Jean and Lucien settled into shipboard life, playing deck games, reading and planning to visit some of the ports the ship would dock at on the journey home. Lucien suggested that when they had a proper honeymoon he would take her to Europe and she could explore all those cities she had read about, for herself. They spent their nights together, learning how to please each other, and telling tales of their past lives. She told him of life on the farm, he told her some stories of life as a student and his time in the army, though there were many things he wouldn't speak of, and she respected this, knowing it was the source of the nightmares, he rarely, if ever, had any more.

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Over the next week they stopped in Lisbon just long enough for a wander round the port then settled back to wait until they stopped in Cairo. Jean thought this would be the most exotic place she would ever see and was rather excited which amused Lucien.

They had been playing shuffleboard when there was a cry from further round the deck. It was a cry of pain and Lucien immediately headed in that direction, followed by his wife. There was a crowd of people looking down onto the edge of the swimming pool. Lucien pushed through and saw a young girl, she couldn't have been more that eleven or twelve. She appeared to have fallen from the upper walkway and was lying in a most awkward position.

'Don't move her!' he yelled, 'I'm a doctor, please let me through!' He ran to the stairs leading down to her all the time calling for a stretcher and the medical officer.

He knelt next to her and took her hand,

'Now then young lady,' his voice was soft and soothing, 'what's your name? I'm Lucien, this is Jean,' he indicated his wife who had followed him.

'Caroline,' she held his gaze, 'mummy...?'

'Well, Caroline,' he smiled, 'let's have a look at you, shall we? Can you tell me where it hurts most?'

Caroline told him, in between sobs, that her back hurt and she couldn't feel her legs properly.

'Where's mummy?'

'We'll find her,' Jean leant over, 'what cabin are you in?'

'Number twelve, on deck two,' she hiccupped.

'Let us through, stretcher here!'

'Wait!' Lucien stopped them, 'where's your medical officer?'

'Er...' the orderlies looked at each other.

'Right, I'm Dr Lucien Blake,' he took charge, 'we need to move her as little as possible, get her to the hospital deck and then I'll see what the damage is.'

The orderlies brightened, here was a bloke who knew what he was doing. 'Right, Doc, lead on.'

'I'll go and find her mother,' Jean touched Lucien's arm, 'bring her to the infirmary?'

'Please, love,' he smiled, 'but don't worry her.'

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Mrs Mackie was lying down, hoping that, at last, the seasickness had subsided. She couldn't keep Caroline caged up in the cabin, it was so small and dull; but all she could afford; so she had let her wander with strict instructions to return frequently during the day. She groaned inwardly at the knock at the door, but roused herself sufficiently to go and see who it was.

'Hello,' the woman smiled, 'sorry to bother you but, do you have a daughter named Caroline?'

Mrs Mackie blinked, the woman was obviously well above her social standing, yet seemed kind and gentle.

'Yes, she's around the ship somewhere,' she sighed, 'she hasn't been getting up to mischief, has she?'

'No, not at all,' Jean supposed falling of a walkway was not mischief, 'sorry, I'm Mrs Blake, Caroline has had a fall and been taken to the infirmary. My husband, Dr Blake, is with her.'

'Oh, my goodness!' she put her hand to her mouth and stared, 'how bad is it? I must go to her.'

Jean put her hand on her arm, 'I'm not sure,' she soothed, 'now, let's get your coat, it's a little breezy on deck, and I'll take you to her.'

She found her dated and shabby coat and hastened out of the cabin. 'Your husband is a doctor, you say?' Jean didn't look like the wife of a crew member.

'Yes, we're travelling home,' Jean took her arm, 'we heard her shout so he has taken charge, for now. We're not sure where the ship's doctor is.'

'Oh he's useless,' tears filled her eyes, 'I've been awfully sick and he just told me to rest and drink water.'

'The water is a good idea,' Jean agreed, 'but might I suggest weak, sweet tea and ginger, biscuits work well.'

'I'll try that, I hate leaving Caroline to wander round on her own.' Mrs Mackie turned to Jean, 'I hope your husband is better than the medic.'

