There was something very unusual about today, James thought. It felt like each corner he turned, there was Tristan, all smiles and waves. Even when it felt like Tristan had no reason to be there, he was there.
He'd come across him at the breakfast table, which was expected because it was, of course, the breakfast table. Tristan had told him about one of his old school mates he'd had when he went to Oxford for the summer a few years ago. Siegfried had glared at Tristan almost the entire time, clearly he disapproved of the shenanigans Tristan had gotten up to during that time.
Siegfried had given them their jobs for the day, he had some sheep to look at and a cow, Tristan would be staying in to mind the surgery to deal with the walk ins and booked appointments.
A quick chat with Tristan as he grabbed his equipment and James was on his way.
Not five minutes after leaving did he spot Tristan standing outside the local shop reading the newspaper. How did Tristan get there before he did? He was the one driving after all. How unusual. Tristan must have sensed his staring because he stopped reading the newspaper and looked over at him. Siegfried will have Tristan's head if he doesn't get back to surgery soon, they had several people to deal with this morning.
No time for James to dwell on it though, he had a sick sheep to deal with. Wasn't his business what the Farnon brothers badger each other over. Well, until they dragged him into the middle of it. He grumbled at the thought of it, no doubt Tristan deserved the wrath of Siegfried but did they have to drag him into it? Being in-between a squabble of the two brothers can really ruin ones day.
After leaving Biggins with a now recovering sheep, James took off. He was halfway down the moors when he had to stop.
There was a man running across the hills, stopping frequently to look at the contraption in his hands. Upon closer inspection James realised it was Tristan, he'd catch his death if he stayed out in the moors. Today was freezing and Tristan certainly didn't look dressed for the weather, not even a hat or scarf.
James climbed out of the car to yell out to Tristan, but the man was long gone before James could even get close. He huffed and climbed back into the car. If Tristan was going to shirk his responsibilities then that's on him, he'll be the one facing Siegfried's temper. Won't be his to deal with.
No sooner after pulling up to Skeldale and stepping out of the car had he then found himself on the ground with a body on top of him.
He groaned as his head hit the pavement. The person on top of him quickly climbed off and grabbed his arm and pulled him up with surprising strength. The sudden change in position and having the wind knocked out of him made James feel somewhat giddy.
"Terribly sorry, old chap, but I must dash," the man said as James tried to get his wits about him, "you'll be alright."
Was that Tristan? Again? He tried to call after the fellow but he was gone. Shaking his head, James straightened himself out and went inside. A nice cup of coffee, that's just what he needed, that'll clear his head and perhaps the day will start being normal again.
Entering Surgery to dump his bag, he saw Tristan examining a cat. Tristan? Again? What on earth was going on here?
He threw his bag down on the chair and hastily walked over to Tristan.
"I don't know what kind of joke you're pulling, but you should stop before Siegfried finds out."
Tristan only stared in confusion, "I'm not sure what you're talking about, James, I've been here all day."
"You just knocked me over outside moments ago." James insisted.
"Impossible." Tristan replied as he went back to the cat, "I've been here all day, just ask Mrs. Hall."
James pinched the bridge of his nose, he could feel a headache starting. He sighed in resignation and walked out of surgery to get a drink, coffee simply wouldn't do, he needs something much stronger to get through the rest of today.
Not five minutes after entering Drovers and ordering a pint had Tristan then entered. Did the guy have a death wish? Quickly finishing off his drink, he walked up to Tristan, who looked deep in concentration and grabbed his arm.
"I say, what do you think you're doing?" he asked.
James stared at him incredulously, "Siegfried is going to kill you if he sees you here," he said as he dragged Tristan to his car, "you're on call tonight and you've got exams to study for, you're not supposed to be here. You know Siegfried will have your neck if you fail again."
"I've never seen you before in my lives." He replied, then he snapped his fingers and smiled, "I ran into you earlier, can't be too bad off if you're here."
James shook his head, "I've had enough of this, Tristan." He said pushing Tristan into the car, "You try your best to get out of work all the time. I'm not being dropped into the middle of it this time, you're going back, you're studying and you're answering calls."
"I can assure you, my only responsibility is to keep everyone in this town safe." Tristan answered with an air of authority James hadn't heard from him before.
James sighed, he'd had more than enough for one day. Parking the car and grabbing Tristan by the arm to make sure he won't escape this time. James dragged him into the house and towards the living room, ignoring each protest from his friend. He pulled Tristan bodily into the room and then froze when he saw Tristan already in the room.
"James?" Tristan called from the couch putting his book down, "I wasn't expecting you back so soon." Tristan's voice died in his throat as he saw the man behind James.
James stared in shock between the two men, the previous one having finally stopped protesting, opting instead to stare at his twin.
Tristan broke the silence first.
"It's like looking in a mirror." He said in awe, "Who are you then?"
James didn't respond, he couldn't comprehend what had happened. He felt like his brain had short circuited.
Tristan wasn't wrong. Apart from the clothes, it was like seeing double. Fair hair, blue eyes, slim stature, even the crooked tooth was the same. No wonder James had thought that was Tristan.
"Something like this was bound to happen sooner or later," Not-Tristan stated as he walked towards the real Tristan. He held out a hand and smiled, "I'm The Doctor, I'm assuming you're this Tristan chap this young man's confused me with."
Young man? James spluttered, he had at least five years on Tristan, this double looked to be the same age as Tristan. Young man. Preposterous.
Tristan chuckled as he shook Not-Tristan's hand, "He thought you were me?"
Not-Tristan shrugged and waved a hand dismissively, "Just a coincidence, I assure you. We do look very similar, but now that this misunderstanding has been cleared up, I best be off." He gave another grin, "Universe to save and all that."
James noticed the way Not-Tristan had put his hands in his pockets and adopted the same stance Tristan was currently in.
This was getting weirder by the moment.
"This is like Siegfried's worst nightmare." James mumbled as he rubbed at his temples, he was perfectly alright with forgetting today had ever happened.
Not-Tristan looked at him once more before rummaging through his pockets and pulling at the same strange contraption James had seen him with earlier.
"I don't suppose you two know of anything unusual happening around here?" Not-Tristan asked.
"Anything unusual?" Tristan responded, "Like what?"
"Oh, you know, animals going missing strange distortions on the radio, that sort of thing." Not-Tristan said looking at them both, "I best be off then. It was nice meeting the two of you."
Not-Tristan left the two men in the sitting room, James was finally about to relax and attempt to forget about today when he heard Siegfried down the hall.
"I dare say, little brother, where do you think you're going?"
James rushed out to deflect Siegfried's attention, today was muddling enough for him, best not to upset the older Farnon. He watched Not-Tristan head for the door in a rush, strange contraption beeping away.
When all was said and done, James was nursing a drink in his hand with the real Tristan sitting opposite.
"I dare say," Tristan said wistfully, "do you think we'll see him again?"
James huffed, "I should certainly hope not. One Tristan is more than enough to deal with, I daresay two Tristan's and all of Darrowby will fall."
Tristan put on a face of mock hurt, "Thank you so much for your kind words."
James swallowed his drink down in one go and jumped up to head to bed. He was not dealing with today any longer, too much weirdness had already happened, he suspected he'll have a stress headache long enough to last a week.
As he headed upstairs he heard a strange noise coming from outside, strange enough to send all the dogs barking mad, he could hear Tristan yelling at them. He stopped halfway up and wondered if he should investigate before shaking his head and continuing back up.
He'd had enough of today. Enough to last a lifetime. He was simply content to sleep the day away and pretend it never happened.