Jean sat with the basic words Lucien wanted for the advert for practice nurse. She needed to make it into an attractive proposition but they had decided not to offer accommodation, until they had met the candidates and whoever they took on had worked for a month. Lacking inspiration at that moment she decided to go through the post, get that out of the way while Julia was napping and unable to 'help' her.

She put the surgery post to one side and looked to see who had written to them, personally.

There was one from Christopher; he and the family were well. They had found out Ruby was pregnant with their second child and so far all was well, they hoped to be back in Australia for the birth. Amelia was happy and running around, eating and sleeping well and had some little friends on the base.

The other one was from Melbourne, but Jean recognised the handwriting, Mattie's. She was surprised, Mattie, as far as she knew, was still in London. Perhaps she had come home on leave. Opening the envelope it was not a long letter, but she wasn't on leave, she was home. Her father had had a stroke and she had come home to look after him, giving up her post in London. When she got to her parents she found he was really quite well, recovered from a slight episode and back at his post as minister. Her mother had panicked and described him as being at death's door. Mattie wasn't too pleased, but realised it would have been better if she had contacted her father's doctor. Ah well, she was back now, and wondered if she could come and see them. Then she would look for work. Jean had an idea.

She set out the advert for a nurse with experience in all aspects of nursing, who could administer a baby clinic and take over from Dr Blake in some cases if he was called away. She would need to be flexible and hard working, it was a busy practice. Interested parties were to call the practice in the first instance to have details explained. Apply by letter. Interviewees would be notified and would be required to attend bringing two references with them. Jean reckoned that she could tell from the first phone call if the applicant was in any way suitable, but she didn't want to get anyone's hopes up. By the same token, she knew Mattie may not be the right person, but she was going to give her the option.

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"Could I speak to Mattie, please," she smiled down the phone, "it's Jean Blake."

"Jean!" Mattie shrieked down the phone, "you got my letter!"

"I did, Mattie, how are you?" Jean pulled a chair over to the phone and sat down to talk for as long as she could before waking Julia and going to fetch Ted.

Mattie rattled on about how her father was really well, she was bored, her mother kept taking her round for coffee to other wives, usually ones with sons suitable for her to be seen with. She had managed to catch up with Charlie for dinner one night which had been a lovely break from her parents' plotting. She would have to look for a job, but until she saw one she thought she might see her and the family, meet the children Jean had told her about in her frequent letters.

"Oh, Mattie," Jean laughed, "we'd love for you to come and stay. I'll get your room ready. Now, on the job front, there is a position going here in Ballarat," best not give too much away though she was perceptive enough to know Jean would mean with Lucien, "practice nurse, running a baby clinic, taking surgery for the doctor. The candidate needs wide experience in all aspects of nursing, must be flexible and hard working. I thought you might like to apply."

"That wouldn't be with Lucien, would it?"

"Now why would you think that?" Jean asked innocently.

"Oh, I don't know," in her parents hall Mattie rolled her eyes, "just sounds like something you and Lucien would set up."

"Ok, but, Mattie," Jean sighed, "it doesn't mean you have the job. It is going out on advert with the applicants phoning to get more details first."

"Right, that's fair, and it's only what I would expect from you, but it sounds really interesting, and something I would like to do." Mattie agreed, "so I will apply formally. When are the interviews?"

"Two weeks today, I think, I don't want it to drag on. Seriously interested nurses will apply quickly, those that have to think too hard are not the ones we want."

"Is this a secret from him?"

"He hasn't seen your letter, or know that you are home, so," Jean thought, "why not start your visit the day of the interviews. Catch the train that gets you here before I collect Ted. I'll pick you up, and him, and bring you back here."

"Sounds like a good plan," Mattie agreed, "I'll catch the one fifteen."

"I'll see you then, then." Jean passed on their regards to her parents and hung up. It would be nice to have Mattie back, she was likely to have far more experience than any other applicant, but she had to be fair to the others, and to Lucien.

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Lucien left the short-listing to Jean, telling her he trusted her completely.

"You can weed out the ones that don't have the temperament for such a post, darling," he told her, "I can weed out the ones that aren't competent."

"How do you want to do the interviews?" Jean wondered, "are you going to set them a task?"

"See how many there are, first," he passed her a sherry, "if there are only a few then perhaps have them during surgery, each one can assist with a patient."

"Right, I'll make it enough patients for the number of applicants, then," Jean settled against his chest. Mattie would be the last applicant, she would set her a challenge. Agnes perhaps, she thought, with a wry smile.

