Another chapter for this ongoing saga! This one came about when I was watching S4E3 'Lucky Numbers'. Lots of characters invented for a particular episode never appear again, so I thought I'd give little Elizabeth a second bite of the cherry. Her age was quoted as 10 but I thought she looked younger so I'm only ageing her by 1 year.

It's a bit domestic, a little light story highlighting Jean and Lucien as caring members of the community.

Thanks to Coachsone for continuing encouragement.

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Jean put Jenny in the pram ready to go out into the garden for some fresh air, while Bobby could play on the grass with his toys. She reckoned she could then get on with some housework before Lucien came home for lunch and afternoon surgery.

She was surprised to hear a timid knock on the front door, she wasn't expecting anyone. Opening it she was astonished to see Elizabeth Chapman standing there.

'Hello, Mrs Blake,' Elizabeth smiled a small smile, at least Jean didn't have to correct her this time.

'Hello, Elizabeth,' she returned the smile, 'what can I do for you?'

'Um...' Elizabeth wasn't actually sure what Mrs Blake could do for her, she just knew she felt better there.

'Come in, sweetheart. It is lovely to see you, but shouldn't you be in school?'

Jean tried to look serious but she could see the child was troubled, she remembered her as a sweet, slightly shy child.

'Mummy's in hospital,' she offered by way of an explanation, 'daddy's gone away,' she looked down at her shoes, 'mummy and he...'

'Poor child,' thought Jean, 'and granny..?'

'I don't want to go there.' Elizabeth twisted a handkerchief in her hands.

Jean put her arms round the girl's shoulders and took her through to the kitchen.

'Well, I'd better let school know where you are and they can let granny know. We don't want the police out looking for you, do we?' She picked up the phone and made the call, explaining what had happened and asking the school if she could stay for the day, and could they also let her grandmother know where she was?

'Well, they say that's alright, but you really shouldn't skip school, should you?' The expression on Elizabeth's face told her that being too serious wasn't the thing at the moment, she was safe, everyone who knew where she should be now knew where she was, so really, no harm done.

Jean poured her a drink and one for Bobby too, and suggested she go out into the garden and sit with her children. She introduced her to Bobby, who, after recent events, was a bit shyer than usual around new people. He looked at Elizabeth and decided if she was a friend of mama's she must be ok.

Jean went in to try and catch up with her chores and make some lunch. She decided she could leave the vacuuming until tomorrow, a quick dust would have to do for today.

She had just finished putting out a light lunch of sandwiches, fruit, a jug of water and biscuits when Elizabeth appeared at the door cradling a distinctly grumpy Jenny.

'I think she needs you, Mrs Blake, rocking the pram doesn't work.'

Jean took a sharp intake of breath, but she realised the child was quite at home holding a baby.

'Probably hungry,' she said as she took the precious bundle off her, 'I expect Bobby is too, would you like to call him in for lunch, please.'

'Ok.'

Elizabeth fetched Bobby in and helped him wash his hands. Jean didn't know how she knew what she was doing; must have a friend with a baby sibling.

'You two sit and have your lunch, I'll be in my bedroom with Jenny.' Ordinarily if she and Bobby were on their own for lunch she would have fed Jenny, discreetly, with him there but she thought it wouldn't be right and proper in front of Elizabeth.

While Bobby and his new friend were eating their lunch the click of the latch heralded the arrival of Dr Blake,

'Jean! Bobby!' he called as he sauntered down the hall.

'Papa!' squealed Bobby and leapt off his chair to greet his father.

'Hello, son!' he swung Bobby into his arms and carried him back into the kitchen. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Elizabeth. She gave him a shy smile.

'Well, well, well, who do we have here?'

'Liz'beff,' Bobby announced proudly.

'Hello, Elizabeth, how nice to see you again,' he stroked her head.

'Hello, Dr Blake, Mrs Blake said I could stay here for the day.' Elizabeth knew he would want a better explanation, he too would know she should be in school. 'Mummy's in hospital.'

'Oh dear, I hope it's not too serious.' Judith Chapman's condition had nearly cost her her life when she was kidnapped a year or so ago.

'The doctors said she needed rest, she's stressed because daddy's gone.' Elizabeth's eyes were filling with tears.

'Don't worry, I'm sure she'll be fine, and you're always welcome here.' He smiled a warm, welcoming smile that made her feel much better.

'Ah, Lucien, I thought I heard you.' Jean greeted him with a customary kiss on the lips.

He returned the kiss, 'Yes, I didn't know we were expecting visitors today.'

'Well, we weren't but that doesn't mean we don't get such nice surprises, does it? School and granny know.' She smiled up at him.

'Right, and it is nice to have such a pleasant surprise.' He sat down, placing Bobby on his knee so he could have some lunch before surgery started. Jean would tell him more later, he was sure. And if it had been an emergency she would have called him at the station or the morgue. He was surprised Elizabeth had decided to take refuge at their house instead of granny's, but granny had left her on her own the last time she had charge of her, so maybe she felt wanted with them.

Jean joined them for lunch, Jenny being satisfied. Elizabeth finished her lunch and took her plate and glass to the sink.

'Shall I wash up for you, Mrs Blake,' she offered, 'I do it for mummy.'

'Thank you, dear, that would be much appreciated.'

Elizabeth washed and dried the dishes and Lucien put them away.

