if you cannot pay attention then perhaps your presence is wasted in here.” The Queen said to her daughter,

The King noted the snickering around the room and frowned. He could see poor Catalina’s face lighting up with embarrassment and so he offered her a break.

“Catalina, why don’t you go into the gardens?” He suggested, “These meetings can be rather dry for the youth - right gentleman?”

Kind mutters of agreement came from around the room. So a thoroughly humiliated Catalina left the throne room cursing her own stupidity. Her mother, Isabella, was a stern woman. She did not suffer fools lightly and had been raised under the harsh doctrine of the Catholic church. Isabella had forced the same devotion on all her children, raising them to be as God fearing as she herself was. Catalina didn’t know what to think of her mother’s religious views. Her mother loved her deep down, sometimes her religious beliefs clouded that view but Catalina KNEW she did. Still, the sting from the public humiliation she had suffered took a few days to die down. Thankfully, she had no more meetings to attend after that.

Instead she spent her days subtly following Rosa around the castle so that she could spend time with her dear friend. And yes, she did refer to Rosa as a friend because…well, what else would she call her?

It was one evening that put a stop to all of it in the end.

She and Rosa were walking quietly together in the gardens, watching the sun go down. Suddenly, her friend stopped and when Catalina turned to question why, lips planted themselves on hers. It was only for a second but it was enough to send poor Catalina’s world crashing around her. At the time her heart had fluttered and she felt…happy. But she had been very young then, she couldn’t have known how damaging an act was for her immortal soul. Instead, she remembered feeling very confused over it all and so she did what any other young girl would do when plagued by matters of the heart.

She went to her mother.

Isabella was sat alone in the palace chapel, muttering her regular evening prayers. Catalina awkwardly stood by her pew at the front of the church, knowing better than to interrupt mid prayer. God didn’t like rude little girls, her mother had always said that. Eventually, her mother opened her eyes and smiled to her child gently.

“Hola mija, have you come to join me?” Isabella asked,

Catalina took a breath, “Not quite, something rather strange just happened and it has left me confused.”

Isabella patted the seat beside her, “Come. Tell me your issue.”

Catalina sat carefully next to her mother, back straight as always.

“I was out walking with Rosa and…and for some reason she kissed me.” Catalina explained, “It’s just left all these conflicting thoughts that I don’t understand.”

Isabella took a shaky breath, “Did anybody see you?”

“What? I do not think anyone else was out there---”

“Catalina!” Her mother snapped, “Were. You. Seen?”

“No, madre.” Catalina mumbled, “It was just us.”

“Small blessings. At least we can send the girl away quietly with no rumours spreading.”

“Send her away?” Catalina asked, “Why? She’s my friend…”

Isabella sighed and moved to kneel in front of her child, hands on her shoulders as she muttered a prayer under her breath.

“What that girl did to you was wrong.” Isabella explained, “Girls do not kiss girls like that, only the devil’s influence would possess someone to do so.”

“It didn’t feel wrong…” Catalina said, more confused than she had been when she came in,

“That’s how they trick you, the worst vices are often the most pleasurable.”

“But…”

“But?”

“But…I wanted her to kiss me.”

There was a moment of silence.

Then…

SLAP!

Catalina’s hand flew to her cheek and tears began falling as she looked up at her mother in horror. Never before had either of her parents raised a hand to her before. Had she really done something wrong?

“Mija,” Isabella continued, voice softening, “I am sorry to do that to you but that girl has infected your mind. She is very sick and she needs to be sent away. You are not to talk about this event again, do you understand me?”

“L-Lo siento, madre.” Catalina sniffled, “I did not want to upset you.”

Isabella went to cup her daughter’s face, pausing when Catalina flinched before continuing anyway.

“You have done nothing wrong. It is what these succubus women do, they infiltrate your mind and make you feel all sorts of things. But these feelings are WRONG. They are sinful and what happened today could put a black mark on your soul forever.”

“My soul!?” Catalina began to panic,

“Shhh mi vida,” Isabella soothed, “Come we shall pray together. We will explain to God that you were tricked, our God will forgive your sin and I shall deal with the girl.”

Isabella moved away to kneel on the bench in front of the pew. After a second Catalina moved to follow, clutching her hands together as her mother began praying for her. Pleading with their Lord that she hadn’t known what she was doing, that she was young and naive.

