Remedy

33

"You are not allowed up here, sir," a voice said from the doorway.

Dot ran her fingers through her curls and frowned. Walking around the corner from where her bed sat she smiled at the doorway. "It's all right, Jen." Dot put a hand on Jen's shoulder, she made a huffing noise seemingly not happy that she had been foiled in turning away a wandering soldier. But in truth, only the nurses and doctors were allowed up on the third level of the building. The second and first floors were for patients only. "Did you take a wrong turn somewhere, Captain?" Dot smiled, crossed her arms and leaned against the door frame. She could hear Jen pottering around behind her, Dot also knew full well the nurse would be looking over in their direction every so often.

"Partially," James admitted and looked over her shoulder. Dot tiptoed and popped into his line of vision, he smiled slowly and turned away. Walking down the corridor the two of them stopped near a large window and looked out at the fields which made up most of the manors grounds.

"What are you doing up here?"

"Well I did admittedly go exploring." James confessed.

Dot pulled a dramatic expression and clapped her hands to her cheeks. "Heaven forbid!"

"Oh, be quiet," he smiled and nudged her shoulder lightly, Dot laughed and nodded at him to continue.

"I accidentally found a set of stairs and then another set and then low and behold here I am."

"What an interesting tale." Dot sighed and leaned her hands against the windowsill. "You can't keep coming up here, only if this is the first time. Matron will nag some more, and...well I don't want to be subjected to another lecture."

"Jamie told me what happened."

"Well it technically isn't wholly my fault. Someone else should have been with me. How was I meant to stop nearly ten soldiers from seemingly getting drunk?" Dot pointed at herself, "I am after all just one nurse." Smiling and looking down the corridor she frowned.

Making a thoughtful clicking noise she walked away from the window and walked past James, he turned on his heels and followed after her. "Dorothy, where are you going?"

"Exploring." She answered simply with a smile. "Are you seriously telling me that if you hadn't been caught out you wouldn't still be roaming the corridors?" James didn't answer which caused her to smile even more.

Stopping and holding out her hand James didn't hesitate to put his hand in hers. He just wasn't expecting Dot to pull him forward and walk quickly down the remainder of the corridor.

"You are off duty now?" James questioned breaking the peaceful silence which surrounded them.

Dot nodded slowly, "I'm meant to be resting apparently."

"Hm," James hummed thoughtfully and looked at her. "Yes exploring your temporary home is resting." She laughed lightly at this and eyed up a nearby door.

It was the only door in the corridor down from the nurses living space. The two looked at each other and then curiously eyed up the door. James reached out with his spare hand and turned the handle. "It's unlocked," he stated while removing his hand. "That is strange."

"Why?"

"I have to admit I may have tried venturing into rooms I passed. Quite a few were locked."

"James Nicholls, you nosy person you!" Dot said dramatically while tapping him on the arm. "But if what you say is true, then this door must be very special to be unlocked."

"A special door, yes that makes so much sense, Dorothy." James smiled and reached out to turn the handle again. Giving the door a gentle nudge it easily swung on its hinges. Beyond the door was a narrow staircase, yet again the two looked at each other and gave the narrow stairway a curious once over.