Jigsaw Chapter 10

Chapter 10

“What shift is Tilly on?” Dean asked Marie, mid way through their rounds.

“She isn't. She called in earlier to say she had a legal appointment.” Marie answered.

“Did she? She didn't mention it. About her dad?” Dean asked in surprise.

“That would be my guess, although she didn't say and obviously I didn't ask.” Marie shrugged. “Dean she's fine.”

“But I saw her at half three this morning and she didn't even hint at it.” Dean persisted. “I said 'see you at work' and she said 'yes'.”

“So maybe she forgot.” Marie said calmly. “Three thirty? Three thirty where?”

“At her flat.” Dean grimaced at his own big mouth. “Keep it to yourself Marie, you know what a private person Tilly is.”

“Good grief!” Marie was genuinely surprised. “So fast?”

“Eh? Seven months is fast? Which planet are you from, Marie.” Dean laughed.

“No I mean faster that I'd have expected. Keep in mind I've known Tilly a long time.” Marie said. “Er ... well done.”

“Absolutely.” Dean grinned. “Seriously, Marie, this sudden absence won't have had anything to do with me ... my ... well you know?”

“I hope not.” Marie frowned. “She said she'd be out all day so I'll phone her later to ask if she's in work tomorrow. Don't worry.”

“Something's wrong.” Dean said in panic. “You wouldn't do that if you weren't worried too and you know her better than anyone.”

“Calm down, Dean.” Marie heaved. “I know she's a private person, just like you said.”

“She's regretting it, I know she is.” Dean said miserably.

“Oh shut up.” Marie rolled her eyes. “Maybe she has an appointment, just like she said. Why are we doubting that? I'll phone just to out our minds at rest. Now stop fannying about and go away, Dean. I'll do the rest of the ward.” She wafted her hand at Dean.

Dean sat in the coffee room and thought himself into a blind panic. He finally went to the payphone and dialled Tilly's home number.

“Damn!” Dean swore when he got the answering machine. “Tilly! Hiya Tilly. Phone me back on my mobile, I didn't get to ask you out again!" He said brightly, before hanging up and chewing on his thumbnail. “OK Dean back up.” He muttered to himself. “You barge in here and she'll bounce you so far back you'll collide with William the Conqueror. Back off a bit.” Back off to the records office to take his mind off this and to dissuade him from calling Tilly's answering machine every five minutes.

Case Notes. GRACE MILLER.

Grace's progress is staggering. She's been herself, literally, for three weeks now. However, both Dave and myself have noticed Grace's mood, expressions, and body language changing on occasions. Grace told us that's that when she can feel the others. If a situation calls for efficiency and professionalism, she can feel 'Lynne'. I.E she begins to think in a professional manner. If Grace is listening to the radio or watching T.V and it gets loud, then she can feel 'Ben'. I.E Grace likes loud rock music and it appeals to her. Decision making calls for the positivity and motivation of 'Mark' and academic and technological situations call for 'Rosemary'. This is how Grace is seeing it, and what's so fantastic is that she's seeing this by herself. This is Grace's own reasoning and interpretation.

P.S. On the occasions that we do get breakthrough and it's Ben, we've noticed that Ben actively seeks out Dave. This could be a separate issue completely, as none of the other personae do this. Theorising – Ben seeking out guidance from an authoritative male? Son/Father type thing? Is it still in the back of Grace's mind, even when Ben's in charge, that this is all Grace, thus making 'Mark' an non-viable source of guidance? To be explored as a separate situation.

“Don't make it easy for them, Grace, eh?” Dean laughed. It made sense actually, Ben was the 'under age and dependant' aspect of Grace and an 'off the rails male' to boot. Despite the seriousness of this, Dean had to smile. He'd known David Person for quite a while and he was as paternal as Bugs Bunny. He just didn't click at all with teenagers and looked terrified of them half the time.