Page 7 of The Orc’s Sweetheart (Creatures & Cottages)
Chapter 7
Tilly
S howered, dressed, packed, and on my way to being composed, I breathe in slowly through my nose with one hand on the doorknob. It’s my official first day and when I step outside I will be Starry Hill’s official nurse practitioner.
I will not trip. I will not hurry and make myself sweaty. I will remember everything I’ve studied and be a professional. And, I will not think of Bodin and whatever he’s doing to scramble my brain.
Firmly resolved that I will do everything in my power to make this day run smoothly, I turn the knob and step outside in my white buttoned shirt and high- waisted black pants. I instinctively turn to lock the door, only to remember that locks are an apparent foreign concept on the island. It’s weird, and I don’t necessarily feel unsafe, but knowing that anyone can walk in at any time will take some getting used to.
I kind of wish that I was able to call Audrey from here, but hopefully I can pick up a signal close to the clinic. One of her famous pep talks would be appreciated right about now. And she could maybe help me decode whatever Bodin was doing in my garden this morning.
I pace my steps so I can really enjoy taking in the scenery while still ensuring that I get to the clinic with ample time remaining before it opens to the public. I’d like to chat with Doctor Knaggs and get the lay of the land before being thrown into the deep end. Even though I was used to hardcore hustling in Cape Easton University Hospital, I hope things are more laid back on the island.
Coming round the bend where I left the cart, I feel a surge of annoyance at Bodin once again bubbling to the surface, but I quickly shove it back down before it can affect my mood. Thankfully, Annamae’s food followed by a soak in my new tub last night counteracted most of the headache he gave me, and I refuse to be influenced by his hot-and-cold attitude toward me. Again.
My lips lift up at the corners when the large hill with all of the town’s shops come into view, and I glance behind me before I come to a complete halt.
I’m not making the mistake of having someone slam into me again from behind. Well, not in that way. Maybe in that way. But just more… No, Tilly! St op it.
Starry Hill is so dreamy.
Old stone buildings are burrowed into the hill, three rows deep. Their various shades of browns and beiges harmonize seamlessly with the vivid green hill. Across their facades, vines of wisteria, jasmine, roses, and bougainvillea climb, breathing new life into the earthy colors with their purples, whites, oranges, and pinks.
A stinging sensation builds behind my eyes and I blink the emotion away.
No, Tilly. Today is for work only. Process emotions in the privacy of your home later tonight. With scrapbook supplies so you can try to catch a semblance of the town’s beauty in your memory book.
When I’m sure I’ve got myself under control, I follow Bodin’s directions and turn down First Street and head for the building at the end.
I pass The Winged Apple and The Sparkling Cauldron on my right, and stop in front of The Bandaged Heart. My brain doesn’t have the current capacity to guess at what types of shops the first two are, but looking at the blood-stained bandage wrapped around the wine-red heart, it’s very clear that I’m in front of a building that provides medical treatment.
“She’s here! She’s here!” comes an excited whisper from inside, and I smile to myself. I think someone is underestimating human hearing.
Pushing my shoulders back, I straighten my spine and open the door. A blur of orange suddenly floats in front of my face and I fight my instinct to swat at it .
“Oh, dear. My apologies,” the blur says and pops into her larger form. Standing at about five feet tall is the most beautiful monarch fairy, her orange butterfly wings almost a perfect match for the vibrant color of her waist-length hair.
“That’s okay. It’s one way to make a strong first impression,” I joke, and the fairy thankfully giggles at that.
“I’m Katie,” she says and holds out a delicate hand. “I’m not usually in my small form at work, but I was trying to remain inconspicuous while I watched through the window in the door.”
I place my hand in hers and she surprises me with her strong grip. “Hi, Katie. I’m Tilly, but I guess you already knew that.”
Katie beams. “Of course, I did! We’re so happy to have you in Starry Hill. I heard Beryl say she’s your new best friend, but I’d like to know if you’re open to taking any other applications. I’m your best source of information—not gossip—and can give you the breakdown of each creature on the island, including medical history, likes and dislikes, dietary requirements, romantic prospects—”
A throat clears behind Katie. “That’s the definition of gossip, my dear. Give Tilly some breathing room before you bombard her with information and friendship requests.”
Katie’s wings droop with the reprimand and she sticks her bottom lip out. “Yes, Doc Calla.” I can’t decide if she’s seriously sulking or if she’s just playing a part, but the quick wink she sends me tells me it’s all for show.
