Early the next morning Ytte was woken by the clatter of dishes on a trolley being pushed into her room by the oriental man. “Haa, Brekafass?” He smiled wide and bowed from the waist in the fashion of the Japanese. Ytte pulled her drowsy head from the pillow. On realising there was a man in her room she quickly checked to make sure her modesty was not compromised. All was well so she sat up on bed while he poured her tea into a cup, all the while respectfully looking anywhere except in her direction. “Taiyoko, yes?” “Hai” He again bowed stiffly. Ytte nodded back, smiling, noting the tired eyes. “Restless night with the baby?” “Hai. Ahh.. Baby not ahh sreeping well. But ahh Tukiko, She ah sreeping so I lookatta baby inna-sted” Another bow, then he continued serving out toast with a little cheese, then presented the tray with yet another bow. “Vielen Dank.” Ytte thanked Taiyoko as he placed the tray on Ytte’s lap then expertly reversed himself and the trolley out if the room, departing with one more final bow. Ytte ate her breakfast, her mind still full of thoughts of what she had learned the previous day about Hope Springs, the hostels and more importantly, Hyle Troy. The images of her her dream still played in her mind. She sat straight up in bed, slicing cheese, sipping the tea, listening to the quiet hubub of the clinic, the footfalls in the corridor, the murmured voices as the days business got into its orderly stride. The morning wore on, Ytte was restless, she felt fine, she was more concerned about Siegfried than herself. She was eager to get back to the stable to check onto his leg, but when Nurse Maisie had come in to take more observations, she had told her in certain terms that Doctor Troy would be doing her round shortly. Ytte had glance at the little bell on the side-table more than once but had thought better of ringing it. Nurse Maisie was formidable. Ytte realised why they were called patients, they had to be. The door swung open and Maisie appeared once more. She took her observations then began to unwind the bandages from Ytte’s head. Ytte obediently sat upright as Maisie inspected the bruising. Then Doctor Troy finally breezed in and joined Maisie at the bedside, she conferred with Maisie while looking at the clipboard of Ytte’s notes. Tukiko then inspected the wound, shone a light into Ytte’s eyes, took pulses, temperatures. Through all this Ytte sat bolt upright, stoic, silent, and compliant. “All good! You can go.” Tukiko announced brightly with a smile. “Only, if you get any headache or feel dizzy, you come right back and see us. Is that clear? Nurse will help you get ready” Tuki patted Ytte’s knee though the bedsheets and stood up, gathering her stethoscope and a pie of files, she paused and looked at Ytte for what seemed like a while. Nothing was said but much was understood between them. Tuki broke the exchange with a smirk and a wink, then breezed out to her next patient. This was Doctor Troy in full professional mode. “Right!” Nurse Maisie’s No-nonsense tone brought Ytte back into the here and now. “Let’s get you organised.” The Nurse unwound the rest of the dressings, and cleaned Ytte’s face with a soft cloth. She then untied the back of the surgical gown Ytte was wearing and untangled the strands of Ytte’s long hair from the gown and it’s ties. Then, for some time, Maisie brushed out all the tangles and knots until Ytte’s hair felt perfect. Ytte was quite surprised at the patience, care and gentleness of the otherwise brusque nurse, it was quite a contrast. Finally, Nurse Maisie stood Ytte up and removed the hospital gown, then helped her dress. She stood back, looked up and down. “Right, off you go, bed’s needed !” Ytte smirked, Nurse Maisie had reverted. “Ermm, how much do I owe you?” “Nowt” “Hmm?” “Nothing.” “But… “ “We don’t charge. The clinic’s funding comes donations. Another of Mayor Troy’s ideas. Medical care should be available as and when needed, not when affordable. ‘Course if you want to throw a handful of chips our way, we won’t complain.” “Ah, natürlich.” Ytte realised her bag was probably still at the stables. “Um, I’ll come back. And thank you! Give my wishes to Fräulein Doktor Troy please.” “Sure.” Nurse Maisie grinned as she held the door open for Ytte. “Now get lost. I’m sure your horse owes you an apology.” Ytte made her way back to the stables. The first to see her was the young stable girl who ran up smiling with relief. “Oh Miss, I am so glad to see you. How are you?” Ytte smiled back at the welcome. “Oh I feel like I have been knocked through a wall by a horse, but, here I am. How is Siegfried?” “Wondering where you are I should think. I walked him a little this morning but he still seems lame to me. Come and see.” Ytte followed the girl to Siegfried’s box. Siegfried was munching on a hay net, He nickered by way of welcome but returned his attention to his lunch just as quickly. “No apology, you big lump?” Ytte went inside and hugged the huge horse, then ran her hand down his left fetlock, it was still warmer than the surrounding area. She turned to the girl. “Looks like we are going to be here a few more days.” It was a more