Chapter Text
When she woke again, Juliennes mind was foggy with sleep. She barely had any memories of the previous day, but she knew that was to be expected. By all accounts she’d deteriorated quickly, and so all she really could remember was fear. She’d barely understood what was going on, and she’d been terrified.
Looking back on it now frustrated her though. She wondered at how she’d been able to miss all the warning signs. She was a nurse, she should have realised it was appendicitis, she thought. She winced as the ship came to a jolt, the movement causing her lower abdomen to ache more intensely. There was a slightly damp sensation at her side, and she realised she must have pulled a few stitches. She had to wake someone up she realised, but at the same time she didn’t want to be a bother. Putting her hand against her side and realising it was getting more damp made her decide against that though.
“Nurse Crane,” she called quietly, “Nurse Crane?” there was a ruffle of sheets before a light was turned on, and the other woman was climbing down the ladder.
“Sister? Is something amiss?”
“I think... uh… I might have pulled a few stitches. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” the other woman said, “Let me have a look.”
She helped her arrange her nightdress so that the incision was visible, and then started examining it.
“Well, it’s not too bad. It’s just three stitches. But I’m a bit worried about that seepage. I’ll get Doctor Turner.”
When Doctor Turner arrived, he had a look at the wound and stitched it up again. It wasn’t too bad, Julienne told herself, but the realisation that this might happen every time the ship jolted shook her. It wasn’t that painful, but the inconvenience it caused everyone made her deeply uncomfortable.
Too her relief though, it didn’t happen again. And by the time she could see the docks again, she gave thanks for everyone who’d been there for her. She might not have been entirely recovered, but she felt ready to be back in harness.