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Hey would you look at that. I write one trashy oneshot and all of a sudden it's one of my favourite stories I've ever written. For fucks sake. Welp, enjoy more of Charles(Charlie?) and Miriam!

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Snowflakes gently drifted down like confetti, slowly starting to stick to the ground and probably making the woodland path unusable.

Surprisingly enough, this was a great thing because it ensured a couple of events for the day; cups of hot tea, watching the snow settle outside my window, and most importantly, no customers. For me or for Charles. I could finally start to relax, maybe even get some sewing done without the constant danger of having a needle jabbed into my finger again. Honestly, winter is by far the best season.

I had just sat down with a cup of tea, the kettle still gently whistling as it cooled down, when a louder noise sounded. A sharp knock at the door.

I haven't cried in almost a year but y'know what? I think now may be a good time to revitalise that activity.

Trying desperately to not scream in frustration, I slowly got up and called out a simple "Just a minute!" while setting down my tea. Thankfully I had decided to get changed today; even if it was just for shooing away Charles' customers, I still wanted to avoid looking like a bedraggled mess to the general public. I dragged my feet over to the door and yanked it open, already opening my mouth to shoo this person off.

"Awfully sorry, but you've come to the wrong house. Now, if you wouldn't mind-" I quickly cut myself off as I noticed who it was that had appeared on my doorstep. Pristine hair, waistcoat practically gleaming against the cool whiteness of the morning frost, accompanied by a bright smile that faltered a bit as I began my monologue.

"Oh, good morning Charles. Sorry about that, what do you need?" I spoke hastily, wondering why in the hell Charles was at my door so early in the morning. Probably wanted one of his shirts repaired again, if I had to guess.

"Is that how you greet all of my customers? Well, no wonder I've been getting less popularity as of recent." He said, smiling incredulously at me. The snow was still fluttering down behind him and I briefly considered inviting him in, before deciding against the notion. He probably just wanted to hand over his clothes and leave, I thought.

"Well, it does get a bit tiring when every day you have to tell anyone who comes to the door that they're at the wrong house. That, and I wasn't exactly expecting anyone today, considering the weather." I replied defensively. "So, what exactly was it that you wanted?"

He briefly lifted his hand up and ruffled his hair (probably ruining hours of effort) and laughed awkwardly. "Right- well, um. That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about. Uh, by that I mean the customer thing, not the- not the weather. D'you mind if I come in?"

I frowned. Since when did he care about the customers? Or rather, them coming to the wrong house? I always sent them back his way anyway, so it didn't affect him too much, surely?
Eyebrows still furrowed, I nodded and moved to the side of the doorway to let him in. He nodded in thanks and entered the house, shaking off the snow before stepping inside, thankfully.

As I followed him in and shut the door quietly, I praised the gods for my having cleaned yesterday evening; God forbid I allow someone like him in while my living room looked like a pigsty. I can only imagine his house looked immaculate, and I don't think I could bear it if he thought me some dirty low-life simply because I didn't dust.

"I like your house." He commented vaguely as he walked in, "It's very- very pretty." I looked over and saw him cringe at his word choice. To be fair to him, many people have said much worse about my living room. I don't think it's that bad, though. 

There was a big bay window at the back of the room, a small desk and chair next to it. Both the table and chair were practically flooded in fabrics, as were the big boxes next to them. The fireplace hadn't been lit yet, however I had some kindling and logs out ready; I was planning to light it after finishing my tea, but I guessed that was a priority now that there was someone else in the house. I had some light beige curtains strung up against the big window and the smaller one by the door, which actually contrasted quite nicely with the dark wood floor. The two armchairs I owned were placed just in front of the fireplace, and the large bookshelf I owned sat placidly against the wall by the bay window, almost hiding the door to the kitchen. Around the room were various knick knacks I had accumulated over the years, some sat atop the pale green dresser next to the door and others on the desk and bookcase. I also had a few small plants sat by the smaller window, but I think that one of them is starting to die, so I may have to get rid of it soon. The smell of lavender and rosemary filled the room, as well as the scent of freshly-brewed tea.

I wouldn't necessarily call this room 'pretty', but I think 'homely' is a better word.

"Ah, thank you." I mumbled, moving a couple of sheets of linen off of one of the armchairs. "Please, make yourself at home. Would you like a drink? Tea, coffee, milk?" I suggested, dropping the fabrics into one of the boxes.

"A tea would be wonderful, if that's alright."

***

"So, you said you wanted to talk about your customers? What's wrong?" I asked curiously, setting my tea down on the little table in front of me.