than obvious statement. Despite Siegfried’s injury, Ytte still had a number of loose ends to tie. She slapped Siegfried’s neck and wiggled an ear. “You be a good boy, I’ll be back soon.” She changed her shirt, folding it carefully before pushing it into her bag, The Imperial Eagle uppermost, then slung the bag it over her shoulder and headed back into Hope Springs. First call was back to the clinic where she left a donation. The next place should have been perhaps the tavern or Waffelhus for something to eat, but she felt herself being drawn instead to the hostel. Ytte paused, she stood on pretty much the same spot as she had the other night, but now in broad daylight and to her more enlightened eyes, things looked so much different. She walked on toward the hostel, feeling a little nervous. A group of nine or ten men and women mingled in the road between the two hostels, the group was loose but more clustered around a red and pink car. As she got closer she realised that in the centre of the group was indeed Mayor Hyle Troy. Hyle speaking to a small number of people, addressing them individually and scribbling notes onto a clipboard she was resting on the car roof. Ytte paused and watched. The not-very-tall Hyle Troy contrasted very much with the others in the group. The others clothing seemed tattered and worn, presumably because of weeks on the road from the south. Ytte recognised the basic Life-net issue jackets on a couple of individuals. Meanwhile Miss Troy, in contrast, wore an expensive looking black padded leather jacket and skin tight jeans. But what really made her stand out was the bright blonde hair, and more so, the pale blue eyes. Her face was smiling and good natured, but those eyes. The eyes commanded respect, they had authority. Even Ytte felt herself being drawn in. Not these the eyes of the drunken Hyle Troy of her memory. But here was Mayor Hyle Troy, laughing with the people, smiling, talking, engaging them, organising them. Ytte crossed to the women’s hostel and entered. Three small groups of three or four women and girls of varying age sat around the floor, some were mending clothes others eating. Items of clothing hung on lines. The smell was of fresh laundry, the women chatted and occasionally there was laughter. But Ytte sensed another emotion, Relief. It was palpable. In the far corner of the room was a flight of stairs, again Ytte felt compelled to investigate. She smiled and nodded politely as she stepped past the seated women, some nodded back, Ytte particularly noticed the beaming bread filled mouth of a tiny three year old grinning up happily at her. Ytte gained the stairway and climbed up. Again the room was well appointed, and airy, but there was something. Something else that made Ytte feel a little apprehensive, but she went on. Against each wall and down the middle of the room were rows of bunk-beds. Not grubby and foreboding like she had seen once before in a workhouse. These were painted bright colours, here and there on pegs were draped hats, bags and coats. Still something bothered Ytte, she went further. The first girl she saw reminded her of the shawled woman of her dream. The battered face held the eyes she had seen before only in shell-shocked recruits, She lay on her back, awake but unaware of Ytte’s presence. In the next bunk, a girl of maybe sixteen, her knees drawn up to her chin, arms wrapped around her knees, the child-almost-woman rocked back and forth, and more so the closer Ytte came. The eyes showed fear. Ytte backed off. Ytte walked up and down the row of bunks. Most were empty of course, The occupants downstairs or outside. But here and there, shattered women. Ytte found herself back at the first bunk, transfixed by the dark empty eyes in bruised sockets. “We do what we can.” Ytte jumped, inhaling a huge gulp of air, her heart missed a respectable number of beats before resuming, this time with a more noticeable pounding “Sorry!” came the whisper. Ytte turned and found herself looking at a wry half smile, and those ice blue eyes. Hyle tilted her head, indicating direction and headed downstairs, Ytte followed, Ytte took a couple of moments to gather her emotions back together. The fright had had an unsettling effect, Hyle’s ice blue eye had felt for a short moment even intimidating. She followed Hyle back down the stairs, noting how easily Hyle descended in what looked like impossibly high heeled boots. Hyle moved through the room exuding authority, pausing occasionally to ask one refugee or other if there was anything they needed, answering their questions with a smiling efficiency that impressed Ytte. Ytte obediently followed Hyle outside and into the street to her car. Again Hyle paused when another refugee had a request, which Hyle answered again with a air of good natured efficiency. “Have you eaten?” Hyle turned to Ytte. Ytte shook her head. Because of all the events in her day, Ytte realised that all she had eaten all day was the toast and cheese breakfast that Taiyoko had brought her that morning, Ytte realised she was famished, “Good.” Hyle indicated the passenger door of her car. “I’m starving also. Jump in!”