To Death Shall Thy Part

Chapter 22 - Durham University

Moriarty Manor, Durham

"Good morning, Brother Albert. Join us for breakfast. I made an omelet." Louis served another set of plates in Albert's sit. Albert nodded and greeted them. The three brothers slowly eat their breakfast. The dining table was peacefully silent with only the sound of birds chirping outside could be heard.

"Oh, right. I heard from the fruit vendor earlier that a team of professional doctors from the mainland are here to conduct a medical check-up for free. It is the yearly mission from St. Mary's Hospital." Louis said while eating. Albert nodded in acknowledgment while William smiled and added. "I heard Catherine is also here as one of the medical doctors."

Albert paused for a while before continuing. "That's great to hear." Both William and Louis smiled as if they had expected his answer. "What is great, brother? Is it because the hospital organizes this type of charity or it is great, that Catherine is part of the team?" William asked teasingly.

"Both. Let's eat."Albert arbitrarily cut off the conversation. Louis and William did not mind, they already have enough share of teasing and were satisfied.

After having breakfast, Albert decided to head out. He went to the town's plaza and walked around mindlessly. When he finally came through, he found himself standing in front of the hospital. He looked at the building with complicated feelings. He wanted to see her, but he resisted the urge. With a heavy heart, he walked back to the manor. Unbeknown to him, Catherine caught a glimpse of his back as soon as she steps out of the hospital.

"Is that Lord Moriarty?" While holding a box full of medicines, Catherine looked at the street. "Who?" a nurse accompanying Catherine, asked. "Nothing. Let us be off." Catherine dismissed the question and started walking.

The nurse did not mind it either and started walking alongside Catherine. Then, several doctors and nurses also emerge in the building while holding up boxes containing medicine. After making sure that everything was prim and ready, the head doctors and all the medical staff entered their respective carriages and went on.

The first day of their medical mission in Durham is focused on the student's well-being, and thus so, their first medical location was none other than Durham University.

Durham University is one of the three big universities located in the northeast of England. The campus cohabits one of the historical castles in Durham, the Durham Castle.

Teacher's Faculty Room, Durham University

"As you all know, Aside from our resident school doctor and nurse, we are happy to welcome Doctors from the mainland. They are here with the purpose of making sure, everyone is safe and healthy. They wouldn't just check the students alone, but everyone including the teachers and staff. That is why I asked everyone to cooperate." The Vice-Chancellor spoke up seriously.

William smiled while hearing this piece of news. "Truly, we should cooperate well. This is an opportunity that is hard to come by. After all, we are to benefit from this."

"Yes, you are right Mr. Moriarty."

"True. I am feeling tired lately, I better get checked upon."

"hmm."

Some of the teachers nodded in agreement. the Vice-Chancellor speak again."I would like you all to Inform and facilitate your students so that the flow process won't be messed up. The first year students will be checked first, followed by the next. That is all. Dismiss." and he left leaving a bunch of excited teachers.

"Professor Moriarty, as I remember, you are holding two classes since Teacher Voltaire is on leave, what would you do about it? Will you ask some substitute teachers to facilitate one of them?" A Professor in her 40's walked up and asked William as soon as the Chancellor left.

"There is no need to worry, Teacher. I will handle both classes. Please, rest assured." After assuring the teacher about the class, William gave a smile and left the office, and started walking toward the classroom. As he walked along the corridor, he glanced at the field. The once empty and spacious green field is now full of tents and the presence of people.

William made a stop and looked at the sea of people. Most of them wore a white lab coat, while the remaining, wore a black dress with a white apron over it.

'Is she not here yet? Or perhaps, she is in one of those tents?' William asked in contemplation. After a couple of minutes of looking and not seeing the person he is looking for, William sighed and composed himself. Then he started walking to his destination once more.

Reaching his destination, William opened the door and walked inside. The once noisy and full of chatter classroom has gone quiet. The students focused their attention on the teacher up front.

"As you all know, We have a visitor from London. They are doctors who wish to spread awareness about common diseases and thoroughly checked those who are not feeling well. If you feel some things that you are embarrassed to say to our resident doctor, now is your chance to tell what you feel. I expect everyone's full cooperation. Do we all reach an agreement?" William gave a smile to his students, but the kind of smile he gave did not give the person some assurance. Rather, it was a scary smile that could suck out one's soul at a glance.

"Yes." some of the students answered half-heartedly.

"Professor, are we having a full body check-up today? Or the usual routine check-up?" a student with blonde hair asked.

"That is a good question, Titus. We are having a full body check-up. Not just you all, but including the teachers and staff too." after William said that sentence, rounds of discussion were heard. "Okay, that is enough. Since I have another class to tend to, feel free to use your free time for something meaningful. I will be back to call you if it started. I hope you could stay behave until then." After giving them a serious look, William left the room.

Meanwhile...

"Is that for the first year?" Catherine walked up to a table full of boxes. The nurse-in-charge nodded and explained. "Yes. We are separating them by the year levels. It seems like there are more first years than the fourth level. Do you mind helping, Doctor Catherine? We are currently short-handed, some of the nurses are stationed in the staff area."

"Sure. I am one of the doctors for the second year. I do not have my turn yet, I could help out. Is this to be relocated?" Catherine asked as she picked up a box full of apparatus. "Ah! Yes. We need to bring that to the assigned room. It is that room along the west hallway." the nurse pointed out.

"Okay! Tell me if there are more still things I could help." Catherine then started walking towards the building. Perhaps it is because the box is a bit heavier and her line of sight is blocked, after turning to a corner, Catherine slipped due to uneven flooring.

Panicking, she rushed to grab the box but before she could do so, a man's slender hands already caught them steady. A relief sigh was heard before she uttered her heartfelt thanks.

"There is no need to thank me, whoever is in my position would surely do that." After recognizing the woman before him, William gave an amused smile. "Where are you heading, Doctor? I can send you there." he offered help.

"Well, You must be a teacher here, Am I not bothering you?" Catherine asked carefully.

"Of course not. Also, you are one of our guest doctors. We are honored to be checked upon. This is just a show of gratitude." William smiled in assurance. "Since this is labeled the first year, I suppose this will go to the first year room in the west, correct, Doctor Catherine?" it was as if the smile on William's face has an enchantment, and Catherine couldn't help but blush and nodded shyly.

"Let's go." William started walking in the west direction, intentionally slowing down, waiting for Catherine to catch up.