Apologies for the delay I had a mid week wedding to attend, ta ta ss9

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It hadn't taken long for Doctor Mathews to arrive but for Nellie it might as well have been days. Even moment seemed to stretch, minutes seemed like hours as she clutched Joanna's hand, whispering soothing nothings as she stroked the girl's hair. It was almost a relief when the old doctor arrived ushered in with Mr Philips, a pale looking Eliza following in their wake.

Refusing to leave her place at the girls bedside even when crab-apple Philips glared at her Nellie watched the doctors every movement, moving to assist before he even had to ask for help. The old man's touch was gentle but precise his blue eyes glinted intelligently as he muttered questions which Nellie answered as best she could. Bending down his sleek silver head he took out a hearing trumpet and placed it against Joanna's chest, umming and ahhing to himself as he moved the instrument from side to side listening to her breathing.

"Thank you." Dr Mathews muttered gently as he concluded his examination his eyes flickering up to meet Nellie's concerned gaze, his face softening as he read the genuine fear in her eyes.

"It is croup."

Frowning Nellie shook her head, that couldn't be right Joanna was too old she had turned six only a few months ago. "But she's too old." Nellie implored.

Patting her hand in a gesture of compassion the old doctor replied gently, "Normally I would agree she is too old but the girl is very slight for her age and her lungs are not as healthy as I would like…Not enough fresh air." He added mumbling under his breath.

"Will she be alright?"

"It is too early to say." Dr Mathews replied sagely. "I will leave a tonic to help combat the epiglottitis, administer it whenever you think necessary; but she will need constant care, if her fever gets too high it must be brought down immediately…Ice baths if necessary."

Nodding as she concentrated on the instructions Nellie muttered everything necessary would be done.

"I would recommend contacting her guardian, just in case…I understand he is from home?"

"Yes…" Nellie gasped her throat constricting at the idea of why the Judge would be needed; if the girl died whilst alone with only the servants.

Taking pity on Nellie's fearful expression the Doctor patted her hand once more. "Do not worry unnecessarily, she is older than most and that should place her in good stead to overcome this illness…I will leave her in your competent hands. I will be back in the morning to check on her."

Then turning to Mr Philips he nodded and headed for the door the butler dogging his steps leaving Nellie alone with a trembling Eliza.

"I am sure she will be fine." The nurse ventured bravely crossing over to the bed when Nellie continued to ignore her and chose instead to check over the fussing Joanna.

Clenching her fists Nellie had to restrain her urge to slap the stupid little girl soundly in the face, this was all her fault. "Ow the 'ell would you bloody know!" Nellie hissed sharply whirling round until she was face to face with a wide eyed Eliza.

"Now Mrs Lov…"

"Don't you try to soft soap me girl…I saw what this room looked like, fire was burnt down hadn't been tended for hours and the bloody window was wide open, the room was freezing!" Nellie screeched her temper leaping free of her control.

"I left her in your care, you knew she was sick and what did you do about it nothin', I should've 'ave been 'ere not chasing abou' all over bloody town tryin' to 'elp a stupid little slapper like you!"

Gasping and stepping back as if struck Eliza's mouth open and shut wordlessly.

"Where the 'ell were you?" Nellie hissed.

"I do not think that is any of your concern Mrs Lovett!" Mr Philips snide tone cut causing both women to whirl around in surprise as he stalked across the room, slamming the door behind him.

The first to find her voice Nellie drew back her shoulders and raised her chin, drawing herself up to her tallest height Nellie refused to be intimidated by the looming butler. "It ruddy well is my concern when these are the consequences!"

Tipping his red head to one, side his pale blue eyes locked on Nellie like a predator about to pounce, Mr Philips leaned into Nellie's personal space; thin lips pulled back into a sneer. Refusing to be intimidated Nellie met his gaze, chestnut eyes boring into blue, her petite frame tensed and ready lash out at the smallest provocation.

"Quite the little firecracker." Mr Philips drawled sarcastically, his breath hot on Nellie's cheek and for a moment she caught the scent of peppermints and something else…something alcoholic.

Twisting her lips into a smirk Nellie retorted softly, yet her voice had the strength of steel. "Well at least we know what you've been doing this evenin' sir…How did ya find the master's brandy? To your likin?"

Reeling back as if struck Mr Philips face turned blotchy with rage, raising a finger he waved it aggressively in Nellie's face. "You…You watch your tongue, you little whore!"

"Why?" Nellie asked the picture of innocence. "Worried what else might slip out…"

Clenching his finger back into his fist Mr Philips paused hand raised his anger clearly warring with his better judgement. "Shut ya mouth."

Smirking as the twang of an east end accent sounded in her ears Nellie leaned forward her smirk growing. "Or what? What's the matta luv lackin' the balls to do somethin' abou' it!"

Growling the butler lashed out his hand grasping Nellie's throat, his long fingers wrapping around her slender neck pressing her back against the wall. Gasping in surprise Nellie's hand leapt to her throat her fingers scrabbling at his hand, just the touch of his skin on hers made her flesh crawl.

"Ge' off me!" Nellie hissed struggling in the butler's grip, bile rising in her throat as he pressed against her, his breath hot on her face.

His eyes were wild as they bore into Nellie own and for a moment she felt a flash of fear but she beat it down, that was what he wanted, he wanted to frighten her, break her spirit well it would take more than the threat of violence to do that. So meeting the butler's glare Nellie forced herself to remain calm, and she watched as the butler's face calmed.

Yet he did not move, his fingers remained unmoving at her throat but they did not press into her delicate flash. His frame remained against hers and his eyes stayed locked on her face but they seemed to soften and for a moment Nellie was certain they dropped to her lips.

