The Artful Dodger

1.04 Avoidance

Belle and I walked around the bottom floor of the estate. We got bored of sitting in my room. More so Belle did actually, she was sitting on my couch and reading. I was reading more on medicine, of course, but apparently I was a bore to my sister. So now we're taking a walk, her listening to me ramble about medicine.

We were just about to head upstairs when father walked out of his office wing. He seems stressed and worried, and that is not normal for him. Belle and I shared a look before turning to him. "Are you all right, Father?" Belle asked concerned. Father turned to look at us. I looped my arm through Belle's, silently telling father I am worried just as her. "Uh, yes, yes." he answered. The stuttering is not unusual. However, the concern in his tone of voice is unusual. "Where are you going?" I asked.

He looked between us and the door. He licked his lips as he no doubt racked his brain for an answer. "Uh, out for a walk. Might drop by the hospital. The Professor's making noises about retiring again." he replied. My eyes widened. Does that mean Jack could get the position? But what if he weren't to get the position, would Rainsford fire him? They butt heads so much... I don't want Jack to lose his job. It is his everything.

Father cleared his throat, breaking my thought. "Need to choose a new Head Surgeon." he added. So this is a legitimate thing. It's real. "We'll come with" Belle said brightly. "No. No need." father argued. I am surprised that he is putting up such a fight. He never says no to either of us individually, so us together, it is impossible. "Please, father" I begged. "We know just the man to choose." Belle added, dragging me with her as she went to father. She dropped my arm and looped hers through his arm. I moved to his other side, looping my arm through his.

Father still seemed panicked as he told the coach driver to get us to the hospital. The coachman must have noticed too because he got us there the fastest he has ever before. It was honestly a little nerve racking. On the ride, Belle talked to father about the next head surgeon. She is pushing hard for Jack. It's good to see that not only does she support me fully, but she is his strongest supporter too. I am kind of surprised considering I just came home and told her all that I had.

The moment we arrived at the hospital, father rushed inside. Is that what it is like with me? He hadn't even waited a second. He just rushed in, not even waiting for Belle or myself to get out of the carriage either.

Belle and I slowly made our way into the hospital. It is hard to forget that she hasn't been here. That fact however is made prominently clear by how she is looking around. "I will give you a full tour later, but I wish to see what the surgery is that the boys have. Perhaps it will even be interesting" I said. Belle laughed at that. "Please, Kimberly, all surgery is interesting to you. It doesn't matter the type or dificulty" she said to me. I laughed lightly. She is not wrong.

I led her to the back, to where the surgeons preparation room is. "Tails. My turn." I heard Rainsford say. I walked in to see Jack looked frustrated. I don't know if it was just the mood of the day because how it started between us, or if it is because this pompous fool won the coin toss. I walked in more and stood next to Jack.

"Lady Belle. Lady Kimberly. What are you doing here?" Rainsford questioned, gaining my attention. I hadn't even noticed that he noticed us. He had been so focused to the fact that he was about to preform surgery. "I'm with my father to observe your work together" Belle said. I felt her place her hand on my shoulder. "And my sister is here to see Jack" she added. My eyes widened as my head snapped to her. What the bloody hell is she doing?

Jack turned to look at me. We are all of a few feet away from one another. "He's scouting for Head Surgeon, I hope?" Rainsford questioned taking mine and Jack's attention. "Hmm, I think you'll find the charnel house of surgery rather upsetting, miladies. This isn't a pantomime. There's real blood involved." he said to us. He sounds like such an arse in this moment. I wouldn't be surprised if he is like this all of the time.