Thought I'd try and continue the tragic story of Mattie. It does need to have a (happy) conclusion, though not yet!
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Mattie woke to the smell of bacon and eggs. She was briefly disorientated with her surroundings, but then she smiled, she was home. Jean and Lucien had taken her in to their home again. For once she was hungry. For weeks since Tom had disappeared food had choked her, she had only eaten for the sake of her baby, even if Tom didn't want it she did, and she was going to keep it, somehow.
She sat up slowly, hoping to avoid a wave of dizziness that usually caught her when she got up in the morning. Lucien was bound to give her a full check up and she was fairly sure her blood pressure was on the low side. Slowly turning so her legs were over the edge of the bed she looked around at the familiar surroundings of her old room. Jean must have unpacked for her, her dressing gown was on the back of the door. Taking a deep breath she stood up and, finding she was less dizzy than usual, took her robe and headed for the bathroom.
She cautiously went down to the kitchen, standing on the edge of the room she saw Jean as she remembered her, cooking, Lucien and Charlie setting the table. Tears stung her eyes, but she was not going to cry, if she could help it. Charlie turned round and moved over to her. He bent and kissed her cheek, whispering,
'Welcome home, Mattie.'
She squeezed his arm, she was sure Jean would have filled him in on her situation, but at the same time she also knew he would not question her, he'd wait until she wanted to talk.
'Ah, Mattie,' Lucien smiled warmly, 'hungry?'
'Yes, the smell woke me.' and she too smiled. What was it about these people? It didn't matter what had happened, they could make everything right, or at least bearable.
Charlie pulled a chair out for her and poured her some orange juice. Nothing seemed to have changed and, so far, it seemed so easy to slip into the old ways. She knew that in the days and weeks to come she would have crises of confidence, good days and bad days, but she hoped that with these friends, good days would outweigh the bad.
Between mouthfuls of bacon and egg, and a rebuke not to speak with his mouth full from Jean, Lucien said he'd like to give Mattie a full check up. Mattie smiled, because she knew he would and because Jean had rebuked him like a small child. Only someone in love could do that and be accepted for it. He'd looked suitably contrite, winking at Mattie as he did so!
Mattie helped Jean wash up after breakfast. They did not speak, both found it hard to start a conversation. Jean because she had questions she knew Mattie wasn't ready for and Mattie because she didn't really know what to say above thanking her for allowing her to stay the previous night. There would be a time when they all needed to sit down and work out what was to be done for the future. She knew she couldn't stay there forever, but if she could stay for a while, 'til she got back on her feet, it would help.
Jean looked at her friend. She'd missed her dreadfully, especially when Mei Lin had arrived. Letters took so long between them, and telephone calls could be overheard and were very expensive.. She was glad she was back, even under these circumstances, and as far as she was concerned, Mattie could stay as long as she needed too. Martin, Mattie's father had not approved of her marriage to Tom, he was a lowly constable, to Martin O'Brien's mind he had no prospects, and now he had cut her off. If Jean got to speak to Martin she was going to give him a piece of her mind. She'd lost contact with her youngest son, Jack, except through Christopher, and she found it hard to take. To voluntarily cut contact with your child was an alien concept to her. Family you loved unconditionally, you didn't have to like what they did, but, you still loved them.
'You'd better go and get ready to see Lucien, now.' Jean said, taking the tea towel off her.
'Yes, I suppose so,' Mattie gave a slight smile, and went to wash and dress.
She took a deep breath as she went into the surgery, knowing Lucien was going to tell her she wasn't looking after herself properly.
She knocked on the door and went into the consulting room. She noted it hadn't changed while she'd been away. She'd wondered if Jean would have brightened it up a bit, with flowers perhaps, but it was as if she'd just gone out for groceries.
Lucien smiled as he indicated she should sit in the chair opposite him.
'So, Mattie, how are you feeling?'
'Tired,' she admitted, 'I get dizzy when I get up in the morning.' There was no point in hiding anything from Dr Blake, he knew her better than she knew herself.
'Mmm, let's check your blood pressure first, shall we?' He moved round and put the cuff on her arm, and inflated the cuff. He observed her closely as he checked the reading, a little lower than he liked but better than high. With rest and a good diet she'd be fine. He took bloods to check her iron levels and weighed her. She wasn't heavy, she'd always been the right weight for her height, but she didn't seem to have gained any weight. He took out her old records as he'd been her GP before she left for England, and as he'd guessed she'd actually lost a little. He leaned across the desk and looked seriously at her.
'Mattie,' he sighed, ' Oh Mattie, you've not looked after yourself properly have you?'
A tear made its way, unbidden down her cheek, she shook her head.
Lucien moved round the desk to sit with her, taking her hands in his. Smiling he spoke, slowly and quietly,
'Don't worry,' he squeezed her hands, 'some rest here, Jean's cooking , you should soon pick up. I'm sure you're a bit anaemic but that's easily dealt with.'
The tears were now running down her cheeks, much to her consternation, she'd told herself that crying wouldn't solve anything, but she couldn't stop.
'I'm sorry, Lucien,' she hiccupped, 'I tried, but...'