I turn my focus to the small goblin heading my way and I bend at the waist so I can shake her hand.
“It’s lovely to finally meet you in person, Tilly,” the doctor says and holds my hand in both of hers. The last of my nerves dissipate as I meet her kind hazel eyes.
“The pleasure is all mine, Doctor Knaggs. Starry Hill is more beautiful than you described and the residents have been very welcoming.”
“Have they now?” she asks with an arched eyebrow tells me rumors about Bodin might already be swirling. I’ll have to watch my every move here if I don’t want to become an even bigger talk of the town.
“They have,” I say with what I think is conviction. Out of the corner of my eye I note the tilt of Katie’s head as she pretends to busy herself with paperwork. It reaffirms my stance to remain professional at work and not to bring my personal problems past the door.
“Let’s sit in my office and we can chat more about what your daily schedule will look like. And for everyone’s sake, please call me Doc Calla. I can only handle so much formality. Katie, dear, please bring us some tea.”
“Coming right up, Doc.”
As I follow after Doc Calla, I realize I don’t see any computers and that Katie is literally doing paperwork with actual paper. That’s going to take some adjusting for me.
Doc Calla pauses in the hallway leading to the right. “The clinic is really small. The office is here on our right and the exam room is across from it.” She turns and points back the way we came. “The area next to Katie’s desk is the waiting room, then the bathroom and kitchen are down that hallway and on the right. There’s also a small treatment room across from them, and a mini lab all the way at the back.”
I stretch onto my toes but can’t make anything out except the door leading to the rooms she described. Focusing on the best news, I say, “You’ve got a lab here. That’s great to have on hand.”
Doc Calla speaks over her shoulder as she walks into her office. “Just for basic tests. If anything requires more serious testing then we send it to Cape Easton University Hospital. But you already know that since that’s how you learned about this position, right?”
I nod and try not to think about the event that led to me taking this job. “Yes, I remember that about Starry Hill cases.”
Doc Calla climbs up the steps to a chair that seems to be custom-made for her. It puts us at exactly eye level and I realize my chair never had me worried about if my hips would fit.
Maybe they special order all their chairs here. It would be really nice if I could figure out how to get something made for the garden. I’d love to have tea among all my flowers every morning. Even have dinner outside and watch the sunset in the evenings.
Breaking me out of my reverie, Doc Calla says, “You come highly recommended by everyone who has worked with you. I know they’ll miss having you on the team at the hospital, but I also know why you applied for this position. We don’t need to talk about it right now, unless you want to. But just so you’re aware, sometimes words tend to get wings in the clinic.” She glances toward the door and I nod in understanding, having already come to the same conclusion.
“I’d prefer not to elaborate on the incident at this point, but I appreciate the offer,” I say, truly thankful for the doctor’s sensitivity. “Also, I wanted to thank you for sending Annamae with dinner yesterday. That was really kind of you.”
Wincing, Doc Calla fidgets with one of her large earrings. “It was a gamble on my part, but I didn’t want you blindsided later. My home will always be open to you if you feel like talking about…”
“Here’s your tea,” Katie announces brightly, setting a rather large tray on the desk between Doctor Calla and myself. “I made a pot of rooibos that needs to steep for a minute or two before it’ll be ready to pour. And here’s a pot of honey, fresh from our Starry Hill hives. I didn’t know if you take milk in your tea, Doc Calla doesn’t, but I put it on the tray just in case. And the cookies are fresh from The Flowering Teapot, that’s Annamae and Richard’s shop. And—”
“Thank you, Katie. Let’s not overwhelm Nurse Tilly on her first day. Pace yourself with all that information.”
I almost expect Katie to blush at another light reprimand, but this must be a regular occurrence because she just shrugs and whispers, “There’s a lot of information to dish on later. Come to me for the real tea.”
A very unladylike snort escapes me and I try to cough to cover it. When I look up, both females are staring at me with grins that tell me I somehow unknowingly passed a secret test.
Katie places a hand on my shoulder and her grin softens. “You’re going to fit in just fine here, Nurse Tilly.”
I turn back to Doc Calla, only to find the goblin’s shrewd eyes already studying me. “Those were my exact sentiments after our first phone call. I think you belong with us, Tilly. ”
My heart speeds up and it feels like I know what they’re saying, but also not. I’m someone who deals with scientific evidence, facts. However, working with nonhumans for a living has also taught me that there’s a whole different magic they possess and sometimes I just need to trust their instincts more than my facts. It’s not easy when I rely on logic, but I myself had a good feeling about Starry Hill, and here I am.