And Catalina stayed there for hours…terrified of what would happen to her soul if she didn’t.

______

Catalina awoke with a start.

Her head pounded and she was clearly not in her room. Thankfully she wasn’t in anyone else’s room either, she appeared to be on the large sofa in the living room. She couldn’t remember anything after the fifth round of drinks, the fact she managed to get home is a miracle. Surprisingly it had been a fun night. Sure, initially she’d had her reservations. But everyone had been on their best behaviour and to her shock it had been a rather good bonding trip. Anna had been right, morale was probably the highest it had ever been. They’d even gotten Anne on the dance floor! Misery guts actually had FUN. Which reminded her, she and Anne had been particularly close last night and as Catalina closed her eyes and snuggled into the warmth beside her she retraced her memories of their interactions.

When the warmth beside her began to snuggle back, Catalina remembered how she got home. Her eyes snapped open and she found herself snuggling with none other than Anne Boleyn. She was the big spoon. Panic seized her chest as her mothers words echoed through her mind and before she could think it through, she shoved the French woman on to the floor. Poor Anne tumbled with a rather ungraceful thump.

“OW! What the fu--ohhh my head…”

Catalina found it in herself to chuckle, “I blame the wine you chose - too good for just one glass.”

“Glad you liked it.” Came the horse reply, “Did you push me off the sofa?”

Lina shrugged, “Did you want me to let us keep spooning?”

Anne thought for a moment, “Good point.”

Catalina stood up carefully, nerves a little shot and head pounding.

“I’ll go make breakfast then I suppose.” She declared, wanting to put some distance between herself and Anne,

“Mmm..” Anne hummed groggily, rubbing her eyes and still sat on the floor, “I should order something for me and Liz.”

Pausing in the doorway to the kitchen Catalina allowed herself to accept that last night she had actually had a fun night out with Anne. Sure, this morning was a little awkward on her part but they were both far too tired and hungover to argue anymore.

“Just eat with us.”

“You sure?”

“A celebration for us not killing each other.”

Anne chuckled and Catalina found the sound a lot nicer than their usual screaming and shouting. But as she walked into the kitchen, the words of her mother still echoed in her mind. She muttered a little prayer to herself as she went, the same one her mother had forced her to recite daily for months. Because, her mother was right. Her mother loved her and wanted to keep her safe, just like Lina did Mary. So it was sometimes good to remind herself of that important lesson she learned from Isabella long ago:

The worst vices are often the most pleasurable.

Chapter Text

Kat IV

It was almost embarrassing how excited Kat was to get her hands on Mary’s beauty of a car.

She was currently standing in the garage, bonnet up, radio on - in her element. The car was very old and had seen a lot of use, meaning there were a lot of little things wrong with it that needed fixing. It wasn’t particularly difficult, but some parts would be extremely fiddly and time consuming. Had Mary been a customer at the shop, Katherine would have told her to scrap the car - repairs would cost a fortune. But the car itself was gorgeous and she enjoyed a good project to sink her teeth into. It made her feel useful and distracted her from everything else. Jay had even dropped her old motocross bike round so she could fix it up. There was so much space in the garage after all and everyone else got their own space in the house. Shouldn’t Kat get to have a little workshop?

Kat didn’t know if she’d ever go back to motocross. Jay and Pop got her into it and she had been quite good. However, she only competed a few months before she and Todd began dating. He didn’t like her doing something so dangerous and so tried to sell her bike so she couldn’t race. Pop saw the bike online and recognised it immediately, recruiting one of his nephews to go and buy it. It was stored at Jay’s house ever since. Kat didn’t know what she’d done in a past life to deserve them, but those men were the first decent ones she had ever met. In all honesty, she was starting to believe they and Sonny were the only ones left. 

Anyway, that was a thought process she could have another time. At that moment, Kat was taking out the engine from Mary’s car. She was humming quietly along to the radio, enjoying a pleasant afternoon. That was until the front door slammed shut so hard it shook the wrenches on the wall. Kat barely reacted, used to it by this point. It was inevitably just Edward going out for the day. He’d been extra sulky lately since he caught his mum kissing his Geography teacher. Kat kinda felt bad for Eddie, no kid should see that. But at the same time as someone who HAD kissed a teacher before, she felt worse for Jane.

Don’t judge her, bad jokes like that help.

