Drabbles: Shillings (G)

Title: Shillings
Author:

cruisedirector
Rating: G
Word Count: 400
Summary: Lionel has a love-hate relationship with coins.

~

"Come and have a look at this," says Bertie. He's holding the designs for new coins bearing his likeness. "Remember when you said that my face was next? Here it is."

Lionel is impressed with how confident Bertie looks, not only in the official profile on the shilling, but standing here proudly in what Bertie had always suggested to Lionel that he thought of as his father's place, or his brother's.

"You look very regal," Lionel tells him, and is rewarded with a wide smile.

From the doorway behind Bertie, where she stands watching, Elizabeth smiles at Lionel as well.

~

"It's going to be difficult this month," Myrtle tells Lionel, showing him the page with the numbers. The war has sent most of Lionel's patients far from London, yet he knows that he must stay, because of the king. Even with the boys gone, it isn't easy to buy what's needed.

He looks at the projected expenses, saying, "I need a few bob for a gift."

"What gift?"

"A book." Lionel always gives Bertie a book for his birthday. He won't let the war prevent that.

"Of course," says Myrtle, lowering the amount of money allotted for paper and ink.

~

Lionel never spends Bertie's shilling. During the worst weeks of the war, he carries it with him in his pocket, as if by protecting Bertie's coin, he can keep Bertie safe.

Later still, when he hears on the radio that the king must have an operation, he sits by the heater, warming the shilling in his hand.

He passes it on to a grandson who will treasure it as a reminder of his grandfather, yet never understand what it meant to Lionel. How could he? The face of George V is on this coin, not the king whom Lionel knew.

~

The boy watches while his grandfather buys him a model airplane kit. He wonders why this cheerful event has made his grandfather sad.

His grandfather pays without looking at the money, trusting the shopkeeper to count it for him. It's as if the old man can't bear to see the faces on the coins.

When the shopkeeper hands over the change, it goes quickly into a pocket. A shilling slips out, drops to the floor, and rolls to the boy's feet. His grandfather sighs in relief when it lands face down.

"I don't like to give him away," he murmurs.