Those Shaking Hands

by MissJEDoe

New Years Eve, 1899. Julia and her husband, Darcy, are at a party at their friends' house, but he soon realises that something isn't right with her. And the morning after brings something even more condemning for the pair - Something unexpected and unchangeable. Can William fix the damage before he loses Julia? Now complete! Prequel to Those Open Hands

2. Those Shaking Hands part 2

She headed towards the main part of Toronto, towards the only place she felt comfortable. Leaning against the wall of the morgue, under the sign, she laughed at her silliness and wept for her future.

"Oh, Julia." She sighed and brushed her hair out of her eyes. Whatever her future held, it would most certainly include her. So she had to be presentable.

There was one place she wanted to be. One person she wanted to be with.

She walked up the street, heading towards that one place and that one person. They were a good twenty minutes away on foot, but she knew they'd still be there when she got there. They'd wait.

The walk would have provided plenty of time to think about what she'd just done, but Julia really, really didn't want to think about anything that had happened at the house. The whole day had been spent in dread of the evening which had proved to be just as nightmarish as she'd expected. Each conversation – especially the one at dinner! – was like a laugh in her face. Wrong place, they said.

But now she was at the right place. No invite, but everyone knew her and everyone accepted her, as dishevelled and hysterical as she was. A few people called her name.

"Doctor Ogden!" The friendliest voice gasped in disbelief. She looked through her blurry eyes for him.

"George? Where's William?"

George was by her side immediately, steering her back the way she'd just come as he explained. "He left barely ten minutes ago. I'll take you to his house. What's happened to you?"

They were outside now, walking much slower than she wanted. "Darcy and I had a row. I needed to be with my friends." Julia smiled at George, letting him know he was included. This seemed to please him.

"Well, one of them's here now. Are you okay?" He picked up speed for her.

"Yes, thank you George. I'm okay. I just need to see William and try to order my thoughts." He nodded and pointed ahead.

"Just down here. Do you want to run?" He suggested with such a smile on his face Julia wanted to hug him. But there was no time.

"Thank you." They laughed and started jogging, quickly falling into a run as he led her to William's house.

Within moments they were hammering on the front door, each of them gasping for breath.