A Decision to make
Staring down the barrel of a gun must be one of the most horrific sights, knowing that as soon as one finger pulls the trigger a bullet will be hurtling towards you. Dr. Lemon however never experienced life at the other end of the trigger. Standing with his service revolver, Lemon and Sargent Kennedy were training. 'So, have you any plans now you are qualified', standing up straight and placing his revolver in his, grey pinstripe suit jacket, he thought long and hard about the question asked, finally Dr. Lemon replied 'well, I have wrote a letter of interest to New End, they are yet to get back to me', Lemon then walked over to a white, wood cupboard, he opened it and inside were three shelves. On these shelves were rows and rows of ammunition, all different sizes, most of them sat in tattered boxes and Lemon studied them all before choosing the box he believed was in best condition. 'Well since you have no reply, I highly recommend looking in to be an army doctor'. A few more shots were fired by the Sargent and Doctor all of which were fired so accurately at the target it would have killed a man in a matter of seconds 'I have always told you, your shot is too good to spend your days in a hospital, you are wasted Lemon'. The boys reloaded their guns, 'I may be wasted, but would my presence as a war doctor really be needed'. After the doctor spoke his fine words, Kennedy hung up his gun and turned to face Lemon, 'My friend' he said sympathetically, 'There are thousands of men out their fighting, each in turn face injury, and tell me good sir who should treat those men?', after he spoke, to conclude his valid argument, he simply raised one of his brown, messy eyebrows, smiled a toothy smile and paced out of the shooting shed, leaving Lemon to ponder upon the question last brought to his attention.
Back in Dr. Lemon's small, dull room, he was staring blankly out of the window admiring the view of Elsy Garden, in the garden there was many different types of trees from Oak to Pine to Silver Birch. Weaving in and out of the trees ran the small River Garsey; the river was the doctors' favourite place in the whole garden. When the doctor was studying for exams he would walk along the river and find the most perfect spot along the bank, where he would pull out a book and read. The Doctor no doubt would miss his quiet, tranquil spot, where many trees seemed perfectly placed as to only cover a small proportion of the river, small flowers of many different sorts grew in the Doctors perfect spot, there was even still the small patch were the Doctor would sit every time and those poor unfortunate flowers, which lie with no head, as Lemon would often pick of each individual petal and throw it into the slow flowing river when he was deep in thought. The small patch of grass which would often occupy Lemon however would soon be short of an inhabitant, as Dr. Lemon is required to move out of his student accommodation within a week. This of course would be all well and good for most newly qualified students as they would run home to their parents or find a small house to rent, in the case of Lemon however he would no longer dream of living under the same roof as a man so confused and politically incorrect as his father, Lemon could also not rent a flat as over the past few weeks he had become so short of pocket, he would often have a small meal at Sargent Kennedys house, to stop the rumble that bellowed out of his stomach during the day.
As the day of his departure from Cambridge University was fast approaching Lemons mood was becoming more and more distasteful. He would have moments which when asked he would describe as a 'Bad day', and when Lemon was having a bad day he was often found in the shooting shed, it was there were Sargent Kennedy found him one day. 'Doctor, I have a letter for you', the Doctor who sat with his knees up on the cold stone floor of the shed, raised his head just enough to see the unapproved look on the Sargent's face. 'What are you doing down there lad, stand up and read your post', at this request Lemon, gradually stood up, in his pocket was his service revolver and a small bottle of whisky. Lemon went to take the drink from his pocket and when he was pulling the bottle a small slip from the lining fell out; a betting slip 'Now dear friend, I was told you had left your old ways, what of now, the drink, gambling, I think you are better than all this', this comment had finally squeezed a response from the drained, tired looking Doctor 'Am I, and maybe the drink and gambling is just a way of burning any excess cash, who's the letter of anyway', Lemon then snatched the letter from Kennedy and examined it before opening, the cleanliness, and perfection of the pure white envelope and neatly wrote writing, which under further examination Lemon could determine the pen as a brand new fountain pen. Lemon this time with little care opened the envelope and read its contents, he immediately slammed it down on the desk just to his left. 'Well' he proclaimed 'Turns out second plans aren't always bad' from this Kennedy knew it has not been the response from New End Hospital 'I have been granted a position as a frontline Doctor in the Second Anglo-Afghan War'.
