Chapter 6

The Melbourne Medial School traditional and online classes had begun. Via emails and text Jean kept a watchful eye on Lucien's work with his students. He seemed to take to this kind of work. The doctor/professor kept up with the barrage of questions and requests for further clarification from his students. He reviewed, graded and returned all submitted assignments in a timely fashion. Jean thought this was a good fit for him and felt as though she could breathe and turn her attention back to getting the household on track.

Taking advantage of an unusually quiet Sunday, Jean sat in the dining room paying household bills. Then it happened.

"Jean! Jean! Startled by the alarm in Lucien's voice she raced to his office. Still on approach she heard his continued plea.

"Jean, Jean, come quickly!"

"What's wrong Lucien?

Lucien was sitting behind his desk staring at his laptop. He wouldn't take his eyes off the screen. "Jean, come look at this!' He rose from his chair but couldn't pull his eyes away. Jean understood he meant for her to take his seat. She sat down and read the email.

Dear professor Blake,

Can you tell me when my mum will be home from your class? She said it was just a 1 day class on Friday but she's not home yet and I was wondering if you kept her a few more days. I just want to ask her what time she is coming home tonight because Mike is bossing us around.

Thank you,

Lexie O'Brien

Keeping the email up she split the screen pulling up his class lists contact information. "Call Matthew. Lucien. Tell him to come to the house and bring contact information for a social worker in Adelaide." Refusing to take her eyes off screen she heard Lucien make the call while she opened google maps to pull up a visual of the address and the surrounding area. Jean pulled out her mobile and dialed.

Lucien finished the call. He moved Jean's laptop from her desk in the reception area placing it next to his. He opened her laptop and pulled up the contact information for the university.

"Hello," Lucien felt the warm calm tones in her voice as she spoke to the person on the other end of the line. "This is Jean Beazley. I help professor Blake. Did you know he was a doctor too? No, well he is, and we think we may be able to help you. Yes, well, tell me your name. Lexie. Right, Lexie, is that short for Alexandra? Beautiful name. May I call you Lexie? Lexie would it be okay with you if I put you on speaker so that Doctor Blake and I can both speak to you? Right, yes, thank you." She put the phone on speaker and setting it on the desk between them, she looked up at Lucien. "Doctor Blake is going to say hello to you Lexie and we'll ask you a few questions, if that's alright."

"Yes, that would be fine." Came the small reedy voice of what Jean thought could only be a seven or eight-year-old child. I know he's Mum's professor for her class. I sent him an email."

Hello, Lexie. Some people call me Doc. You may call me Doc if you like."

"Nooo," the child sang across the line. "I'll call you Doctor Blake, Mum might think me rude."

Lucien and Jean smiled at each other.

"Yes, right." Lucien replied. "Well Mrs. Beazley and I would like to help you get in touch with your mum, but we need to ask a few more questions.

"Okay."

A knock could be heard at the front door. Jean motioned for Lucien to get it. "Lexie, are you home all by yourself or is someone else in the house with you?

Lucien opened the door to Matthew. He entered with his usual look of concern and consternation. "Where are we with all this?" He asked his childhood friend.

"Jean has just begun to speak to the child. Come through." Matthew heard the youngster speaking to Jean.

"No, I'm not alone." the child said sadly. "That's why I want mum to come home. Mike is babysitting us and he's too bossy. "

"Who is us?" asked Jean.

It's just me and my brothers Mike and Doug. Their real names are Michael and Douglas, just like my name is Alexandra, but mum calls us Lexie, Mike and Doug."

Lucien spoke up. "How old are your brothers? Where are they now Lexie?"

Mike's eighteen but he's sleeping right now. Doug is twelve and he's cooking breakfast."

Hearing that an unsupervised child may be using the rings on a cooker filled Jean with panic. She could only think of how careless both her boys were at that age. It was more than she cared to imagine.

Jean's voice took on a concerned yet, sweet tone. "Lexie dear, can you do me a favor? Would you put the phone down for a minute." Matthew and Lucien shook their heads, no, they didn't want the child to leave the phone. Jean silenced them both with a look. "We can't have a child at the cooker unsupervised." She whispered over the her mobile to the two of them. They agreed. She continued. "and ask Doug to turn off the cooker and come to the phone. I've got something special for you to do when you come back on the line."

"Okay, Mrs. Beazley." They could hear Lexie call Doug as she made her way to the kitchen.

