Chapter 2
A/N Thank you all who read this and reviewed!
With a heavy heart he entered his office at the hospital, only to be presented with an urgent request for a home visit.
'At Downton Abbey? Who is it now,' he asked the nurse, feeling tired.
'It's the housekeeper Dr Clarkson. Mrs…er,'
'Mrs Hughes,' he added. Now that was something new. That woman had the strength of an ox. A fellow Scot she was, too, not that it made any difference of course.
'Did they tell you anything about the symptoms?' he asked, and smiled when the nurse brought him a cup of tea and a sandwich. It was her way to tell him there was no need to neglect his own health as well, and to at least take a small tea break and have something to eat. She reported: 'She is feverish, very much so since after noon. According to the housemaids she appeared to be not very well for the past days, although she never said anything.'
'Well, why am I not surprised,' he said, while savouring his tea and sandwich. 'You know, nurse Evans, you get to know your patients after so many years. That stubborn woman has to be half dead before asking for any help at all, so I'll go see her right away.' He stood up, checked his bag and headed for Downton.
~oOo~
Since he came to see one of the servants, he presented himself at the back door. No need for the staff to make any extra efforts, he had always thought.
Today however, he was greeted by an unusually hasty footman. 'Oh Dr Clarkson, come in please. Mr Carson, it's the doctor! Mr Carson will see you, excuse me doctor,' and away the footman was.
'Dr Clarkson!' the butler boomed, 'I am glad you were able to come right away. Mrs Hughes has been taken ill and at a most inconvenient time, I must say. The family are having a hunting party this weekend, many guests are staying over and we are understaffed as it is. I hope you'll be able to patch her up quickly, because we can't miss anyone now.'
'I'll see what I can do,' Dr Clarkson said, somewhat surprised. 'First I would like to see her, however.'
'Of course. Lily!,' he barked at one of the younger maids. 'Please escort Dr Clarkson to Mrs Hughes' rooms and come back at once. And should you see Anna, tell her I need her immediately!' The young maid nodded and rushed up the stairs as if the devil was at her heels.
She paused at one of the doors in the servants attic. 'This is Mrs Hughes' room, sir.'
He knocked and went in with the maid, and they found Anna in the room, sitting next to the bed and trying to make the patient drink some tea.
'Anna, Mr Carson needs you at once!' the young girl piped.
'Thank you, Lily,' he said and she rushed off.
Anna looked tired and almost as white as the clean sheets she had brought to the room, and he pushed her into one of the chairs. 'What's going on here?' he asked. 'I have been trying to look after Mrs Hughes,' the maid said, 'but I'm hardly given any time. Mrs Patmore has been checking on her as well, but as you have noticed, after five minutes someone starts shouting they need us elsewhere, mostly Mr Carson.' She sighed. 'I am worried about Mrs Hughes, doctor. I think she is very ill.' He smiled at the girl. 'I will examine her now, Anna. I believe I can manage on my own, given the circumstances. You may go, Mr Carson needs you. I will look after Mrs Hughes and report to Mr Carson after I've finished.'
'Thank you Dr Clarkson,' Anna said and left.
~oOo~
Mrs Hughes, it's me, Dr Clarkson,' he informed her.
He pulled a straight wooden chair to the bed, sat down and finally had the chance to examine the patient. He started by just observing her. She was burning with fever, and breathing heavily. He removed the thick comforter and replaced it with an single sheet, relieved to see she was only wearing a cotton shift. He took a towel, poured cool water from the pitcher on the nightstand over it and gently washed her face. He lifted her head and flipped the pillow so her head lay on the cooler side now, and he gathered the tangled locks of dark hair and placed it over the pillow.
She didn't say anything, but looked more relaxed.
'Mrs Hughes, how are you?'
No reaction. He smiled to himself and decided for a different approach.
'M'eudail.'
She opened her eyes and looked at him.
'I'm glad to see you're awake. I need to examine you, Mrs Hughes,' he informed her. She didn't answer him and so he took her wrist and counted. Too fast. He took his stethoscope and placed it on her chest. 'Please sigh,' he asked. She didn't react. He put his hand over her nose and mouth for a few seconds, let go when se started to squirm and sighed alright. What he heard made him frown.
He put the thermometer under her arm and made sure she lay as comfortable as possible.
'I don't need your exact temperature to tell me you're seriously ill, Mrs Hughes,' he said. 'It will only help to convince a certain butler that you are. I think you are having a bad case of pneumonia. You need to stay in bed for at least two weeks.'
She didn't say anything, and that confirmed his thoughts. He removed the thermometer and
read her fever at 40.2 degrees. Once more he dabbed her face and neck with the cool wet towel, then he wetted his handkerchief and placed it on her forehead. 'I will leave now, but I'll make sure you are being cared for,' he promised.
~oOo~
In the servant's hall he asked for a word with Mr Carson. 'How is she doctor? I need her on her feet as soon as possible,' the butler growled. 'I'm sorry Mr Carson, but at the moment I am unable to patch her up, as you put it earlier,' he felt his irritation grow. 'In fact, if things continue to go as they are now, there's a chance she'll never be on her feet again. She is very seriously ill and she needs constant care!'
'I can't miss any of the staff to look after her now! We expect many important guests, a Duke will staying at the house, and…'
'And a Duke getting the wrong fork is more important to you than the life of your housekeeper?!' Dr Clarkson almost shouted the last words. 'I see Mr Carson! Very well, you take care of your Dukes and I will take care of your Mrs Hughes. Good day to you!' He felt a grim satisfaction to see the butler blush slightly. 'I didn't mean to…, of course we all want Mrs Hughes to get well…' he actually stumbled. 'That's alright Mr Carson. Now I need to use the telephone. There's one in your pantry I believe?'
He asked to be connected to Crawley House. 'Moseley? It's me, Clarkson. Please get Mrs Crawley ready to leave. I am in need of her skills. I'll come over right away to fetch her!'
A/N Mr Carson is a bit of a prat in this…I hope he comes around .
