Matilda is awoken from her nap by Alison, who knocks on her door until she calls for the other woman to enter.

"Hi, Matilda," Alison perches on the edge of her bed. "I want to apologise for what Mike and I said at lunch. It was wrong of me to brush your feelings aside like that."

"It's okay, Alison. I spoke to Humphrey and he told me about your accident. I feel like something similar is happening to me, but if I turn out to be wrong, that's on me. I'm just trying to stay positive for now, and not think about it." Matilda explains.

"Great, well, I spoke to the others, and they all agreed to allow you to chose the movie for film club tonight," Alison tells her. "Any suggestions? Mike and I are popping to the supermarket so I can buy any film you want, as long as they have it.".

Matilda grins, already knowing the perfect film for her new group of historical friends.

Feeling in a much better mood since her nap, Matilda wanders the halls cheerfully only to find Thomas sat in the library window, staring glumly out across the gardens.

"Thomas, how are you feeling?" She asks, sitting opposite him.

"Oh Matilda," he glances at her for a moment before letting his gaze wander back out the window. "It's kind of you to join me."

"What happened between you and the Captain?" She asks, curiously. She hadn't spent much time with the Captain but what she did know about him made her think he hadn't moved on much since he died.

"Oh, that silly old walrus, he interrupted my monologue on the beauty of autumn. It truly is the most magnificent time of the year with so many colours throughout nature. You know, the very poem was the talk of Higham House back in my day." He explains.

"He interrupted you?" She asks, wondering if that was all.

"Yes, to make an announcement, about you actually." He looks back at her. "You're in denial about being dead and we're not to mention- ah, I've made a mistake. I apologise, Matilda." He bows his head. "Although Julian says denial is the first stage of grief, perhaps I can help you through the other stages, whatever they are. We may have to converse with Julian on the matter." He suggests, the frowns on his forehead disappearing as he discovers a new purpose.

"I'd rather not talk about it, Thomas." She admits.

"Ah, you're still firmly in the first stage of grief, I see." Thomas nods sympathetically. "I'll question Julian on the other stages and devise a plan to help you." He stands, bowing to her once more before leaving.

Despite him directly ignoring her request to leave her be, she is pleased he seems happier in himself and no longer wishes to drown himself in the lake. Matilda takes the moment to look out across the grounds of Button House. Thomas was right about the beauty of autumn. On the drive, Robin and Mary are playing catch with Humphrey's head again. She's less surprised this time when Robin swings Humphrey around by his hair and releases him directly at the window where she is sat.

She jumps up from her seat when Humphrey's head bounces off the window, falling back down to the gravel. Matilda wonders just how enjoyable these games can be for him.

Matilda runs down the stairs as quickly as she can, bursting through the front doors onto the driveway. After their morning conversation, she had grown a fondness for Humphrey. The head had turned out to be the easiest person to talk to out of all the house guest at Button House.

"Hi, what's going on?" She asks, watching between Robin and Mary. "Robin?" She turns to him.

"We throwing Humphrey," he shrugs, looking down at the ground.

"Where is Humphrey now?" She questions.

"He be in the bush," Mary gestures over to a dead bush.

"Go get him," Matilda orders.

Mary harumphs as she stomps over and fetches Humphrey out of the bush, turning him around to face her.

"Hello, Miss Matilda," he greets her with a suave smile. "How was your nap?" He asks.

"Much needed, thank you, Humphrey," she returns his smile. "How do you like being thrown around?" She asks him.

"Well, it's lovely to be included," Humphrey's face conveys a shrug.

"That doesn't mean you need to be ridiculed, Humphrey. You can be included in other ways." Matilda assures him, before turning back on Robin and Mary. "You can start by remembering to bring him around when you go to your clubs." She tells them.

Robin rolls his eyes, shrugging as he walks off towards the back of the house.

"Waits for me," Mary calls, shoving Humphrey's head into her arms as she runs after Robin.

Matilda is left awkwardly holding Humphrey's head, similarly to how she had held her baby cousin for the first time. She has never been fond of babies.

"This is new," Humphrey attempts to break the awkwardness.

"Yeah, shall we- erm, head inside," Matilda starts walking towards the front doors.

"Oh, good one, Miss Matilda, 'head inside'," Humphrey chuckles in her arms.