Jean ran to her desk as the men looked on. She opened the top drawer and pulled out her phone charger. Returning to Lucien's desk she plugged it in. Then a commotion of three voices mingling in discord could be heard, at least one male, loud and angry. The older voice yelling admonishments to the two younger as all made their way back to the phone.

"Who is this!" a young male voice on the other end of the line demanded.

Matthew made to speak, but Lucien placed a warning hand on his should and spoke.

"Hello young man. My name is Doctor Lucien Blake. I'm one of your mother's university professors. My understanding is that she has not yet made it back from her appointment on Friday and your sister, Lexie has been good enough to let us know. We, Mrs. Beazley..."

"Whose she?" Mike demanded.

"Mrs. Beazley is my office manager and more importantly a mother of two boys, so she knows what your mum must be feeling, having been away from all of you so long. We were hoping to help you get in touch with her if that's alright with you."

An audible groan of uncertainty and relief could be heard in the boy's voice. "She has been gone a long time. Mum is never gone this long, never. I'm not sure what's going on. Do you really think you can help?"

"We'll try." Jean put in.

Lexie's voice could be heard in the background calling Jean. "Mrs. Beazley, you said you had something special for me when I got back."

"Yes, Lexie, right. Jean replied. "Mike, would you help Lexie set your mum's laptop to Facetime Doctor Blake? I'd like to meet my new friends, if you're okay with that?"

"Suppose so, can't see any harm." Mike answered and in a few minutes Jean and Lexie were face to face.

With Facetime activated Jean and Lucien met Ellie O'Brien's children. Mike was a tall, slender, handsome young man with hazel eyes, dark brown hair and a coy smile. His bother Doug, inches shorter than Mike had the build a rugby player, solid and strong, his dark brown hair and deep blue eyes matched his sister Lexie who he put on his lap to see Mrs. Beazley and Doctor Blake.

Hello Mrs. Beazley, Lexie giggled when she saw the bearded doctor just over Jean's shoulder.

"Hello sweetie. Hello boys. It's very good to see you."

Lexie's innocent face and shy smile stole Lucien's heart. Jean was sure that any mother of these children would not intentionally leave them unsupervised for any length of time.

Matthew stayed out of the camera's viewing and chose not to speak to keep the children from feeling threatened by the law. Instead he wrote his questions on the white board in Lucien's office. What day and time did their mother leave the house. Where did she say she was going? Did she drive a car? Could they tell Jean and Lucien the make and model? Where exactly did she say she was going? When did she say she would be back? Did they have any relatives who could stay with them? Does Ellie have any medical issues the children knew of? Did Ellie leave with her mobile charger and did she have one in the car?

Reviewing the children's answers and information from a university staff, the adults and children could agree on the following: Ellie O'Brien mother of three left her home on Thursday at 7 am to make the 6-hour drive in her navy blue, 2010 Holden Commodore to Ballarat. She was to take a one day seminar on Friday that was not offered on line; Patients Legal Rights. Ellie made reservations at the Bakery Hill Motel in Ballarat for two nights. It has been confirmed that she arrived on Thursday, and checked out on Saturday morning at 7 am. Ellie's attendance in class was confirmed by university staff who took a photo of the seminar sign in sheet and texted it to Matthew and Lucien. Ellie called her son Mike, Saturday morning around 7:30 am to say she was on her way home and would bring fish and chips for dinner. That was the last time anyone heard from Ellie O'Brien. Mike gave Doug the job of looking for their mother's mobile charger. "Yes" she did have a charger in the car. "No," they had no relatives close by. They recently moved to Adelaide from Melbourne and knew no one they could ask to stay with them. "And anyway, Mike added. I'm eighteen, that's why mum left the kids with me." And finally, "Yes", their mother does have a medical issue, epilepsy. She was on medication which she took every morning. Ellie usually took it with her when she was away from home.

Lucien asked Mike to check Ellie's medicine cabinet, by her night stand and dresser for any medicine viles. In the meantime, Jean gave Doug a recipe for making simple sandwiches which didn't require the use a cooker. She made him promise her to leave the tea making to Mike. With that, Doug ran off to the kitchen to make sandwiches. "What can I do Mrs. Beazley?" Lexie was on the verge of tears feeling left out.