"George let her go!" Miss Templeton's voice broke the spell and the butler jumped away from a stunned Nellie so fast you would have thought she had burnt him. Then unable to meet Nellie's gaze the butler growled out instructions to tend to the child before dragging a strangely silent Eliza Templeton from the room.

Taking a deep breath in order to settle the butterflies that were fluttering around in her stomach Nellie moved to check on Joanna. There was little change, the girl still felt blistering hot and yet she shivered as if she was freezing. Although that was unsurprising in this room, it still felt chilled. Moving to the fireplace Nellie did her best to rouse the blaze but a quick look in the coal bucket confirmed her suspicion, she needed more fuel in order to get the room warm. Picking up the near empty bucket Nellie decided to quickly borrow some fuel from another room, so with a final glance at Joanna she darted for the door.

Taking the stairs two at a time Nellie headed for the nearest unlocked room, the Judge's study her hand freezing on the handle as she heard the unmistakable sound of raised voices. Cursing the thick English oak, as she couldn't make out what was being said Nellie resigned herself to retrieving coal from downstairs in the servant quarters.

Then just as she stepped away the door was flung open and a tearful Eliza Templeton all but barrelled into her as she fled clutching her cheek. Glancing back the way the girl had come Nellie was not surprised to see Mr Philips but what did take her breath away was the look on his face; he looked dumbstruck, horrified and then in the next moment furious as he caught Nellie gaping.

Turning on her heel Nellie took the stairs even faster on the ascent not stopping until she felt the reassuring bulk of Joanna's closed door behind her back. Just what the hell was going on in this bloody house?

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"Shush love better out than in as me Ma used to say." Nellie muttered softly as she rubbed Joanna's back, wincing as even there the child's skin felt like hot coals beneath her fingers. When Joanna's retching subsided Nellie eased the girl back onto her back, whilst placing the chamber pot back on the floor she efficiently dipped another cloth in the bowl of water that stood on the vanity; wringing out most of the water she replaced the cool cloth on Joanna's forehead.

Humming softly Nellie eased herself back onto the bed pushing her frizzled curls out of her face, her expression of exhaustion quickly being replaced by one of disgust as she caught sight of the trail of vomit that hadn't made into the chamber pot but had found the front of her dress. Dabbing futilely at the stain with a spare rag Nellie quickly gave up, it was an ugly dress, true it was the only one she had at present but she was hardly concerned with her appearance at a time like this.

A sharp knock on the door drew Nellie from her musing as Mrs Jenkins bustled her way into the room a tray clutched in her plump hands. "Bought you both a little broth."

"Thank you." Nellie replied her voice sounding raspy even to her own ears but the smell of food did a little to reenergize her. "I'd better see if I can get a little down her…."

"Hush now, you eat it whilst it's hot!" Mrs Jenkins chided her much to Nellie's surprise. "You'll be precious little use if you get sick as well, I'll feed the girl."

Conceding to the housekeeper's logic Nellie reached for her spoon and within a few minutes had practically inhaled the soup, relaxing slightly as the aromatic hot liquid warmed her insides and filled her belly.

"Better?"

"Much thank you." Nellie replied replacing her spoon and empty bowl on the tray.

"When was the last time you slept?" Mrs Jenkins asked concern clear on her careworn face.

Frowning momentarily Nellie tried to answer but her thoughts was so sluggish she couldn't quite remember. "Yesterday I think."

"Hmm more like the day before." Mrs Jenkins retorted waspishly surprising Nellie with her tone. "It isn't right you sitting here day and night, Miss Joanna is Miss Templeton's charge she should be pulling her weight."

Snorting in amusement Nellie shook her head causing her curls to dance riotously. "Then we'd have two invalids to look after." Nellie retorted her mind going back to the first time Joanna had been sick and the child's nurse had gone green before emptying her own stomach.

"Hmm never seen anything like it." Mrs Jenkins grumbled. "How am I supposed to cope? Does Mr Philips consider that, true with the master away we are not as busy but I cannot run the kitchen and clean the house, no he has you caring for the girl whilst her nurse lounges around not so much as lifting her fingers."

"I am sure he has his reasons." Nellie muttered her dark eyes narrowed in contemplation. Her thoughts returning to the argument between the butler and nurse that she had stumbled across the night Joanna became sick. True she hadn't heard what had been said but the way Eliza had ran tearfully from the room and the pale dumbstruck expression on Mr Philips face…

Perhaps there was more to things than she had presumed.

The sudden rasp as someone cleared their voice shook Nellie from her thoughts.

"Good evening Mr Philips." Mrs Jenkins prompted surprising Nellie who hadn't caught sight of the butler since that dreadful evening.

Turning around Nellie studied the butler who seemed as calm and icy as always until she caught his gaze and there was something different. It was only briefly there and as soon as the butler had given her dishevelled state a once over he seemed to return to his usual smugness.

"Judge Turpin is returning tomorrow morning." He announced causing the housekeeper to go into a flutter over the state of the house and the contents of her cupboards and make her excuses.

"He will want to see you!" He added his eyes locked on Nellie as she squirmed in discomfort at the thought. "I suggest you make effort to be presentable." He added his eyes dropping down to stare pointedly at the large yellowish stain on the front of her dress.

"It is all I 'ave!" Nellie snapped. "And there ain't time to wash it proper."

Waving off her concern the butler sneered. "Borrow one of Miss Templeton's, or prance around in your underwear if you prefer but do not show your face downstairs in that outfit and for God's sake take a bath…You stink!" He added before leaving Nellie alone her thoughts in tumult.

Meet Judge Turpin, face to face, what if he recognised her…what if he said she wasn't fit to care for Joanna…what if he sent her away? One thing was certain sleep was not going to come easy now, not now she had a morning meeting with his Judgeness to look forward to.

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