"That was unintended," she admits. "Where would you like to be?" She asks, waking into the common area, where the Captain is stood at the window.

"Ah, Matilda, I heard you out there, and I'm very impressed. I'm sure you are a fine teacher. Do you keep your pupils well-disciplined?" The Captain asks. Matilda can tell he's trying hard to use the present tense, and she appreciates the effort.

"I like to think I'm a firm but fun teacher. My students know they can come to me if they have any issues." She explains.

"Matilda, there you are. I have been searching all over for you. Julian says the next stage of grief is anger. We need to get you angry." Thomas announces, a curious Julian following behind him.

"What's this all about?" Humphrey questions.

"Thomas has taken it upon himself to help me accept my death," Matilda sighs, setting Humphrey's head down on the centre of the couch and sitting beside him.

"This can't be good," Humphrey grimaces. "You were quite upset this morning though." He adds.

"Now listen here, Thorne. I told you not to mention such things in the presence of Matilda." The Captain points his swagger stick at the poet.

"Pish Posh," Thomas dismisses the Captain. "Now, it is not in my nature to be malicious, however, I shall try my best to help you, Matilda." Thomas stands in the centre of the rug, clearing his throat.

Julian takes a seat on the other side of Humphrey's head, "This ought to be fun." He grins.

"Where to start?" He thinks aloud. "Your hair, Matilda, looks like dry hay." He states.

"Oooh," Julian laughs.

"What?" Matilda glances down at her blonde wavy hair.

"It is very limp and thin," Thomas continues with his insult.

"That's enough, Thomas," the Captain orders, standing behind the couch.

"Shh," Julian flaps his hand in the Captain's face to shut him up. "What about her state of dress?"

"What about my state of dress?" Matilda looks herself up and down, starting to feel offended.

"We'll, it's a rather - hipstery look. Tight black cuffed jeans, turtleneck, loose flowing blouse. If I didn't know you had a boyfriend, I'd assume you were a lesbian." Julian admits.

"Good lord, Julian," the Captain struts front and centre, taking charge. "That's quite enou-"

"It's alright, Captain. I am bisexual. The fashion is rather typical." Matilda admits.

The Captain hums in confusion.

"Matilda, what is 'bisexual'?" Thomas questions.

"Oh, it's my sexuality. It means I am attracted to both men and women. Well, I can be attracted to anyone really, depends on their personality. I just prefer to use the term bisexual." Matilda explains.

"You openly admit your sexuality? You must be very brave, or completely mad." Julian states, loosening his tie. "Wouldn't catch me doing that sort of thing." He shrugs.

Matilda's eyes narrow curiously, "It's a different time. We're in the twenty-first century, and there's a lot less prejudice around sexuality. Of course, there's still a lot of hate, but it's better, and there are laws in this country protecting us against abuse." She explains.

"Good lord, really. Laws protecting instead of against homosexuals. What a time?" The Captain mutters, deep in thought.

"In my time," Robin interrupts, having joined them at some point during their conversation, and sat himself down on the floor beside Julian. "You like someone; you do it." He grins.

"I'm surprised Alison hasn't caught you all up," Matilda admits.

"So," Julian raises his eyebrows suggestively. "Ever been with a woman?" He winks.

"Julian!" she shakes her head. "Not an appropriate question."

"We'll save that conversation for later," he nods and winks suggestively.

"Is there a club I forgot about?" Pat asks, entering from the columns with Fanny, Mary and Kitty.

"We're discussing Matilda's sexuality," Thomas announces.

"It started off with you insulting me," Matilda reminds him.

"Oh, yes, I apologise, Matilda." He bows, stepping aside.

"Sexuality!" Fanny gasps.

"Fanny's husband was homosexual," Julian whispers loudly to Matilda.

"Matilda is a bisexual," the Captain catches everyone up.

"Yes, thank you, Captain," Matilda sighs.

"How exciting!" Pat grins, patting Matilda's hand as he sits on the arm of the couch, beside her.

"What does your boyfriend think of all this sexuality business?" Fanny asks.

"He's fine with it, but it's really nothing to do with him," Matilda says. "So, what about everyone else? Pat has told me about his wife and son, but what family does everyone else have?" She asks, scanning the room.

