Born and Bred

[Gemini16]

Hope you all enjoy! The new character is one of my own!

(A train pulls into Ormston Station. A tall, svelte lady in her early twenties holding a suitcase and a bag slung on her shoulder steps down onto the platform. The afternoon sun glints on her bob of styled, strawberry – blond hair and pale skin. She gently smoothes her pale pink blouse and mustard skirt. Tucking a stray hair behind her ear, the lady walks over to a man standing by a seat.)

Lady: Excuse me, sir, I’ve just arrived here, could you please give me directions to the Signalman’s Arms public house?

Man: Certainly. If you turn right out of here then go to the next left at the end of the lane you’ll see a War memorial, the Signalman’s is nearby.

Lady: Thank you.

(Later.)

(The lady that was at the station walks up to the bar of the Signalman’s.)

Phyllis: Can I help you?

Lady: I need somewhere to stay. Are there any rooms free?

Phyllis: Of course, come this way.

(Next day.)

(The lady from the Signalman’s is walking down the lane, past Boynton’s. The lady is wearing a dark blue cloak with matching silky gloves; she appears to be carrying something in her hand. Her shiny strawberry blond hair is pinned at the nape of her neck and the heels of her black shoes clip softly on the ground. Tom Gilder is coming in the opposite direction, holding some papers, he seems preoccupied. Suddenly Tom and the lady run into one another. Papers scatter everywhere.)

Lady: I am so sorry

(The lady crouches down to help Tom gather up the papers. The lady then picks up what she had been holding, a white linen cap.)

(A few minutes later.)

Lady: I’m not normally accident – prone. Are you sure you’re okay?

Tom: Yes, no harm done. You’re new here aren’t you?

Lady: Yes, I arrived on Tuesday. Allow me to introduce myself. Jenna Calding.

Tom: Tom Gilder.

(Tom and Jenna shake hands.)

Jenna: Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr Gilder.

Tom: Please, call me Tom.

Jenna: Thank you. (Pause) (glances at her watch) Oh my goodness is that the time?! (looks at Tom apologetically.) I’m sorry but I have to go It’s my first day in a new job, you see, (laughing slightly) and I don’t think being late would endear me to the boss!

Tom, (laughing slightly.): Probably not!

Jenna: Maybe we’ll meet again.....Tom.

(Later, at the hospital.)

(Jenna has already met Lynda. Jenna is now in Arthur Gilder’s office.)

Arthur: Well everything seems to be order. Welcome to the team, Nurse. Calding.

(Jenna and Arthur share a friendly handshake.)

Jenna: Thank you, Dr. Gilder. I’m very pleased to be here and I hope I don’t let you down.

Arthur: I’m sure you won’t, lass.

(Someone knocks on the door.)

Arthur: Come in.

(Tom Gilder walks in.)

Arthur: Ah, Tom. I’d like to introduce you to....

Jenna, (gently): It’s okay, thank you Dr. Gilder. We’ve already met.

Arthur: Oh I see.

Tom: We bumped into each other this morning.

Jenna, (laughing slightly): Quite literally I might add!

(That evening. At the Signalman’s Arms.)

Tom: Well I’d like to say welcome to Ormston, Jenna.

Arthur: Here, here.

Jenna: Thank you very much. I think I’m going to be very happy here.

(The glasses chink together as the three drink to Jenna and her new life in Ormston.)

[SharonHarvey2]

Excellent start, I look forward to the next Chapter and enjoyed the 'chink' of glasses at the end. Very well done

[Gemini16]

Hi
Part 3 should be up next weekend!
For SharonHarvey.

PART 2

(A week after Jenna arrived.)

(Jenna is on her way to work, she passes the Mills’ garage and pops in to see Eddie.)

Jenna: Hi.

Eddie: Hi, nice to see you again.

Jenna: You too, listen I thought I’d tell that Dr. Gilder will see you this afternoon okay?

Eddie: Yes...thanks.

Jenna: No problem

(Jenna leaves and carries on walking down the lane to the hospital, suddenly Jenna feels herself hit the ground and a sharp pain in her left arm. Jenna opens her eyes and sees the face of a Border Collie licking her enthusiastically!)

Jenna, (laughing as she tries to push the dog away gently.): Get off, you daft brush!

(Jenna stands up, brushing down her skirt. A whistle is heard; the dog’s ears prick up.)

Jenna: Go on; get back to your master.

(Jenna pats the dog’s head. Then as the dog scampers off and Jenna carries on her walk to the hospital.)

(Later. Jenna arrives at the hospital; her right hand gently covers her left arm.)

Lynda, (notices something’s wrong.): Are you alright, love?

Jenna: Yes, thanks, it’s just a little scratch.

