Okay, so I have been pondering how this is going to go for Jean Blake. How and why and what will happen in the new season. This is my thought on how it begins…

All the way with LBJ

Jean sat in the chill morning light staring blankly across the kitchen table at the empty seat. Her cup of tea growing steadily colder in her hands. Three months now. He had been gone three months and there was nothing to fill the empty hole in her heart and life. Damn this government. They had already taken one husband from her, why did they have to take this one too? Bloody Holt and his 'all the way with LBJ' nonsense.

And damn Lucien too. For listening to them, for believing them, for being swayed by their need. For being convinced that the Armed Services had the right to recall him, at his age! It wasn't fair. He had avoided Korea only to now be swept up in this new mess in Indo China.

'Military Liaison and Medical Advisor in Saigon. Only a 6-month assignment; they need me.' Lucien had said to her, pleading. Jean sniffed to herself derisively. What about her? Didn't SHE need him more? Hadn't she already given this country enough?

Derek Alderton had been right though. Lucien was perfect. He spoke impeccable French, and Vietnam was a former colony of France. Many of the educated civilians there spoke French. Or else they spoke Mandarin, and Lucien had a working knowledge of that too. He had contacts throughout Asia, he understood the culture and how things worked in the East.

From the censored letters she had already received it was obvious he was proving invaluable to the military medical team there. Smoothing the way with his charm and eastern sensibilities, Lucien was able to soften the brashness of the Australians and wryly cajole the naïve and blustering Americans into co-operation with the locals. He was homesick and missed her, but he was also enjoying the thrill of being back in active medical service for the army.

Jean sighed again to herself. In the cold light of the day she could understand his need to go and the governments' need for his expertise. But the nights were so lonely without him. Three more months. Jean had to wait three more months before his secondment was finished and he would come home. It was a dangerous part of the world and Jean was worried sick about him. Daily the newspapers reported grim news. She hoped and prayed for his safety. She could only ever be happy again when she was in his arms once more.

There was a thump and a rattle upstairs as Charlie began to move about, getting ready for work. Jean rose from the kitchen table and went over to the sink. She poured her stone-cold cup of tea down the drain and switched on the kettle. She heard Charlie thumping down the stairs and smiled sadly to herself. At least she wasn't totally alone in the house! And Alice would be over later to take the afternoon surgery sessions.

'Morning, Mrs. Blake!' sang out Charlie as he entered the newly renovated kitchen.

Jean schooled her face into pleasantness and turned to her boarder. 'Morning, Charlie' she said with a smile, 'Eggs and toast?'

…

So, I thought this explains his absence, and if Craig cannot return, could explain Blake's continuing disappearance. Wild.