My Home From Home (ManxMan)

Chapter 18

25 October 1920

Dear Diary,

One can't pretend as though one isn't absolutely chuffed to bits that Thomas isn't courting Miss Emily; despite the fact that she's a sweet girl and undoubtedly would make a lovely wife for someone. I will admit that despite Thomas being rather adept and attentive single father to his young boys despite being busy as the town Constable; I should jolly well think it'd make things easier for him to have a wife who'd be his companion in the day as well as help to keep him warm during these winter nights. And can anyone fault me for daydreaming of a perfect world where I were the one to keep his bed warm?

One can't help but feel terribly foolish as I think of it; I am only a temporary fixture in this quaint little town. My journey almost certainly doesn't find it's end here, nonetheless I find myself falling deeper and deeper in love with the people and the landscape. The Rocky Mountains clear in the far distance, the open plains between here and there, the distinct greenish blue hue of the glacier filled lakes, one can't help but be in awe at the beauty.

I'm falling for something that I know I'll leave soon; I'm falling for people that I know I shall leave behind one day in the near to distance future. But with every passing moment I fall deeper and deeper into the crevasse of desire for someone whom I have no reason to believe desires the same of me... I only pray that my restlessly smitten soul finds some semblance of peace whilst here, for I should think whilst living under the same roof as the gorgeous and muscular Constable it might be too much for one to ask.

Love, Henry.

Henry walked through the streets of Fir Creek as he embarked on the short journey back from the mines in the outskirts of town back towards the infirmary. He'd received an emergency call from the mines after a man broke his femur having taken a rather nasty fall whilst propelling down a mine shaft. They managed to extract the wretched young man from the situation though he certainly wasn't unscathed. He screamed and wailed as Henry reset his leg as best he could; wrapping up the leg with a splint so it wouldn't heal wonky. He carried out his patient care duties methodically and thoroughly, though he'd be lying if he didn't say these sort of emergency situations didn't give him a rush of adrenaline and excitement.

He stuffed his gloved hands into his pockets, feeling the cold breeze penetrate the feeble fibres of his tweed trousers. He glanced around seeing people in town stopping and waving towards him; it was rather nice to feel that warm sense of community that he didn't whilst in London. Everything was so much slower paced here, so much warmer, so much ore personal whilst at time he felt London was so impersonal and cold. And though he missed his city that he still alled home, he couldn't help but find feel this was his home now too.

"Good evening Doctor Dunmurry, I trust you're doing well." Henry was jolted out of his thoughts as he heard a familiar voice coming from behind him; whipping around to see a Mr Graeme, the town postman, walking up towards him with a wide beam..

"Hello Mr Graeme. I'm doing well, thank you. And how are you today?" Henry tipped his hat to the man as they exchanged the usual pleasantries.

"Doing quite well, myself, thank's for asking." The man said with a bright hospitable smile. "Just going on my rounds. Speaking of! I've got a letter here from you, just arrived in this morning's post!"

"A letter? For me?" Henry's eyes brightened as he perked up ever so slightly wondering how it could be; he'd be lying to say he wasn't terribly excited at the prospect of a letter. He'd received letters from the Health Ministry in Calgary, a few from Adrien saying he missed him, but as of yet nothing from back home.

"Yes, for you! I could give it to you now, if you'd like; or I could just drop it off to the infirmary." Mr Graeme said with a knowing smile as he watched the young dark haired doctor nod with a muted smile. He flipped open his courier bag and rapidly scanned through the plethora of letters it contained. "Ah! Here we are." He said as he pulled out a letter and handed it to the Henry with a grin.