Lynda: I think it’s a bit more than that. I’ll get Tom to take a look.

Jenna: Honestly, there’s no need.

Lynda, (calling): Tom!

Tom, (comes out of his office.): Yes Lynda? (sees Jenna’s arm.) Oh God, Jenna what’s happened to you?!

Jenna: It’s okay, I’m fine

(In Tom’s office. Tom is gently wiping the wound.)

Tom: It looks nasty, how did this happen?

Jenna: I was knocked into a rosebush by an over – enthusiastic dog!

(The wound is clean and Tom has begun to stitch the wound.)

Tom: What sort of dog was it, just out of interest?

Jenna: A Border Collie, I think.

(A few minutes later the wound has a dressing over it.)

Tom: Now, remember to...

Jenna, (laughing): Keep the wound clean and covered up, I am a nurse you know, granted, I am only recently qualified but I have dressed many wounds in my time! (pause) Thank you...Tom. I understand you are very busy at the best of times, without your staff needing your medical attention.

Tom: It is my pleasure.

Jenna: All the same, I do apologise.

Tom: I promise you there is no need, Jenna.

(A dramatic pause.)

Jenna: Well, if you will excuse me, I have patients to care for.

(There is a knock at the door.)

Tom: Come in.

(Lynda pokes her head around the door.)

Tom: Ah, Lynda. What can I do for you?

Lynda: Deborah’s here to see you.

Tom: Oh right.

( Tom gets up and walks out of the office, Jenna follows.)

Tom, (to Deborah): Hi sweetheart.

Deborah: Hi, I can’t stay long, I’ve got Beth tied up outside, she’ll get worried if I’m gone long.

Tom: Right. Deborah, I’d like to introduce you to our new nurse, Jenna Calding. She arrived last week. (looks at Jenna.) Jenna, this is Deborah, my wife.

(Jenna and Deborah shake hands.)

Deborah: Nice to meet you.

Jenna: And you.

Tom: Deborah, please can you try and not let Beth off the lead when you’re walking her through the village, she knocked Jenna over this morning.

Deborah, (shocked): Oh I’m so sorry; you’re not hurt are you?

Jenna: Just a slight scratch, please don’t worry yourself about it. (laughing slightly) I know how hard it is to control them; I have a Golden Retriever, Tara. She’s 10 now; I’ve had her since I was 11. I remember how hard it was to control her, but I got there eventually.

Tom: Really? I haven’t seen you walking with her in the village.

Jenna: No, she lives with my parents in Kent.

Deborah, (laughing): Well at least I’m not the only one with dog training problems!

Tom: Look, I’ve got to go. Mrs. Felding up at Hollydale Farm, suspected chest infection.

Deborah: Alright, see you at dinner time.

(Tom and Deborah kiss. As Jenna watches them a tear comes to her eye, she delicately sweeps it away with her finger.)

[SharonHarvey2]

Ahh, that is so good, keep it up!

[Gemini16]

Sorry it's been so long.

(3 months after Jenna arrived in Ormston.)

(Jenna has just come down from her room at the Signalman’s Arms.)

Phyllis: Morning, Jenna, lass.

Jenna, (smoothing her leaf – green blouse): Morning.

(Jenna sits down at the bar.)

Jenna: A single Brandy, please, Phyllis.

Phyllis: Certainly. (goes to the optic.) I didn’t think you drank.

(Phyllis puts the glass on the bar as Jenna hands her the money.)

Jenna: Not as a rule, no. (takes a sip of the Brandy.) But today, I think I’ll need it.

Phyllis, (noticing Jenna’s pale face.): Are you alright?

Jenna, (massaging her forehead.): Yes. I didn’t sleep very well last night, that’s all. Well, I must get to work.

(Later at the cottage hospital.)

Jenna: Your next patient is Mrs. Rathburn, she’s thinks she has a chill.

Tom: It seems to be going around at the moment, okay, send her in, Jenna.

(That evening.)

(Tom is finishing some paperwork while Jenna tidies around.)

Tom: You didn’t have to do this you know.

Jenna: I don’t mind at all. I quite enjoy it actually.

Tom: Jenna?

Jenna: Yes?

(A dramatic pause.)

Tom: Never mind, it’s nothing.

Jenna: Is something the matter?

Tom: (sighs) It’s Deborah. She and I seem to be at loggerheads at the moment, about the job mostly.

Jenna: I know, I’ve heard it so many times about how wives don’t understand their husbands.

Tom: With us, it’s just the opposite, she understands me too well.

Jenna: Oh. (pause) Give it time; things will be fine, I’m sure.

Tom: Thanks.

(Suddenly everything goes dark.)

Tom: What the!

