The Strength of England

~3~

To say Juliet was excited was an understatement. She bounced around her flat as she gathered her things for the new day. She was heading to Palace today and starting her new position, she was practically jumping over the moon as she set her bag and jacket.

She checked herself once more in the mirror. Her hair was perfect in the half up-half down ponytail, her glasses sitting straight, her red blouse being decent and her slacks pressed as her flats added the final flare. Yep, she was ready to go and be her very best. A yip caught her attention as she threw her bag over her shoulder.

She saw Duchess sitting in her spot on the couch, toy before her feet. "Oh now, don't you fret pup. I'll be home at a normal time today."

Juliet pet her soft head as she gave a satisfied sigh, "Well, off I go."

She nearly skipped out of her building as she made her way across the bridge. The sight of the Palace was invigorating, exciting, and alluring for her. There was so much she couldn't wait for and do, that and all the people she would meet from so many countries near and far. She never believed she'd get this far in the medical line, and the week at the hospital went so fast she barely noticed it. She could hardly wait.

The familiar chimes of Big Ben rang out the day, as she came closer to the monument. Juliet cranked her neck back to see the face of the beloved clock tower. It was amazing. She really wanted to see it at night up close, to hear its bell echo the night. With a shake of her head, she made her way up to the door and went in, only to be greeted with a sharply dressed woman.

"Miss, I'm afraid you have to have an appointment to come into the Palace." she said.

"Oh, that's right." Juliet said pulling the slip of paper from Dr. Beck out, "I was to report to this room at this time."

The woman looked it over, smiling at the piece and her, "I see. One moment and I'll let them know you're here."

Juliet waited and marveled at the grand entrance. It's historical structure and items galore would send any history nut into a coma with everything it had. As she looked around, her ring grew warm as the whispers of his name started again.

"Not now, please." she whispered to herself.

"Miss?"

Juliet turn to see the woman smiling as she pointed at a door, "If you go right through this door and follow the corridor down towards the end, you will be at the room. Mrs. Braginski will be there waiting for you outside of it, just in case you get lost."

"Thank you kindly, have a good day." Juliet said, giving a polite nod.

"You're welcome dear and thank you too, I hope the same for you as well."

So, there she was, walking down the corridor of the Palace, internally screaming in excitement. She couldn't believe it still. Here she was walking down the corridor of The Palace of Westminster to help the men and women of the UN. Yes, Juliet was truly...a thud and shout cut her off as she was half way down the hall.

The sound of men arguing and yelling filled the spot. Juliet cringed, the yells going right through her and hitting her memories right square on the head of the nail. She felt the fear well up within her. She had to keep moving or suffer a breakdown again. Hurrying as fast as she could, she moved away from the spot, thinking only of the room she needed to make to as his voice echoed her head and the vision of his fist coming at her flooded her mind.

"Miss?" someone called.

Juliet looked up to see a woman standing at the end of the hall, "Are you Miss Reeves?"

Oh, that had to be the woman the lady spoke of, "Hello there, you must be Mrs. Braginski."

"Da, I am." she said holding her hand out as Juliet got close enough to shake it, "But call me Lily, no need for formality."