"I unfortunately never experienced the joy of marriage. My one true love was stolen from me by my own cousin. Then I met Alison." Thomas sighs longingly.

"Alison, you've got a thing for Alison," Matilda chuckles.

"Oh, leave me alone," Thomas takes himself to the piano bench to sulk.

"Sorry, Thomas," she calls after him.

"I had a family," Julian announces. "A wife and daughter. I barely knew them. My daughter's an MP now, for the Green Party." He pulls a face.

"Respectable," Matilda teases in amusement.

"You heard about my George, no doubt," Fanny mentions.

"Yes, Julian mentioned your husband," Matilda admits.

"My husband died he did three years after our wedding," Mary explains.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Mary."

"You know about my family, Tilly," Kitty says, announcing to everyone else that they are close.

"Yes," Matilda nods. "What about you Captain?"

"Oh, no, no family for me I'm afraid. Far too busy with the goings-on of the war," he coughs, gripping his swagger stick visibly harder.

"Any siblings?" She asks. The Captain seems very much like a closed book. Nobody knew his name or anything about his life before he arrived at Button House.

He clears his throat, a frown deep on his forehead as his thought run awry, "I had a sister," he finally admits.

"Really? What was her name?" Pat asks, excited by the prospect of learning something new about their mysterious friend.

The Captain's gaze avoids everyone in the room as he focuses on the open fire that Alison had lit before she'd left to go shopping. "Her name was Eliza, Elizabeth. She was twelve years younger than me." He clears his throat, glancing around the room. "I think that's enough of the personal details. Is that Alison I hear?" He strides quickly over to the window, where Alison and Mike are pulling up in their car.

"Oh, wonderful," Kitty rushes with Mary to meet them at the front door.

Alison pops her head into the common area, scanning the room and smiling when she spots Matilda.

"Did you manage to get the film?" Matilda asks.

"They had the boxset for a tenner, so you're in luck," Alison smile.

"Amazing, thank you, Alison," she grins.

"What film is it that we're watching tonight?" Pat asks.

"It's a surprise, but it's the first film in my absolute favourite trilogy of all time." She explains.

"Brilliant, I can't wait." Pat jumps to his feet as people start leaving. "Remember everyone, nine o'clock sharp in the television room." He announces.

A few people mumble in confirmation as they leave Pat, Matilda and Humphrey alone on the couch. Thomas joins them once again since nobody had paid his little sulk any attention.

Pat takes the space on the couch that Julian has vacated and turns to face Matilda. "I hope the Captain didn't upset or offend you by outing your sexuality back there. He's from a different time when talking about any of this stuff could get a person into trouble. I'm sure he's just coming to terms with a newfound freedom to talk about this sort of thing."

"It's fine, Pat. I wasn't upset." She assures him. "He seemed to take it all in pretty well, or as well as to be expected." She glances around the room to ensure the Captain still isn't lurking about. "He did come across as a little repressed, with the whole discussion."

"That's just Cap as a whole. He's a little restrained in most topics of conversation unless we're discussing the war." Pat chuckles.

Matilda nods thoughtfully.

"He's been here nearly eighty years and this is the first time he's ever mentioned his sister, Eliza. He's a very private person." Thomas points out.

"He wasn't much different when he was alive," Humphrey adds. "His only confidant was his Lieutenant Havers, who I'm quite sure he was in love with. Never had the guts to tell him before he left for Africa. Of course, it was illegal then." He continues.

"I'm sorry, Humphrey, are you insinuating that the Captain was in love?" Thomas asks, sounding amused. "I never thought he had it in him."

"He was in love with his Lieutenant?" Pat mutters.

"Yeah, I got stuck in his office for three month and the Captain was always a nervous wreck when he was around. He kept to himself for weeks after he left." Humphrey clarifies.

"Well, this is certainly new information," Pat says, standing. "I think I'm going out for a walk." He announces as he leaves.

"Who's rattled his cage?" Thomas asks, taking his place on the couch. "Now back to you Matilda, how angry did my taunts make you?" He questions.

"On a scale of one to ten, ten being absolutely furious," she starts, "A one."

"Oh dear, that will not do," Thomas shakes his head.