"Oh, your job is a very important one, Lexie. Can you go find a picture of your mum and bring it to me. I'd like for the doctor to see what she looks like." Lucien put a hand on Jean's shoulder.

"Lovely idea Jean. We can send an image of the photo to the authorities."

Doug came back with the sandwiches. He assured Jean that he would let Mike make and pour the tea. Lexie found a picture of Ellie. She was sitting in a chair with the boys on either side of her, Lexie on her lap.

Mike returned with his mother's medicine vile in his hand. "She didn't take it with her." he said. Lucien could hear the dread in his voice.

Mike read aloud the prescription, chemist, phone number, address, and doctor's name to Lucien who took notes. Lucien moved to the landline phone in the kitchen out of earshot of the children to call the chemist and Ellie's doctors in Melbourne and Adelaide. He confirmed that Ellie needed to take her medication daily for petite mal seizures.

Jean entertained the children while they ate swapping recipes with Doug, reviewing the status of household chores needing to be done with Mike and reading stories to Lexie; Diary of a Killer Cat, Willy the Wimp and Big Bad Bun."

"Where did those books come from? Lucien thought.

"Actually, Jean was quite the enthusiastic and captivating reader. When she looked up from the book to the laptop she found all three children sitting together listening intently to the tales."

Matthew contacted the Superintendent of Adelaide informing him of the situation. They both agreed to check all the hospitals between the two towns. Officers in each town and communities between were supplied with Ellie's photo and informed of her medical condition. Police cars were sent up and down the Western Highway.

After much conversation, Jean convinced Mike that although he was eighteen, it would be helpful for an older person to stay with them in the home until their mum returned. While the children were talking to Lucien, Jean contacted Mattie. Mattie's Aunty Helen and Uncle Stephen raised six boys, all grown and gone. They lived just outside of Adelaide and would be more than happy to stay with the children at least over night or if need be until Ellie was home. Jean promised the children that she and Lucien would not hang up or turn off the laptop until the adults arrived. In the meantime, they would continue to work at locating Ellie.

An hour later, Aunty Helen and Uncle Stephen sat in front of the O'Brien laptop greeting Lucien and Jean. Lexie sat on Aunty Helen's lap while the women talked. The older women let the child tell them about bedtimes and rules. Uncle Stephen took the boys food shopping. When they returned Lucien informed Uncle Stephen and the boys of next steps.

The police were contacting hospitals and investigating every rest stop along the Western Highway. It was hoped that Ellie would be found soon. Mike admitted that he was exhausted and grateful for the support. Uncle Stephen encouraged Mike and Doug to get some sleep, promising to wake them with any news.

The children in bed Jean and Lucien thanked Stephen and Helen for their help. "Jean and I will keep things going on our end." He said to the couple in Adelaide as he placed a sherry in front of Jean. "More than happy to help Doctor Blake." Stephen said. We'll talk to you in the morning, but hopefully sooner." The couples signed off.

Jean let her head drop to the desk.

"Jean, you alright?" he asked.

Rather than lift her head, she tilted it to one side. "No, Lucien. I'm exhausted."

Lucien rested his hand on her back. She felt its warmth and gradually was able to release the strain she felt in her back and body. Jean was surprised at how reassuring and comforting his touch. She was alarmed at how it made her feel and that she didn't want this sensation to end. What was he doing?

"Right, well umm." He said.

It didn't feel like he was rubbing her back. He was applying pressure, resting both hands, palms and fingers on her back in one place then a release and lower until he reached her waist. Jean lifted her head. A reflex to the sensation. She felt somewhat restored. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Lucien's fingers slide the cordial her way. "Drink this, then go to bed. I'll wait to hear from Matthew. You have to go to work tomorrow, right?"

Mmm, right." Was all she could get out.

Standing behind her he pulled her from her sitting. Eyes still closed she heard him say her name. "Jean, drink." She opened her eyes, reached for and drank the sherry. Handing the glass back she spun sleepily on her heels and walked out the door.

"Good night Lucien. Wake me right away if there's any change. I'll check on the children in the morning."

The exhausted body." Lucien thought. "She really stayed with me on this one."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Jean felt, then heard him. His hand gently pressing down on her shoulder he called her awake. "Jean, wake up. We've found her." Still curled up on the couch under an afghan, she threw it off and opened her eyes. "Where? She demanded. What time is it. Is she okay? Where is she now Lucien."