'He's a good doctor, though I'm biased,' Jean smiled encouragingly, 'and he has experience of trauma injuries. Ah, here we are.' They stood outside the infirmary and Jean could see Lucien, jacket off, sleeves rolled up, talking to Caroline. She knocked and opened the door when he beckoned her in.

'Lucien this is Caroline's mother, Mrs..?' then she realised she hadn't got the woman's name.

'Mrs Mackie, Brenda,' the woman went to her daughter. 'Caro, love, what have you done?'

'I'm ok, mum,' Caroline tried to smile though she was still in some pain. 'Dr Blake has been looking after me.'

'Caroline has probably cracked the sacrum at the bottom of her back,' Lucien looked to see she understood, 'too low down to cause any permanent damage, I hope, but I'll know more once I see the x-ray.'

'What happened?'

'I was leaning over the rail, watching them in the swimming pool and I got knocked. I tried to hang on, mum honest,' she started to cry, 'but I couldn't.'

'That's probably why she hasn't done as much damage as I initially thought,' Lucien told her, 'ah, here's the x-ray.' He turned to the orderly, 'any sign of the ship's doctor?' he asked.

The orderly shook his head, but Lucien felt there was more to it, he'd find out later, Caroline was more important than a missing medic. Once he had given his patient some painkillers he had acquainted himself with the facilities and found enough supplies to keep her relatively pain free and a small operating theatre should he need it.

Lucien studied the x-ray as it hung on the light box and he could clearly see a fracture on the sacrum, but there was no movement so he surmised that some shock to the spine was the cause of the slight tingling sensation the girl was experiencing and the pain.

As he was explaining the course of treatment he would advocate there was a cursory knock on the door and the Captain entered. The orderly had gone to tell him what had happened and about the doctor that was attending. He had met Dr Blake at dinner one night, at his table, and thought him a thoroughly decent man.

'Dr Blake,' he nodded in Jean's direction to acknowledge her presence, 'what can you tell me?'

Lucien outlined the incident and his proposed treatment,

'...but it is your ship, Captain, and you have a medic on board, though where he is...'

'Are you prepared to take care of her?' the Captain asked, 'only, our medic is a bit of a problem, if you...'

'It would be my pleasure, Captain,' Lucien smiled, 'Caroline needs to stay still for some time, so she will need full time nursing...'

'Whatever you need, doctor, there is a nurse on board, I've sent the orderly for her.'

'Thank you, I shall update you later.' Lucien shook his hand and returned to his patient.

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With Caroline settled with the nurse and her mother, Lucien and Jean went to see the Captain and find out what had happened to the ship's official doctor.

'Supposed to be working his passage,' Captain Jones grunted, 'pouring them both a drink, 'taken on by the board, not me. Never met the fella until he turned up. Blake, he's a nightmare, drinks too much... '

Lucien avoided his gaze for a moment, '...never where you need him, and I've had complaints from the passengers.'

'Mrs Mackie said he was useless when it came to helping her with her seasickness,' Jean sipped her sherry.

'God, how hard is it?' Jones ran his hands through his sparse, grey hair.

'Weak sweet tea, ginger in biscuit form usually works,' Jean offered, smiling, 'that's what I suggested.'

'You a nurse?' he grinned.

'No, but I've worked with Lucien's late father and Lucien for long enough to pick up some tips,' she reached over and took Lucien's hand, 'and, anyway,' she added, 'everyone knows ginger is good for stomach upsets.'

The Captain smiled then turned back to Lucien,

'Dr Blake, this is quite an imposition but as you have begun the girl's treatment...'

'I will carry on, no need to worry about that.'

'But, Mrs Blake,' he turned to her, 'this is your holiday, I shouldn't impose.'

'Between ourselves, Captain, I think Lucien is getting a little bored with nothing to do, he's used to being a GP and police surgeon,...'

'Jean, please,' he teased, 'I have you to keep me busy.'

Jean gave him a look, that stopped him saying anymore, '...as I said, Captain, he likes to be occupied, solving puzzles. I'm sure there will not be many medical issues during the voyage, please make use of him if you need to.' She smiled.

