Vince Pov
I've never been one to worry over stupid things. Everyone here was fretting over their futures, hoping for happiness. I didn't see the point. Realistically, none of us were going to have the best chances that life could throw at us.
My destiny was in the military. Live as a hero, fight as a hero and die as a hero.
Except, I was no hero. I'd scorned everyone at the Foundling Hospital, save a few of my followers, and not one person truly understood me for who I was. All the hate. All the snide comments.
It was just an act.
An act to save myself from feeling hurt and bruised all over again. There was no use in getting your hopes up when we all knew they'd come crashing down anyway.
I didn't want to die. It was inevitable, they'd take the weakest and let them rot there on the battlefield. If anything I wanted to relive my childhood, play games and laugh all day, every day.
Hetty. She'd given me all that in under 5 minutes.
I suppose I'd been a bit hasty about her. Jealous, even. The way she used to go on about her family, Jem this and Jem that... it wrenched out a hole in my heart. That one person could have it all, and no one could. All I wanted was for people to care.
She cared.
Past tense. I'd ruined all that when I blackmailed Winterson. I just proved to her that she could never trust me. Never.
But maybe there was hope still...
Hetty Pov
Maybe...
It was ridiculous. I had my future to think about yet all my thoughts kept wandering off to him. I couldn't help how I felt about him, the way he'd helped me in the kitchen warmed my heart. He'd left me feeling dazed all day.
"Still dreaming about Vince?" Harriet's whisper shook me out of my trance, as I realised that we'd been giving some writing to do. My favourite subject, and I wasn't even paying attention.
"No!" I hissed, cursing my betraying red cheeks.
Returning to my work, I realised how much I started to truly care for Vince. He wasn't all bad. The other day when Gideon had been harshly caned for misbehaving in lessons, Vince had actually shown some empathy. He wouldn't talk to anyone but Vince!
My thoughts started to drift back to my mother. If only she ran this place! We'd be content with staying at the Foundling Hospital forever!
The ringing of the bell awoke me from my trance and I pulled myself together. Today, was another day when potential new positions sparked conversation and excitement. Almost everyone had their futures sorted out and I was worried that I'd be the last one. I would've thought Matron would have jumped at the opportunity of getting rid of me, but perhaps she revelled in making me wait in angst.
It wasn't anything I was doing wrong. I'd acted every bit as the dutiful maid, and even had a few guests commenting on my amiable manner. Matron had probably managed to avert their interest from me onto someone else.
Today we were practising tidying and cleaning in a lady's room: brushing down dresses, arranging flowers and cleaning the silver. This task was the most anticipated by all the Foundling girls, for we could actually hold these rich materials, and imagine ourselves born into a different life. I'd already planned to pick the most glorious dress of the lot; it would be a lovely emerald green and be speckled with gems and pearls.
Of course, I knew that they would never let us handle such exquisite dresses, but one could dream..!
Turns out I was dreaming on more occasions than one.
"Hetty Feather!"
Her bark never failed to stun me to the core.
I spun on my heel and turned to meet Matron. She smiled wryly, before motioning me to come over. I came reluctantly, casting an apologetic look to Harriet over my shoulder. I wondered what it was that I had done this time to spite her.
"Yes Matron?" I stated with a forced smile.
"You are wanted in the infirmary to nurse a sick child" she explained all-too-happily. Unusual. Nursing a child didn't sound like a punishment.
"Yes Matron. When?"
She smiled wider, "Now!"
"But Matron I wanted to practice tidying ladies' rooms.."
"And gain a potential employer?" she asked amused at the idea, "Infirmary. Now!"
I scurried off to the infirmary, raging. Why did she always do this? I thought she'd be content with seeing the back of me, but oh no! She had to make my life a living hell as well.
I only stopped my stomping once I reached the infirmary. Nurse Winterson was crouched over a bed, looking really anxious. Upon seeing me, she left the bed unwillingly.
"Hetty? Don't worry I've got it all covered, you may return to greet the guests.." she explained but I wasn't staring at her.
Cocooned in sheets, and as pale as chalk a figure was resting, bandage wrapped around his head. Vince.
I immediately regretted my attitude earlier on, and gazed sadly at Vince. He didn't look good.
Nurse Winterson sighed, "He was overworking himself in the army training, so he collapsed. It's no surprise, since we have barely any funding to eat healthy meals.."
I couldn't believe it. A few days ago he was helping me out in the kitchen, and now he was bedridden. I couldn't help but feel guilty at yelling at him a few days ago. He didn't deserve this.
Nurse Winterson seemed to echo my thoughts, "I know he's done some bad things but.. well, after this, no one will take him on"
She shrugged and left with a basin of water, as I dropped into a chair besides the bed. A few minutes ago, I'd been dreaming about him and now he was here, and I didn't know what to say.
Despite his pale colour, Vince looked peaceful. I stopped seeing the hateful act that he always put up, and realised that he was just as broken as the rest of us. Maybe even more. I didn't want to wonder whether it was my fault that he'd been overworking himself. Trying to impress me and show that he was good at heart.
No, that was selfish of me to think so.
Vince had problems, and I'd just made them worse. Blinking back tears, I reached out and held his hand.
It was clammy and cold but I didn't mind. Today I was a nurse. And I was going to help Vince, whatever it took.
Vince Pov
My head was pounding. That's all I knew when I woke up, and instantly I felt that something was wrong. Determined not to open my eyes, I just lay there pathetically trying to take in air. I ended up inhaling the waft of medicines and syrups, and realised that I was in the infirmary.
Great.
How was I meant to impress the sergeant and get a good position in the army, now? It all just proved that I wasn't good enough. I didn't even remember what had happened!
Trying to think about something else, I felt my thoughts drift towards Hetty. I frowned. I knew that whatever I dreamt, Hetty would never forgive me. She didn't even like me in the first place. I was being foolish. I needed to concentrate on getting better and moving on.
Just as I'd managed to drift off back to sleep, I heard someone sniff. Like they were crying. I waited for a bit but assumed it was just my imagination. Who'd be sitting by my bed? And so quietly?
Suddenly, a hand slid into my own. It was so warm, that my hand tingled from being numb for so long. I relished the feeling for a bit, then I heard the person shuffling- almost as though they were about to leave.
Wait! I clasped my hand around theirs before they even had the chance.
"Vince?" the voice asked shakily.
My eyes finally opened. Hetty.
Her eyes were glassy and wide, and she looked grave and worried. We stared at each other for what felt like minutes, finally understanding. She cared. She'd always cared.
Tearing my eyes away, I stared at our clasped hands.
"Don't go"
"I won't" came the reply almost immediately.
I cringed inside at how croaky my voice sounded, and how vulnerable I must've looked, but she didn't push me nor tease me on the matter.
Grabbing a wet towel, she pressed it to my head gently and all of a sudden the coolness of the towel seemed to put my head at ease. I found myself peering into her green eyes, eyes that were raw with feeling and sadness. I wanted to hold her in my arms and comfort her, but at that moment Nurse Winterson returned.
"Vince, how are you feeling?" she asked concerned.
I nodded before smiling at Hetty, "Better".
"Good. Just rest up, have this soup, and Nurse Hetty will be here on standby to help!" Winterson replied relieved.
Feeling ill meself. I can relate Vince!
Anyway hope you lot are enjoying this fic. Please R&R
