The Speculative Studio

violetasquithWish I hadn't missed the start! Save some ruins for me.

hhasquithA delightful interlude. The company makes the scenery.

edwin_montaguThe food is oily. But you look divine.

margotasquithDo be careful of the water, Henry has a delicate stomach.

raymond_asquithAre there brigands? If not, Edwin will have to invent some for drama.

cynthia_asquithIt looks positively mythic. You are Persephone.

winstonchurchillIs the harbour suitable for a dreadnought? I am curious.

dianacooperBring me back a piece of marble. Or a handsome Italian.

occ_asquithFather wrote me three pages about a lizard. Fascinating.

hhasquithA turning point.

margotasquithI hope Henry isn't bored. He hates the damp.

violetasquithIs Father behaving? He usually cheats at croquet.

edwin_montaguI wish I were there to hold the umbrella.

raymond_asquithThe Scales fall from his eyes? A biblical Sunday indeed.

dianacooperIt looks terribly cozy. Is there bridge?

duff_cooperWhat are you reading? Donne or Marvell?

cynthia_asquithThe light looks very Whistler-esque.

edwin_montaguI would have found you penguins if you’d asked! I’d have shipped them from Antarctica.

raymond_asquithA fox is more your style, Vinney. Less waddle, more bite.

violetasquithOnly you would go shopping for waterfowl. Will it live in the bath?

hhasquithA curious creature. Does he have a name?

margotasquithIt will smell. I forbid it at Downing Street.

cynthia_asquithHe has a very intelligent face.

dianacooperWear him as a stole when he misbehaves.

patrick_shaw_stewartLiverpool is a long way to go for disappointment.

katharine_asquithEn garde! You were too quick for me today.

edwin_montaguPlease be careful! I can't bear the thought of a scratch.

hhasquithA formidable pair. I shall watch from the window.

violetasquithI prefer my battles verbal, thank you.

raymond_asquithPreparing for the suffragettes? Or just Edwin?

winstonchurchillExcellent training. Aggression is a virtue.

margotasquithYou’ll ruin the grass.

dianacooperThe outfits are rather chic, actually.

hhasquithToo easily beguiled by oysters and champagne!

violetasquithIs Tante in a mood? Or just the usual melancholy?

dianacooperSave me a lobster. And some gossip.

raymond_asquithThe gloom is part of the décor. It matches the velvet.

margotasquithRich food gives one nightmares. Eat the fruit.

cynthia_asquithIt looks like a seraglio.

patrick_shaw_stewartIs he reading his medical encyclopedia aloud again?

winstonchurchillPass the port.

edwin_montaguYou looked magnificent. The most beautiful woman in London.

margotasquithA little theatrical, perhaps? But very striking.

raymond_asquithThe Queen of Sheba arrives. Solomon is trembling.

violetasquithBakst would be jealous of that turban.

hhasquithI prefer you in white, but this is... commanding.

dianacooperWe must pose for a tableau vivant.

cynthia_asquithSo decadent. I love it.

patrick_shaw_stewartWho carried your train?

edwin_montaguI am glad he pleases you. He reminded me of your eyes.

violetasquithVery characteristic of the Assyrian to send idols.

dianacooperI covet him. Does he grant wishes?

hhasquithA pagan altar in Mansfield Street? I am shocked.

margotasquithIt will just collect dust, Venetia.

raymond_asquithDon't worship it too loudly, the Bishop might hear.

cynthia_asquithThe green is exquisite.

duff_cooperA serious gift.

dianacooperOh God, the horror. The damp went straight to my bones.

raymond_asquithA tragic farce. We looked like drowned rats by midnight.

hhasquithThank God you didn't go in. The Thames is treacherous.

edwin_montaguI would have rescued you.

violetasquithIt looked very atmospheric from a distance, at least.

patrick_shaw_stewartThe music was good, until the cello floated away.

margotasquithRiver air is fatal for the complexion.

cynthia_asquithVery Watteau, if Watteau painted in the rain.

hhasquithYou played above your form. I demand a rematch.

margotasquithHenry needs his exercise. Don't let him smoke too much.

edwin_montaguI wish I were caddying. Or just watching you swing.

raymond_asquithA good walk spoiled, as they say. Who won the money?

violetasquithDid he cheat? Be honest.

winstonchurchillFocus is key. Eye on the ball.

cynthia_asquithI love your tweeds.

birrell_augustineThe Prime Minister looks entirely too relaxed.

winstonchurchillWe must keep our powder dry. The German fleet is growing.

