Charlie watched the two girls walking toward the kitchen, confused. What on earth was going on? Even if he lived to be a hundred Charlie thought he'd never understand women. He shook his head and went to change.
Rose leaned her weight on Mattie as they entered the kitchen where Lucien and Jean were sitting at the table drinking tea. Lucien exchanged a look with Jean.
"Rose! How are you feeling?"
Rose looked embarrassed "a bit sore and silly"
Mattie gently helped her into a chair
"Tea, Rose?"
"Thanks Mattie. White with one." Mattie smiled to herself as she went to the kettle
"Let's have a look at those stitches"
Rose obligingly pushed her fringe out of her face as Lucien studied the neat handiwork
"Very nice Mattie!"
Mattie blushed as she brought the tea to the table and placed in in front of Rose. Medical praise from Lucien was high praise indeed. She touched Rose's shoulder gently "I'm going to go and get out of your clothes and into mine." The girls shared a small half smile. "If you start to feel dizzy or nauseous, please tell Lucien right away"
"Thanks Mattie" Rose looked up at her and then went back to fiddling with her hot cup of tea.
Lucien saw the look that passed between them. What was that? It wasn't hatred, but not quite friendship yet either.
Jean was oblivious to the look. "Did you find your trunk?" She enquired toward Mattie.
"Yes, I did, Thanks" Mattie called over her shoulder as she left.
"So….. You're feeling better?" Lucien was fishing
"A bit of a headache."
"Drink your tea. That will make you feel better." Jean stood up "I've got to get on with preparing dinner. Goodness, where has the afternoon gone?"
"Sorry Jean, I feel that was my fault" Rose apologized, looking abashed
"No Rose, Not at all! Did you and Mattie work things out?'
"We.. uh, we had a good talk." She sipped her tea "I think we're a lot alike"
"Ahh yes. Both headstrong, stubborn and fiercely independent"
"Lucien!"
Rose smiled a half smile "No its alright Jean. I think that truer words have never been spoken"
Lucien reached out and put his hand on Rose's shoulder. "When you're feeling a bit better Rose, we can talk about the symptoms you had and how to deal with these feelings if they happen again" He looked at her as she blew on her tea to cool it, her cheeks coloured and she avoided eye contact with him. He realised she was embarrassed about what had happened "Rose, please, There's nothing to ashamed about. These things happen." He looked at her intently as she stirred her tea. "Rose, please, I hope you can feel you can come to Jean or I about anything that's bothering you.
Rose looked at him "Thanks Lucien, I really appreciate that" She took a sip of tea and felt the warmth spread through her. "I think I might go and have lie down" she made to get up but Lucien stopped her
"uh no, sorry, no can do. No lying down after a head injury. Nurse O'Brien would never allow it."
She sat back down with a bump.
"Well in that case, you can make yourself useful and peel the potatoes for dinner" Jean placed the bowl of potatoes on the table in front of her.
Lucien stood up and rubbed her shoulders comfortingly then went over and wrapped his arms around Jeans waist.
As they cuddled at the sink, Rose picked up the peeler and glanced at them. This was familiar. This was normal. It calmed her and as she began to peel the potatoes she thought to herself, maybe this would all work out alright after all.