"Julian got me to a two though," she adds, feeling guilty for not getting angry enough. Thomas has a strange effect on her where she wants to comfort him and tell him everything is going to be okay.

"Of course, I'm a lover, not a fighter. If I want to make you angry, I must employ another's help, and I think I know the perfect person." Thomas smiles proudly.

"You might want to utilise the element of surprise," Humphrey suggests. "Miss Matilda is less likely to get all riled up if she's expecting it."

"You're quite right, Humphrey. I shall go plan my surprise attack," Thomas rushes from the room.

"Thanks for that Humphrey, just what I need. To be suddenly attacked with mean words when I least expect it." She sarcastically says, leaning back against the arm of the couch and tucking her legs beneath her. "So, what about you, Humphrey? You mentioned your wife earlier. She was French?"

"Yeah, it was your classic Tudor arranged marriage. We were young, in our mid-teenage years, and didn't really get on with each other. She kept to her French handmaidens, and I kept to my staff. Luckily, I was away quite often with the King's men, campaigning through Scotland and France. Although, it was my close quarters with those men that caused me to meet my untimely death in 1542. King Henry waited until I was back home before he ordered my execution. At least I got to say goodbye to the children." He mentions.

"Tell me about your children," she urges him on.

Humphrey smiles, "No one has taken this much of an interest in me for centuries." He admits shyly.

"Go on, I'm listening," she returns his smile.

"Madeleine and I had five surviving children when I died," he begins, looking wistfully off out the window.

Matilda actively listens as Humphrey tells her what he remembers of each one of his five children, and the grandchildren he saw grow up in both in life and death when they visited their grandmother. She laughs along with his stories and feels goosebumps up her arms when Humphrey explains the pain of watching his final descendent die within the house, and them instantly leaving for wherever people go to after they die. She wishes she could hug him but doesn't want to just cradle his head.

"Can I ask you something, Humphrey?" She interrupts abruptly.

"Sure, ask away. I'm an open book."

"When someone touches your body, can you feel it?" She asks.

"Oh yeah, I feel everything. Don't tell the other's though, they perceive me and him as separate beings and I like to feel helpful." He explains.

"Wait here," Matilda jumps to her feet, and Humphrey stares at her pointedly. She rolls her eyes, "Sorry, just- be patient. I'll be back in a minute." She leaves.

Humphrey isn't used to being propped up correctly, so he appreciatively glances around the room. A gasp rises in his throat when he feels someone tentatively take his hand. It's such a rarity that he is touched, that he still finds the sensation strange. It feels like pins and needles. He assumes this is where Matilda had run off, and he is proved to be correct when she enters the common area guiding his body behind her.

"Does he not make you uncomfortable?" He asks, voice not much louder than a whisper.

"The more I am in your presence, the easier it is for me to look past the fact you're a head, but this guy's lack of a neck is out in the open. I am finding it quite difficult to look at him." She admits.

"To be honest, so do I." Humphrey grins. "So, what is he doing here? Are you going to stick me back up there?" He questions.

"Does that work?" She asks.

"For a moment, then I tend to fall off again."

"Well, that will be long enough," she awkwardly picks his head up off the couch, gently placing him back upon his neck.

"Long enough for what?" He asks apprehensively, his eyebrow twitching with curiosity.

Instead of answering, Matilda's fingers run through his hair, gripping the back of his head to hold it in place as she wraps her other around his back, hugging him tightly.

"Oh," Humphrey mutters, enveloping her in his own arms, enjoying the first hug he's ever received in half a millennium. "This is nice," he sighs.

Matilda smiles against Humphrey's shoulder, "I just thought you could use a hug, after talking about your family."

Behind her, she hears the grandfather clock begin to strike nine o'clock.

"We're late for film club," she takes Humphrey's hand in one hand and his hand in the other, setting off for the television room.

"You don't need to bring my body to film club," Humphrey tells her.

"He's part of you, Humphrey." She tells him as they enter the room. "I've got Humphrey," Matilda announces as an explanation for their lateness.

"Oh, yes, jolly good, Matilda," the Captain nods. "I'm afraid all the couch spaces have been taken."

"That's fine, we'll sit on the floor." She pulls Humphrey's body down so he's sat leaning against Julian's legs.

"Hey, watch it," Julian complains, moving his legs aside to allow the headless body space.

