Mrs. Dawkins (The Artful Dodger) [TBS]

Part 46

I hurried myself down the creaky wooden stairs, the sound of my giggles echoing through the empty house. Skipping down the dimly lit halls, the morning sunlight streaming through the windows brought out the widest smile on my face. As I scurried inside the dining room, the aroma of sizzling bacon and freshly brewed coffee filled the air. There, at the end of the table, sat my father, his head resting on one hand, nursing his hangover from last night with a hearty breakfast.

"Hello, daddy!" I smiled as I ran over and gave him a hug so tight it almost knocked him off his chair, 

"Hello..." He raised an eyebrow at me a little, "You seem cheerful this morning," 

"I am cheerful," I giggled as I pulled back and went to the other end of the table but before I reached my seat Miss Hardcastle arrived so I took her hands and gave her a spin, "Good morning!" 

"...Morning Miss Everset," she said forcing me away, 

I giggled and took a seat in my chair waiting for breakfast resting my elbows on the table and kicking my feet, 

"Is she alright?" My father whispered,

Miss Hardcastle just shrugged like she didn't know, 

"You alright Y/n?" he asked very seriously, 

"I'm perfectly fine father. I'm just happy!" 

"Right," He nodded suspiciously as he ate breakfast,

Soon my own arrived so I hugged the maid and looked at my breakfast only to pout at the smaller portion than usual, but still I happily ate humming happily to myself, 

"Did she have a temperature or anything this morning?" My father whispered to Miss Hardcastle, 

"No sir." She answered, 

"Hum... she ate anything odd or new last night?"

I giggled trying to hold back my smile, well I certainly was swallowing something new last night, 

"Not that I know of sir," she answered,

"Humm..." He pondered, "Perhaps we need to send word and get the doctor to visit." 

"Yes!" I jumped up from my seat bouncing with excitement, "I need to see the doctor!"

"What do you think?" he asked Miss Hardcastle, 

"...perhaps having the doctor come visit might not be the best idea," Miss Hardcastle answered,

I tried to hide my disappointment slumping back into my chair,

"But. I think she does need a doctor, I'll take her to the hospital myself." 

"Yippie!" I giggled hitching my dress and bolting up to my room to get ready, "Let's go already!" I yelled,