'You are most generous,' the Captain sighed with relief, 'I will see your passage is refunded, as a gesture of goodwill.'

'There's no need...'

'There is,' he nodded firmly, 'why should you pay to do your job?'

'That's very kind of you, Captain,' Jean finished her drink, 'now, Lucien, I think we should leave the Captain in peace and go and find some lunch. I should take some to Mrs Mackie, too.'

Lucien stood and extended his hand and they headed to the dining room.

'You know you are a little bored, darling,' she squeezed his arm, 'and a little work as a ship's doctor won't take you away from me that much.'

'Are you sure, sweetheart, after all we've only just got married,' he stopped and turned to her, 'my focus should be on you alone.'

'It is, and as long as we don't have an outbreak of murders, fights or disease I don't think you will be away from me that much.' Jean sat down at a table, 'now I think I should order something for Mrs Mackie and Caroline, to be taken down to the infirmary, don't you?'

'I think that's a good idea, Caroline needs fruit and vegetables, meat and fish. Those will help her recovery, and Mrs Mackie...'

'Something light,' Jean perused the menu and selected a light meal for both of them and then they saw to themselves.

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Mrs Mackie was very surprised at the food sent down to them, it was definitely not off the menu for their deck.

'Doctor's orders, ma'am,' the steward smiled, 'says you can't look after Miss Caroline if you're not properly nourished.' He put the tray down and bowed a little bow before leaving. Lucien had tipped him handsomely to see to them for the rest of the voyage.

Lucien called later, to see how Caroline was doing. He found her sleeping, the pain medication working and he told her mother that that was the best thing for her. In a week he would see if she could manage to walk with crutches a little, then get her up on deck to take in the sunshine. He would see her daily and review her progress.

'You are so kind, Dr Blake, your town is lucky to have you.' Mrs Mackie gushed.

'You're too kind,' he smiled, 'there are some that would argue with that opinion, but, no matter. Where are you heading?'

'My sister moved to a place called Beaufort, with her husband. They have a small farm and run the post office,' she sighed, 'she says they could do with some help and as I was a teacher I might be able to help in the post office.'

'I know a Beaufort, State of Victoria?' he checked unless she meant a Beaufort elsewhere.

'Yes, do you live close?' Mrs Mackie brightened, she was viewing the move with some trepidation, knowing only her sister and brother in law.

'Ballarat. It's not far away,' he smiled, 'about half an hour, maybe a little more.'

'Oh, I see.'

Lucien took his leave, saying he would pop by later and have a meal sent down for the two of them.

Outside he spoke to the nurse and asked her to encourage Mrs Mackie to take a turn round the deck while Caroline slept.

'I rather think she would like to spend the night here, too...'

'I'll have the next bed made up for her, doctor,' the nurse replied with a smile, 'it's no trouble, we're not busy.'

'If you need me have me tannoyed,' he left with a smile, Jean was right, just a little doctoring was rather nice, even if he was on his honeymoon.

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For the next week, Lucien attended to Caroline twice a day and was pleased to see she was soon pain free and the tingling sensation had stopped. He suggested the nurse find a ring-shaped cushion for her to sit on, to keep the pressure off her sacral area and they would see about some crutches for her. She was his only patient so while he was attending to her, Jean would take her mother for, what he called, a turn round the deck.

They had tea and talked, so Jean found out quite a lot about her circumstances and the reasons for her leaving England. Her husband was a gambler and had got into serious debt with the bookies. She was ashamed of him and when he took his own life knew she could not bear to stay where she was gossiped about and shunned. Jean sympathised and told her she completely understood.

'I'm worried about the doctor's bill, Mrs Blake. I know Caroline needs the treatment, but...'

'Don't you worry about that, at all,' Jean patted her hand, 'there is nothing to pay. The Captain has asked him to be ship's doctor for the rest of the voyage, and even if he wasn't he wouldn't take a penny for Caroline's care.'

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Jean lay curled up against her husband, he had made love to her slowly, touching every part of her with his fingers, his mouth, sometimes she thought she would lose consciousness as he took her out of this world.

