Chapter 2: Decision

Morning was chilly, though the sun was bright. The early-hour calm settled over Toronto's streets: the clatter of horses' hooves, the occasional creaking of wheels, shopkeepers chatting quietly.

Effie walked with purpose toward the post office, a carefully chosen set of words already lined up in her head. She knew a telegram had to be brief - no room for backstory, tangents, and definitely no room for raw emotion. But each short sentence had to carry more meaning than she could ever put into writing.

Inside, the telegraph office was hushed, broken only by the tapping of the telegraph machine. When her turn came, she stepped up to the counter, gave them the address, and dictated her message without hesitation:

Dr. Julia Ogden, Women's Hospital, London.

William's been spending a lot of time with his new neighbour. She's the one who got him into this case. They were seen together at a hotel, and it looked… odd. I thought you should know.

Effie Crabtree

As she left, she felt certain she'd done what needed doing. The rest was up to Julia.

Meanwhile, Julia Ogden sat at her desk at the women's hospital, scribbling down notes about a morning procedure. Someone knocked, then handed her a telegram.

She read it once, then again. Leaned back in her chair, her gaze fixed on a spot on the wall.

Neighbour.

She had no idea who this person was. But the questions rose in her mind regardless.

She wondered what the woman looked like. Was she young? Pretty? Did she have something about her that drew the eye? Was she talkative or just quietly suggestive? Did William laugh when he spoke to her? Did he look at her the way he looked at me?

Julia knew these were just guesses, but she couldn't push them away.

She wasn't naive. She understood how loneliness could cloud anyone's judgment. She also knew William wasn't the type to be unfaithful. At the same time, she knew herself, and knew that silence and distance were sometimes the most dangerous things.

She couldn't ignore this. Her decision came quickly.

The next day, on her way to work, she stopped to send Effie a telegram.

Effie Crabtree, Crown Attorney's Office, Toronto.

Thank you. I appreciate your honesty. Hope to see you soon. Please don't tell William anything. Let's keep this between us.

Dr. Julia Ogden

That same day, before her shift was over, Julia gave notice that she was leaving her position. She did it calmly and clearly - no drama, no hesitation

They tried to talk her out of it, reminding her of the funding the hospital had just received for expansion, of the new opportunities ahead. They told her she was passing up a major chance most women could only dream of.

Julia listened patiently, her expression unchanged. She replied that yes, she understood all that, and that was exactly why she needed to leave now, before she ended up regretting something else entirely. She also said she had to return to her husband, because, in the end, family was what mattered most.

Late that afternoon, Effie came home with a small slip of paper in her hand. George was in the living room, skimming the newspaper, when he heard the key in the door.

"I'm back," she called, taking off her coat. There was something different in her tone something warm and lively.

George looked up. "Did you get a reply?"

Effie nodded and sat down beside him, handing over the telegram.

He read it aloud:

"Thank you. I appreciate your honesty. Hope to see you soon. Please don't tell William anything. Let's keep this between us."

Silence settled for a moment. Then George glanced at his wife with a faint smile.

"She's coming back?"

Effie nodded, hope shining in her eyes.

"She is."

George's face lit up.

"Detective Murdoch's going to be over the moon."

"Right," Effie agreed. "But remember, don't say a word. It has to be a surprise."

George raised a hand as though swearing an oath.

"Scout's honour. I won't breathe a word."

Effie smiled, satisfied, and stood up, glancing toward the kitchen.

"Good. Otherwise you might let something slip at work."

"Me? Never," George said with mock indignation.

Over the next few days, Julia wrapped up her duties at the hospital: handing over notes, finishing paperwork, saying her goodbyes to patients and colleagues. She went about it calmly, without rushing, but with no doubts. She knew exactly what she was doing.

That evening, she sat at her vanity for a long time, holding her travel ticket. A suitcase lay open nearby. There was no uncertainty in her eyes anymore, only focus, and a quiet determination.

Little Susannah slipped into the room, a book in her hands.

"Mama?"

Julia smiled softly and drew her daughter close.

"Do you want to see Daddy again?"

The child's face lit up in a heartbeat.

"Yes!"

Julia kissed her forehead gently.

"In that case, it's time for us to go home."