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Carlotta's been resting in the infirmary, and is now sitting outside getting some fresh air and looking a bit better, aside from having the large metal contraption still on her right leg.

She's discovered that, amongst other things, it's very boring having a broken leg. When she's a bit stronger, she'll try walking around on her hands.

She tries to skim some stones on the lake, but the bench isn't quite close enough and they just plop straight in.

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Demeter sees her and gasps as she comes over, "Carlotta, what happened?"

"Got shot in the leg." Carlotta says. "And now it's infected and I'm having anti... somethingorothers."

Gently Demeter hugs her, "But its being treated?"

"Yes, those are the antisomethingorothers." Carlotta says. "Dr Sandhu has given me some medicines, and Teja is looking after me upstairs. I'm getting rather pampered really!"

"Then I'll just have to help with the pampering,"

If she's healing slowly, Demeter might help things along too, but hopefully she won't have to.

Carlotta smiles weakly.

"Thank you. I'm sorry to be so feeble, but I've not been well because of the infection. And the doctors say the leg will take simply ages to heal, because the bullet went straight through the bone."

"You're not feeble at all, Carlotta. You're healing and you'll be back to your normal strength in time."

Carlotta nods.

"I'm expected to recover. But I'm being sent back to England, because they don't think I should be a spy any more. I'd be too distinctive."

"I agree with them and you need time to get healthy."

"I... I'm rather relieved I don't have to do it any more." Carlotta admits. "It was exciting at first, but I got in way over my head."

"That happens sometimes but you did great things," Demeter hugs her again.

Carlotta hugs back, and tries not to cry. Her emotions just feel all over the place at the moment.

"Thank you." she says quietly.

"You can cry, Carlotta. I think you need it,"

She gently rubs Carlotta's back.

Carlotta wipes her eyes.

"Sorry, I just keep going over and over it... if it hadn't been for Will I'd have died. I don't remember all of it but I remember getting shot..."

"Shh, don't do that. The past has happened, now you have to go forward. Talk to him soon about what did happen so you can set your mind at ease."

"I can't, he's been sent back to work." Carlotta says. "We'll have to do it by post. They wouldn't even let him stay to see how I was."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Carlotta."

"It's not your fault." Carlotta says, getting a handkerchief and wiping her eyes. "At least I was able to see him the other day, which is more than I could expect. It was rather nice apart from him crashing the plane and me getting shot."

"I know, but I still wish I could do something to help."

"Distract me a bit?" Carlotta suggests. "Tell me what you are doing?"

"Not too much, gardening with my daughter and just enjoying being with her. Would you like to visit us? Maybe we could bring Teja along."

"If we do it slowly." Carlotta says. "Thank you."

"Of course, we need to get you healed up."

"Oh. That might take a while." Carlotta says. "The bullet went straight through my tibia, apparently."

"I know it will but you don't have to heal alone,"

And Demeter can always help things along.

"Thanks." Carlotta says. "Dr Sandhu said he could use the... bone fuse thing, but that it's best to wait for the infection to clear up."

"That makes sense. I'll come in every day to visit with you and hopefully that will make the time go quicker."

"Thank you, I think that will help." Carlotta says.

Scowl. "The doctor in the Gibraltar military hospital told me to 'take up knitting and leave the war to the real soldiers'."

"Then he's a fool but its probably best not to tell him that."

"I'm still under military secrecy." Carlotta says. "But I think they'll probably tell my family and make them sign a paper. It would be pretty odd for me to have been shot in the balloon corps."

"Why? A war's going on and everyone has as much risk of being hurt as anyone else. After all, you're not in an occupied town where you were hurt, just in a town. Don't over think things, my guess is everyone will be happy just to see you safe."

"Because it doesn't make sense for me to have been shot in England when the war is fought abroad or by planes." Carlotta says.

"So you were hurt doing a bombing raid somewhere. War provides too many reasons for people to be hurt and balloon corps travel, that's the entire idea of balloons. Say that you went abroad but can't tell them where and that you were hurt. Keep it simple and stop worrying so much about what other people think of you. Its not going to help and you're strong and brave."

Carlotta nods.

"Sorry." she says quietly. "Too much time to think."

Demeter hugs her,

"I love you, Carlotta and fretting won't make you get better faster. We need to find you things to do that won't make your leg worse and keep you happy and occupied."

"Thank you." Carlotta hugs her back.

"What do you suggest?"

"I'm not sure. Sewing might be one place to start or perhaps writing. Have you ever thought that another girl who's grown up between different worlds might find your story hopeful?"

"Possibly." Carlotta says. "But I shouldn't think that it happens that often. Sewing might be better."

Demeter gives her a look, "Perhaps not your exact situation but children are always moving between different lives. Writing about what you learned and your life might be good for you and end up helping someone else. Or create a manual about how to do circus tricks."

Carlotta nods.

"Sorry, I've been grouchy all day, I didn't mean to be negative."

"You're not used to being still. We'll figure things out for you to do another day. You're strong and will heal quickly."

Carlotta nods.

"You're not offended are you?" she asks anxiously.

"Not at all. We all have bad days."

"Shall we go inside and have some tea?" Carlotta asks.

"That sounds nice. How are you for walking?"

"I'm getting the hang of the crutches, I just feel weak and sick a lot of the time." Carlotta says, getting up. "So I just need to take it slowly."

"Then we will go at your pace,"

They start to head towards the Bar and more comfortable seats.

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