'Lucien...' she drew circles with her finger on his chest, '...can we help the Mackie's in some way?'

'How? She has family to go to, and they won't be far away.' He turned and looked at her.

'I don't know, but I do know she isn't really looking forward to staying with her sister.'

'Tell you what,' he pulled her close, 'why don't we let her do what she has set out to do, I need to keep an eye on Caroline for a while, I can keep an eye on her mother too. They won't be far away.' He kissed her nose and lay back, smiling at the gentle caring soul he had married.

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Cairo was fascinating as well as a little frightening to Jean, and they had a whole day there. It was bustling and noisy, small children begged for money but Lucien told her not to, they would follow them all over the place.

'Can I give them some fruit, perhaps,' Jean hated to see children hungry and even without access to Lucien's money, as his wife, she would have found a way to see them fed.

'That's a better idea,' he agreed and helped her buy a box of mixed fruit and hand it out to the children gathered round them.

The bazaar was full of stalls of food, trinkets, pots and pans and they were constantly entreated to buy. Lucien bought her a long cotton scarf and draped it over her head and shoulders as protection against the sun. She held his hand tightly as they were jostled by camels and donkeys and skipped out of the way of cars and buses. They declined the offer of a camel ride to the Valley of the Kings, they would not be able to take full advantage of it, but Lucien did suggest they add it to their itinerary for their proper honeymoon. Jean wasn't sure about riding a camel but thought she may be a little braver by then, whenever it turned out to be.

They admired the architecture and heard the faithful be called to prayer before deciding they would head back to the ship, check on Caroline and Jean said she'd like a bath before dinner, she felt a little dusty.

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The cool of the stateroom was refreshing as was the jug of iced lemonade Lucien ordered for them. He watched her sit down on the bed and remove her shoes, rubbing her tired feet.

'Thank you for taking me,' she smiled, 'it was amazing.'

'My pleasure, shall I run you a bath?' He grinned.

'That would be lovely,' she nodded, 'but can you undo me first please.' She turned her back to him and let him, slowly, pull the zip of her dress down. He could see her smile in the mirror and bent to kiss her neck.

He ran a warm, but not hot, bath and said he would just check Caroline and be back very shortly.

'Very shortly,' he insisted, as she pouted.

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Caroline was sitting on the special cushion they had fashioned for her and said she had been out on deck for a few minutes using the crutches.

'How was it?' Lucien asked, as he did his usual checks.

'Not too bad, a bit sore,' the girl admitted, 'may I try again tomorrow?'

'If you feel up to it, yes,' he smiled, 'but before you do I want to have another x-ray done, just to see how it's doing.'

'Ok,' Caroline smiled.

'Take it easy for the rest of the evening and get a good night's sleep,' he nodded at Mrs Mackie, 'you too. The stewards will bring your meals down later.'

'Thank you, Dr Blake,' Mrs Mackie smiled, 'you have been very kind, the food, it's not from our menu, you shouldn't go to any trouble on our behalf.'

'Good nutrition is essential for Caroline's recovery, Mrs Mackie,' he touched her arm, 'and it's no trouble.'

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Jean was still lying in the bath when he returned, the water had begun to cool but when she heard him come through the door she turned the hot tap on to raise the temperature a bit. He heard the water run and smiled to himself, there was plenty of time before dinner to tend to his wife's needs, and his.

'Now then, Mrs Blake, is there anything I can get you?' he teased, 'back rub?'

'That'll do to start with,' she smiled but kept her eyes closed.

She wasn't particularly tense when he started to massage her shoulders but by the time he slipped in behind her she was completely relaxed, and only just awake. She hummed as his hands moved over her shoulders and he scooped handfuls of the warm water over her breasts.

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They ordered dinner in their stateroom having eventually got out of a cold bath and decided not to bother getting dressed again. It was a luxury they would not be able to have when they got home, it would not be the same if Jean cooked then took the meal to their room.

