She spent more of her time at the Abbey again, where she was involved in talks and chats with the family and Mary. Although they did they best to occupy her, she didn´t feel that relaxed in their company. She missed something. She missed Richard and work. She hasn´t seen him few days and every time she tried to reach him using telephone, he was somewhere else than home or hospital. Isobel played with children again and Sybie did her best work to entertain her favourite aunt. Lonelyness was forgotten for another hour. Sybie played nurse again. With older apron, that Mrs. Hughes shortened for her, she took care of her ill dolls that were laying on floor. She tried to heal everyone and was babbling different diagnoses every now and then.
- I don´t like that!- she said at once and looked worried at Isobel with a roller she took from wooden building kit that served as a stethoscope. Isobel looked directly at her, being afraid that the little girl means the lack of attention she was paying to her while playing with baby George.
- What, sweetie?- she asked anyway hoping that she is wrong. Sybie pointed at her teddy bear and with concern in voice answered this question as well.
- I think that Teddy is ill.- she took him into her arms and handed him to Isobel. – I have heard the bacilli as well.- the little girl remarked. Isobel was astonished just by the fact that the kid knew such word. – Bacilli? Are you sure?- she asked anyway continuing in play and listened Teddy´s belly holding George still in her arms. – You might be right, Sybie.- she concluded finally because of the questioning look in Sybil´s eyes. – Try to use this stethoscope. It might help.- the girl said handing her the roller with bright smile upon her face.
– Who did you learn such things?- Isobel wanted to know even is she was almost sure by the answer and used the roller.
- Richie!- she exclaimed happily and continued explaining as if it was the most common thing. – He is the doctor and I always help him when he comes to heal somebody. The last time he was there, he lend me his stethoscope,- she smiled, - and do you know what I heard?-
- No.- Isobel answered amused by that child and put George down to let him play with Sybie´s teddy.
- Ticking.- Sybie said. – But not the ticking you hear in hours but the BUM BUM like one.- she pointed at her heart. George clapped with his little hands and repeated the BUM BUM sounds. Both of the girls smiled.
- George is funny, when he tries to talk.- Sybie remarked and joined him in play. – Will he always be like that?-
- No. He just needs to learn it properly and that may last some time. But if you help him, he will succed sooner or later.- Isobel kissed him on top of his golden haired head.
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Isobel stayed there another hour and then tired little bit left the Abbey saying good bye to the family. It started to darken after several minutes and the temperature was falling down rapidly when the wind started to blow. She speeded up. Isobel was still wearing an autumn coat and at that moment she wondered why. As she passed through the alley of grey pines, everything darkened even more. The solituted embraced her again breathing at her from behind the high trees, which made the look of the surrounding country even more gloomy. She wrapped the coat around her tighter and hurried up more. She wanted to leave that bleaky alley as soon as possible and see the weak light of dying afternoon again. Finally, Isobel reached the crossroad leading to the main path towards the village. The road to the center was still long, but the worst part was behind her. She sighed and burrowed into her thoughts once more trying to ignore all the negative ones. Suddendly, somewhere in the distance, she hear her own name. She didn´t pay any attention to it but when that voice called her name again, she stopped and turned around trying to find out from which direction was that sound coming.
- Isobel!- the person called her name the thrid time.
- Richard?- she answered recognizing his voice eventually and after another moment she saw the well known person clearly as well. Her heart leapt for joy, she smiled and walked toward him.
- I had tried to phone you so many times, but you were never there.- she reproached him slightly when they met.
- I did the same but I always heard just the voice of your cook telling me you are at Abbey.- he replied and offered her his arm which she gladly accepted.
- I suppose you are coming from the Abbey.- they continued together. Isobel nodded.
- And you are coming from another patient visit.- she noticed his medical bag.
- The influenza hasn´t launched into epidemy fortunately, but the need to control all the ill patients is always present.- he admitted.
- I´ve heard you started to train new nurse.- Isobe broached focusing on his changing face expression that seemed little bit confused.
- New nurse?- he repeated, - That´ s your job. You have always trained them.- Isobel smiled and began with explaining.
- It is usually, that´s right but it seems that you did my job when lecturing little Sybie Branson.-
- Oh, she played the nurse again.- he smiled as well.
- Yes. She tried to listen to the heartbeat of her teddy bear using stethoscope and claimed to hear bacilli.-
- Bacilli?- he wondered.
- Bacilli. I suppose she heard that from you.- she was joyfull because the shadow of solutide was slowly passing away.
- Maybe.- he admitted nodding and smiled. – She reminds me of you sometimes.-
- Is she mixing herself into your work as well?- she joked remembering the first weeks of their cooperation.