He pulled her close,
'Don't be,' he whispered, 'we'll get you well, your baby is a bit small, but there's time yet. You can stay here as long as you want, this is your home.' He leaned over and kissed the top of her head. She was about the same age as Li and in many ways a surrogate daughter. She belonged there.
'I need to find work, Lucien, I can't live off you and Jean,' Her pride, the fact that she'd always worked and paid her way meant she found it hard to take without giving back something.
'For now you need to rest and get some good food into you,' he squeezed her hands, 'and it won't be long before you have to give up work for a while anyway. Don't worry about staying here, you are our friend and welcome to stay as long as you need to. You mustn't worry about money or paying your way, understand?' Lucien was never very good at looking stern, however much he tried, and it just made Mattie smile.
'Thank you,' she looked at him, '...but, could I do something for your work, maybe, in the surgery?' She tipped her head to the side, 'I am a nurse after all.'
'Perhaps, when I'm satisfied you're in better health.' He stood up, 'now I fancy a cuppa, what about you?'
Mattie spent the day helping Jean in the house, well as much as Jean would let her! Jean agreed with Lucien that she needed to take it easy for a while but she let Mattie know that the stronger she got the more she could do. Jean agreed it would be a good idea if Mattie helped Lucien in the surgery, she could take blood pressures and bloods if Lucien needed them doing, it might mean they had the freedom to take more patients during surgery hours, and Mattie could do these things if the doctor was been called away to deal with a police case. Lucien was in demand as a GP and they were finding it hard to fit everyone on his list in. Jean thought she had an idea to solve both Mattie's and Lucien's problems. She'd put it to her fiancé that evening when they were alone.
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Dinner had been just as she remembered it, the four of them together, discussing the day, teasing each other. Charlie and Lucien washed up while the two women went to sit in the living room. Jean offered Mattie a sherry while she got her own and poured whisky for Lucien and Charlie as had become the evening ritual. Mattie accepted, it had been ages since she'd had a sherry, mainly because she needed to conserve her funds for food, not treats. Her first sip nearly made her sick. She ran to the kitchen for water her hand over her mouth, she couldn't wait to spit it out and the kitchen sink was the nearest.
'Lucien!' Jean shouted through, but Mattie was already leaning over the sink, gasping and heaving. Charlie put his arm round her and guided her to a chair while Lucien automatically got her a glass of water.
'Mattie, what on earth's the matter?' He was deeply concerned, she'd eaten well at dinner with no signs that anything on her plate was unpleasant.
'I gave her a sherry, she only took a sip.' Jean had followed her through, 'I don't think she even swallowed it.' She stood behind Mattie, slowly rubbing her back.
'Sorry,' Mattie gasped, 'haven't had a sherry for ages, guess I won't be having one for a while.' She smiled weakly and sipped the cool water.
'No harm done,' Lucien said, squeezing Jean's arm, 'it won't hurt her to avoid alcohol while she's carrying,' he looked down at the girl, 'unless you've developed a taste for whisky!'
Jean still looked concerned that she'd hurt her friend. Lucien leaned towards her and whispered,
'Don't worry, she's fine.' and he kissed her cheek. Jean looked up and smiled tentatively. She took Mattie back to the couch and apologised for being thoughtless.
Mattie was horrified Jean was so upset.
'I'm alright, Jean,' she said quietly, 'I suppose if I'd been able to have a drink before now I would have found out I've gone off it. Better than having a thing for coal, like mum did with me!' She smiled and hugged the older woman.
Jean put her arms around her kissed her on the cheek, like a mother would to her daughter, she always felt she had that relationship with Mattie, the daughter she didn't have.
'I think I'll turn in now, if you don't mind,' she stood up, 'I'm rather tired.'
'Of course,' Jean smiled, 'sleep well.'
When they were alone later in the evening Jean put an idea to Lucien that had come to her during the day, when Mattie had said she'd like to help in the surgery.
'Lucien,' she moved from the comfortable position against his chest so she could look into his face, 'You know Mattie wants to feel useful while she's here?'
'I know,' he raised his eyebrows, feeling Jean, as usual had a solution to the problem, 'what's your idea?'
'How do you know I've got one?' She grinned at him, of course he knew, Lucien could read her a lot better since they had become engaged.
'Because you're Jean, and that's what you do, sort us out.' He kissed her fondly.
'Well, your list is rather long these days, which is good for business, but you do struggle with time, and being a Police Surgeon as well...'
'You're thinking Mattie could take on some of the work.' He was interested, it sounded as if she had a good idea.
'Yes,' Jean turned and looked him full in the face, 'Why not employ her as a practise nurse. She could do all the health checks, Agnes' blood pressure for one, advise on child health, even vaccinations.'
'It would kill two birds with one stone,' he admitted, and Mattie would be secure, they had room for her and the baby. 'I'll talk to her in the morning. But for now...'
He pulled her to him and kissed her passionately and deeply, feeling her relax into his arms. They'd have to get this wedding organised soon, he wanted more than this cuddling and kissing on the couch, and no further, and he was sure she did too!
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Sorry about the drinking during pregnancy, it was acceptable in the 1950s/60s, sometimes recommended to prevent premature birth!