A prequel to my story "The Two Tiffanys", set 10 years after the end of "The Shepherds Crown." Everything belongs to the late great Sir Terry Pratchett.
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Three days later Roland entered Dr. Lawn's office at the hospital in Ankh-Morpork.
"Good morning Doctors, thank you for seeing me at such short notice. My name is Roland de Chumsfanleigh, it is not spelled the way it is pronounced. Sorry about that, all part of my family."
Dr. Lawn said "Well Roland whoever you are, we are both incredibly busy men, if you hadn't noticed this is a hospital."
"Yes I did notice, there was a huge queue of people waiting for treatment as I came in. I imagine it takes a lot of money to keep this place going."
Roland took some large gold coins out of his wallet and put them on Dr. Lawn's desk.
"Please accept these coins as a donation to go towards hospital running costs. I have more of these coins which you could have after we have had a business discussion."
Dr. Lawn looked at the coins with amazement "Who are you Roland?"
Then Dr. Preston spoke "Well Doctor this is is my old boss, Baron Roland of The Chalk, I used to be a guard at his Castle. Some of those gold coins helped to pay for my medical education. Good to see you again Sir, how are things back home?"
"Hello Dr. Preston, congratulations on becoming a Doctor. The Chalk is a long way from the big city, our medical care is not as sophisticated as you have here. We rely on witches for our medical care. Our witch Tiffany is really good at her job, as Dr. Preston could tell you. However, there is a limit to what a witch can do. Sometimes you need a Doctor, my little son was fortunate enough to be treated by Preston last year. If he hadn't he might not still be alive. I want to set up a proper medical clinic on The Chalk and I would like Preston to work there a couple of days a month. What do you Doctors think of that?…."
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One week later Tiffany and her broomstick arrived at the railway station as Preston's train pulled in from Ankh-Morpork. Roland gave them a few minutes together before they all got into Roland's carriage and headed off to The Castle. Tiffany had a huge grin on her face as they travelled.
"My dear Roland, thank you thank you thank you, surely you didn't do all this just for me?"
"Not at all my dear Tiffany, having a real Doctor on The Chalk, if only for a few days a month, will be good for all of us. Of course, having a happy witch will also be good for all of us."
Tiffany took hold of Roland's hands. "My lord Baron, I will not forget this."
"Don't worry Tiffany, you have done so much for me and my family, not to mention the people of The Chalk. We will be eternally in your debt. When we get to The Castle Letitia will have lunch ready for us. Then after lunch I want Preston's professional opinion on the room in The Castle that I suggest we use for the medical clinic.
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Next morning Tiffany is at the station to say goodbye to Preston.
"Well we got to see each other for a whole hour before I got called away during lunch. How did it go with the medical clinic?"
"I have asked The Baron to make some alterations to the room for the clinic, it should be ready for use when I come back next month."
"Have you got the money to pay for all this?"
"Yes, I have some of the Baron's gold coins hidden away, and I have been told that you have got some security sorted out for me."
A small blue-skinned red headed creature appeared "Aye, any scunner who wants to try and rob the Doctor will have to deal with me and the lads. Captain Carrot and some polisman pals will meet us at the big train station and then awa we go to the bank."
"Preston, meet Wee Mad Arthur, you are in safe hands with my Feegle friends."
Tiffany kissed Preston "Until next month….."