Alphabet Soup

by Crinklybrownleaves

This is an A to Z of tiny stories and drabbles, all too short to stand alone. Involving lots of Dr Blake characters, but most will have Lucien and / or Jean in (well, what else would you expect from me!). All different times and moods, the only thing that holds them together is that there is one for each letter of the alphabet.

20. Teacups and Suitcases

This is a weird one! Based on the Tumblr chats about how in many TV shows (Dr Blake included) the teacups are always empty, this nonsense story assumes that the characters know and accept that they are living fictional lives. Probably the nearest I'll ever get to crackfic!

Set early in S2E1 when Lucien returns from China.

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When Lucien returned to the house the following morning, he was greeted enthusiastically by Mattie.

"Let the doctor get his breath!" exclaimed Jean. "I've left your suitcases in your room, Lucien. Do you want me to unpack them for you?"

"No need," he replied. "They're both empty. In fact they were empty when I took them to China."

"What's the point in empty cases?" Jean asked, curiously.

"Well, it reminds the viewers I've been away. Otherwise they might not remember what happened at the end of series one." Lucien replied, making it all sound very reasonable. "Now I'd better get on and see some patients. Is Nell Clasby here?"

"I'm sorry, Lucien. I didn't want to tell you yesterday, but she passed away." Jean gave him a look of sympathy and an empty cup and saucer.

"What's this?" Lucien asked, looking at the cup in disappointment.

"Well, it's meant to represent the sympathy I'm offering you at the loss of your friend. But the production company is on a budget. The ABC doesn't have money to burn, you know. So, I'm sorry, no tea."

"Right, well are there any patients to see? Or do we have to imagine them too?"

Jean smiled. "Of course there are patients! But try not to let them speak, or we'd have to pay them more."

Jean returned to the kitchen and sighed. Mattie looked at her in sympathy.

"Are you alright, Jean?" she asked with concern.

"Yes, I suppose so, Mattie. I'm just wondering why Mrs McDonald had to catch the same bus as Lucien back to Ballarat."

"Well, it's probably to contrast how happy you were to see Lucien, with how delighted he was to see Joy. They are setting you up as rivals for his affections. But don't worry, Jean, they are only paying her for one episode in this series, so I suspect she won't last long."

Jean smiled at that, and they settled down at the table to pretend to drink tea.