John's Imaginary Friend
Chapter Four: A Lot Of Love To Give
John walks into the orphanage on his first day of volunteering when an older woman walks up to him with a bright smile.
"Doctor Watson, I presume."
"John, please." John smiles back, holding a hand out for her to shake.
"Nice to meet you, John. I'm Kate Willows, the Governess. Well, we don't get many army doctors coming to volunteer here, it's a bit of a surprise." The woman replies, shaking John's hand before motioning for John to follow.
"Governess? I didn't realise that's what you still called yourself." John chuckles, following Kate into her office.
"Ah, I'm the only one who keeps the title really. I've been the governess for over thirty years. We're very traditional here. My great grandmother set up this orphanage back in the old days. She didn't like the word 'nanny' so she called herself Governess Kathrine instead, and it's been tradition since." Kate replies animatedly, pointing to various photographs on the walls.
"Wow, so family run place then. Nice."
"Oh yes. Kathrine was quite the care-giver, couldn't cope seeing children on the streets. She had a good heart."
"I bet she did." John agrees with a nod and a soft smile.
"Yes, anyway, down to business, Doctor Watson. Obviously, we need someone who can work full time and is good with children. So, you don't have a criminal record, have the appropriate qualifications, in fact I'd say you're over-qualified but no matter. As well as the work training you did here, you also have previous experience working with children during your pre-army days. I'm impressed, Doctor Watson." Kate smiles again, quirking an eyebrow under the silver framed glasses.
"Thank you."
"Now, if you'd like to come with me and meet the children."
"Of course."
x..x
John sits with the children for half an hour under the supervision of Governess Kate before she excuses herself to see a couple of potential foster parents.
"No worries, I'm sure we'll be fine. Won't we, kids?" John beams at the children.
They cheer in unison before going back to playing with their toys.
A little boy with dark curls and abnormally pale skin is the only child sitting quietly in the corner, reading a book. John looks at him and his heart nearly breaks; he's so much like Sherlock it's unreal.
"Hi, what's your name?" John asks carefully as he approaches the little boy.
The little boy looks up and he has the brightest blue/green eyes John has ever seen.
He eyes John warily before whispering, "Caden."
"Hi, Caden. I'm John." John replies, sitting down in front of the boy.
"John." Caden replies simply, before looking back down at his book.
"What you reading?"
"A Midsummer Night's Dream."
"I've read that one. It's a good book, isn't it?" John asks with a bright smile.
Caden nods excitedly, showing John the book.
"Where you up to?"
"Helena and Hermia in the forest." Caden replies with a smile.
John moves over to sit next to Caden and the next twenty minutes are spent helping the little boy understand the more difficult words.
Caden and John are just finishing the book when John hears his name being called by a familiar voice.
"Johnny!"
"Harry, hey."
"Hey, little brother. So, you took my advice then?" Harry asks, crouching down next to the pair.
"Yeah, I did. Me and Caden here were just reading A Midsummer Night's Dream. Weren't we, Caden?"
Caden nods excitedly, smiling brightly at Harry.
"It's a good book." Harry agrees, before looking back at Caden, "How are you, Caden?"
"I'm fine, thank you, Harry." The little boy replies, smiling at Harry.
"Have I missed something?" John chuckles, looking at his sister.
"I told you that me and Clara were thinking of adopting, right? Well, when we saw Caden, we just knew … Um, come over here, Johnny." Harry replies, helping John up onto his feet.
She pulls him out of ear shot before continuing, "Clara fell in love with him the minute she saw him. She said he's the most beautiful little boy she's ever seen. So, we're thinking of adopting him. But it's still a work in progress. That's why we haven't told him yet. But if you're bonding with him then ..."
"Harry, don't be silly. If you want to adopt him, then do it. I'll have a lot more bonding time with him when you do. Besides, I was thinking of a little girl. I always wanted a little girl." John smiles wistfully at his sister.
"Are you sure, John?"
"Harry, it's only been a day. How long have you and Clara spent with him, eh?"
"About a month."