- I didn´t mean that and you know it very well.- he opposed and Isobel nodded, smiled, and with little blush in her cheeks looked in front of her. They were slowly reaching the village. – She likes exploring new things and ways just like you as well as helping others.-
- Mybe she will help us in the hospital once.-
- Dowager Countess wouldn´t be pleased.- he chuckled. Isobel wrapped her hands around his shoulder tighter.
- She will have to. The world changes so fast and she is becoming aware of it more and more every day.- she said continuing, - Anyway, Sybie became fond of you always asking when will you visit her next.-
- I am honoured.- Richard admitted even though he didn´t know what that child saw on him. – But it is impossible now when so many people need the doctor and to be honest, it is inappropriate.-
- Inappropriate? Maybe in your eyes, but,- she protested but Richard stopped her. He heard something reminding him of moaning in the distance. – Do you hear it as well?- he asked. Isobel silenced and focused on the sounds around. – I think I hear something like groans. Did you mean that?-
- Yes.- he nodded and then they heard it again but louder as well as some rude words or invectives.
- Richard?- she addressed him little bit frightened. The look in his eyes told her what was on his mind.
- Stay here, Isobel!- he ordered her without hint of joke. She released him unwillingly and kept her eyes on him as he was disappearing in the shadowy distance. Richard was leaving her and she couldn´t do anything to stop him. Doctor Clarkson knew immediately what was going on- somebody was being beaten. He knew that it might be dangerous and that mainly because of Isobel´s presence, but he truly hoped she would listen to his order this time. With every step he took he could hear and see more. The moans and groans multiplied in their intesity. Eventually he recognized 2 men. He took a deep breath that gave him more courage and shouted at the two of them: - What are you doing! Begone!- his scottish accent intensified. The men stopped at once and turned around surprised. They looked at the man running towards them and laughed: - An old man!- said one with sneer. Richard let his medical bag fall down. Scrounger in long, dirty coat attacked him with fists directing to his face, but Richard reacted quickly. He managed to strike back and blocked scrounger´s fist with elbow. With the second hand clenched into fist Richard hit man´s abdomen smiting the liver and pushed him to the stone wall lining the road. The man moaned, but didn´t give up while the second aggressor kicked the person laying on the road in pain. Richard pushed the man with all his weight and hit him again in the liver. Man groaned but managed to free his fist and smit Richard in the hip. He murmured some angry words and his face was crossed by pain. He gritted his teeth in silent fury and stroke man´s flank with knee with all his power. He shouted from pain that escalated through his body and froze unable to move. The second man turned around and left his victim. His commrade was crying in pain slowly falling down still beaten by fists of that old man. He run toward Richard. The next moment Richard was surprised by the sudden grip of his shoulder. Fist reached his face hitting the nose and the thuno into his ribs followed. Isobel could hear everything and was paralysed when she heard Richard´s groan. She started to run that way without thinking. She couldn´t stand there. She was scared too much and not becuase of herself. – Richard!- she cried calling his name cathing the attention of the man boxing to Richard. The second one was still laying on the ground in pain.
- Richard!- She shouted once more being closer. Richard felt worry hitting his mind because he saw the lusty look in that man´ eyes. The man, thinking that Richard was done, turned around and looked at Isobel that stopped few meters before them.
- You won´t touch her!- Richard cried suddenly and grabbed his leg pulling him to ground. After this he thumped him even more angrily hitting his face and abdomen at almost the same time.
- You won´t near her!- Richard gasped beating him furiously. Isobel wasn´t able to look at it but saw the resolution in Richard´s action. She heard the moaning again coming from the distance. She grabbed Richard´s bag and went that way. Man in pain and need was there. She kneeled down turning him so he faced her. – Barrow!- she whispered with shock and opened the bag taking out of it everything she needed to examine him and cure the visible wounds. She could still hear the sounds of fight in the distance and had to close her eyes every time she heard Richard´s moan. He was in pain but fought anyway. He couldn´t stop, not if they knew that Isobel was there as well. Blood was running from his nose, and the second man almost joined the fight. Richard had to react quickly and get rid of his grip that almost caused hi fall. In the last second he grabbed the coat of the another man and pulled him down as well. Fighting like mad he managed to get rid of them. Another cry was heard and Isobel turned around when strong light blinded her. – A car!- she said and stood up waving with her hands. The car stopped.
- Mrs. Crawley?- said the shocked man when he saw her. It was William Robinson, the farm man, returning from markt. He heard the voices and sounds as well and looked that way
- Is doctor Clarkson there?- he guessed directly. Isobel nodded and with cry-like voice answered.
