I awoke to the sound of a heavy thud followed by a pained squawk. Rolling over I glanced down at the floor, my eyes coming to rest on a pile of black feathers. It would appear that my surprise visitor had fallen off Tridgewick's perch. Sighing as I remembered I had to go to the vets today I stumbled out of bed and helped the currently flightless animal off the floor.

Pulling my best strict face I told the slightly flustered owl to stay and headed towards the bathroom. After showering and changing into a fresh pair of robes I headed back to my room to collect the owl, only to find the creature face first on the counter next to the perch. Muttering under my breath I gently picked the owl up before heading down the stairs, deciding to eat breakfast out.

The journey to the vets was interesting to say the least, apparently people rarely tried to get on the underground with an owl. The look on the guards face as I passed the barriers was so comical I had to bite the inside of my cheek to stop from laughing out loud. Smiling to myself I took the steps out of the underground two at a time.

I continued to walk down the street glancing up at the sky as I went; it looked like another storm would soon batter London and I certainly didn't want to be stuck in it. My mood had done a complete 180 turn with the promise of more lightning looming over my head and I wanted to get in and out of the vets as soon as possible.

Just as I approached the clinic's front door the first drops of rain began to decorate the gum covered pavement. Muttering under my breath at the invisible and all-powerful force that seemed intent on ruining my day I flung the door open, wincing as it smashed into the wall behind it.

At first glance the clinic appeared to be deserted not an animal or owner in sight nor was there any sign of an employee. I wondered over to the desk and rang the golden bell that shone in the bright hospital-like lights. A clatter from the office door behind the desk caused the calm bird to flutter its wings before shrieking in pain when in jostled its damaged wing.

I placed the cage on the floor before attempting to calm the now once again frightened and agitated bird. The sound of a door creaking open and papers rustling drew my attention away from the bird and back to the desk. My eyes travelled up a skinny torso clad in green scrubs before landing on a face I didn't think I would ever see again. Judging by his shocked expression he hadn't been expecting to see me again either.