Chapter 1: Frustration
Chapter Text
Sidney groans in utter frustration.
Every financial refusal deepens his despair.
Only one thought keeps him going.
Charlotte ❤️❤️
Followed by doubt.
Do I deserve such happiness? 🥺🥺
He looks at the note again.
Tom slipped it into his pocket
Eliza Campion.
A fortune.
Ready money for me us.
The Perfect Wife.
A Nightmare.
Impossible Choice.
But what about Mary, the children??! 😢😢
Sighing, Sidney drains his drink, returning to Bedford Place.
Wilson takes his coat, 🎩 and cane.
An unexpected sound echoes upstairs.
Children’s voices.
He looks questioningly at his Butler.
Mrs Parker is in the Study Sir, with her Guest.
Chapter 2: Confusion
Summary:
We all want to know who is with Mary, so let’s find out and why have the Parker Children joined her in London?
Thank you for all the comments over the last few weeks, I am trying to gradually go through them, although the glitching on AO3 make it tricky.
Chapter Text
Striding impatiently to the door, he wrenches it open.
Two figures turn towards him.
Mary.
Shock. Delight.
😮😮
Charlotte! he gasps, rushing to impulsively 💋 her hands.
Fortunately, Mary is too distracted to chastise his impropriety.
Sit down, Sidney. We need to talk. You too, Charlotte.
They sit side by side, countless questions racing in his mind.
Mary is pacing, muttering.
Of all the deceitful, contemptible men, he is The Worst!
Sidney is confused, has Sir Edward resurfaced?
Charlotte coughs. 🤧🤧
His Sister-In-Law calms down.
Sitting opposite them, she stares at him.
Please tell me you have not taken any rash decisions, Brother.
Chapter 3: A Conundrum
Summary:
Here’s the next part, why are Mary and Charlotte in London?
Has Sidney made any decisions?
And where is Tom?
Chapter Text
Sidney shakes his head, utterly despondent.
No, Mary. It’s completely hopeless though.
To his astonishment, she smiles.
😋😋
Thank The Lord! I expect My Dear Husband gave you advice?
Sidney is conflicted. But honesty is best.
He shows her the note.
Mary hisses, tearing it into tiny pieces.
He is a scoundrel! she rages.
🤬🤬
A conundrum indeed.
🤔🤔
Thankfully, Charlotte intervenes.
Poor Sidney is befuddled, Mary. Shall I enlighten him?
Her friend nods.
Charlotte stands up, going to the desk.
Holding a folder out to him.
Walking over, he opens it, finding a document.
The title shocks him.
Certificate of Building Insurance
Chapter 4: The Worst Parker
Summary:
My laptop is starting to protest, a few technological issues unfortunately, but it seems recovered now.
So here is the next part and there really are no depths to which a certain character will not sink!
The question is, how will Sidney react???
Chapter Text
Scanning the text, questions flood his brain.
There IS Insurance!
No missing payments
Why would Tom deceive us?
His hand starts to shake, Charlotte covers it with her own, until he relaxes.
There is more, if you can bear it, she whispers.
Underneath are several letters.
Correspondence between Tom and Eliza.
Dating back several months.
The most recent received a day ago.
As suggested, I have ensured Sidney will fail.
A master stroke to claim no insurance.
He will have no choice, but to marry me.
What a team we make
Make sure you send that country girl home
EC
Chapter 5: Total Shock!
Summary:
After those revelations, how will Sidney react?!
And now exactly did our intrepid ladies discover the awful truth?
And furthermore, how did they leave Sanditon (children & servants too) without The Worst Parker noticing?!
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Sidney is reeling
His Own Brother
Manipulated Him Ruthlessly
Was prepared to Sell Him
For Money
And
He KNEW of his affection for Charlotte
Clearly not as unaware as assumed
He shakes his head, completely stunned.
Mary leans forward.
I couldn’t believe it!