She cast a look behind her, noting that Eddie appeared to be heading down the driveway with his skateboard. Refocusing on her task she tried lifting the engine herself, only it was a bit too heavy. This was fine - she’d just ask Pop to borrow an engine crane. Usually she’d have Jay try to lift it first, knowing that she wasn’t particularly strong herself, but this was her own little project. She wanted to wait as long as she could before having to call in the big guns. 

“What are you doing?”

Kat felt her soul die as the human grease pile sidled up to her.

He snorted, “Shouldn’t you have, like, a dude helping you? Can’t have your delicate hands get all dirty! You might break a nail!”

Kat rolled her eyes but stayed quiet, knowing it wasn’t worth the effort.

“How long will it take you to fix Mary’s car anyway? Ain’t you had it like two weeks?” He asked, 

Kat shrugged.

“Please, it can’t be THAT hard. Just turn it on and see what’s not moving - any idiot can do that.” Edward mocked, 

She sighed but continued tinkering with the engine as best she could with it not being out of the car.

“Seriously!” He seemed to grow frustrated with the lack of response, “I’ll prove to you how easy it is! Point to something and I’ll fix it.”

Kat huffed a laugh at that.

“Come on!” Eddie whined, “Scared I’ll show you up?”

With yet another eye roll, Kat finally turned to look at him. She arched an eyebrow at the pain in her ass and he merely gave a “well go on then” expression. Kat sighed and looked around the garage, not feeling confident enough in trusting him with Mary’s car. Mostly because of the vintage, slightly because Mary might kill her. However, earlier that day she had been doing some maintenance on her motorbike. It wasn’t broken but not EVERYTHING had been put back on yet. So Kat pointed to the bike, knowing that if he broke anything she’d be able to fix it easily. He smirked and sauntered over to the motorcycle, Kat following slowly with her arms folded.

He looked over the bike and for a moment, confusion showed on his face. He checked the tires and then looked at the inner machinery. Kat had left the outer shell off since not everything was back on it yet. Interestingly, Eddie hadn’t asked what was wrong with the bike. Kat would have told him, she swears she would have - he just didn’t ask.

“Can you start the bike?”

Kat raised her eyebrow at him. Silently asking if he was sure he wanted to do that.

Edward glared at her, “Yes I’m sure - turn the damn bike on.”

Well since you asked so nicely…

She turned the key and revved the engine, turning the bike on and sending black smoke out of the exhaust and straight into Edward’s face. Covering him in soot. He leapt to his feet coughing and Kat tried her best not to laugh as she switched off the bike. She grabbed a clean rag from her work bench and handed it to him. He grumbled and wiped his face. Then he stared at her.

“What?” He spat, “You gonna laugh at me?”

Kat shook her head with a small smile.

“Y-You’re not…” He stammered, losing steam, “Yeah…damn right you’re not!”

“You did the right thing checking the tires first.” Kat told him, ignoring his comment, “Those are usually the quickest to wear and tear. But you’d do better if you ask the owner what the problem is first before going in blind.”

Eddie stared at her, confusion all over his face. He probably expected her to tease him or laugh in his face, but that had never been in her nature. It would be better for them both if she used this time to actually teach him where he went wrong. At least then this whole thing wouldn’t be completely useless.

“So what’s wrong with it?”

“The air filter just needs cleaning.” Kat told him, 

“And that’s where the black smoke came from?”

She nodded.

“Huh…cool.” Edward nodded, looking at the bike, “How do you clean it?”

“Soap and water.” Kat told him, “Wanna help?”

He looked suspicious, “You’d let me?”

She shrugged, “Wouldn’t want to get my pretty little hands dirty, would I?”

To her surprise, Edward actually chuckled at that. It was probably the first interaction they’d had in which he hadn’t been a complete asshole to her. Maybe there was a better side to Eddie? He was her cousin after all…and her step son, surely she should give the guy a chance. Why end the trend of giving greasy guys way too many chances? Again…bad joke.

“Don’t you need to work on Mary’s car?”

“Can’t without an engine crane.”

“Woah! You get to use a crane!? Can I do it?”

Kat laughed a little, “Start with cleaning your face, then an air filter. Then we’ll see about the crane.”

“Deal.”

As he turned to the sink at the back of the garage to wash his face, Kat went to close the bonnet of Mary’s car. Then she shot a text to Jay about stealing the crane tomorrow for her little project. She could ask to borrow Anna’s truck to transport it and Eddie would probably help her set it up if she lets him pick up the engine. 