- Yes. Please, help him!- Mr. Robinson run that way and Isobel returned to Barrow. He reached the fight and tore the man from Richard, even though he wasn´t fighting anymore, just holding the line of doctors coat. Richard breathed heavily but manage to stand up.
- Joe Cocker and Hank Burns.- Mr. Robinson said looking at the groaning men. – Are you alright doctor?- he asked immediately.
- Aye.- Richard nodded calming down slowly before he went Isobel´s way.
- What happened?- William asked him following his steps.
- Later.- Richard said. Only then Mr. Robinson saw the man Isobel was trying to nurse. Richard kneeled next to her and sighed from pain. – How is he?- he asked relieved that she is unharmed.
- He isn´t very well. I tried to clear the visible wounds but I am afraid there are more which we cannot see.- then she looked at him and gasped. He had lost his hat, his hair was tossed and his lips and moustache were covered by blood running from his nose. She reached out her hand and gently touched his cheek. – Dear lord! Richard!- she whispered and tear escaped her eye. Richard closed his eyes for another moment and with sigh said: - I am alright. We need to take care of Barrow.- then he turned around facing Mr. Robinson that was looking at them. – Will you drive us to hospital?-
They reached it in 10 minutes. Isobel hurried up to prepare the surgery room and gave quick instructions to the nurses. Richard with Mr. Robinson brought Barrow inside. The nurses prepared him for surgery.
- Call the police and Abbey and tell them what happened.- Richard ordered to Mr. Robinson and turned to face Isobel.
- Will you assist me?- he asked. – I need to open him and see the range of internal injuries.- Isobel nodded. – And what about you, Richard. Are you sure you will manage?-
- We have no other choice, do we? He needs the surgery.-
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- Tampon.- Isobel ordered and reached her hand out towards one of the sisters. Holding it firmly in surgical steel tongs, she applied it on the place of appendix rupture to soak up all the harmful acid. Richard removed it soon after using scalpel.
- What´s the breathing like, nurse?- he asked putting the removed part of intestine into metal container. He wanted to know how much time did they have to close him before too late.
- Shallow, but regular. The heartbeat is little bit faster.- she informed him soaking up small amount of blood.
- Add 10 mg of narcotic.- he ordered and sighed.
- Is everything all right?- Isobel asked immediately with worries in her voice.
- It seems hopefully,- he nodded, - But we have to hurry.- his answer was quick as his work with needle.
- I meant you, Richard.- Isobel soaked the fluid again.
- I am alright.- Richard replied but not very persuasive and continued in his work. He stiched up another little wound on Barrow´s liver, but there was still too much blood.
- The liver makes me worried.- he admitted speaking more to himself than to Isobel.
- There is still too much blood, isn´t it? – she nodded. – You have sewed everything visible, but there is still too much to soak up. We don´t have that much blood supply left.- Richard controled everything quickly. – I had to overlook something.- he said and ordered,- Aspirate it here.- he showed her the place, where the blood accumulated the fastest. Isobel listened to his orders and did as she was told.
- 2 mg of haemocoagulate and 3 mg of amnen.- she motioned to the nurse managing the aenesthesy, that looked little bit surprised when hearing such words from Isobel´s mouth and looked at the doctor.
- Do what you are told.- he growled little bit. – Don´t you see what is needful?- he sighed again because of headache that intesified. He found the source of bleeding right after and stiched the tlittle rupture of liver. Richard´s breathing changed so suddendly, it became heavier and faster.
- Richard!- she warned him, because he seemed to pay no attention to it, trying to complete the surgery. He looked at her, realising what is she pointing at but said: - I will manage.-
- No. You won´t. You need to rest.- she opposed. – I will finish it. I can do it and you know it very well. Please, go.- Richard sighed but nodded and handed her the equipment. Right after that, Isobel continued in his work like a surgeon, sewin up and stitching everything that needed to be.
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Her steps led to his office. She expected to see him layig down on the couch, but as she entered the room, no one was there. Her look rested on the coat hanger, but both of their coats were still hanged on it. They were marked by blood and mud. Isobel realised again what horrible sight it was to see Richard in fight and Barrow in the horrible pain. She left the room and searched Richard. She went through many rooms when she finnally entered the right one. Richard lied on bed with hands on his face trying to nurse himself. On the table next to him stood disinfective solution and cotton tampons. Without a word, she proceeded to the bed. – How are you?- she asked.
- Still having headache, but otherwise, I am alright.-
- I see.- she said and sat down on the edge of his bed, removing his hands in which he held tampon from his face. Richard followed her by his look, taken aback. She took one cotton tampon into her hand and started to clean the blood remains under his nose.
