A/N.
Hope you enjoy this chapter. I'm having so much fun fitting characters from the Dr Blake universe into my au. Agnes and Nell are such fun to write. I can't wait to share with you what i have planned for this. Thanks for reading :)
"Li, Can I talk with you for a second?" It was lunchtime and Jean hadn't had a chance to speak with Li yet.
Li bit her lip, nodded and looked back to Mattie, who was looking curiously from Li to Mrs Beazley who had stuck her head out of her office to talk to them. "I'll catch up with you."
Mattie bobbed her head, her brown curls dancing, and with a last look over her shoulder strolled away.
"Come in Li," Jean opened the door.
Li's heart sank, "Did I do something wrong?" She sat down in the chair Mrs Beazley indicated and felt her breathing grow shallow as she glanced sideways at Miss Harvey, working at her desk.
"No Li, nothing like that, actually quite the opposite," Jean smiled down at her. "Li, your audition yesterday was tremendous, it absolutely blew us all away."
"Thank you," Li stammered. Her ears began to ring and she tipped her head and tried to rub it away with her shoulder. Her heart pounded as if it were trying to escape her chest all together.
"I know you wrote Nehebka on the form, But as you left, you said you would be happy with wherever we decided we wanted you."
'Ah' Li thought to herself. She'd been unsuccessful then. Mrs Beazley was just letting her down gently. Li felt her chin wobble and her eyes pricked with tears. She'd tried so hard, and she really thought she'd done a good audition. All that work with Miss Nell had been for nothing. Li tried to focus on slowing her breathing, but it was like someone had taken hold of her heart and was squeezing it tightly. She blinked quickly to try and stop the tears from falling. She'd just begun to look forward to being in the musical with her friends. And what if they were all involved and she wasn't? Maybe she wasn't actually a good singer at all? Had people just been polite to her about her singing this whole time? She looked out the window and her vision blurred. She squinted her eyes as if that would help them focus. Mrs Beazley was still talking, and she tried to force her ears to listen to what she was saying.
"…But, we wondered, well, we wondered, would you play Aida?"
Li blinked. "What?" She shook her head partly trying to stop the ringing in her ears and partly to try and make sense of what Mrs Beazley had just said. Play the title role? In front of the whole school? Her heart hammered inside her chest so much it hurt. She swallowed with difficulty as all of a sudden her mouth went dry.
"I think with a bit more coaching from Miss Nell and I, we could help you grow in your confidence, enough to be able to play the role, there is no doubt in our minds that you could sing it."
Li couldn't understand Mrs Beazley. It sounded like her voice was coming from so far away. Her hands started to shake, her vision blurred, her ears rang, her heart thumped, then everything went black.
Jean caught Li as she fell. "Alice! Help?"
Alice leapt from her chair and stood looking at them dumbly. "What do I do?"
"Help me take her to the nurse!"
Alice pulled Li's arm around her shoulders and together with Jean, they half carried, half dragged Li towards the school nurse.
Agnes Clasby sat in an armchair in her office with her feet up. She flicked a page in her magazine and had just taken a bite of her sandwich when Jean and Alice struggled through the door, A small lifeless figure between them
"My goodness" she cried as she brushed the crumbs from her lap and jumped up from her seat. Putting her sandwich down, she wiped her hands, and swiftly stepped out of her office. Looking at them over the top of her glasses she frowned. "Who's this then?"
"Li Blake, She fainted."
Agnes helped Jean and Alice through a doorway into a side room and lay Li down on a small bed, her hand immediately going to the girls' wrist to check her pulse. "What happened?"
"She… uh… had some unexpected news." Jean rubbed her face guiltily. She felt responsible for Li's current state, and she felt Alice's calming hand on her shoulder.
Agnes wet a face washer and folding it, placed it on the girls head. "Well, I'll keep an eye on her. She should come good in a moment. If she doesn't, I'll call an ambulance as a precaution."
Nell Clasby chose that moment to enter the room. Her eyes met Agnes's, then slid to Jean and Alice in confusion. Looking past them, she saw Li laying on the bed.
Nell's eyes widened and she looked at Jean knowingly. "Did this happen when you asked her to play Aida?" She pushed past them all and took Li's hand in her own.
Jean nodded, "Maybe I should have waited. At least until she'd eaten lunch."
Alice squeezed her shoulder gently. "This is not your fault Jean."
Nell placed Li's hand back on the bed and turned to Jean. "Of course it isn't Jean, It was bound to happen sooner or later, she's been on edge since last week." Nell glanced at Agnes who was looking confused, "She has some anxiety issues we've been working on."
"Ah," Agnes nodded with realisation. "Should we call her parents?"
Jean sighed and pulled out her phone. "I'll do it." She tapped the screen a few times and waited.