violetasquithIs it very rough? I always feel green on that boat.

edwin_montaguI hate the sea. Come back to solid ground.

hhasquithI miss our bridge game. The Captain plays terribly.

margotasquithDon't let Winston exhaust you. He never stops talking.

raymond_asquithGunboat diplomacy looks rather comfortable.

dianacooperIs the wind ruining your hair? It looks wild.

clementine_churchillWinston is so happy to have an audience.

bertrand_russellI tremble to come to lunch. The theological debate sounds intense.

edwin_montaguI miss the dogs. And you. Mostly you.

violetasquithIs the pug behaving? Give him a kiss from me.

hhasquithWrite to me. I need a distraction from the Cabinet.

margotasquithYour mother is a saint. Your father... is characteristic.

raymond_asquithRural hell. Escape while you can.

dianacooperI’m dying of boredom just reading this.

cynthia_asquithDoes the parrot know any swear words yet?

hhasquithA red-letter night. I am improving.

edwin_montaguI only want one prize, and I didn't win it.

cynthia_asquithWhat a crew! The noise was deafening.

violetasquithFather cheats. I saw him hide a card.

raymond_asquithThe punch was lethal. Who made it?

margotasquithToo much gambling. It sets a bad example.

winstonchurchillStrategy, Prime Minister. Strategy.

dianacooperI have a headache just looking at this.

hhasquithThe best hour of the week. Solitude at last.

margotasquithMind the draft, Henry. And drive slowly.

edwin_montaguLucky man. I am stuck in the city.

violetasquithWhat poem is it this week? Keats?

raymond_asquithTry not to crash while discussing Home Rule.

dianacooperThe dust must be awful.

patrick_shaw_stewartI hope the car breaks down near a pub.

cynthia_asquithAre you driving? God help the pedestrians.

violetasquithIt feels like the end of everything. I can't stop crying.

raymond_asquithThe fun begins. See you at the front.

edwin_montaguGod help us. It will be a long night.

hhasquithWe must do our duty. Courage, my dear.

winstonchurchillThe fleet is ready. Glory awaits.

margotasquithMy poor boys. Everyone is so hysterical.

cynthia_asquithThe crowds are frightening.

dianacooperThe lights are going out all over London.

margotasquithThey are saying I feed them dainties! It is a lie. They are vicious.

hhasquithIgnore the gutter press, my darling. You are kind.

violetasquithSo sensible of you, V. Cold is cold, even for a Hun.

raymond_asquithVery Christian of you. The press will hate it.

edwin_montaguI worry about your reputation. Be careful.

winstonchurchillThey don't deserve your knitting.

cynthia_asquithI can't even knit a sock properly.

dianacooperSend them to our boys instead!

hhasquithBurn this. Immediately.

edwin_montaguBe careful, my dear. These are dangerous times.

violetasquithFather tells you more than he tells the King. It's extraordinary.

winstonchurchillWho leaked the naval plans? Ah...

margotasquithHenry writes too much. He needs to focus.

raymond_asquithMata Hari has nothing on you.

dianacooperThe ink looks fresh. What does K say?

cynthia_asquithI love a secret.

cynthia_asquithDid you see the ghost? It’s freezing there.

hhasquithA nest. If only you were here longer. The peace is gone now.

edwin_montaguJealous. I am stuck in London.

violetasquithThe wind at Walmer is enough to kill one.

winstonchurchillThe defenses must be checked. I shall visit.

margotasquithThe beds are damp. I hope you wore wool.

raymond_asquithDid Kitchener break anything?

dianacooperIt sounds dreadfully romantic and grim.

hhasquithI hate to think of you doing slut’s work. My heart bleeds.

violetasquithYou are a heroine. I couldn't stand the blood.

edwin_montaguCome away. It’s too dangerous and dirty.

margotasquithWash your hands thoroughly. The germs are everywhere.

dianacooperDo you have a chic uniform at least?

raymond_asquithReality bites. Good for the soul, they say.

cynthia_asquithIt sounds exhausting. You are brave.

winstonchurchillService to the nation. Well done.

edwin_montaguIt was torture. I can't bear seeing you like this.

hhasquithYou were elusive. I felt I couldn't reach you.

cynthia_asquithThe atmosphere sounds electric. And not in a good way.

violetasquithPoor V. The tension must be unbearable.

margotasquithTake an aspirin. Men are tiresome.

raymond_asquithThe drama continues. Who will snap first?

dianacooperI send you sympathy. And gin.