CRASH!

“Oops…”

Ah yes, Edward Seymour with access to heavy machinery and tools…

…what could possibly go wrong!?

Chapter Text

Jane V

Jane stood in front of her bedroom mirror, putting on her earrings.

That week had been particularly stressful for Jane. Firstly, Edward had not taken what he saw in the school hallway very well and was being more…expressive than usual. He had spent the first couple of days sulking and slamming doors. Sneaking out the house to meet his friends or deliberately picking fights with his sisters. All that had been bad enough, knowing that her actions had hurt him so much. Jane knew Eddie idolised his father, he had been a good man. Henry was a strong role model for little Eddie to look up to. However, they both had to accept that he was gone now and life had moved on. Jane had a right to be happy, didn’t she?

That’s what Jonathan always told her anyway.

Obviously, he didn’t know who she really was. But he did know she had been married and that her husband had passed away a long time ago.  When the two of them had first gotten together Jane made it explicitly clear that her one true love had been Henry. That she would always view him as “the one” and Jonathan had accepted that. That had surprised Jane a little, how easily he respected that boundary. Henry had always been a tad more forceful with his wishes, he was protective and so would not have taken Jane saying anything of the sort to him very well. It was just because he loved her so much, the idea of her Henry seeing her so much as talk to anyone else hurt him. She never wanted to hurt him. Sometimes, she would wonder how Henry would react if he could see how she had moved forward with her life.

Jane liked to think he would be content with her. Understanding that a woman couldn’t live alone, that she would need a man in her life to make sure Eddie was raised with a male influence in his life. However, such a thought trail led to Jane attempting to remember when she had last seen Henry content and for some reason that hurt her heart. She knew they had been happy together…right? 

Anyway, that was all going off track. The point was, despite her own happiness, Edward had been furious over his mother dating. She understood, she really did, it had taken a long time for her to get her head around being with someone who wasn’t her husband. Hell, she even still wore her wedding ring! But the world has moved on, they all should do too. Jane didn’t want to live in petty fights from the past like Anne and Lina did. Nor did she wish to question the decisions she had made back in a very different social climate, like Mary. Jane’s heart would always ache for her lost love, but she needed to keep moving forward. Why couldn’t Eddie just be happy for her?

What was worse was that it seemed like Eddie was deliberately trying to upset her. After a few days of sulking, he started hanging out with Katherine Howard of all people. Jane did not like Katherine and certainly did not trust her around Edward. Whilst Jane herself was trying to move with the present, her mindset was still stuck in the past and a whore was still a whore. Now that her initial fury at the mere existence of the youngest queen had subsided, Jane could admit that the girl was very young. She was very pretty too, an easy target for any man to lust after. Back in the Tudor era, men cared very little for what women wanted. Body autonomy was not a concept of conversation back then. Jane could pity Katherine for all the men that would have chased her.

But what she could not forgive was the fact Katherine had conceded to them.

They were taught to protect their virtue, that they were to remain pure until marriage. A view that may have changed now, but back then that was the mentality. And with hindsight Jane accepted that such standards were unfair. However, that was not the point! The point was - if Katherine slept with men she was not married to back when it was taboo, what would stop her now?

As Martin Luther said all those centuries ago, “The words and works of God are quite clear, women were made either to be wives or prostitutes.”

And to Jane, Katherine Howard was a prostitute pretending to be a wife.

Straightening up to smooth out her dress, Jane looked herself over in the mirror. She had bought this dress last week, a little present for herself for getting through the first month or so of living in this time bomb. Lina and Anne could pretend all they want to be civil, everyone could feel the tension and they knew it was a matter of time before things kicked off again. The fact they had all survived this long required some form of prize. This dress was Jane’s. It was a simple silver dress, nothing overly flouncy or outlandish. But it made her feel pretty and Jane liked feeling pretty. 

DING DONG

Jane felt her heart flutter, that would be Jonathan. Quickly, she gave herself one more look over and then scurried downstairs to get the door before anyone else could. As she walked down the stairs she glanced into the living room where Cathy and Anna sat watching some movie whilst Mae played on the floor. Anna glanced up as Jane walked down the stairs, looking her up and down as she sipped her scotch.

“You look nice.”