- It shouldn´t be broken.- she remarked after a while. – It seems to be bruised only.-
- I agree.- he murmured and sighed as she brushed his lip. – I am sorry.- she apologized and fixed his nose with bandage. After that her look focused on his forehead but except few hair strands that were crossing it, nothing seemed to be unusual. – Do you think that you might suffer from brain concusion?- she asked and combed that hair strands back using her fingers.
- No. My consiousness and mind are alright.- he assured her with little smile appearing on his face. Her touches were gentle and pleasant even though they were quick.
- How is Barrow?- he asked when she didn´t move to leave.
- He seems to be alright, now, but we will know more after he wakes up. Don´t worry and try to relax.- she smiled as well and brushed her arm against his hip. He sighed with pain , grabbed her hand and removed it from his body.
- Richard!- she frowned and scanned him again. His knuckles were bludgeoned. Isobel shook her head and grabbed his hands once more.
- Try to keep still for a moment.- she started to unbotton his shirt.
- Isobel!- he didn´t want her to uncover him. That would be too much for him to bear.
- You are a doctor, Richard. You should understand that.- she protested. – You cannot treat yourself and anyway, I have seen you without shirt before.- she gave him strict look and he only sighed with resignation and looked somewhere else. It was too hard to remain calm when she touched him for the first time. Her warm fingertips gently brushed his chest, but it hurt little bit. She moved her hands little bit down and he almost gasped as he touched his abdomen on which bruise big like two her fists appeared. It was painful but gave him in that moment unwelcome pleasure as well, which was hard to control. His heartbeat fastened.
- It seems that your ribs might be clashed a little.- she commented not marking anything else unusual, or paying attention to his moan. She pushed againt his abdomen little bit and another groan escaped his mouth. He looked at her.
- I will lubricate all the bruises with mentol unction and bandage your ribs to stabilise them.- she explained and did as she told before warily spreading the unguent onto his chest. Richard had to close his eyes. He bit his lip. He felt the circulating movement of Isobel´s fingers all around his chest and abdomen. The tender touch and warmth, that escaped from her fingertips, caused goosebumps and accumulation of heat in some parts of his body. He did his best as to keep it only that way. Isobel, anyway, didn´t marked it. She focused on his chest and treatment of his wounds. All the pictures of that fight and voices reappeared in her mind. She couldn´t imagine the pain he had to feel when he was beaten and kicked. – Did it hurt overly?- she whispered passing through his chesthair that tickled her.
- Not that much.- he answered opening his eyes for a moment. – Adrenaline in the body reduced the pain perception.
- They could have killed you!-
- They almost killed Barrow.- he reacted to her reproach. – You would do the same if you were me. Every doctor would do that.-
- Not every one.- she objected, - Is there anything else that hurts?-
- No. Thank you.- he answered truthfully, but Isobel looked at him with suspicion.
- Are you sure, or do I have to palapte you again?- she said. Richard looked at her with shock, few seconds later started to laugh. – I am sure. Really.- She had to laugh as well realizing what it must have sounded like. But then she shook her head and said. – It will hurt you even more if you won´t stop.- he realized that as well and stopped.
- I agree. Sometimes I say something that might sound weird.- she admitted and reaached for gaze and bandages. – I will fix your ribs.- she informed him and he sat down. Isobel did it quickly because having him that close, feeling his warmth and attractive fargrance of mentol and his aftershave, made her feel weeker. Richard finally buttoned his shirt again and layed down.
- I have called doctor Chester and asked him to take your duties in the next four days.- Isobel informed him standing again next to his bed.
- 4 days? Isn´t that too much?- he wanted to protest but then he catched her look. – There´s no sense in protesting, am I right? –
- Yes you are. I am glad, you understand it.- she nodded satisfied. – Just rest. I will stay and take control over hospital until the arrival of doctor Chester.-
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Another cup of coffee was in her, another check up of patients was over. Isobel felt the fatigue. She left the room of Mr. Etkins and was passing through the corridor when she stopped before the room where Richard stayed. She stood there without any other motion several seconds. She could see him in her mind. Fighting. Smiling. Groaning. Laughing. All of that happened that day, that night. She wanted to know if he is alright, asleep, relaxing, healing. She moved closer to the door and tried to listen. Nothing. No sounds. Just calmness, which she didn´t feel in the moment. Isobel opened the door and looked inside. The dim light coming from the corridor created narrow strip on the floor. She stepped inside and heard him. His breath, echo of his heartbeat. She closed the distance between his bed and her and sat down looking at his calm face. She recognized the bandage on his nose, slightly parted lips and still tossed hair. She was thinking. Thinking if he gazed at her the same way that night when he helpd her to gain the silence again. Thinking if he wondered what she had been dreaming about as well. She was asking herself what had he been thinking about, what had he felt, what did she feel just that moment. Now. This second. Not knowing how or when, she realized she was holding his hand. Caressing his knuckles. She moved higher placing her palm on his cheeks. She followed the line of his cheekbones and eventually touched his forehead with the second arm. She sleeked that tossed hair strands back. She wondered how had he looked when they had the shiny colour of sun. Smile escaped her lips. Young, blue-eyed man with scottish accent and wide smile. She didn´t knnow how long she remained like that, but finally she had to leave. She heard steps from the corridor approaching. – Nurse Crawley?- she heard nurse Franklin.