patrick_shaw_stewartA car full of silent screaming.

edwin_montagu!!! I am the happiest man alive.

violetasquith? What are you plotting?

raymond_asquithSensible girl. Secure the future.

hhasquith...

margotasquithIs it Tante? I suspect it is.

cynthia_asquithTell me everything immediately.

dianacooperA bold move. I approve.

duff_cooperGood luck.

hhasquithDesolate. The light has gone out.

edwin_montaguCome back soon. I am counting the days.

violetasquithWhy this sudden flight? It feels like desertion.

margotasquithRunning away? Perhaps it is for the best.

raymond_asquithCowardice or bravery? Hard to say.

winstonchurchillThe Channel is dangerous. Watch for mines.

cynthia_asquithWe shall miss you terribly.

dianacooperBe safe, darling.

edwin_montaguI am sending hampers. You shall not starve.

dianacooperAre there any attractive doctors? Or just gore?

hhasquithMy thoughts are always there. I write daily.

violetasquithIt sounds grim. How do you stand the smell?

margotasquithDon't catch typhus. It is rampant.

raymond_asquithStoicism suits you. Very Roman.

cynthia_asquithPlease write when you can.

patrick_shaw_stewartDon't smoke too much French tobacco.

edwin_montaguYou are brave. It is the only way.

violetasquithI can't believe it. You have broken him.

raymond_asquithThe crash comes. Stand back.

margotasquithI am in shock. Henry is destroyed.

winstonchurchillHe cannot focus on the war. It is a disaster.

cynthia_asquithOh, Venetia. What have you done?

dianacooperCruel to be kind?

hhasquith💔

edwin_montaguYou are an angel to see him. I know it was hard.

violetasquithIt must have been awful. He looks ten years older.

margotasquithHenry has returned looking old. It is tragic.

raymond_asquithClosure? Or just more pain?

cynthia_asquithDid you cry? I would have wept.

hhasquithGoodbye, my darling.

dianacooperThe end of an era.

winstonchurchillNow he must get back to work.

edwin_montaguIt will be easy, darling. Just say yes.

violetasquithThis is a farce. You, a Jewess?

raymond_asquithWorth it for the settlement. And the brains.

margotasquithIs it necessary? It seems very extreme.

hhasquith...

cynthia_asquithDo you have to learn Hebrew?

dianacooperWill there be a party after?

patrick_shaw_stewartDon't laugh at the Rabbi.

cynthia_asquithYou look like a magnificent Jewess. It suits you.

edwin_montaguBuy everything you want. Send me the bills.

margotasquithExtravagant. But I suppose you can afford it now.

violetasquithA high price for a wardrobe.

dianacooperShow us the furs! I hear they are divine.

raymond_asquithThe Swaythling dowry at work.

hhasquithYou will look beautiful.

katharine_asquithGold flame? Very dramatic.

dianacooperDazzling. I am green with envy.

violetasquithA high price. Are they heavy?

edwin_montaguOnly a start. You deserve the world.

margotasquithA bit vulgar, perhaps? But impressive.

raymond_asquithGet them insured. Immediately.

cynthia_asquithThey are blinding. You'll need sunglasses.

hhasquithSwag.

duff_cooperThe spoils of war.

hhasquith❤️

katharine_asquithGood luck, Vinney.

cynthia_asquithYou looked calm. Edwin looked terrified.

violetasquithI suppose I must wish you happiness.

raymond_asquithTo the happy couple. Cheers.

margotasquithThose boots of Edwin's were too tight.

winstonchurchillCongratulations. A new chapter.

dianacooperLong life and joy.

dianacooperWhen can we come stay? I need a holiday.

edwin_montaguMy home. Our home.

violetasquithIt sounds remote. Do you have neighbors?

margotasquithIs it damp? Norfolk is notoriously damp.

raymond_asquithGood shooting? Don't shoot the guests.

cynthia_asquithMoths? Sounds charmingly gothic.

hhasquithI miss you. London is empty.

patrick_shaw_stewartAny ghosts?

cynthia_asquithElinor Glyn would be proud. It's very vampy.

dianacooperIt’s a setting for a masterpiece. We shall hold court.

hhasquithI shall come for bridge. Save me a seat.

edwin_montaguI am happy if you are happy.

violetasquithVery exotic. A bit... Oriental.

raymond_asquithPerfect for poker. And scandal.

margotasquithHow much did the lacquer cost? It looks expensive.

winstonchurchillWhen is the party? I need a drink.