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Alice closed the file and headed up to see Matthew. It was going to be a long case; a murder, one body, male, not well known in the town but Cec Drury had identified him as Rod Matson, just passing through, looking for odd jobs. Cec had said he was a general labourer, he'd done a little bit of work for him, some repair work to the back of the club, and new tiling in the Ladies Powder Room. Harmless, he'd said, good worker, quiet. Someone had killed him, bludgeoned him to death with something wooden, Alice had found splinters in the head wound amongst the pieces of skull, hair and dried blood. Any identifying papers had been removed along with any cash he may or may not have had. She had done her part of the investigation now it was up to Matthew and his men to find out who had done the deed, and why.

'Senseless,' she slumped into the chair usually occupied by Dr Blake and passed her report to Matthew, 'completely senseless, if what Mr Drury says is true about him.' Matthew smiled, she was the only one who ever referred to Cec so formally.

'Well, he's usually a good judge of character,' he opened the file and scanned down the neatly typed script finished with her equally neat signature. 'So we're looking for a piece of wood.'

'Mahogany,' she noted.

'Yeah, right,' he kept the smile a bay, only she or Lucien would go to the trouble of identifying the wood from a head wound.

'It will have blood on it,' she also informed him, 'probably some hair. Mahogany is usually used for furnishings, so maybe a table leg or part of a chair, banister...shall I go on?'

'I get it, doctor,' he sighed, 'planned or spontaneous, is also a question we should ask.'

'Lucien would say something like this is not planned,' she hummed, 'a chance meeting in the alley, an argument, maybe, then...'

'You're turning into him.' Matthew smirked.

She stood and leant over, 'but I bet you're glad you aren't sleeping with him,' she whispered, winked and left him trying not to blush.

He watched her leave then called for Bill, Charlie and Ned to go out and see if they could find the weapon, as described by Dr Harvey.

Alice smiled as she left the office, heading to Lucien's house to take surgery for him. Since they had banded together to help Lucien they had grown close, her and the superintendant. More than close, the drink after the closing of one case had led to more, and, while they didn't regularly share a bed, even Charlie had noticed the appearance of the doctor at breakfast more often than not. However, sensibly, he declined to comment on this. She wondered what they would do when Dr and Mrs Blake returned, she didn't want to embarrass Jean by joining the household but not requiring her own room. Something to think about, she supposed, but for now, GP duties and tea.

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Alice dined with Charlie and Matthew that evening and they discussed the case.

'This kind of thing usually only happens in a street brawl,' Charlie chewed thoughtfully, 'you know, if a game of two up goes wrong.'

'Or a bit of street gambling, horses, dogs...' Matthew mused. 'Anything like that going on lately?'

'Not that I know of,' he shrugged his shoulders.

'Worth a look,' Matthew thought, 'send Bill out, he's on nights. I'll ring him now.'

Bill agreed that it was a good idea to go and patrol the alleys where two up was usually found, as well as a few others. He'd take a couple of constables with him.

They washed the dishes and went to sit with their evening whisky, or rather Dr Blake's whisky, which Matthew had retrieved from its hiding place.

Matthew held his glass up and looked at the light catching the edges of the design, 'wonder how they're doing,' he muttered.

'No news is good news,' Alice replied, 'I suppose we'll find out soon enough.'

'Hm...' he mused, looking at her out of the corner of his eye.

Sensing he was surplus to requirements, Charlie said he would head up to bed,

'Early shift tomorrow, need my beauty sleep,' he smiled and ducked as a cushion flew past his head.

'Kids,' Matthew laughed, 'now, how to amuse ourselves?' he winked.

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Alice woke as the light sneaked through the curtain. 'amuse ourselves,' she smirked to herself, thinking of the previous night. She untangled herself from Matthew and stretched.

Matthew murmured, stretched and grunted as his knee cracked. She turned and wriggled down under the covers to put her warm hand on the injury.

'Mmm...' he sighed, 'that's nice.'

She poked her head up from under the covers and smirked again, then disappeared from his view and he jumped as he felt her start to pepper his hips and stomach with light kisses.