Jenna: The power must be out. Thank goodness we haven’t got any “overnight-ers”.

Tom: The matches are on the top shelf.

Jenna: I’ll fetch them.

(Jenna goes and opens the cupboard; suddenly she topples a little, holding onto the cupboard door, trying to steady herself.)

Tom: Jenna?

(Tom goes over to Jenna. Tom puts a steadying hand on Jenna’s arm.)

Tom: Are you alright?

Jenna: Yes. It’s just a dizzy spell, I get them occasionally. I’ll be fine.

(Jenna looks deep into Tom’s eyes; suddenly the power comes back on.)

Jenna: Let there be light. (pause) I best be going.

Tom: Jenna, your dizzy spells, how often do they happen?

Jenna: Once maybe every couple months, though I’ve had a few more recently.

Tom: Have you been unwell in the past few weeks; your glands are a little swollen.

Jenna: I think I had the start of a cold when I visited my parents, 2 weeks ago, nothing to worry about. I feel in good health.

(A few days later.)

(A woman bustles in.)

Woman: Where is Dr. Gilder? I have an appointment.

Jenna: You are Mrs Hatchett, I take it.

Mrs Hatchett: Yes.

Jenna: I’m afraid Dr. Gilder is out on call at the moment. But I’ll see if our other Dr. Gilder can see you this afternoon.

Mrs Hatchett: Well, that just isn’t good enough, my girl.

Jenna: I do apologise but you must understand......(breathing is quickened.)

Mrs Hatchett: Speak up; what’s the matter with you?

(Jenna suddenly faints.)

[Gemini16]

Sorry it's been so long! More of all my scripts next week.

For SharonHarvey.


(Immediately after Jenna collapsed.)

(Tom and Arthur Gilder rush in as Mrs. Hatchett is ushered away by Lynda.)

Tom: Jenna, Jenna can you hear me?

(Tom checks Jenna’s pulse.)

Tom: Her pulse is rapid.

Arthur: Right let’s get her onto a bed.

(Arthur and Tom gently lift Jenna and carry her to a bed.)

(A few minutes later.)

Tom, (under his breath): My God!

Arthur: What is it?

Tom: No wonder Jenna collapsed, she's burning up.

(That night.)

(Jenna is still unconscious and not getting any better.)

Tom, (worriedly talking to himself): We’ve got to try and control the fever. It’s getting worse by the hour.

(Just at that moment Arthur and Lynda walk in. Lynda is bowl of cold water with pieces of towelling soaking in it.)

Arthur: An old method, I know, but it’s served us well.

(Tom looks over.)

Tom: Thanks.

(Lynda puts the bowl on the cabinet. Tom takes a piece of towelling, wrings it out and places it carefully onto Jenna’s forehead, then Tom sits down by Jenna’s bed side.)

Lynda, (soothingly): Don’t fret, love; I’m sure she’ll start to recover soon.

Tom: I hope so. What bothers me is how she got so ill in the first place.

(Lynda looks at Tom, he looks exhausted.)

Lynda, (gently squeezing Tom’s shoulder.): Listen, why don’t you go home and get some sleep? I’ll keep an eye on Jenna.

Tom: No, thanks. I’ll stay with her.

Lynda: All right. I’ll see you in the morning, Tom. ‘Night.

Tom: Good night, Lynda.

(Lynda leaves quietly.)

(Later that night.)

(Jenna is still very unwell.)

Jenna, (starts muttering feverishly): Tom! Don’t leave me, I need you. No! No!

Tom, (gently squeezes Jenna’s hand): Jenna, it’s alright, shhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

(Early the next morning.)

(Jenna’s temperature is almost normal and she’s beginning to come round. Her eyelids flutter open like butterfly wings, revealing her beautiful big brown “Bambi - like” eyes.)

(Jenna sighs as she sweeps away some stray hair from her forehead, then she looks around. Tom is fast asleep, his head resting on the bed.)

Jenna, (whispering as she strokes Tom’s deep black hair.): Dr. Gilder? Dr. Gilder?

(Tom gradually wakes up.)

Jenna: What are you doing here?

Tom: You were taken ill suddenly, yesterday afternoon.

Jenna: Was I? I can’t remember a thing.

Tom: Jenna...have you felt tired lately?

Jenna: A little, why?

Tom: I think you’ve been working too hard, seriously. Your body’s exhausted.

Jenna: My goodness.

Tom: I would like to keep you in for a few days.

Jenna: I can’t, I haven’t got anything with me. And Mrs. Woolf will be wondering what’s happened.

Tom: It’s alright, I’ll talk to Phyllis.

Jenna: Thank you....for everything.......now I think you should get home, you look as if you need some sleep yourself. I’m in good hands here.