Jean put the little ones down for a nap and suggested that if Elizabeth had any schoolwork she could get on with that, or if she'd like to she could do some drawing. Elizabeth said she had some arithmetic to do, so she'd get on with that.

When Lucien's patients had gone he called Elizabeth into his consulting room.

'Now then, Elizabeth, what can we do for you?' He sat opposite her, taking her small hands in his.

'Um...I didn't want to go to granny's,' Elizabeth whispered, 'I don't like her new friend.'

'I see,' he said, 'does mummy know?'

'She doesn't like him, either.' Elizabeth had decided that she needed to tell the absolute truth if she wanted Dr Blake to help her. She didn't know how long mummy would be in hospital and sleeping on granny's couch was uncomfortable.

'Well, we need to see what mummy thinks, but if you want, I'm sure we can put you up here until she comes out of hospital.' He really couldn't put the child in a situation where she felt uncomfortable or afraid.

A loud knock on the door interrupted them.

'I'll get it!' Jean's voice rang out.

She didn't even have time to greet the visitor before her ears were assaulted by a screeching voice demanding to know where Elizabeth was!

'Uh oh,' Lucien said, 'looks like granny's here!'

They went out into the lounge, Lucien's hand on the little girl's shoulder.

'Mrs Henderson, Irene,' he greeted her in his usual cheery manner, 'how are you?'

Irene Henderson, it has to be said, did not look happy. 'I've come to take Elizabeth home.'

'I was just saying to Elizabeth that we need to go and see her mother and get her to decide where she is to stay.' Lucien smiled sweetly.

'Huh,' she stood there with her arms folded, very defensive. 'Judith doesn't need the extra bother while she's unwell.'

'But I'm sure she would like to know that Elizabeth is happy and comfortable.' Lucien wasn't going to give in, he intended to take Elizabeth to the hospital to speak to her mother.

Lucien escorted Irene to the front door, keeping Elizabeth by his side. He was sure Irene thought she was doing the right thing by her granddaughter, but, he felt she was a rather selfish woman and Elizabeth had looked worried when she had told him she didn't like her granny's new 'friend'.

They drove to the hospital in silence, Elizabeth was clearly nervous.

Elizabeth took the Doctor's hand as they walked into the hospital, she declined the offer of her granny's hand, putting that hand in her blazer pocket.

Judith lay on the bed, half asleep, but although she looked pale Lucien thought she looked reasonably well, in spite of everything.

Elizabeth went over to the bed and touched her arm, 'Mummy?' she whispered.

'Mmm... hello sweetie,' Judith murmured.

Lucien pulled Irene out of the room, 'This is between the two of them,' he warned.

Irene grimaced, she was not in control, and she didn't like that the doctor was.

'Mummy says, would you go in,' Elizabeth came out of the room.

Lucien indicated to Irene that she should precede him, and smiled at the child.

'Dr Blake, thank you for looking after Elizabeth,' she whispered, 'Elizabeth would like to stay with you while I'm in hospital if that's alright with you. I think it would be best.'

'Judith,' Irene insisted, 'she's my granddaughter.'

'You don't really have room for her.' Judith had listened to her daughter and understood how she felt. Irene's new 'friend' was 'rough' to say the least, and she wanted Elizabeth to be happy and safe. She loved her mum but it was Elizabeth she was thinking of.

'We are more than happy to have her,' Lucien agreed, 'is it alright if I take her home to collect the things she needs?'

'Of course, she has a key. And, thank your wife for her help today.' Judith was getting tired.

'She was happy to help. We'll make sure she gets to school until you're well enough to go home.' He patted her shoulder, smiling as he left.

Irene had a distinctly frosty look, but she had to abide with her daughter's wishes. Lucien offered her a lift home but she declined, stubbornly.

Lucien and Elizabeth arrived home about an hour and a half later. They had called at Elizabeth's house and she had packed her night clothes, toiletries and extra clothes to last her, she hoped. She picked up her reading books and was ready to go to the Blake's house. Feeling happier than she had done all day.

Jean had put her children to bed when her husband and new temporary lodger arrived back. She had decided that her old room would be best for Elizabeth, it was small and comfortable . The wardrobe was empty and there was room for her to store her things. She hoped it wouldn't be for too long, not because she didn't like or want Elizabeth but, it was important that she was with her own mother.

Jean showed her the room and where the bathroom was, and said that if she put her pyjamas on she could go downstairs to the lounge and sit with her and the doctor until bedtime. If she wanted to bring a book down that was fine.

Elizabeth came down nervously, carrying her book.

'Come on, sweetheart,' said Jean, 'what's your book called?'

'It's 'The Once and Future King',' she replied, 'the story of King Arthur.' She showed the book to Jean.

'Shall I read some to you?' Elizabeth looked at Jean expectantly.

'That would be lovely, 'Jean smiled, 'it's a long time since I heard a young one read , my big boys used to when they were your age.'

Lucien watched the interaction between his wife and the little stray, he found it endearing, and knew it was a sign of things to come as their two children grew up. As she could take this child to her heart, he knew their own children would have a truly loving home.

Judith came out of hospital three days later, very much improved. She was very grateful to the Blake's and was happy to accept their offer of a place for Elizabeth if she ever needed it. She hoped it wouldn't happen again but if it did she did not have the extra worry of finding somewhere for Elizabeth to stay if needed.