"What are you grinning about? I can feel it," he teased.

"I think I'll schedule Agnes for that day, surely she needs a check up."

"Oh yes, I'm sure she does."

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In Melbourne, Mattie explained there was a job opportunity in Ballarat and she had applied. Her letter had been sent that day.

"I can't sit around doing coffee mornings, all the time, mother," she smiled across the dining table, "I trained as a nurse, and a social worker, I need to do things."

"Oh, Mattie, darling," Maureen sighed, "isn't it time you settled down? Raised a family."

"Mother," Mattie exhaled, sadly, "I will, one day, but the men you introduce me to just want me to decorate their arms, not have opinions, or thoughts of my own. That's not me, is it?"

"I suppose not, " her mother hummed, "if you don't get it..?"

"I shall keep looking for something," Mattie smiled and resumed eating her fish.

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Jean was getting a little frustrated. The calls they were getting in answer to the advert were obviously from those who had designs on her husband, they simpered and giggled over the phone. There was about two, so far, who were genuinely interested in the post and possibly capable but none who were as capable as Mattie. Still she invited them to apply by letter, and she would let them know if they would be called for interview.

Most of the applications came from the nurses at the hospital, she listed their experience, length of time in the current position, details which she passed to Lucien with a number assigned. He would know many of them and she didn't want him to be swayed by a name. He picked five, one of which was Mattie, though he didn't know it. Jean reasoned it wasn't favouritism, that way.

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"I'm just going to get Ted, and pick up a couple of things in town," she poked her head into the surgery, "we are one candidate missing, must be running late. I'll be back as soon as I can be."

He looked up and smiled. "Right, well, I'll carry on, then. I take it the candidates are in the living room."

"Yes, and your patients are aware of the situation, so they are prepared to wait while you do the initial interview. Good luck."

"Off you go, I can manage," he grinned, "I have to work with whoever so ..."

"Quite," Jean smiled and took Julia out to the car.

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Julia was a lot better with the noise in the station now, and was happy to stand with her mother while the passengers alighted from the train. Suddenly a frantic waving caught her eye and Mattie was there, grinning and hugging her.

"Jean, you look marvellous!" she laughed, then looked down, "and this must be Julia," bending down she added softly, "aren't you a pretty girl."

She stood up, "she's a Blake, alright."

Jean nodded, she had told Mattie the whole story, then picked the child up.

"Julia this is Nurse Mattie," she smiled, "she's come to stay with us for a few days."

Julia smiled, "hello."

"Hello, Julia, it's very nice to meet you." Mattie patted her cheek.

"Is that all you brought?" Jean indicated the suitcase at her feet.

"Well, I didn't want to presume," Mattie smiled, "I'm only here on a visit, aren't I?"

"Of course, now," Jean turned, "we have to go and get Ted from school, so we'd better head off, or I'll be late."

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Mattie waited in the car with Julia while Jean went to fetch her son from the playground. She said she loved the car, it reminded her of the one she used to do her rounds in.

"It suits me," Jean nodded, "though I don't use it every day."

"No, I suppose you still do a lot of walking."

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"Is Julia with dad, mum?" Ted took her hand as they walked to the car.

"She's in the car, with a friend who's come to stay."

"Oh, your friend?"

"Mine and dad's," they had reached the car, "here we are."

Mattie got out to let Ted slip into the back seat, "Ted, this is Nurse Mattie," Jean introduced them, "she has come a very long way to see us."

"Hello, Nurse Mattie," Ted held out his hand, "where have you come from?"

"England, I've been working there," Mattie shook his hand and grinned, definitely a mini-Lucien.

"Really?" his eyes widened.

"Really," Mattie got into the car and Jean drove them home. Lucien should be on his third interview by now, and would need tea. The fourth nurse didn't know Mattie having worked in Melbourne until nearly two years ago, so there would be no reunion in the living room.

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The third interviewee was walking out of the drive as Jean turned in, she looked reasonably happy and waved as they passed.

"I'm actually quite nervous," Mattie admitted as Jean pulled up on the front, "I know I may not get the job, but, when I was here before, and Lucien let me help him and showed me so much, I did wonder what it would be like to really work with him."

"If you had just seen the ad, without me telling you, would you have applied?" Jean lifted Julia out of the car and set her down to run to the door.

"Oh, god, yes," Mattie gasped, "in a heartbeat."

"Whatever happens, Mattie, you have a home here," Jean smiled gently, "I've missed you, we've missed you. Now, tea."