“Thank you.” Jane replied, clipped,

Anna made her uncomfortable. They were fine, or at least cordial, for a while. Jane’s earlier resentment for Anna being the fourth wife had turned to pity for the woman. Anna had been publicly dumped by one of the most eligible bachelors of their time. That would definitely break someone's heart. Then they went to the pub and Jane had watched Anna flirt. She had no idea why, but she had been very uncomfortable watching Anna do that. Which was odd because Henry used to do it too, when he was married to Anne he would act that way towards Jane. But she had never felt uncomfortable over it, she had felt flattered. It wasn’t a homophobic thing either, some of her students identified with various letters in the LGBTQ+ and that had never bothered her. Sure, it took her a moment to get her head around such concepts but she would never think ill of them for it.

So why Anna? Was it the alcohol? The blatant flirting? Jane had no idea, but she knew to trust her gut. If her gut said something was off then she would try to avoid Anna as best she could. Not that Anna noticed - she was usually too buzzed to care. 

Sudden shooting from some black and white movie Cathy had gained Anna’s attention and Jane tried to swallow her discomfort as she opened the door. She smiled up at Jonathan. He smiled back, looking rather handsome in his suit. They were going to a fancy restaurant for his birthday which was on Saturday. Jane had wanted to see him that day but he would be at his sister’s in Kent for a family thing. It was a shame but still, she was just happy to spend some time with him. Jonathan looked Jane up and down, the way Anna had, but it didn’t make her feel weird. Not like it had done before. What did upset her however was what he said next…

“Are you going to get ready? Our reservation’s at six!”

Jane blinked, “I am ready…do you not like this dress?”

“Oh!” His eyes went wide, “No, you look fine…it’s just a fancy restaurant that’s all.”

“I can go change–”

“Don’t worry about it.” He grinned, pecking her cheek, “I don’t mind what you wear, I’ll always find you beautiful - isn’t that what matters?”

“Um..yes…I suppose so.”

Was that a real compliment? Or was it just meant to sound like one?

Chapter Text

Cathy IV

Finally, Cathy had a day to herself.

Well as to herself as one could be with a toddler constantly within one metre at all times. The correct description would probably be that today was the first Saturday where Cathy wasn’t either catching up on work or researching an article. Instead she could be lounging on the sofa in the living room, Mae and Twitch playing quietly on the floor, with one of her favourite old movies on the screen. Due to her daughter still being too young to enjoy lay ins, they were the first two up. Cathy loved when the house was like this. Quiet, serene, nobody fighting. It was a rarity which flashed her back to her own little flat back before this whole mess.

So there she was, stretched out with her blanket over her legs with a steaming mug of hot chocolate. Enjoying the movie whilst her precious girl happily played on the floor, everything felt right in the world. Even after Lina came down to start preparing breakfast, the soft music from the kitchen just added to the cosy atmosphere. However, as delicious scents began flowing out of the kitchen, Cathy knew it would seem the peace was about to be shattered as one by one everyone else began to show themselves. 

It was the weekend which meant that everyone would be home, a vast difference from how it was during the week. Jane and Kat would leave for work in the early morning, Jane taking Eddie and Liz with her. Catalina would spend the day property searching from the kitchen table whilst Anne and Anna occupied an office each for their work. Usually it would leave Cathy and Mae in peace. Weekends were always different, especially with Edward grounded and left to cause chaos. Though he seemed to have calmed a little since Kat let him play with Mary’s car. 

That should end well.

Questions had been raised recently by Jane about whether or not Mae should be attending school. That had caused Cathy to argue with her that Mae would be happy where she was and that Cathy could homeschool her when the time came. Technically she already was, but Mae was only little so Cathy didn’t need to do much. Or that was Cathy’s belief at least. The truth was, the idea of Mae being kept away from her caused Cathy to have a breakdown. She had tried, God knows she had tried, but an hour into Mae’s first day at nursery Cathy returned to pick her up.

It was just that Mae’s absence caused Cathy to remember how her daughter had been ripped away from her all those years ago. Even as time went on and Mae lived beyond the age of her death, Cathy was plagued by memories of what life had been like for women back in their first lives. What men did to young girls when their mothers didn’t care enough to protect them or weren’t around to. Men like Thomas. Young girls like Elizabeth. It wasn’t that Cathy didn’t recognise how the world had changed, nor was it that she didn’t trust that the other queens wouldn’t harm her daughter - they would have no reason to. It was just that Cathy couldn’t do it. She couldn’t bear it.