Charlotte was so clever, she uncovered the evidence
We left early this morning, Tom was comatose
I added a sleeping draught to his drink.
Left him a brief note
Informing him of our plans
Having discovered his treachery
This is too much drama!
He looks at Charlotte for further explanation.
She blushes a pretty shade of pink
Notes:
The more I watch S1, the character of Tom Parker becomes murkier and murkier – too many things don’t make sense at all. He manipulates his brother from Episode 1, heaping guilt and obligation upon him. For a brilliant perspective on his character, two stories go into more depth
Squiiggle_55: Love, Loyalty and A Beautiful Dress
https://archiveofourown.org/works/53010184/chapters/134107975Riga789: First In My Affections (Series)
https://archiveofourown.org/series/1664683
Chapter 6: Charlotte Heywood, Detective
Summary:
Sidney is shocked at the revelations Mary and Charlotte have infromed him about.
So now it’s time for Charlotte to take The Stage!
How did she rumble the scheming of The Worst Parker?
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
I couldn’t understand it
My Father always has insurance
He says it’s essential
No evidence in the Sanditon paperwork
I watched Mr Tom carefully
He was Agitated
Constantly checking the Mail Delivery
I took that Letter to his Office
Listened outside The Door
Heard his jubilant exclamation
Interrupted
Asked if there was News
He hurriedly hid the communication
Mary managed to distract him with the children
Allowing me to sneak back, find the truth
Although I did not contemplate such devious scheming
His selfish, entitled attitude sickens me
It was all for you, Sidney, she finishes
Gazing at him lovingly
Notes:
What an incredilbe young woman she is!
Over to you then, Sidney....
Chapter 7: A Thunderbolt
Summary:
Recap - Sidney is struggling to find answers in London, under pressure from his brother to take the obvious route. A surprise awaits him at Bedford Place, Mary & Charlotte have arrived to rescue him and expose the scheming by two specific people.
Let’s find out how Sidney reacts to hearing Charlotte’s explanation of how she rumbled his awful brother!
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Speechless for a moment
Sidney feels a fool
I should have checked the paperwork
Studied the supposedly lapsed policy
Thank Heavens for Miss Heywood
What A Woman She Is!
All is well, they can claim on The Insurance
What A Miracle
Suddenly
It hits him like A Thunderbolt
Realisation
No Obstacles to His Desired Future
The Wife of His Dreams and A Brood of Kidlottes
Of Course
Sensible Sidney would have contained himself
But this sudden change of circumstances is too much
On top of fatigue and alcohol
A heady combination
Gazing at the Angel before him
Overwhelmed by Emotions
Notes:
Can you guess what happens next???!
Chapter 8: Intoxicating!
Summary:
Sidney is surprised to find Mary & Charlotte in London and even more so, when they reveal their plan to rescue him from the schemes of certain people..
Notes:
Well, I didn’t intend there to be such a long gap between my updates!
Unfortunately, most of this year has been spent battling my long-term health issues and although there really isn’t any improvement, I decided to power through, especially for our #SidlotteSeptember Event over this month.
So, my hope is to keep going with these Drabble Stories from last year, as well as contribute to 2025.
As always, thank you to WithMoxie for her unending support and encouragement.And a huge Thank You for being patient!
Chapter Text
You Are INCREDIBLE, My Darling!!! he rasps
Catching her up in his arms and spinning around madly
Her feet dangling
Before kissing Charlotte desperately
Clutching her to him tightly
She reciprocates thoroughly
Tangling her fingers in his hair
Quite intoxicating
They are completely oblivious
Lost in each other
Mary’s shocked voice brings them to their senses
Well Then, Miss Heywood will be returning to Willingden urgently, I see! she says sternly.
Sidney is mortified, what has he done?!
But Mrs Parker cannot pretend for long.
After all, Dear Charlotte will be getting married in the near future. Won’t she, Sidney?! 😉😉