- Yes.- she answered and joined her in the corridor, closing the door behind. – What happened?- Isobel asked automatically as she saw that worried look in nurse´s eyes.
- Police is here. They want to talk with you and doctor Clarkson.- the young woman answered.
- I suppose they are in doctor Clarkson´s office, am I right?- the nurse nodded. – Alright. I´ll go there and you keep the eye on rest of the patients.- she ordered and left.
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Doctor Chester arrived soon after 7 o´clock automatically heading to the office of doctor Clarkson. He knocked on the door but no one answered him. He opened the door to find out that the office is empty. For a while, he thought, that the hospital remained without adequate supervision but then he saw 2 coats hanging on the hanger, recognizing that one of doctor Clarkson. He left the room in order to find someone and announce his arrival. He followed his hearing listening to the women voices. His steps stopped when he reached another room with open door. He opened them even more and looked inside. He saw an older woman in medical gown examining one of the patients.
- Mrs. Crawley?- he adressed her not sure if it is her. He had never seen her before. Isobel turned around. – Doctor Chester.- she said and smiled with tired look. – Thank you for coming. I will show you all the cases, if you have no objections.- Doctor Chester gazed at her shocked. He saw her first time in his life and never imagined her like that. In white medical gown. Woman. Examining and treatimg patients. Woman. And that one should explain him the condition of patients? He nodded eventually and asked still slightly confused. – Where is doctor Clarkson?-
- He is injured.- she replied with concern.
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Richard left the room. His body was stiff and he felt week. He did few steps heading to his ofiice.
- Richard!- he heard angry voice. He turned around and saw doctor Chester accompanied by Isobel, walking his direction. – You should be in bed and not jaunting around.- she lectured him and took him by shoulder. Doctor Chester was shocked even more when seeing this. How dare she speak with him like this.- crossed his mind immediately. Richard had obviously different opinion. He sighed and repeated the same thing he had told her the previous night so many times. – I am alright. There are another people that need the care.-
- I know and as you can see, doctor Chestre has come to accomplish this task.- she held him even though he really didn´t look like he needed it. He rolled his eyes and sighed again, but Isobel gave him questioning look. – All right.- he turned his face to doctor Chestre. – I assume that you have been told about all the cases and patients´condutions, am I right?- he sounded like his old self again.
- Yes. But I would like to discuss some cases.- he said looking at Richard and Isobel seconds later.
- I have informed you about everything, doctor. You are given all the details you need to be able to look after these patients.- Isobel answered but another thought crossed her mind. The disbelief might have come from the fact she was a woman, not even a doctor. Richard gave him stren look and continued: -I believe, that you have met with most of the cases we have in hospital right now. The only new patient is Mr. Barrow,- he silenced for a moment to emphasize the rest, - For his treatment is responsible nurse Crawley, she assisted me during the surgery and finished it eventually. If there are any questions concerning Mr. Barrow, you will have to ask nurse Crawley. I, as you have heard, I have to rest.- Doctor Chester nodded and left immediately. Richard shook his head, Isobel smiled amusedly. – He won´t loook a tme for very long time after this.-
- That´s possible but if he wants to know something more about Barrow´s condition, I would be useless. I wouldn´t answer his questions better than you.-
- No. You wouldn´t.- she agreed. – And now, you should go to bed.-
- I know. But I would prefer staying at home. As you said, I need peace, and I couldn´t achieve that here.-
- So you want to leave now? Like that?- she disagreed but was interrupted by another nurse.
- Lord Grantham has arrived. He is waiting in your office, doctor, and wants to speak with both of you about Mr. Barrow.- she informed them.
- Tell him, we will be there in minute.- he answered and the nurse left. – It seems that I will have to wait little bit longer to get my rest.- he sighed.
- I must admit, that I haven´t expected him to come personally,- she admitted, - but I am afraid that he won´t be the only one to question you. The police officers were here befor 6 o´clock and wanted to speak with you as well.-
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