Matilda places Humphrey's head on his own lap, so he's sat facing the screen, then sits beside him. She looks up at Alison and nods to confirm her readiness.

"Right, everyone, Matilda chose the film for tonight." Alison inserts the disk into the DVD player. "It's a trilogy, so we have two more to watch another night." She explains, sitting down on the couch beside Julian and Mike.

The opening shots of New York City alongside the musical score builds excitement in Matilda's chest. It has been far too long since she's watched this film. Her brother used to tease her about how many times she watches it. Her excited grin falls when she realises this could very well be her brother playing the film on his laptop for her in the hospital. She shakes her head as the title appears on the screen. She wants to enjoy this moment with her new friends, real or not.

"Night at the Museum?" Pat reads out.

"Is it by chance history related?" Thomas asks.

"Yes, it is," Matilda's smile returns.

Julian groans, sinking deeper into the couch, preparing himself for an hour and a half of boredom until an attractive female character appears on screen, gaining his interest.

By the end of the film, everyone has enjoyed themselves and found a connection to different aspects of the film. Robin loves the slapstick comedy but hates the representation of the Neanderthals. Pat and Kitty both love Dexter. Fanny finds herself enamoured with President Teddy Roosevelt. Mary is fascinated by the 'small mans' in the room of miniatures. The Captain enjoys any and all fighting scenes, critiquing their technique, then finds himself flustered by Ahkmenrah, speaking a "Good Lord" when he unwraps his face. Julian, of course, still fancies Sakagawea.

Once everyone has gone their separate ways by the end of the night, Matilda and Humphrey are left sitting on the floor of the television room.

"So, did you enjoy the film?" Matilda asks, nervously hoping he did.

"I did very much so," he smiles. "Although, my knowledge of history ends at my death. Alison helps by taking books out of the local library. I'm currently reading up on the four George's." He explains. "But I still have a lot of questions." He admits. "First of all, what exactly is 'Rex'?" He asks.

Matilda is gobsmacked for a moment, "Oh, wow, I didn't even think about that. You've never heard of a dinosaur?"

"I don't believe I have."

"Fist thing tomorrow morning, I'll ask Alison for some books or a documentary on dinosaurs." She tells him, lifting his head up and taking his body's hand. "Jurassic Park. We have to watch Jurassic Park," she excitably guides him out of the room.

"BOO!"

"Robin!" Matilda snaps, jumping out her skin as she spins around to find Thomas instead, hiding in the dark corner. "Thomas, what the hell man?"

"It was Robin's suggestion, and Humphrey's. The element of surprise. Are you angry, Matilda?" Thomas asks.

"No, I'm not angry." She snaps. "Maybe a little. You're up to a four, Thomas." She sighs.

"Wonderful, I'll keep trying," he walks through a wall off to his bedroom.

Matilda sighs deeply, realising Humphrey is shaking with laughter in her arms.

"Oh, shut up you, or I won't drop you off in your room," she warns him.

"I don't have a room," he tells her.

Matilda stares at him pitifully. "That's upsetting, Humphrey. You're really making me want to hug you again."

"I wouldn't mind," Humphrey's body shrugs.

"Why don't you have your own room?"

"I told you there weren't many of us when I first died, and my family was still occupying the majority of the rooms. I never had the opportunity to choose a room for myself." Humphrey explains.

"Well, tonight is your lucky night. Pat told me there's a few spare rooms on this floor." Matilda walks Humphrey down the corridor, peering into each room they pass, trying to find the vacant rooms. "What about this one?" She pulls him into the first empty room. "The window overlooks the back garden. It's quite nice. Wow, look at the curtains on this bed, very nice." She smiles at him, trying to convince him.

"I like it, and it's close to the stairs that lead up to the attic." He agrees. "In case I wish to visit the library." He quickly adds.

"Great," Matilda lays his head down on the pillow and gently pushing his body to lie beside him. "Erm, good night, Humphrey." She uncomfortably steps aside.

"Good night, Miss Matilda."

She rolls her eyes fondly as she leaves for her own bedroom in the attic. After the day she had before her nap, her evening had been a thousand times better. If her worst fears become reality, and she is destined to spend eternity at Button House with this eclectic group of characters, she doesn't think she would mind it all that much.