"Then adopt him. He's a bright little boy and deserves some love." John says with a smile, touching his sister's arm.
"Oh, Johnny. You're gonna be a great dad." Harry cries happily, hugging her brother tight.
"Thanks, sis." John replies, hugging her back.
"I'll go tell Clara." Harry grins before running off to find her partner. "Oh, Johnny, thank you." She calls back from the door.
"You're welcome, Harry." John calls back, grinning widely at her.
"John. John, what's going on?" Caden asks softly, tugging on John's jeans.
John crouches down until it's at eyeline with the little boy before replying, "I think, your day is about to get better, Caden."
Caden looks at John in confusion before looking back at where Harry was stood.
"I don't understand."
"You will, trust me." John smiles, patting Caden's head gently.
x..x
"Thank you for coming in today, John. How did you like it then?" Kate asks as the evening starts to arrive.
"It was good, yeah. It's nice to be able to give something back really. And obviously the highlight was seeing the proud look on my sister's face when she took Caden home."
"Aww. Well, we're glad. To be honest, we were worried when we first saw Harriet. She looked a little worse for wear. But after seeing the way she was with Caden, there was no mistaking were he belonged. He was a difficult case when he came in. The poor lad was only three when he was dropped off on our doorstep, and he rarely opened up to anybody. I think other than myself, you and Harriet are the only ones who ever made him open up to somebody. I still can't believe it only took you a few hours." Kate replies with a proud smile, touching John's hand.
"Yeah, me too. He's a very bright little boy and we had something in common."
"Oh?"
"His book, A Midsummer Night's Dream. I read it when I was younger too. I re-read it when I went into the army so it's still relatively fresh in my mind. Reading it with Caden took me back to when Harry used to read it to me."
"Aww. Well, I'm glad he'll have a couple of familiar faces around him. Lord knows that boy needs some stability in his life after what he went through."
"Yeah, he's only eleven after all. Poor kid. But I know for certain that my sister and Clara will take good care of him."
"Of course, well, I've got to get the children ready for tea, otherwise I'm afraid I'll talk all night." Kate giggles, standing up from behind her desk, "Same time tomorrow?"
"I'd love to. Thank you, Kate." John replies, standing up and shaking her hand.
"No, thank you, John." Kate smiles, leading him out of her office before disappearing.
"Oh, hello." John says, smiling down at the little girl stood peaking out at him from behind her teddy bear. "What's your name?"
"Harriet." She mumbles into her teddy.
"Nice to meet you, Harriet. I'm John. Is that your teddy? What's his name?"
"Benny." The little girl whispers, looking down at her teddy.
"That's a very nice name." John nods, crouching down next to Harriet.
"Do you work here?" Harriet asks, looking back up at John.
"Yeah, I do."
"I saw you with Caden." She replies, playing with her teddy's ears.
"Yeah, my sister adopted him. He's … very happy now. Where you two friends?"
Harriet nods in reply, squeezing her teddy tighter.
"Well, I can tell my sister and I'm sure she'll bring him round here to visit. Would you like that?"
Harriet looks up at John curiously before nodding.
"Alright then."
"Harriet! Harriet! Has anyone one seen Harriet?" John hears Kate's voice shouting worriedly.
"Kate! She's down here!" John calls up the corridor.
"Oh, goodness. Harriet, you gave me such a fright. I was worried, dear." Kate replies gently, touching the girl's head.
"We were just talking, weren't we, Harriet?"
Harriet nods in reply before holding a hand out for Kate.
"Sorry, Governess Kate."
"It's alright, dear. Let's get you some tea, shall we?" Kate replies with a smile, grabbing hold of the little girl's hand.
"I swear, I'll make it out the door this time." John jokes, standing up straight again.
Kate giggles in reply, patting his shoulder.
"Bye, John." Harriet whispers, trying to wave with her teddy in her hands.
"Bye, Harriet." John smiles, waving at her before Kate gently pulls her away to the dining room.
"Cute kid." John murmurs to himself, turning for the door and heading out onto the street.