February, the second month of the year. For the post office the beginning of this month was almost on par with Christmas. Many flocked here to send the cards they had painstakingly picked or the letters that they had written and rewritten to their sweetheart. Most letters were on hold to be delivered on St. Valentines. For many in the village today would be a painful reminder that some sweethearts were gone forever. Dr. Clarkson was on his bicycle lines of poetry aimlessly floating through his head. His mother had told him when he was young that birds chose their mates on St. Valentine's day.

Come cheer up your hearts and revive like the spring. Join off in pairs like the birds in February That St. Valentine's Day it forth do bring.

His heart panged a little, he moved his bicycle in a figure eight before looking up. His eyes caught sight of a figure walking through the square, it was her, head down focused on the pavement. He finished his figure eight and willed her to see him. Fate seemed to be willing to work with him for she raised her gaze from the pavement and looked at him. He dismounted and began walking his bicycle across the square to join her on the other side. It was not too early in the morning, many shops were open and patrons were milling about getting things done.

Isobel had left her home after the post had been delivered, she had received a Valentine and she knew damn well whom had sent it. She hadn't worked in the hospital for all those years not to recognize the tilt of Dr. Clarkson's left hand. She had been of two minds when she had received the Valentine, she was happy but as her face lifted into a smile she forced herself to look at Matthew's picture. She grabbed her coat suddenly needing some air, the card she slipped into her coat pocket. Here now in the village seeing him on his bicycle making patterns like an adolescent had her feeling lighter. Matthew wouldn't want her unhappy, she began walking to the man who had always seemed to be there for her.

Both of them were transfixed on one another as they moved towards each other. Dr. Clarkson would need to cross the square so would Isobel. His height allowed his legs to cover more ground. Since both were preoccupied with one another they didn't see the group of boys. Four young lads were racing in a pack on bicycles turned a corner shouting nonsense to each other as they did so. They were not paying attention either, a shopkeeper cried out a warning but there was by the time the boys applied the brakes it would be too late. While the first rider managed to dodge the doctor the second rider ploughed into the first and both flew from their mounts and slammed into the doctor.

Isobel watched as Richard fell onto his back, his head slamming into the pavement. She was already moving as was the butcher from across the street shouting, "Doctor, doctor!"

The butcher pulled off the boys while Isobel knelt beside Richard he was unconscious. She pulled at his bowtie and opened his collar to allow his airway more room to work. Others were now coming over to see what they could do to help. Isobel's nursing took over and she gave orders. Two men went to hospital and fetched a stretcher, a left over canvass relic from the war. Richard was then rolled onto his side before the stretcher was placed underneath him and he was carried into the hospital. Richard was deposited on a bed and Isobel along with the head nurse began assessing him. His pupils were slow to react to light, a sure sign he was concussed. He slipped in and out of consciousness talking briefly before falling silent. Isobel never left his side, the head nurse gave her cups of tea. It was on her second cup that Richard began to rouse. Isobel notified the head nurse who went to find the intern.

It was an odd thing to watch, the muscles in his face tensed for the briefest moment. After that his breathing changed from the steady in and out to shorter inhales and exhales. Finally his head rolled to the side before he groaned before opening his eyes. With him awake junior Doctor Samuel Tanner began his own assessment. He agreed with Isobel's earlier conclusion that he had suffered a concussion.

Tanner began with a simple question, "Do you know where you are?"

Richard looked around he noted the hospital beds and the fact the man before had a stethoscope and white coat, "A hospital, you're a doctor."

"Can you tell me its name?" Tanner asked as he discretely took Richard's pulse.

Isobel's stomach dropped when she saw his face contort into puzzlement.

"Do you know what year this is?" Tanner asked gently not wanting him to get too upset.

Once again Richard's face showed confusion and he was becoming agitated. She could see him fidget beneath the blanket. Dr. Tanner could also see that his patient was becoming more and more upset which was not what he wanted. Still be a junior doctor and not having all the experience in a panic he asked pointing to Isobel, "Do you know who that is?"

Richard's head turned to Isobel and he felt a rush of familiarity and he smiled at her. As she smiled back this feeling was intensified. He knew this woman, he could trust her and more than that he felt flood of affection for her. He looked down at his hand and saw how perfectly hers fit into his, as she stroked the top of his hand with her thumb he caught sight of a wedding band.

Richard knew who she was, "Of course I know who this is, she's my wife."