Cold All the Way Through, But Warming

My Sweetheart Went Down With the Ship

Despite my best efforts to get to the hospital in a timely fashion, I wound up getting to the hospital later than I would have preferred. Sylvie had asked me to take the boys to the park in the morning while she visited some friends with the girl, then Mr. Welton had called and asked me to come down to the offices. Mary's paperwork needed to be sorted through to see if anything sensitive had been sent off to 'Francis' and he wanted to go over what had been found with me.

Fortunately, nothing too important had made its way out, but it did mean I pulled up to the hospital right before dinner was served.

The secretary waved me through, a few men in the halls nodded to me, and I slipped into the ward I had been assigned. Some of the men had been moved out, but I still recognized Mr. Collins who gave a glad wave. "Mrs. Murdoch, we were getting worried!"

"I would have been here sooner if I could," I sighed, setting my bag down and letting Rigel loose. "I also would have brought something for you all to drink if Dr. Humphry hadn't forbidden it."

A round of grumbles ensued, along with a few muttered curses directed at the fine doctor. But another round of chocolate was appreciated, as was Rigel. I smiled as I watched him wander the ward, accepting the attention that was his due. While they liked the chocolate, and I'm quite sure having a woman visit was appreciated, I think he lifted their spirits more than anything. He was a perfect gentleman, gently licking hands and bumping his head on knees.

It turned out that since I was there in time for dinner, Mr. Collins invited me to dine with all of them. I was glad to, they were good company.

As he was eating a spoonful of mashed potatoes, Mr. Collins sighed. "I won't have to be dealing with this for much longer."

I glanced over, "You're leaving?"

"Next week." He shook his head. "The wife will be happy to have me home, but Lord above knows what I'll do for work."

"It's bad enough with all the women taking jobs," One of the others grumbled, before nodding to me. "No offense, ma'am."

"I employ plenty of women," I shot back, "And that was before the war even started. But I'm sure there's something you can do when you get home, Mr. Collins."

He cast a withering glance at me. "Who would want to employ a one-armed man?"

"You'd be surprised." I shrugged, meeting his gaze. "I know quite a few sailors that are missing fingers, hands, even an arm." The talk continued on for a bit, and none of it was positive. Apparently, the only thing that could be worse in the job market than being a veteran was being an Irish veteran according to Collins, and he had to suffer with both. A few others commiserated, especially those from the Empire. Not only did they have to risk their lives sailing home, but there was unlikely to be ready work waiting for them.

The nurse who came to clear away the plates simply raised a brow at all their complaints, "Now boys, you know we do our best to help you get on your feet." She pointed to the piano in the corner, "Andrew, go play something to make them stop this nonsense."

Andrew, a younger man who walked with the stiff gait of an elder, made his way over to the piano and began picking at the keys. I hastily reached for the chocolate, loudly remarking on how I wanted to play cards again and take them all on. Between the music and the cards, one of them had chosen whist as the game, the atmosphere slowly began to relax.

I was just considering my next move when Andrew began to sing, his voice clear and strong. "A cold dark night, a sea of ice, a ship out on the ocean, all fitted out by man's device." A few of the other men in their beds groaned theatrically, begging him to play something else. Andrews just chuckled, playing on.