"Good morning, Mrs Johnson," Vera greeted her as soon as she noticed Mrs Julie fumbling around, looking for her child."Don't worry, he is still asleep. Sister Joan is watching over him"
"Didn't he get hungry?It's almost feeding time"Julie, wearing a haggard face, leaned back against the pillow Vera adjusted.
"No worries. He has woken up upon hearing his mother" replied Joan as she carried the crying baby to his mother's arms.
This time, Vera didn't need to assist her with breastfeeding; Julie had seemed comfortable with it from the beginning.
Taking the slightly wrinkled infant to his crib, Vera helped Mrs. Julie to the attached bathroom, assisting her with washing, changing her clothes, and using the facilities, while Joan went to fetch breakfast.
Joan had begun to notice the unusual absence of servants…besides Miss Anna's maid, who god knows where she had disappeared since early in the morning.
As it already shows, Mrs Julie has quite the dislike for her in-laws, which is why there is minimal contact between them. Even after the birth, they kept their distance, with Miss Anna's maid, Ashly, disappearing from time to time.
With the previous hints, Joan began to form a picture, although not a clear one, but that didn't bother her, as she was not the only one with eyes and ears.
–Dr. Fares obviously knows something, or was informed by the master of the house, who chose him personally, before his sudden trip.
Carrying the breakfast tray, with a piece of bread in her mouth, Joan heard a commotion from inside the room. She knocked softly, before opening the door and stepping in.
"Don't worry, sister. If you want, I can arrange for a couple of servants to stay here, at least until your husband returns and deal with his siblings "
"Excuse me," Joan's gaze lingered briefly on the guest, who turned toward her before returning to the conversation.
Apparently, they didn't mind a stranger overhearing their family's dirty laundry.
Or is it thanks to their trust in Dr.Fares character? I wonder…
There were three of them, one man and two women. Amongst them was Sam's beloved uncle, whom she met previously.
Joan paid little attention to the gesture and placed the tray before Mrs. Julie. With the child already in one of the women's arms and Vera still absent, she was about to excuse herself and finally have her breakfast.
–a piece of bread is really not filling enough after a long night.
"You may go"
"please, wait!" Hearing the surprised tone, Joan faced Mr Thompson naturally.
"You are…? Have we met before, Miss…?"
"What is wrong brother? Do you know her?" Asked the woman sitting on the other side of Mrs Julie, and even cast her a suspicious look.
Being subjected to everyone's attention, Joan didn't feel the necessity of hiding, especially with Sam's memory of her.
"It's nice to see you again, Mr Thompson. I'm Joan Blackwood, we met a few months ago... in the park" Joan deliberately left Samuel out of the conversation. She didn't want to sound as though she had brought it up expecting a reward.
"Oh my God! Miss Joan, please forgive me. I completely forgot. I hope you've been well."
The mention of the park, plus the timing, and Mr Thompson reaction, were enough for the others to put the pieces together.
"Oh, you were the one who found our Samuel! We're so grateful for your help, then and now." Said Mr Thompson's wife, followed by the gratitude of his sister, Margaret. And even Mrs Julie was much more amiable, and thankful to her.
Just as the atmosphere warmed up, Mr Thompson pointed out something strange.
"I hope you liked our greetings, and we are very sorry we never fellowed up with a proper meeting, especially after what you did for Samuel."
Joan spaced a little, trying to recall if something similar got sent to her.
"A greeting? Ah! Was it a letter sent by mail? No need to worry, it must have been interrupted or sent to the wrong address. It happens all the time"
The room was silenced with the end of her careless remark. Mr Thompson and even Mrs Julie, and the rest were momentarily speechless.
"Im afraid I don't understand. Did you not get to meet with Mr Shark?"
"Mr Shark? I'm afraid I don't remember meeting a gentleman with that name.…., but, as I earlier said, please don't concern yourself with that.im more than happy I was able to assist a lost child find his family"
Joan really didn't mind. She herself, nearly forgot Samuel, let alone his family's promised reward.
"That won't do,Ms Joan. We will check with Mr Shark before...
Knock knock
Stepping inside was the person being talked about. Samuel quietly made his way toward his mother's bed under everyone's watchful gaze.
"Good morning, Mother"
"Hello uncle, and aunts"
"Hello Samuel, nice seeing you healthy, and maybe…..taller?" Stepping forward, Thompson began to raffle his hair, hugging him, intimately.
Even through hugging, his eyes never left his mother and younger brother, who was now back in her arms.
"Samuel, honey. Come here, say hello to your newborn brother"
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