Elise woke up to sterile room and too much sunlight. She opened her eyes tentatively to see pristine white ceiling and row of beds, which looked a lot like hospital ones. Was she in the hospital? Why hospital? She didn't remember even being wheeled to hospital. Just then a nurse walked in dressed like 40's and Elise sighed in relief. She was dreaming but then why could she smell the pristine air so peculiar hospitals and even if she was in hospital why was the nurse not wearing scrubs. Nurse noticed the girl was awake and made her way towards her. Some stranger who informed that she was lying fainted in a dark alley brought her late in the midnight yesterday. The nurse saw her frowning and smiled slightly, the poor girl was confused.
"Good morning! Don't worry you were found fainted in an alley by a stranger who brought you here. There is nothing wrong with you." She said in a soothing voice.
The girl nodded and tried to sit up. The nurse hurriedly arranged the pillows. The girl nodded with a small smile. Noticing she hadn't spoken yet the nurse frowned a bit.
"Do you need anything?"
"Way to bathroom, please." Said the girl with another smile.
The nurse liked her already. Chuckling she nodded as the girl got out of the bed. Her cloths were what baffled the nurse; the girl was wearing a nightdress except it was pant and shirt. No girl wore pant and shirt! And her night slippers, they were fluffy and cute! But she had never seen a pair like them either! She walked her to the nearest bathroom and handed her a toothbrush, paste and a hand towel. The girl nodded again.
"I'll be in the ward." She said as the girl closed the door.
Elise splashed cool water on her face. This was real, she was not dreaming. Gargling, she squeezed paste on the toothbrush, spitting out the water, started brushing. A million thoughts whizzed through her brain. This was 30's or 40's. She was in hospital. Was found fainted in an alley. How did she get here? Was she stuck here for forever? Of all the times had her wishes to fulfil now! But she supposed it was better now when it was summer vacation, which was going to end in few weeks. She thought dryly and groaned. Ok! Nothing can be done about it. I have to find the date and day. Current happenings. So, greet the nurse casually, borrow some cloths and find today's newspaper! Washing her face and fixing her hair, she stalked back to the ward and settled on her bed. The nurse came to her.
"Good morning! Thank you for the help. I hope you thanked the stranger on my behalf." Said Elise.
"Don't mention! And you can thank the man your self, he said he'll come to see you." Said the nurse with a smile.
The nurse was young, not much older than her. Maybe twenty-five. Kind, sympatric, easy to talk – just what she needed. Smiling sweetly Elise engaged her in a talk.
"That's very kind of him!"
"Yes, he was worried about you."
"I hope I'm not causing him any unconvinced."
"Oh no, I don't think so. The old man seemed very kind."
Phuee! Old man she can handle.
"It's not everyday one meets a kind person. Especially if you are new to the place." Said Elise baiting the nurse.
"You are new to London! Welcome!" said the nurse smiling.
"Yes, thank you! Just arrived yesterday. Rented a room in run down hotel, woke up mid night to someone bustling around the room. Gave a chase. Should have known better. The owner was involved." She said in appalled tone.
"Poor you! How dreadful! You should complain to the police." Said the nurse sympathizing.
"Not to worry, the suitcase only had one pair of cloths and the money I brought was spent in paying the rent." Elise said with a snort.
The nurse chuckled and Elise joined her.
"So this is all you are left with." Said the nurse, eyes wide.
"Yes. Brought my brother's left out pyjamas. He's in the army." She sniffed a little.
The nurse looked sympathetically.
"What's your name?" asked Elise.
"Oh where are my manners! My name is Joan. What's yours?" asked Joan.
Elise smiled a bit and answered, "My name is Elise." She decided to go by her original name, its not like anyone's going to recognize her.
"Since you are awake would you mind answering few questions?" Asked Joan.
"I'll try my best." Replied Elise.
The next few minutes were passed filling the medical form.
"So what are you going to do now?" asked Joan.
"Honestly, I have no idea. Maybe my saviour can help me." Said Elise chuckling a bit. Just then an old man not more than fifty came in. Joan seemed to recognize him and waved at them. The old man made his way towards them.
"Good morning! I assumed that she would be awake. How are you feeling, dear?" asked the old man greeting them and looking at her.
"I am fine, thank you! I'm very grateful to you and apologise for any inconvenience that I have caused you." Said Elise gratefully, minding her language. She was always against those disgraceful terms that her generation is or was it 'was' now so partial to. I mean, come on! They can't go without saying 'something' in every other sentence. Where they can't find an appropriate word they insert 'something'. It boiled her blood. Its not as if learning some vocabulary will kill them! Now listening to the proper English was like music to the ears. Smiling happily she focused back on the old man again.
"My name is Patrick O'Donnell." Said the old man introducing himself. "I couldn't just leave without checking if you were fine, my conscience would simply revolt. So don't apologise!"
Elise smiled at him gratefully as Joan started to speak.
"She is fine, must have fainted due to exhaustion."
Elise mentally cheered; Joan had unknowingly helped her.
"Oh where are my manners! My name is Elise Lane."
Mr O'Donnell smiled at her and turned towards the nurse frowning.
"Exhaustion?" he asked.
"Exhaustion from travelling to London." Answered Joan.
"Joan!" Elise hissed appalled.
"What he has the right to know as your saviour!" Joan reprimanded.
"Are you new to London, dear?" asked Mr O'Donnell.
"Yes sir just arrived yesterday. The hotel owner and one of his boys robbed me. I gave the boy a chase and the next thing I know was feeling faint and waking up to the white walls of the hospital." Elise finished her made up story with a shy smile.
"You are quite a wordsmith, aren't you? What happened to you was dreadful, if you want we can inform the police." Mr O'Donnell chuckled as he said.
"Oh Elise here assures me that it's quite unnecessary! The thief stole her only pair of clothes, nothing else. The money she brought was spent on paying the rent." Replied Joan chuckling.
Mr O'Donnell laughed at the bizarre story of the young girl.
"My dear, I never felt this happy meeting someone new! But this leaves you with a problem. What are you planning on doing now?" said Mr O'Donnell.
"Honestly sir, I have no idea! I had planned on getting a job as an assistant or even a secretary, but seeing as I can't walk out in my night dress the job searching have to wait." Said Elise with another chuckle. She has been going that a lot today.
"I can lend you my clothes." Said Joan helpfully.
"Joan! I can't ask you of that. You have been more than helpful." Said Elise with appalled tone.
"Oh hush you! I was doing my job and I won't let you get out of here like that." Said Joan with a laugh.
"And I have a proposition for you. You seem well read and have a way with your words. I am chief editor at the Penguin publications and am in need of a secretary. You can train under me!" said Mr O'Donnell happily.
"Sir! You have been kind enough to me already. It seems all am going this morning is imposing on the first kind people I had the fortune of meeting!" said Elise shaking her head with a sigh.
"Dear lass, you are not imposing! We are helping on our free will." Replied Mr O'Donnell as Joan nodded in agreement.
Elise whooped mentally at the turn of events and thanked her stars. Sighing in defeat she smiled gratefully and few minutes later she was walking along side Mr O'Donnell in the borrowed dress from Joan to his house when he insisted.