As the door was opened Mattie felt her stomach knot, the familiar sight and smell of polished wood and baking. She was home.

Jean made tea, gave Ted his milk and biscuit and set Mattie down in the living room, while she went to tell Lucien his last interview had arrived.

"Lovely, would you show her in, please Jean," he shuffled the papers and patient notes on his desk and made room for the cup of tea she had brought through with her.

Mattie stood outside the surgery, smoothed down her dress and patted her hair into place, not that it was out of place, a subconscious act. She knocked and waited to be admitted.

"Come," Lucien called from the other side of the door.

Taking a deep breath she turned the handle and walked in. He was just reading through her details, she cleared her throat,

"Dr Blake," she spoke quietly and waited for him to look up.

"Nurse ..." he lifted his head, "bloody hell! Mattie O'Brien," he leapt up from his seat and wrapped her in his arms, "my dear Mattie, let me look at you," he held her at arm's length.

"Hello, Lucien," she smiled, "I'd like to be interviewed for the post of practice nurse, please."

"Really?" he gasped and indicated she sit. "You want to work for me?"

"Who else?" she sat and folded her hands neatly in her lap, "I think I can do what you want."

"Of course you can," he laughed.

"Lucien, this is supposed to be an interview," Mattie reminded him, "I don't want to get the job just because we are old friends."

"Right," he could see she was serious about this, " so, Nurse ..."

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"Agnes, would you come through, please," Lucien opened the door to the waiting room, "I apologise for the wait, the interview took rather longer than anticipated."

Agnes smiled when she saw whose guinea pig she was going to be. "Nurse O'Brien," she nodded her head, "don't tell me you want to work for this renegade?"

"Somebody has to, Miss Clasby," she smiled, "now, how are you?"

Lucien watched Mattie do all the things he would have done without being asked, she referred to the notes, asked Agnes plenty of questions in a friendly manner, was firm in her suggestions to small changes in her lifestyle and diet, then asked Agnes if she had any questions, or if there was anything else she could help her with. Lucien just sat and watched. He didn't have to intervene, prompt or remind Mattie about anything. He agreed with her recommendations and noticed that Agnes was far more pliable under the nurse's care. Though the older woman took any chance she got to tease them both, suggesting that Nurse O'Brien would keep him in line.

"I'm sure Jean does that perfectly well, Miss Clasby," Mattie laughed.

"Between the two of you, he doesn't stand a chance," Agnes noted.

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Mattie went to sit in the kitchen with Jean while Lucien made his decision. He had already discounted two nurses because they needed to be guided though the consultation, and what he needed was someone who could take the initiative. Another had been rather brusque with a patient, suggesting she try harder with the diet the doctor had put her on, rather than talking about how she could follow his instructions with the minimum disruption to her life.

The last, apart from Mattie was competent, but only competent, she offered no ideas of her own, right or wrong. Even if he hadn't known Mattie he would have employed her, she was far and above more capable than any of the others. All he had to do now was write and thank them for applying and attending, but he had made his decision, and unfortunately they hadn't been successful. Perhaps Jean would be better at writing the letters. He headed to the kitchen.

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Mattie was sitting listening to Ted read, with Julia on her knee, Jean was preparing a roast for dinner. The radio was playing softly in the background, all was really as it should be, and it would continue to be for some time to come. He wondered what Matthew would think, about Mattie coming back, and Danny, too. He and Mattie had been like squabbling siblings when they both lived in the house. He cleared his throat.

"Lucien," Jean turned and smiled her broad loving smile, "how did it go?"

"Difficult choice, Jean," he grinned, "but I have decided there was one who I trust my patients to and that is, a Nurse Matilda O'Brien."

"Really, you think so, I mean ..." Jean teased.

"Are you sure, Lucien," Mattie looked up, "this isn't just because you know me, is it?"

"No, Mattie, it isn't," he sat next to Ted and ruffled his hair, "hello son,"

"Hello, dad," Ted grinned.

"... you, Mattie, did everything you should have, you took the initiative, much more than the others. You didn't upset the patient, and, yes, I realise it was Agnes, but she will give as good as she gets and, I suspect, Jean primed her to be as awkward as possible,"

Jean looked up at the ceiling, innocently.

"... but I think you blindsided her, and you asked her if she had any questions. None of the others asked that of the patient, and that is important. So, would you like the job, Mattie, it comes with accommodation as well? Jean will talk to you about the salary."

"Yes, Lucien, I would love to work for you," Mattie reached over and shook his hand, "when do I start?"