'Right, doctor,' he teased, reaching down and hauling her up by her arms, 'lovely idea but I have to get to the station and see if Bill found anything last night, and I don't believe it is your day off.'

She stuck her tongue out and rolled out of bed. Grabbing his robe, she headed for the bathroom leaving him lying in the bed and grinning.

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Caroline continued her slow and steady recovery under Dr Blake's watch. He went to see the Captain regularly and he took him to see the doctor who had been assigned to the ship, originally.

He was a sorry sight, dishevelled, unshaven and not particularly fragrant. Lucien shook his head, sadly, before telling him to get cleaned up, tidy his quarters and meet him on the fore deck in an hour.

'Why was he foisted on you?' He asked the Captain as they strolled along the deck.

'I really don't know,' he admitted, 'I don't have a say in the crew, unless there is someone I know is not up to the job. I usually have a crew meeting in the first couple of days, but he didn't appear at that. It was the orderlies who told me he was drunk in his cabin. It's not unusual to have a medic work their passage one way, and then I have to find one to work the passage the other way. The nurse is doing that, but she's is capable and there's one waiting in Melbourne to come back with us.'

'Right, well, having been in a dark place, I'll see if I can get through to him later.' Lucien sighed.

'If he appears,' the Captain huffed.

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He did appear, he had showered and shaved, but his uniform was creased. Lucien sat him down and caught a passing steward requesting some tea. He refused to say why he had taken the post.

'You know, you are doing yourself no favours. I've been where you are, I know. Now if you don't want the responsibility, fine, I'll carry on, we've only got ten days left, and I will have to oversee Caroline Mackie's care after she leaves the ship anyway.'

'Who?'

'Exactly, twelve years old, cracked sacrum from a fall two weeks ago. You were nowhere to be found, I've been ships doctor since then.' Lucien chastised him, 'she was lucky, they say. If I hadn't been on board, on my honeymoon, then what would have happened? Nobody else came forward.'

'They said nothing happens on a ship,' the doctor grumbled.

'You can't guarantee that, but you still need to be ready for action, sober and smartly dressed.' Lucien stood up, he'd spent enough time away from Jean that day, 'sort yourself out, son. You're doing yourself no favours.'

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He found Jean relaxing on deck, reading a magazine and drinking tea.

'Sorry, darling,' he bent and kissed her, 'I went to try to get some sense out of the doctor.'

'And...' she shaded her eyes and smiled.

'Won't say why he was put on board. Told him to smarten himself up but that I would continue as ships doctor, especially for Caroline.' He sat down. 'I decided not to read him the riot act, yet.'

'Good,' she put her magazine down, 'now, are you busy?'

'Not at the moment,' he grinned.

'I have need of a doctor, a particular doctor...' she murmured coyly, holding out her hand.

'How can I help you, my dear,' he smiled as they headed for their stateroom.

'Well, doctor...'

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'Feeling better, Mrs Blake?' he asked as she curled into his side.

'Much, thank you, doctor,' she giggled.

They lay in silence, occasionally kissing.

'We won't be able to do this at home,' she sighed.

'You're my wife,' he gasped, 'we can sleep together, now.'

'I mean in the middle of the afternoon,' she batted his chest lightly, 'you have surgeries, cases...'

'Not always. Some afternoons will be free, and if Charlie's on duty...' he turned on his side and looked at her, there was a mischievous twinkle in his eye. She felt his arms snake round her and he rolled, pulling her on top of him. She gasped as she felt his hardness between them and his fingers start to explore. She bent her head, her lips met his and their tongues slid over each other.

His fingers were dipping in and out of her, but she wanted more. She moved up and angled herself to guide him in. They moved together until she arched and called his name, feeling him spill into her, then fell onto him, panting softly, planting little kisses into the sparse covering of hair on his chest.

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Apart from looking after Caroline there was little else for Lucien to do as ship's doctor. A couple of trips, grazed knees on children, which the nurse could handle and a case of sickness, that turned out to be morning sickness and a rather pleased new husband. Lucien had smiled as the young couple had left the surgery and, in the back of his mind, wondered if he and Jean would be that lucky, it would be nice, he thought but decided not to mention it to Jean.

