Doctor Richard Clarkson was enjoying dinner at Crawley House. It was a weekly occurrence that he would dine with Mrs. Isobel Crawley. While he was delighted that he was spending time with her he had no clue as to what it was that she wanted. Each night that he left her she seemed forlorn yet at Thirsk she had rejected his advances. He was at a loss and had finally summoned enough courage to ask her.

There was a drop of whiskey in his tumbler and he drained it. With all the formalities done he stood, "Well I must be going."

"Must you?" She asked her voice laced with disappointment.

It was now or never, "Isobel, I'm confused and have been for some time. What is it that you want from me?"

"I thought we were having an evening." Isobel muttered somewhat taken aback.

"We have and it has been wonderful, yet you made it clear that you don't want more than that. If that has changed you need to let me know, I don't want anymore confusion." He said clearly before kissing her on the cheek and leaving Crawley House. Outside he sighed heavily, he had either just destroyed whatever relationship he had with Isobel Crawley or perhaps by some miracle a new one might form. Only time would tell him which.

Inside Crawley House Isobel was numb. Richard Clarkson had called her on the carpet. He had just told her how far he was willing to go. If she was honest she had been selfish with him. These months that he had been by her side she had relied on him. Truth be told she had taken him for granted. To her he was a constant, she never really considered what these nights might be doing to him. She had thought he would have known instinctively that she wanted him but she had sabotaged that.

That night she didn't sleep, if she wasn't careful she could lose him. Nonetheless, she had no idea how to court a man. Surely sending him flowers wouldn't endear him to her. When morning came she found that everything a battle, she couldn't decide on what to wear. The first ensemble made her look to formal, the second outfit made her seem too young "Mutton dressed up as Pate" her mother's voice shouted in her mind. She finally decided on a soft purple blouse and black skirt. It was her day to be at the hospital and she was glad to be there. Her apron was hanging in the corner and she retrieved it. Placing it over her head her hands reached behind her for the ties. Her right hand found the tie easily but her left hand kept fumbling running to the end quickly forcing the fabric to fall from her fingers. Muttering under her breath she turned her head only to feel warmth as a pair of hands easily took the ties from hers and tied them in a bow.

"There' Richard proclaimed as the apron was tied.

"Thank you" Isobel said genuinely.

"Could you assist me in the main ward today?" He asked.

"Yes" Was all she could manage.

Richard had seen her come in and had noted the dark the circles under her eyes. He wondered if it was because of him? He wasn't a sadist, he didn't want her to suffer. However, he couldn't live in the limbo of not knowing. If she wanted him just to be her friend he would do that but the signals she had been giving him made him think she wanted more.

Together they went to assess the first patient, his lungs needed to be listened to. Wordlessly Clarkson handed over his stethoscope. Isobel took it and listened to the breath sounds, she could hear rattles a clear sign of bronchitis. He motioned for her to join him away from the patient. When she reached him she asked, "Does he have fever?"

"Not as of yet, we've been cooling him. Another nurse is fetching some more inhalants." he said softly.

"I'll go boil some water." Isobel said before moving off to comply with her own order.

Later when she was filling the apparatus she heard noticed the charge nurse, Nora Chapman, speaking with the doctor. She said something that made him smile and emit a small laugh. The sight made her feel cold inside, she wanted to be the one to make him laugh. Turning her head she got back to work.

That night as she tried to find sleep again she put together a tentative plan.

In the morning she was once again on rounds with Richard but the time wasn't right to speak of personal matters. Finally before noon she had a chance. "I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me on Friday?"

She watched in horror as his face fell, "I'm going out on Friday, there's a play in Ripon. Nora came into some tickets some time ago and she asked me and I said yes."

His response was like a blow but instead of bursting into tears she took a shaky breath, "Are you free Saturday?"

She kept her eyes downcast not wanting to see in his face his rejection. She almost missed his soft, "Yes."

Her head rose and her eyes showed shock so he repeated his answer, "Yes, I'm free Saturday."

The idea that he had made plans without her, that he had a life without her made her want to scream. Should she act like a jealous lover and attack Nora? Isobel snorted outloud at the thought, Nora Chapman was just a friend...wasn't she?"

Hours later more water needed to be boiled so she filled the kettle. Nora was also in need of water the charge nurse came to the back area and acknowledged Isobel, "Patient with laceration to the arm. Blood everywhere."

Isobel held up the kettle, "Rash of bronchitis."

"Want to swap?" Nora asked.

Isobel cocked her head, "Actually yes. I don't think I've worked on or even seen a laceration in months."

Nora moved to isobel's side to take the kettle from her. As Isobel moved to the shelf to retrieve a jug she asked, "Hear you're going to a play on Friday?"

Nora blushed and Isobel felt sick inside, "Oh yes, my husband Frank bought me the tickets yet he hates the theatre. I can't believe he even bought the tickets! So I'm sending him to the Pub and with the spare ticket I asked Dr. Clarkson if he wanted to go and he said yes."

Isobel felt as if she were drunk, Nora was married? She couldn't think. Generally she knew about those she worked with. She then remembered that Nora came to the Cottage hospital shortly after the death of Matthew. At that time she wasn't in the mood to learn anyone's personal history. Some nurses also chose not to wear wedding bands due to irritation from all the hand washing.

Isobel quickly grabbed a jug and filled it with water the patient needed to be tended to. Before leaving she said with sincerity, "I do hope you have a good time."