This was where Cathy felt her happiest. Sat with one of her old films on the television with her daughter close by playing with Twitch on the floor.

After a while, Catalina left the kitchen and walked over to the basement door. She knocked loudly to be heard through the music Katherine always had playing and looked at Cathy as she called out that breakfast was ready. Cathy smiled back and her godmother and paused the movie. Standing, she scooped Mae up and walked into the the bustling kitchen. 

It had become a new norm for them all now. Anne at one end of the table reading her newspaper, Anna to her left feeding Prinze some scraps when she thought Lina couldn’t see and Elizabeth on her right bruise on her cheek still healing from walking into a door at school. Then next to Lizzie was Jane with Edward on her other side, usually playing with his food grumpily. Mary beside him, usually opposite where Cathy sat. Mae always sat between Cathy and Anna leaving Catalina or Kat at the head of the table. Usually it was whichever one of them was the last to sit down as Lina was content to lean on the counter and Kat had sat on said counter more than once.

As Cathy took her spot she reflected on this. How they all had found a place in this madhouse. Fights had faded into stony silences at worst which was incredible progress. But Cathy wouldn’t say they were friends, not at this point. Civil would be the better word. Even Edward had shut up - that was a win in itself. 

This morning Lina took a seat as Kat took an extra minute or two to come upstairs. She seemed to be distracted with her phone, not a common occurrence for the youngest queen but not odd enough to cause concern. The table had a light chatter around it, mainly Anna talking about her newest painting whilst sipping her early morning scotch. That was probably something of a concern but Cathy had learned not to question the german’s drinking habits. 

“...anyway I’m sure it’ll be sold by Monday so I’ll have a little extra cash in my pocket.” Anna concluded, “I was wondering about taking everyone on a trip for the day.”

“Ooh that’d be nice.” Jane said looking over at her son with far to much enthusiasm for the AM, “What do you think Eddie?”

Eddie stared at her, “I’m grounded…?”

“Yes well–”

“And I thought me and Kat were doing Mary’s car today.”

“You spend far too much time in that garage.” Jane’s smile became obviously forced, “I’m sure your grounding can exclude an outing with your mother.”

“Spare me.” Eddie grumbled, stabbing some bacon with his fork,

“Don’t you agree Katherine?” Jane’s eyes turned to the youngest queen who looked up from her phone nervously,

“Huh?”

Jane’s eyes began to flash dangerously, smile looking slightly deranged, “Eddie should go out today instead of spending all that time with you in the garage.”

Kat blinked, “Uhh yeah.”

Cathy fought back a chuckle. That was a weird new tension. 

“I’m expecting a call later today,” Anne interrupted, sounding bored, “But I’m sure Elizabeth would be glad to leave the house.”

“Maman!?” Elizabeth shouted, betrayed,

Anne simply shrugged from behind her newspaper, “You were the one complaining about being bored.”

Elizabeth huffed but seemed to accept her fate.

“I also cannot join,” Lina sighed, “I’m supposed to be doing the food order for Eduardo.”

“I’m in.” Mary said cheerily, “I need to get out of this house.”

Cathy sighed, sipping her coffee, “I was planning on a movie day today.”

“That’s alright.” Anna said with a smile, “We could always take Mae, give you a break–”

“No.” Cathy snapped, “Mae stays here.”

The table seemed to stop, even Anne slowly lowered her newspaper. The tension came off Cathy in waves at the prospect which seemed to alert everyone else to her turmoil. 

Anna looked surprised at the harshness of Cathy’s tone, “Surely you do not wish for Mae to miss out?”

“No…yes…I just–” Cathy was flustered, she looked at Mae who was staring up at her with a hopeful expression, “I changed my mind. We’ll both come.”

Mae smiled, excited to be going on a day out!

“Katzchen?” Anna asked, trying to break the tension, “How about you?”

Kat, once again texting on her phone, looked briefly at Anna and shook her head, “Can’t.”

Anna sighed, seemingly disappointed. But quickly she had her normal lazy smile on her face - looking out over the table at those who agreed to join her.

“So…how about bowling!?”

And with Liz’s protests being ignored it was decided. Bowling it is!

Cathy holding Mae’s hand tightly under the table, too scared to let her daughter go.