1910 Hamilton Parkinson Residence

Darla ran a hand through her long chestnut brown hair, she had just finished riding through the grounds on her favourite horse. A brown Chylesdale with a lovely temperament and happy personality. The Parkinson family home was big and spacious, everything a family would want for their daughter. She had always been small, it made getting on and off horses a real trouble, but not something that would deter her from riding. She looked in the mirror when she got home, she was particularly small, her husband called her a 'garden gnome'. She always smiled but was never amused by that comment, like most of his comments, they were laughter at her expense.

She sat down to read her letters in the parlour, she had one from her favourite cousin, Elizabeth. When she was little their families were so close, actually they still are incredibly close. She was an only child whereas Elizabeth had two sisters.

My dearest Darla,

Life on the frontier is full of challenges but nothing stops me smiling. I miss our laughter when we used to play outside in the trees. Do you remember when Julie got so far up in that big fir tree that a Mountie had to be called to get her down? I do love teaching but these children and their families have so little. It makes me sad that I grew up with so much where so many have so little. We were very privileged children and we still are.

I wish you were still a doctor, we could really use one here in Hope Valley. The only doctor is miles away and company owned therefore if the woman isn't married to a miner they don't get treatment.

I hope one day you will come and visit me. I love and miss you.

Your faithful cousin,

Elizabeth Thatcher.

Her cousin was always putting silly ideas in her head. She was the one who encouraged her to become a doctor. Whilst Elizabeth was away at teacher college, she was getting her medicine diploma. She was so proud when she finally graduated and got to practice medicine. She was working in the hospital for a few years before her parents had chosen Eustice Parkinson to be her husband. She hadn't wanted to marry for anything but love, however her parents thought it was a perfect match. On her wedding day, Eustice had told her that 'no wife of his would continue working' it was the saddest day of her life for many reasons.

BANG CRASH BANG the whole house shook. She ran through the house, telling the servants to take cover. She thought it was an earthquake. True enough it had been an earthquake. She wasn't scared, she would be strong for her household. Eustice had been out for the whole day, at the office, he wasn't expected until late, so she knew he was safe. He made his money as a high-powered solicitor. Eustice's parents were long dead as the age difference between herself and her husband was quite large. Almost two decades.

Once the tremors were over, she went to check on the households to make sure everybody was well and safe. There were a few bruises to the kitchen staff who were preparing dinner but nothing serious. She was so glad and thankful.

It was late when there was a knock on the door, Holmes the butler answered it and she heard her name was mentioned. "Madam there is a Mountie in the Parlour, who wishes to speak to you, in person." He looked sad. "Thank you, I'll be down momentarily. You can head back to bed Holmes." Holmes was an older gentleman but he ran this household like clockwork. He had been serving Eustice for many years. She was grateful, he always had a listening ear for her when she was upset. He held many of her secrets.

"Hello," she shook the Mounties hand and gestured him to sit down on the sofa. "What seems to be the problem?" she sat down in the opposite seat.

"I have some sad news Mrs Parkinson," his eyes were level headed and confident. Clearly, he had practice at delivering bad news.

"What sort of bad news?"

"Your husband, Eustice Parkinson was killed in the Earthquake this evening,"

"How? He was in an office?" she questioned.

"He was in a motorcar heading home, we assume and the earthquake, made the vehicle swerve vehicle went down an embankment."

"Was the driver hurt?"

The Mountie looked at her as though it was a stupid question "No, there was only your husband in the vehicle."

"Eustice always had a driver, he never drove himself anywhere," she said concerned that there could be someone hurt somewhere needing medical attention.

"Your husband's body was taken to the morgue, they will need you to identify his remains."

She shook her head and nodded along. "We are sorry for your loss, Mrs Parkinson," she nodded as a thank you. She sat in the chair for a long time. She had no one to comfort her, herself and Eustice had tried for some years to conceive a child but it fared near impossible. Her family were a couple of miles away. Holmes came in with a pot of fresh tea "my husband is dead, Holmes," she looked up to see his face. He didn't show any remorse but he didn't show any indifference either.

Hope Valley 1911

Elizabeth walked to the saloon clutching her books close to her chest. She was thinking about some of the preparations that needed to be completed ready for their reading session that afternoon. She was also thinking about Jack Thornton. He stood with coffee in his hand watching the people go by. Why did she find him so infuriating but handsome at the same time?

Elizabeth had just finished teaching her classes for the day when Ned Yost came bounding in. "Miss Thatcher, I've got one urgent telegram for you," that was surprising thought Elizabeth, she hoped nothing was wrong with her family. He gave her the telegrams and then went about his business. "thank you, Ned," she called to him as he left.

The telegram was from her father. It stated that her cousin Darla's husband Eustice, was tragically killed yesterday by a motor car during the earthquake. How awful! Herself, Julie and Darla had been so close growing up, despite the age difference between herself and Darla, they had been like best friends. She remembered attending her wedding, she was the maid of honour.

That night, she wrote Darla a letter of apologies for her loss and if she needed anything to contact her directly.

Six months later

All the women were gathered outside the old hospital house. It had been derelict for a few years according to the towns folk. It needed decorating but otherwise it was a lovely place.

"Why is everybody standing there?" she asked Abigail who was walking beside her.

"I have no idea," she replied with the same curiosity as her friend.

Cat Montgomery and Dottie saw the two of them and made a bee-line for them. "Did you hear Elizabeth, we are getting a new doctor based here in Hope Valley…" said Cat, she was filled with excitement.

"The company are sending a new doctor?" Abigail said, taken completely by surprise.

"That's the strangest thing, it's not a company doctor apparently. This doctor is independent according to the mayor, my husband." Dottie said. The idea of an independent doctor seemed to be a strange, confounding idea for all these women. Dottie was always talking about the fact her husband was mayor. You never got through a conversation without it being mentioned.

"Why is that so strange?" asked Elizabeth. Not understanding all the fuss. Back home in Hamilton, independent doctors were the norm.

"Well, the company used to keep a doctor here but there had never been an independent doctor here in Hope Valley…ever…" replied Dottie.

"Not in the time I've lived here," Abigail said, she thought about how many children and people could have been saved, if there was a resident doctor available.

"me neither," Cat agreed.