Lucien had been reading a book in the sunroom and had just dozed off when his phone rang. Glancing down at his phone he smiled.
"Jean."
"Lucien, it's Li."
Suddenly alert he swung his legs from the bench, knocking his book to the ground. "What happened?"
"Don't panic, she fainted, but she's with the school nurse."
"I'll be right there" Lucien hung up abruptly and grabbed his jacket and keys.
Agnes looked at Nell, confusion etched on her face, while Jean spoke on the phone. Nell just raised her eyebrows, swallowed a small smile, and looked back at Li.
"Lucien is on his way."
Agnes shot Jean an enquiring look. "Lucien?"
"Li's father."
Agnes crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at Jean. "And just why do you happen to have a student's fathers phone number in your phone, one with whom I might add, you are on a first name basis with?"
"Oh Agnes don't be silly. Lucien has been helping me with the fundraiser for the musical."
Nell arched an eyebrow towards Agnes with a smirk, "That's the story I got too. He's old Doctor Blake's son."
Agnes's eyebrows almost disappeared as she looked back to Jean. "I see. And is there a Mrs Blake?" she pursed her lips.
Just then Li's eyes fluttered open and she raised a hand to try and push the face washer from her head.
Agnes gently took her hand in hers and moved it away from the flannel. "Leave it there my sweet. Just until we get some colour back into those cheeks."
"Who are you? What happened?" Li slurred as she looked around worriedly and her eyes landed on Nell.
"You fainted my dear. This is Miss Agnes, the school nurse. Your father is on his way."
"No." Li tried to push herself into a seated position but her arms wobbled. "No," she repeated as she collapsed back onto the bed. "I'm fine, Please don't bother Papa!" She pulled the face washer off her head and Agnes took it.
"Shh, calm yourself." Agnes went to the sink to put fresh cool water on the flannel. She came back with a glass of water. Passing the wet fabric to Jean she sat in the chair next to the bed. "Do you think you could sip some of this water?"
"Of course, I'm fine." Li tried again to sit up and failed as the room span with the sudden movement. A frustrated tear escaped her eye and she swatted it away crossly.
"Maybe just lay there a little longer, until get your strength back.
"I told you I'm fine," Li snapped. "I just didn't eat enough today, that's all."
"Li," Nell said gently, "Don't take this out on Miss Agnes, She's trying to help."
Li looked to Agnes with a harried look and tears shone in her eyes. "I'm sorry Miss Agnes. I really don't want to cause any trouble."
"No trouble at all dear heart, That's what I'm here for." She took her hand and stroked the back of it with her thumb soothingly.
Li began to cry in earnest this time.
Jean sat on the edge of the bed and wiped the wet cloth over the girls face, soothing her hot skin and wiping away her tears.
When Lucien appeared at the door, he was struck by the gentle way Jean was tending to his daughter. The sight made him pause in the doorway and despite the panic he was feeling for Li, his heart jolted at the image of Jean mothering his daughter.
Jean brushed Li's hair from her clammy forehead as her tears fell.
"Li," Lucien uttered.
"Papa!"
Lucien was by her side within strides, he fell to his knees next to the bed and pulled her into his arms and hugged her to his chest.
Agnes stood and moved out of the way. She and Nell stood back and watched as Li cried.
"I'm sorry Papa! I'm so sorry!"
"Shhh Li, it's alright, It's alright my Xiǎo jiāhuo. I'm here, shhh."
Li sobbed into Lucien's chest and clung to him as if her life depended on it. Eventually her tears subsided, her breathing turned heavy and Lucien realised she'd exhausted herself and fallen asleep. He lay her back on the pillow gently and turned to where Jean still sat on the bed. "What happened?" he whispered quietly.
Jean could barely meet his eyes. "Anxiety attack."
"From what? She seemed fine when she left home this morning." His eyes swept back to where Li lay against the pillow.
"I uh… asked her if she would play Aida."
Lucien shot a glance at Jean, and then at Nell. "What? Really?" Despite his worries for Li, his face broke into a grin.
Nell smiled. "You may not have known Mr Blake, that your daughter gave an absolute banger of an audition last week"
He looked back to Li, astounded, "I had no idea. She said she felt she did ok and might be asked to join the chorus."
Jean shook her head incredulously, "Ok? She was phenomenal!"
Lucien reached out and touched Jean's elbow gently and their eyes met as they shared a smile.
Jean continued, "It must be her decision though Lucien. I don't want to push her into a complete mental breakdown. She said she was interested in doing costumes, so if she really doesn't want to play Aida, she can play Nehebka, and help me with costumes. But I will need an answer tomorrow."
Lucien nodded as he looked back to where Li lay, pale and clammy on the bed "So, what now?"