"Why don't you settle back in first?" Jean suggested, "that way you will get used to the changes round here, there's the mother and baby group to cope with, too, and the children, and Matthew, occasionally Alice, though Matthew goes to her more than her coming here."

"Is there anything you want to ask, about the work, Mattie?" Lucien asked.

"Probably, but at the moment my head's reeling, so I'll ask them when they come up, if that's ok with you."

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Mattie lay in her bed, and thought about all that had just happened. It was more than her father's health that had brought her back, full circle. Fate, perhaps, intervention from a higher being? (Not that she was particularly religious), but ... she smiled, she was where she wanted to be.

She had phoned her parents and had told them she had been successful and was now practice nurse for Dr Lucien Blake. The job was perfect for her, and Lucien took a moment to tell them she was perfect for the role. In anticipation she had already packed her things and would they be kind enough to send them on to her, she was boarding with the Blake family, again.

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"Well, at least she'll be looked after," Maureen mused to her husband, "and they are good people, so you told me last time you went there."

"Hm... yes, well, he's quite the one for helping the police." Martin muttered, "she was his housekeeper, you know."

"So Mattie said," his wife nodded. "Things are changing, Martin, our children are not the same as we were, we weren't the same as our parents, perhaps we should just let her live her life, and be here when she needs us."

Martin shrugged his shoulders, all he'd ever wanted was for his daughter to be happy, it would seem she would find her kind of happiness in ways he would never understand.

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Matthew had taken Alice out to dinner, so had no idea Nurse O'Brien was back. In fact, he didn't find out until the following evening when he came home after work. He strolled in and was immediately accosted by Ted who had a new book to show him.

"Looks interesting, mate," Matthew grinned, "you can read some to me, if you want."

"Ok, and we've got somebody new staying with us," Ted ran back down to the kitchen, where Mattie was peeling vegetables for Jean. He'd been told he wasn't to say who it was, they wanted to surprise Uncle Matthew.

"Right, better come and meet them, then," Matthew limped after him and turned into the kitchen. Julia ran up to him and help her arms up for her hug. He swung her up with his free arm and looked across at the table. The young woman raised her head and smiled,

"Good evening, Superintendant."

"Bloo...er, Miss O'Brien!" he gasped, "you're back!"

"So it would seem," she laughed, "how are you, Matthew?"

"Not too bad, thanks, you?"

"Very well," she carried on peeling, "I've come back to work for Lucien."

"I knew he was looking for a practice nurse, but surely you didn't come all the way from England just for Blake?"

"I was home, mum contacted me," Mattie put her knife down, "dad had a small stroke and she seemed to think it was .." she shrugged, "Anyway, I wrote to Jean to ask if I could visit and she told me about the job. I applied formally, and was interviewed yesterday."

"Right, are you sure?"

"Well at least I know what he's like." Mattie got up to take the colander to the sink, "I won't be surprised if I get left to see to surgery, and I've done baby clinics, so ..."

"Your father?"

"Fine, mum exaggerated," she rolled her eyes over her shoulder.

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Mattie settled easily back into the household. She helped Jean, just as she had always done, sat in on some of Lucien's consultations, listened to Ted read, played with Julia. It didn't seem five minutes since she'd left to go to England, which she had to tell Ted all about. He was fascinated and hung on her every word.

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"Mattie!" Jean called her through to the dining room, "can you help me set up for the mother and baby group, please."

"What do you need me to do?" Mattie noticed she had moved the dining chairs around the edge of the room.

"Help me shift the table to under the window," Jean stood at one end, "then there is a box of toys in the hall cupboard."

"Right," Mattie took the opposite end of the table and they moved it, "do you have to do this every time?"

"Yes, why, do you have another idea?"

"Well, if you aren't using it as a dining room, why move everything back?"

"I still use it for sewing," Jean could understand her confusion, "and if Lucien has things he needs to lay out somewhere it's best if he can walk round the table. He usually helps me but he went out early this morning. He did suggest one of the bedrooms, the guest room, but with Matthew staying here..."

"Ok, just a thought," she smiled, understanding perfectly, and went to get the toys, while Jean took the decanters into the kitchen.

"What about clinic?" Mattie appeared in the kitchen, "has it started or do you want to start it today?"

"How about we introduce you today," Jean passed her a tray of cups and saucers, "table please. If anyone wants to speak to you today you can use the surgery."

"But start it properly next week ..." Mattie mused, "... sounds like a good idea. Are they all Lucien's patients?"

"Some have transferred," Jean nodded, "Dr King was a bit annoyed when one family did, but they have four children, and the last one is hard to deal with. He suggested putting him in an institution."

