Healing
Chapter 1
A/N After Matthew's death, Mrs Crawley can't cope and is slowly falling apart. Dr Clarkson is trying to find just the right way to help her.
It was a nice, clear day, but he felt his good mood falter as he approached the house. The gardens were well tend, roses in full bloom, sunshine everywhere, but the house remained sombre and in mourning. As was its occupant.
Dr Clarkson sighed and knocked. Moseley opened the door.
'Is Mrs Crawley in?' he asked.
Moseley sighed, stepped aside to allow him entrance and closed the door.
'She is, Dr Clarkson, but I'm afraid she might not want to see you now,' he whispered.
'Nothing has changed then, has it, Moseley?'
'No, Dr Clarkson. When a visitor announces himself in time she gets up and dresses and receives them, that is if she wants to see them at all… lots of times she tells me to send them a message she's indisposed. Other than that, she doesn't leave the house or sometimes not even her dressing room and doesn't want to be bothered.'
'Thank you Mr Moseley, but I will see her as her physician,' he said.
'I honestly don't know what we could do anymore,' the butler sighed.
'Just as long as you know what not to do,' Dr Clarkson remarked. 'Please don't tell her it's such a lovely day and she should enjoy it. That would only result in her having another cry.'
'I know, Dr Clarkson.'
'Mrs Crawley? It's me, Dr Clarkson. May I come in?'
'If you must,' the answer came, rather impolite. He went inside.
The curtains were opened and she was sitting in het wingchair near the window, wrapped in her dressing gown, hair uncombed. She was looking pale and she had lost weight, but worst of all were her empty, staring eyes. His heart cringed at the sight of her. He sat down beside her and took her hand in his, and so they sat for some time. She never said anything, but every now and then a tear fell from her lashes. She couldn't stop crying.
'Isobel,' he tried. She sighed. 'I just can't, Richard,' she said. 'I just can't. Please leave me be.' He stood from his chair. 'I will be back next week,' he promised.
She gave him a shadow of a smile and he left the room.
He walked back to the hospital, feeling extremely worried about his friend. The same scenario had been playing for months now. The visits left him drained, still he went to see her every Tuesday afternoon, rain or shine, hospital bursting with patients or not. He felt it was just about the only thing he could do; letting her know he cared.
TBC
A/N Please tell me what you think!