"Oh, there's no trouble at all. I've just come here to get your opinion on finally putting a sign up." I paused, looking at him in confusion.

"A sign? The last time we discussed this you made your stance on the matter quite clear. Why the change of heart?" He flushed and looked down uncomfortably.

"Well, that's the thing; I was going to bring this topic up sooner, but due to the sudden influx of customers I hadn't the time. I was going to approach the topic last week, you see, but there's never been a good enough moment for it. And as for the change of heart, I just- I see how many people come to your door all the time and I realise how hard it must be for you; y'know, having your own business and then having to deal with the patrons of mine constantly, so I just felt it would make both of our lives a little bit easier if I were to put up a sign somewhere, despite how unappealing it may make my garden look. I understand that my customers coming to your door all the time must feel rather infuriating, so I figured that I would come and talk to you about this today as it's snowing and it's not likely anyone will knock on the door due to the undesirable weather. So indeed, if it would bring you any comfort at all, I'm willing to get a sign painted and hung up on the fence somewhere."

If I had been surprised at the concept of Charles showing up at my door and asking to talk, I was positively floored by this proposition. He was already willing to put up a sign, he was just waiting to consult me first and couldn't because of customers? I mean I understood his reasoning, obviously, it's just this was kind of unexpected.

"Of course that's alright with me! You didn't need to ask for permission to alter your own house. And thank you Charles, truly. I know how much your garden means to you, so thank you for deciding to do this. Do you know where you're going to put the sign as of yet?" I asked, still feeling slightly nonplussed about... well, everything. Charles shook his head, smiling good-naturedly.

"I distinctly remember asking you to call me Charlie? And no, I don't; or not yet, anyway. I was thinking maybe on the wall of the house itself, but then people wouldn't be able to see it as well, so I'm still thinking."

"Why not on the gate?" I suggested, "I mean, it's not very intrusive into the garden and if you get a nice enough sign it could really add to the pre-existing beauty of the garden itself, don't you think?" Charles' eyes widened and he snapped his fingers.

"That's a great idea! Thank you so much, Miriam. I think I might just do that. You're absolutely right; a nice sign could look excellent with the petunias right by the front gate! Oh, that would be marvellous!" He exclaimed, practically bouncing in his seat in his excitement. "Do you, by any chance, know any good painters who could make a really good sign if I give them the materials for it?" I was going to say no initially, however my mouth started moving before I could stop it.

"I don't know anyone local, or anyone that could do it for a cheap price, unfortunately. But, if you'd like, I could attempt one for you? I do painting sometimes and I'd like to think I have something of an affinity with it; I actually paint often in my spare time." I stated, shrugging my shoulders. "The sign outside of my house was actually painted by yours truly. I think it would be a nice thing to do for you as thanks; consider it a favour for your decision to do this in the first place." I watched Charles' eyes light up as he set his teacup down fervently, the tiny remaining bit of liquid sloshing over the sides in his haste.

"Oh, that would be incredible! And to think you painted the sign outside your house? I thought you had it professionally done! If you could, that would be lovely; I can bring the materials over to you this afternoon, if you'd like? Are you absolutely sure, though?" Said Charles.

"Oh, I insist! If I'm the one who's seemingly driving your customers away and the problem can be fixed so easily, I'd be more than happy to. I can have it done by Friday, I imagine. Well, as long as there aren't too many people knocking on my door." I responded happily. I truly wasn't expecting this conversation, or such a lovely outcome, but I was very glad that he'd decided to bring this up today.

***

We spent the next little while talking, I'd say about a half hour, before he got up to leave. We had talked about a lot; how the farmer just down the road had tried to swindle Charlie out of his best magical fertiliser, how one of his customers who had come to my door and called me some very harsh names when I told him to leave (Charlie assured me he'd never sell to that customer ever again; "Never in a million years, darling!"). We weren't fully off the topic of customers yet; it was one of the few things we had in common, and we weren't really good enough friends to talk personally just yet. Though, Charlie had practically invited himself over 'sometime in the near future', and insisted that I was welcome to visit anytime I liked, which was very nice of him.

But before all that, I had to paint this sign. And I think that, after the nice chat and overall pleasant morning spent with him, I was certainly going to try my damndest to make this sign as perfect as possible. In fact, as he was leaving, kissing me on both cheeks and walking away with a peppy bounce in his step, I was already coming up with ideas in my head as for what to paint on it.

It would definitely be a nice little project to do over the next couple of days, especially considering it was something of an apology to him.

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I definitely like these characters far too much lmao
Approx. 2030 words
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