A month had passed since John had become acquainted with one Miss Marion Tyler. The disturbing way she had appeared seemed to evaporate from his memory as he spent more time with her, and he quickly found out he loved her company, especially as she shared his interest in stargazing. Even though she didn't know many names of the infant suns, he shortly remedied that predicament when he took her to his stargazing sight, where they stayed for hours as he picked out star after star, watching as she marvelled at the name of each.
As Marion couldn't remember anything from before she arrived, the Headmaster placed her in the Library, complaining it wasn't organised and that it should keep her occupied until any memories arose. That day forth, she was known as 'The Librarian', surprisingly not minding when few of the boys called her 'Miss Librarian'.
As the many days passed, he would always find himself taking long looks at her over the dining table as she made conversation with some of the other Professors, looking down suddenly when she'd catch him. He found his heart leaped into his throat whenever she walked into a room or even talked to him. John had never been the type to play with love. In fact, he was quite the hopeless romantic, but as the short month passed, he found himself diving deeper and deeper into the wonderful pit of infatuation. Her beauty was nothing like he'd seen before. Even the Goddess' bowed to her. Even her appearances in his strange dreams seemed to make him happier.
Even though he'd never felt it like this before, he was quite certain he was falling in love with the strange woman, and quite hastily.
He found himself taking daily journeys to the Library just to see her, as that was where she spent most of her time. He quickly found that another interest they both shared was reading, the two teasing in pointless banter on who was superior; Shakespeare or Dickins. Even though he believed he was visiting her so often she was beginning to feel irritated, it appeared she enjoyed spending time with him as much as he with her. She always smiled brightly whenever he entered the room, giving that tongue in the teeth smile he was beginning to love so dearly.
"Another Shakespeare?" Marion criticised playfully. She stamped the book and closed it, sliding it to the front of the desk as he searched for another. "I will never understand your admiration for that man."
"That genius," John corrected as he grabbed another poetry book. "The man was a pure genius, and don't try to deny it," he scowled as he walked to the desk, handing her the book.
"Yeah, okay," Marion shrugged as she gave him the last book. "He was alright, but still not the best. Now, will I be getting these books back tomorrow, or will I have to hunt for them again?" she said in a nearly hopeful tone, John noted.
"Oh, yes," he nodded happily. "I mean," he scoffed gesturing the eight book stack in his arms. "This isn't a lot. I'll be finished with these by tomorrow morning, without a doubt," he told her as he smiled, turning around to the door. "I'll see you tomorrow, Marion."
"Good," she smiled back to him, looking down as she blushed slightly. She looked back up at him, her smile more gentle now. His mouth hanging open just slightly, he nodded. "Good," he agreed as he walked through the door, struggling to see where he was going. Had she just flirted with him? And he back to her? Well, his day had just brightened dramatically. He'd known he'd been developing feelings for the young woman since he'd first laid eyes upon her, but never did he think they would be reciprocated.
Walking through the hallway to his study, he was startled by a sudden, "Good morning, Mister Smith!" Jumping, he dropped the top book from the stack, trying to grasp it in vain as it fell clumsily to the floor. "Oh, there we go," he mumbled as he looked around the remaining of the stack to see Nurse Redfern.
She took the book from the ground, placing it back on top of the large pile. "Here you go, Mister Smith," she said, eying the books. "Shall I take half?"
"Urm, yes, here," he said, leaning down so she could take four of the books. "How was Jenkins?" he asked.
"Oh, just missing his mother," Nurse Redfern replied as she took hold of some of the books. "He received a letter from her this morning, so he's a lot more chipper. So, these books, are they being taken in any particular direction?" she asked.
"Yes," he said, as if remembering. He turned and gestured down the hallway. "This way," he said, ever the gentleman, letting her take the lead. "I always say, Matron, give the boys a good head of steam, they'll soon wear themselves out."
"Truth be told, when it's just you and me, I'd much rather you call me Nurse Redfurn," she claimed as they walked down a set of stairs. "'Matron' sounds rather...well, matronly. Though we've known each other all of two months, you could even say 'Joan'," she continued. "That's my name," she smiled as she stopped at the staircase, noticing something on the board. "Have you seen this, John?" she asked, looking at the flyer. "The Annual Dance at the Village Hall tomorrow. It's nothing formal, but a lot of fun, on all accounts." There was a long pause between them as she looked at him expectantly as he looked at the parchment in wonder. He'd been too busy as of late to really consider going, but now she brought it up... maybe Marion would like to go… maybe? She did seem like someone who enjoyed dancing and balls and such like. "Do you think you'll go?" Joan asked, John not missing the nervousness in her voice.
"I… I hadn't really thought about it," John lied as he stared at the paper. Would Marion like to go? Or should he save himself the embarrassment or rejection? Well, he never knew unless he asked her. Had someone already asked her? He wouldn't be surprised.
"It's been ages since I've been to a dance, except no one's asked me," Joan laughed stiffly. She looked up at him again, only just then catching onto what she was implying. It was true that during the first month of working at Farringham he'd been watching Nurse Redfurn in a special light. She was physically attractive, that for certain. She was courteous, polite, brave and over all, a fantastic woman. But with Marion... it was just different. The light had shifted from Nurse Redfurn to Miss Tyler. She was beautiful, made him feel happy and her presence was just addicting to him. Feeling himself go beat red, he began to stutter. "Well… I… you… I never thought you'd be one for that," he stuttered as he began to walk backwards slowly. "I mean… I was- I suppose, thinking about asking… well, Marion, but-"
"John, the stairs," Joan said in urgency.
"What about the stairs?" he asked.
"They're right behind you!" she exclaimed, pointing earthwards, all too late. John felt himself fall, his head smashing against something hard as he continued down the wooden steps, Joan running down after him a few moments later.