"Well I suggest you stay here until she wakes again, and then take her home," an unfamiliar voice answered him.
Lucien looked up at the person who'd spoken, slightly confused, and finally stood. Extending a hand he spoke. "Pardon me, I don't think we've met. Lucien Blake."
Agnes shook his hand. "Agnes Clasby, School nurse."
Lucien looked from Agnes to Nell. Lesbians or sisters? "Clasby?"
Nell smiled at him, guessing his thoughts. "We're sisters."
Comprehension dawned in Lucien's mind as he understood the reason Nell preferred to go by 'Miss Nell' and not 'Miss Clasby', and he covered Agnes's hand which he still held, with his other hand. "Thank you Agnes."
Agnes indicated the chair. "If you'd like to sit, We'll leave you alone."
"I'll get you a coffee."
"That's very kind Jean." Lucien sat in the chair and Jean looked at him with worried eyes as she left for the staff room to make him a coffee. Agnes and Nell watched Lucien reach out and take Li's hand in his own and kiss it gently. Agnes looked to Nell and indicated they should leave, and they crept out silently.
Agnes pulled the door to her small office closed and glanced out the window to the side room where Lucien and Li were. She crossed her arms and looked at Nell.
"So, I gather there is no Mrs Blake?"
An impish grin came over Nell's face
Agnes sighed as she shook her head "Jean Beazley is going to get herself into trouble if she's not careful."
Nell rolled her eyes. "Oh Agnes, Let her have her fun, It's been a while since she lost poor Christopher."
"He's a charmer, I'll give him that." Agnes pursed her lips. "Did you see the way he reached for Jean after she told him about his daughter's audition?"
Nell just nodded, her eyes sparkling and her smile grew wider.
Agnes tutted, "Oh Nell. Ever the romantic. Have you even thought what will happen if this goes pear shaped? Jean will be left with a broken heart and poor Li will have to deal with some very awkward situations."
Nell shook her head and her eyes shone. "It won't go pear shaped Agnes, You'll see. They're perfect for each other."
Jean returned a few minutes later with the coffee in one hand and a few books tucked under her arm. "Here you go," she handed him the coffee. "I wasn't sure how long you would be here for so I grabbed a few books from the library." Jean placed them down on the table next to him.
Lucien looked down, interested to see what she'd picked. Matthew Reilly, James Patterson, and, he smiled as he picked up the last book which was much smaller than the other two.
Jean shrugged somewhat embarrassed, "I don't know, It's just something I always read when I was sick. I thought it might bring you some comfort."
Lucien flicked the book open and smiled. "The Magicians Nephew," he mused.
"Have you read it before?"
"Not since I was a boy. I think I probably read 'The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe' more." Lucien looked to Jean. "Thank you Jean. For the coffee, and the books, and for calling me." His eyes looked into hers earnestly. "I mean it. Thank you for being there for my girl."
Jean shook her head and sighed as she frowned. "Please don't thank me Lucien." She pushed a frustrated hand through her hair, "After all I feel somewhat responsible for her passing out in the first place."
Lucien reached out a hand and took her own in his. "Jean, Please, Don't blame yourself. If it wasn't you and the auditions it would have been something else. Maybe now we can all work together and get her some help, maybe a counsellor?" he looked up at Jean.
Jean nodded. "Good idea. I know Nell's been helping her out, but we've got a school counsellor, or I could make some enquiries on her behalf?" She looked at Lucien out of the corner of her eyes. "You might consider talking to someone yourself Lucien," she squeezed his hand gently, "It wouldn't hurt for you to have someone to talk things over with. Besides me of course." She smiled at him and felt her heart pound as his blue eyes met hers with an intense stare.
After a momentary pause Lucien nodded his head, "Jean…" he began.
Agnes knocked quietly on the door and Jean dropped Lucien's hand quickly.
"Excuse me, Jean? Heather is on the phone, she's wondering if you are coming to relieve her anytime soon? She says she's been trying to call you?"
"Shit," Jean muttered as she pulled out her phone. Sure enough she had six missed calls. "Tell her I'll be right there."
Agnes nodded and slipped away, narrowing her eyes. She relayed the message on the phone, hung up and turned to where Nell sat, and arched an eyebrow at her. "Fundraiser my arse. I just caught them holding hands like a couple of teenagers."
Nell said nothing, just smiled and sipped her cup of tea.
Jean looked to Lucien, "I'm sorry, but I've got to go, I'm supposed to be on a yard duty. Can I call you tonight?" She felt her face flush and hurriedly added, "To check how Li's going?"
Lucien sat back in the chair, book in hand. "Of course."
Jean smiled at him and her grin grew wider still when Lucien met her eyes and returned the smile.