Remedy

13

As the days dwindled by slowly Dot saw less and less of James and of Arthur. It seemed like the plans of travelling over to France were being finalised. Dot and Alice and all the other nurses had been instructed to pack everything up.

"These are annoying," Alice said abruptly while pushing one of the beds to fold up. She yelped and jumped back when the bed sprung open again. Wincing and scratching the back of her head nervously Alice looked around at everyone looking at her oddly. "Sorry!" She smiled and waved, Dot shook her head and finished folding up a blanket. Walking over the two of them tackled folding up the bed and moved onto the next one. "Where are we going to put them?"

"They don't take up too much room." Dot answered and lifted her eyes up to look at her friend. "We're meant to be taking them over with us aren't we?"

"Into the ambulances then I take it?"

"Indeed," Dot smiled and finished helping fold up the last bed. She couldn't remember who had given this job to Alice but she bet they regretted it.

Alice was a little clumsy at times, this was something which Dot had discovered the more time she spent with her. Margaret popped in now and again to observe them at work, she nodded happily and walked off again.

"Why doesn't she help us?" Alice questioned. "We'd get this all done quicker if an extra pair of hands helped." Dot shrugged as an answer. She had no idea why Margaret didn't help, it wasn't like she had anything else to do. Mainly because there really wasn't anything else for them to do.

----

Looking down at himself Arthur tugged at the blue uniform jacket. "Oh, how smart do you look?" Tommy joked, "I have to say I don't look too bad myself."

"Self conceited much?" Percy questioned while climbing up into the saddle of his horse.

Arthur ignored both of them and jumped suddenly. "Captain, can I have a word with you?" He asked in a hushed tone once he'd reached the Captain's side.

"What's wrong, Blake?" Arthur double took, Captain Nicholls looked exhausted, he debated with himself whether to talk to him or not, but then a rather irritated sigh escaped the man in front of him.

"Can I ask you to do something for me?" Arthur put his hands together in an odd pleading like way.

"It depends," the Captain asked with a dubious tone while crossing his arms over his blue jacket and eyeing him up. "What is it?"

"Don't hurt my sister." Arthur said after a moments pause.

"I wouldn't ever hurt your sister, Arthur." All air of authority had left the man before him. Nicholls appeared shocked that Arthur would even voice such a thing. His blue eyes looked into similar green ones, and Arthur saw genuine sincerity there, he was being honest and truthful. Hurting Dorothy, would be the the worst thing imaginable to the Captain.

"Listen," Arthur took off his white cap and ran a hand through his dark hair. "I am stupid, but I am not that stupid. You two have founded a friendship, it's sweet honestly and I'm happy that it's there. Just...be careful not to hurt my sister, sir."

"I understand what you're saying." Nicholls said while looking at the grass and then up at him. "Get ready, Arthur, back in line." He said while walking over to where Joey was awaiting him.

Likewise Arthur turned on his heels and put his cap back on. Reaching Dutch's side he patted his neck and quickly climbed up into the saddle.

"I must say that looked like a very deep conversation." Tommy said while leaning over to look at him closely. "Very deep, too deep for my liking."

"Drop it, Tom."

"Consider it dropped, Arty." Tommy grinned and dramatically saluted him. All their joking stopped however when Major Stewart appeared in front of them on Topthorn with a stern and serious air surrounding him.

----

Managing to juggle carrying two of the fold up beds, one under each arm, Alice and Dot commenced walking out of the building and towards the barn where the carts were. The two of them raised an eyebrow at the sight of the infantrymen sitting on the steps all talking amongst themselves.

The source of the hubbub was soon revealed as soon as a short shouted command echoed through the air shortly followed by thunderous sounds of many hoof beats hitting against the hard ground. The sun which was out glinted off of the sabres which were tightly gripped into each cavalryman's hand.

Alice and Dot almost dropped their luggage from the awestruck moment they had found themselves in. Looking at each other slowly they both eventually smiled. Looking back at the field and back at the cavalrymen who were still charging after their Major and Captain, the women shook their heads slowly and continued on their way. From one experience Dot knew full well it'd be nearly impossible for a horse to catch up to Joey once he was running at full speed. He was fast and seemingly unstoppable.

----

(Edited: 29/August/2019)