Finally, after a moment to digest the doctor’s declaration, I answer in a small voice, “I think you’re right. I do belong here. At least, I want to.”
“Right, now let’s get to the daily running of this place,” Doc Calla says in a level voice, switching gears on me faster than Bodin.
No, Tilly. Don’t even think about him now. You’re at work. He’s of no consequence to you.
Doc Calla forges ahead without requiring input from me. “I’d like us to slowly transition to you taking over full time. I won’t throw you into the deep end on the first day. That’s just cruel. So for this week, how about you sit in on all my consults and you can slowly get acquainted with our regulars? In the afternoons I’d like you to take the time to get settled in at home, unpack all your boxes, maybe meet some of the other residents around town, pop into the shops and such.”
I breathe out a heavy sigh of relief. “That sounds absolutely wonderful.”
Giving me a self-satisfied smirk like she knows how good her ideas are, Doc Calla continues, “Next week you can take over morning consults and I’ll sit in on them. In the afternoons we can maybe let you do a couple of house calls and meet some of our creatures who tend to keep to themselves and avoid coming into town. After that we can slowly progress to you working full time, and my hours decreasing as retirement approaches. My main priority for now is to get you settled in well.”
Shaking my head in disbelief at her generosity, I say, “This is really more than I could ask for. I’d honestly never even think to request such a nice schedule.”
“You’re in Starry Hill now, dear. We look out for each other.”
“I’m coming to see that.”
“I want you to rest assured that even if I’m not in the clinic, I’ll remain on call for any serious cases. Those rarely happen and shouldn’t cause you much concern. And despite Katie’s first impression, she’s really knowledgeable and trained in basic triages and CPR. She usually gets our patients’ pulse, blood pressure, temperature, and takes general history and symptoms before they meet with us.”
“That’s a huge help. And don’t worry, I’ve learned not to underestimate anyone nor form any prejudices based on short encounters.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Now, sometimes we do have interesting cases with bodily fluids, so please keep some scrubs in the office to change into. I’d hate for a patient to ruin that pretty blouse.”
“I didn’t want to show up in scrubs on my first day, but I brought some with me.”
“You’re smart, considerate, and pretty. I think I’ve lucked out in snagging you for this job.”
A blush heats my cheeks, but before I can come up with a reply, Doc Calla says, “Talking about pretty faces, I need to let you know that my son lives in the apartment upstairs. It’s a recent move from his previous cottage, so he’s not quite used to walking with light feet yet. If you happen to hear some stomping, please excuse him as he adjusts to apartment living. He shouldn’t be home much during the day, but I wanted to make you aware of it just in case it does become bothersome.”
Knocking softly on the office door, Katie says, “Sorry if I’m interrupting, but your first patient is here.”
Doc Calla narrows her eyes at Katie. “Is it Viggo?”
Katie grimaces and nods before disappearing back to reception.
“Is he a regular?” I ask.
“Yes. He’s our resident kraken and comes in frequently with the same symptoms.”
I perk up, excited to see if I can help diagnose him. “What kind of symptoms?”
“When shifted into human appearance, he leaks ink at random times from different body parts. I told him he’s too stressed and maybe that’s causing his symptoms, but he’s become quite shy about it and has retreated into his kraken form most of the time now.”
Having seen a similar case before, I think I know what’s wrong with him. But I’d need to talk to him first before I can officially diagnose him.
“You look like you have an idea,” Doc Calla says, accurately reading my expression.
“Well…” I draw the word out, wanting to be sensitive about how I explain this. “I think the leaking could be that he needs to relieve some of his excess ink—sexually. Some kraken can be shy about the color of their… seed, so they do not want to self pleasure in the water. But if he were to self pleasure on land, or have a partner to receive his seed, it might reduce his embarrassment and his ink could be ejaculated instead of leaking from his body.”
Doc Calla sits back and crosses her thin arms over her chest as she thinks it through. After a moment she nods. “That is a very interesting diagnosis and it honestly makes a lot of sense. I’ve known him for a very long time and, despite being his doctor, he might be too shy to reveal his sexual habits to me. Let’s meet him in the exam room and see if this sounds like something he would be willing to try.”
No way did I think I would start my day by telling a kraken he needs to ejaculate more regularly. I really am living my best life.