Sorry, I know it's been a while. But here you go guys :) please review and tell me how to improve!
I awoke. It was dusk, the streets were still misty but already did the smoke hang over the city's skies.
It was Saturday. Matthew had told me that we would go to the doctor's together today, but there was no sign of him. Next to me, the other half of the bed was made. The shoes and clothes he had laid out last night were gone. I sighed and leant back into the pillows. I would go alone then. I wanted to know how my children were. And it gave me great joy that I finally got a chance to go out again, and on my own at that! Matthew would kill me if he found out. He'd have me locked in the house for the next few weeks, but it would be worth it, a few hours outside. Fresh air. Human interaction. And of course the exam to find out how the pregnancy was progressing.
I grinned to myself and got up, slowly, carefully walking towards the wardrobe in order to get dressed before one of the maids came in and insisted on doing it for me.
I succeeded, putting on a dress that was tight enough that it would look like I was wearing a corset underneath, one of the ridiculous corsets worn only during pregnancy, but loose enough to feel comfortable. Quickly I slipped into some socks and brushed my hair a little. I added a little bit of rouge to my checks and put some salve on my hands and lips to protect them from the cold.
Then I made my way downstairs. The dining room was empty. Then Emily, a maid opened the kitchen door, freezing when she saw me.
"Mrs Holben." she nodded "Err Mr Holben has already left, he was called on this morning and he had to leave...would you like some tea and breakfast?" she looked a little bewildered. Matthew had probably scolded her for not tending to my every need. I would have a word with him this evening. I nodded and smiled encouragingly. I sat down and Emily disappeared into the kitchen. A few minutes passed and my stomach complained at the ridiculous amounts of space it had. Then Emily opened the door and carefully carried in a plate of steaming oatmeal. I thanked her gratefully and she smiled weakly, disappearing once again. I dunked the spoon into the sloppy mixture and ate heartily. I didn't know if I appreciated it more because I had to eat for three or because it tasted so good but I could not stop eating until the plate was clean. Once done I got up and slipped on my walking shoes and put on a woollen cape.
Outside it was very cold, the air felt as if it had frosted over when it brushed against my face as I made my way down the London streets. I hailed the first cab I could see, which stopped. The driver jumped down, opening the door for me.
"The London, please." I struggled to sound British and he nodded, climbing back up and urging the two black horses that were pulling this hackney cab to move.
After about a minute we were moving at a smooth pace, occasionally bouncing when the wheel hit a stone or a pothole in the road.
It took a good 20 minutes to get to the hospital which was, unfortunately, also the hospital at which Matthew practiced. I got out of the cab and handed the cab driver a few shillings, more than triple the fare. He tipped his hat, said
"God bless ye, Ma'am." and left.
I breathed in deeply and made my way up the steps and through the middle arch to the main entrance of the building. Inside was a hall of people and rows of banks to sit on. Reception. A nurse dressed in a pink dress with a white apron was standing behind a wooden lectern on which there lay a massive leather book. I approached her and she looked up anxiously.
"Excuse me? My name is Judith Holben, I have an appointment with Doctor Carwell in 10 minutes. Do I wait here?" I asked politely, forgetting to pretend to be British. She paused and then turned to a nurse in blue, with the same white apron worn over her dress
"Sister Russell? There is a woman here, who's questions I can't quite understand." Sister Russell looked up.
"Yes?" she inquired "What seems to be the problem?"
"My name is Judith Holben and I have an appointment with Doctor Carwell in...8 minutes, could you tell me where I need to wait?" I repeated. She nodded and led me through some double doors into a corridor. The walls were made of brown tiles, glinting in the light of the gas lamps. She gestured towards a door made of dark wood and smiled politely.
"The Doctor is awaiting you." she said and turned to leave.
"Thank you." I called after her but got no reply. Right. I regretted having come here alone. I did feel a little queazy now. This was 19th century England. Medical advances were incredible but gynaecology and obstetrics had not come far. I felt fear prickle on my skin but foolishly reached out with my hand in order to knock on the door. I knocked once, twice.
"Come in?" a voice answered and i shuddered. He sounded so young. Well I could not just run away now. This was it...