The day of Lemons parting with Cambridge University had arrived, and all of the recently qualified students were dragging around their luggage, including those silly little presents you find in your stocking at Christmas and you have no better use for them than to store then in some sort of padlocked box so you never have to look at them again. It was only nine O'clock but many of the students had already left the University, Lemon however was sat in Elsy Garden; more specifically his favourite spot by the river. He was wearing a grey tweed suit, with a matching top hat, and fine black leather gloves. Next to him was his suitcase and a small brief case, which were not entirely full, showing the misfortune the Doctor encountered during his years of study. Lemon had only moments left till his car arrived and his departure from; this well-known University would be final. 'Ahh, I was told I would find you here', whispered Sargent Kennedy, as to not disturb this peaceful moment, 'Your car is here, come I will help you with your bags'. The Sargent then held out a rough, work beaten hand, to which Lemon accepted and heaved himself from the garden floor. The Sargent then picked up the small brief case and walked with Lemon along the river. 'I am now quite looking forward to the days ahead, waking up to the sound of gunfire' Lemon said cheerfully, 'Good I am glad to hear, now I believe it was not such a bad idea, the idea of being an army doctor, shame it just took you so long to realise its potential' retorted Sargent Kennedy, this caused a chuckle of laughter from Lemon and a response of 'well, maybe my good sir, one would like to spend his time treating patients without a high risk of receiving a bullet through the head'. This slightly startled the Sargent, as the boys would often talk of the on-going war, which had recently started this year, but never had the topic of death ever arose. 'Lemon, I would have never asked you to consider the job if I thought you weren't up to it, I have heard the stories, you are to be a great doctor, and believe me I pity the man who comes face to face with you and your revolver', this comment seemed to remove any tension from the conversation as Lemon thought of his skills, he knew he was a fine doctor and his skills with a gun were almost unreal, however despite all of this Lemon couldn't help to think that there was a bullet somewhere, with his name on.
Dr. Lemon and the Sargent finally reached the end of the garden where a rusty, scratched 1886 model Mercedes Benz was waiting, the driver was plump and could easily be described as a couch potato, he had a small beard which was stained brown from the various different things he had been eating, his eyes were tired and dull, with a saggy brow that showed every single wrinkle on his tired face. 'Terrance' shouted Sargent Kennedy 'Terrance, Dr. Lemon has arrived'. 'Finally' the man answered 'I've been waiting for half an hour, so it's to Paddington station I believe, going to join the war efforts Doctor?' he asked intriguingly, 'Yes to Paddington please and I am joining the war, in great spirits to' answered Lemon happily. As Sargent Kennedy loaded the luggage into the car, he gestured to Lemon to join him. Lemon walked over to Kennedy and their eyes met telling a tale, between them they said goodbye, good look and I will see you soon. At that moment Sargent Kennedy held out his rough, work beaten hand which was quickly met by the small, smoother hand of Lemon, they then firmly shook and lowered their heads. 'Dr. Lemon, we better get going if you are to make it to Dover to catch your boat', the men then broke and Kennedy opened the door for lemon, he then shut the door after Lemon, pulled twice on the wood handle to make sure it was firmly shut, he then stepped back and waved his hand to Lemon. The car then started and Terrance drove the Mercedes Benz, around the corner onto the dark road that lay ahead. Lemon watched the familiar scenes of the University ground fade away, a new chapter of the Doctors life was about to begin, a life without the comfort supplied from the University. But till that chapter opened, Lemon just thought of what he may find at war, while reading todays newspaper peacefully.