Walking down the hallway together he answered all questions. "Ellie felt a seizure coming on so she pulled over into a rest stop. She parked safely, shutting off the motor, but when she woke it was dark and her mobile was dead. She was still feeling rather ill so she waited for another car to pull in while she tried to charge her phone. Ellie thinks she had at least two more seizures waiting for help at the rest stop. She didn't learn until she was found that her car was in a dead zone and we couldn't ping her mobile nor could she call her children.

"Oh, thank heavens." Jean breathed as she slid into Lucien's chair. "What time is it?" she asked Lucien again, turning on his laptop and setting it up for a Facetime conversation. Matthew, I didn't know you were here. I should have known."

Matthew gave his usual smile nodding out a, "On duty until we get it done, Jean."

She smiled back. Where is Ellie now Matthew?"

"My men tell me that the ambos collected her from the rest stop. She's been taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital. She needs some medical attention but they expect a complete recovery."

"It's 5:30 Jean" Lucien put in, handing her and Matthew each a mug of tea. "I thought we could call Helen and Stephen once we know she is in hospital and has been assigned a room. That way they can take the children directly to her."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ellie O'Brien was admitted to Royal Adelaide Hospital. A check of her vitals confirmed she was dehydrated. Put on an IV to introduce fluids, the medical staff reestablished her medication schedule.

Jean called Helen on her mobile. Helen and Stephen were both delighted and relieved to learn Ellie was found and in hospital. She and Stephen were having a quiet cuppa while the children were still sleeping. They would call the hospital first to speak with the doctor and get the okay to bring Ellie's children to her.

Now Helen and Jean sat across from each other each in a facetime reality each with a cup of tea sharing a happy relaxed moment. Helen spoke of how Mattie never seemed happier. "Her classes are going well, her grades are great and you Jean seem to be at the center of it all." Helen saw a quick smile as she heard Jean's "Mmm."

"Well, Helen, I don't know about that but we do love our Mattie." Changing the subject Jean asked how long Helen and Stephen could stay with the children. She was already trying to figure out how they could be kept safe and happy until their mother came home. Jean was pleased to learn that by virtue of a little girl's email, Helen and Stephen had become honorary grandparents. Helen a retired educator volunteered at the library in Adelaide as a literacy teacher. Stephen owned a landscaping company and was his own boss. So, Gran and Gramps were free and quite happy to care for the children. Helen only hoped that Ellie would find them acceptable stand-ins.

Helen and Stephen woke the children with the good news. They told the children that Mrs. Beazley and Doctor Blake were waiting to speak with them. Lexie was first to sit before the laptop a "Good morning" giggle in her voice. She found Lucien and Jean together smiling back at her. Mike and Doug arrived hugging Lexie as they found a place at their mum's laptop

"Good morning sweetie, good morning boys." Jean beamed at the group. Where are Aunty Helen and Uncle Stephen?" She asked.

Lexie corrected her. "You mean Gran and Gramps."

"Right," Lucien said. "We stand corrected. "Where are they?"

Mike answered. "They're calling the hospital to find out mum's room. Gran says we have to eat breakfast before we go."

Rubbing his eyes, Dough admitted. "I am kinda hungry."

"Well that's good to hear." Grandps said. "Because Gran says breakfast is ready."

Lexie moved off the chair heading for the kitchen, then turned back. "Thank you, Mrs. Beazley, thank you Doctor Blake." She put her hand to her mouth and blew them a kiss. "Love you." She said and ran off to breakfast with Gran." The boys gave their thank yous and made their way to breakfast.

"Jean, Lucien." Stephen was left alone with the couple. "Helen and I can't thank you enough. You've helped the children find their mother," He paused looking in the direction of the kitchen, "and you've given us more children to love. Thank you." He smiled again. "We'll give you a call when we get back."

"Right," Lucien said. "Keep us informed, please." He reached up and shut off the transmission. He looked at Matthew who was sitting off screen, then to Jean. "I think I'm hungry too."

"Right. I'll make breakfast, that is if you gentlemen are up of for bacon and eggs."

"You're cooking Jean?" Matthew asked. "Yes, please."

-End

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

So goes my interpretation of a present day Jean and Lucien. As my skill set is limited and I am new to this kind of writing I will continue to play it safe and as they say in the States, "stay in my lane," which for me means keeping Mrs. Beazley, Dr. Blake and the Ballarat community in the present day.