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The day came when they docked in Melbourne.

'You go and sort out Caroline,' Jean pushed him out of the stateroom, 'I'll pack.'

'Sure?' he raised his eyebrows.

'I've been doing it long enough, darling. Now go,' she shooed him away, smiling. 'Don't forget to send a telegram to Matthew, to pick us up from Ballarat Station.'

He waved and headed off to arrange a wheelchair for Caroline, write a prescription for pain relief, if she needed it, send telegrams to Matthew, Caroline's aunt and uncle and have a quick word with the Captain.

Jean happily packed their clothes, the few things they had picked up on their walks round Lisbon and Cairo, and checked the drawers, bathroom cabinet and under the bed for any errant socks or stockings that had been hastily discarded. Satisfied she had found everything, she put the suitcases by the door ready to be taken off the ship. She slipped Lucien's wallet and their passports into her handbag and went to find him with Caroline and Mrs Mackie.

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'Now, Mrs Mackie, Caroline, here is a letter from me for your family and one for the local doctor,' he was handing two envelopes to her when Jean walked in, 'they detail Caroline's injury and treatment so far. I have also written instructions for her further care and also my home number and address should you or the doctor wish to get in touch.'

'You have been very kind to us, Dr Blake, Mrs Blake,' Brenda smiled, 'may I call you if I have any concerns?'

'Of course,' he wrote his number on a separate slip of paper, 'any time. Remember, I'm only half an hour away, but I will call in about a week to see how you are getting on.'

'That would be lovely, we'd like that,' she nodded, 'wouldn't we, Caro?'

'Oh, please do come, doctor,' the young girl urged, 'it would be lovely to see both of you.'

'Then we shall both come,' Jean smiled. 'Everything sorted, Lucien?'

'Yes, their transport is arranged and I've sent all the telegrams,' he offered her his arm, 'we should go and see the Captain before we leave,' he turned to Mrs Mackie and her daughter, 'take care, we'll see you soon.'

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Matthew and Alice stood watching the train come in, scanning the windows for Dr and Mrs Blake. Alice had said she would accompany Matthew just to give Lucien a fright, after what she had done to him weeks ago.

'There they are,' Alice pointed to a carriage as the train slowed to a stop. Jean's head was sticking out of a window, with Lucien's above her. They both waved then disappeared to collect their suitcases.

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'Welcome home, Jean,' Matthew pulled her into a tight hug, 'Mrs Blake,' he smiled.

'Its' good to be back, Matthew, London was cold and dark,' she returned the hug and added a kiss to his cheek. 'Alice,' she turned to the pathologist, 'I don't know what you did to him, but, thank you, thank you both.'

Alice just smiled and squeezed her hand. She looked at Lucien, standing back a little, 'It's ok, Lucien,' she laughed, 'I think I'll leave you to Jean's tender mercies.'

'Thank you, Alice, for what you did, anyway. I did deserve it.'

She just hummed in agreement.

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The house was warm and waves of peace settled over Jean as she walked through the door. There was the enticing smell of roast chicken floating from the kitchen and the radio was tuned to her favourite station.

She smiled and wandered down the hall, noticing that the dusting had been done, everywhere looked as it should do, with fresh flowers on the hall table and the day's mail neatly stacked ready to be opened and read. Tears pricked at her eyes, they had obviously made a special effort for her, for both of them, she felt as if she had just nipped out to buy some groceries. In the kitchen Charlie was boiling the kettle for tea, he turned and smiled, 'Cuppa?'

'Lovely,' she crossed to him and squeezed his arm, 'thank you, Charlie,' she murmured.

'No worries.'

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They sat in the living room drinking tea and retelling some of their adventures. Jean leant against Lucien on the couch and smiled. They were home, they would renew their vows, ignore the gossip, which, if something didn't happen in the next few days, would have some fact to it, she thought, travel Europe for their proper honeymoon, and settle down as Dr and Mrs Blake, in Ballarat, with their friends. As Charlie so rightly said,

No worries.

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Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for the lovely reviews. x