"Oh, how so?"

"You'll see," Jean sighed, thinking of the little boy who had to be kept a close eye on, he seemed to have no concept of the idea of sharing, or that hitting hurt. She also thought it best Mattie made her own mind up.

Mattie raised an eyebrow, Jean just shrugged.

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The mothers and children arrived as usual, Mrs Stevens passed over a tin full of lemon biscuits, and assembled in the dining room. The children who were old enough were let loose on the toys and the babies were lay down on a couple of rugs Jean had set out. Mattie immediately worked out which was the child who was 'challenging'. He had gone straight over to Julia and taken a little car out of her hand.

"Robert," his mother called across, Mattie noticed she looked strained, "give that back to Julia, there are other cars to play with."

"Robert is obsessed with cars," Jean whispered, as she passed Mattie with the teapot.

"Right, what boy isn't?" Mattie filed that in the back of her mind, ready to be retrieved when she needed that specific fact. She had seen children similar to Robert, who struggled with the wider world, who seemed to inhabit their own little world, but he didn't seem to quite fit into that particular mould. She decided to watch him.

"I'm sorry Mrs Blake, he's just as bad with his sisters," Robert's mother, Mrs Farmer, sighed.

"I'm sure they give as good as they get," Jean smiled, "now, ladies, some of you may remember our guest, Nurse O'Brien. Well," she turned and smiled at Mattie, "Mattie will be our practice nurse from next week, she will do the baby clinics and if you have any problems you want to talk through, she's here to help."

Mattie grinned, recognising some of the women, "it's rather good to be back home," she lifted a child that had crawled over to her, "and to work for Dr Blake."

"You seem quite comfortable with children," Mrs Stevens noted, "have you worked with them before?"

"I've been in London for some time and worked on the wards, as a social worker and run baby clinics over there..." The child she was holding wriggled and she placed him down on the floor. "there you go little one."

They sat and chatted about how their children were doing, drinking tea and occasionally stopping young Robert from taking toys of the girls. Mindful that his mother had said he was as bad with his sisters, Mattie noticed he only made to upset the girls, but was happy to play with the boys. As he was the only child Mrs Farmer had with her, Mattie surmised he was a bit of a surprise,

"How old are Robert's sisters?" she asked.

"seven, nine and twelve," Mrs Farmer sighed, "Robert was a surprise, I never expected to have any more, with such a gap I thought ..." She looked tired, Mattie thought, "... of course my husband is delighted he now has a son, he's always been tough on the girls but he lets Robert get away with anything."

Mattie was building a picture in her mind, and it was a disappointing one, she saw him as a mini Edward Tyneman, but kept that thought to herself, as Harriet was there. She found Harriet completely different to what she would have expected from Edward's wife and James was a little sweetie, playing contentedly with Julia.

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Lucien and Alice looked at the body before them, tyre tracks on his clothing, grazes on his face and hands. He had been called out early in the morning to attend a possible crime scene. A body had been found on the road towards Daylesford and Castlemaine, and at first, appeared to be someone lying down, sleeping. As the motorist got out to go and tell him to get out of the way he noticed there was absolutely no movement, yet from the way he was lying chest movements should have been visible. He knew he had to get the police and looked around for signs of habitation, a few small homes dotted the landscape, he hoped one had a phone. He left his car, with the indicator on, hoping no one would rear-end it, and walked to the nearest house.

"Course we got a phone, mate," the overly cheerful householder grinned, "livin' out here can't afford not to."

"May I use it, please," the driver sighed in relief, "there's a body in the middle of the road."

"Bloody hell, really?" he stepped aside, "help yourself."

Having given a brief idea of what he'd found to the Ballarat force, the driver, Tom Simmons, said he'd go back and wait for the services.

"I'll come with you," the householder grabbed his coat, "help keep the traffic out of the way."

"Thanks, er..?"

"Norman, Norman Lively," he offered his hand, "Lively by name, lively by nature," he grinned.

Simmons was glad of the company, standing in the middle of the road, filtering the traffic round the body was a lonely job.

Danny took a statement from Simmons while Lucien and Matthew looked around the scene and the ambos took the body to the morgue to await the two doctors. There were no skid marks around, either before or after the body; Lucien's thoughts were that it was deliberate but until he had done the autopsy he couldn't be sure. Matthew had rolled his eyes, but, privately he agreed.

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So, what happened on the road? What is the story behind little Robert? I had intended to end this story but this idea is worming its way through the fog of my writer's block.