Work Text:
Dear Mattie,
You’ll likely have been in London for weeks by the time this arrives. I hope you had a pleasant journey and things have started well.
I wanted to write to tell you: I used to like how you broke the rules. You kind of reminded me how to do it I guess, how doing what's right sometimes means pushing the boundaries. Well, you and the Doc. But I think you always did it a bit better - not quite so reckless and less work for me to clean up.
Even when we first met and I really didn't like it, it made sense when you broke the rules. When I arrested you (sorry again), you were protecting your friend's daughter. You stood up for the people and the things you believed in. Every time you helped the Doc with one of his far fetched ideas, it was only because you cared. Mind you, not that I really liked hearing you'd put yourself at risk again when there was a murderer somewhere in the hospital. But you weren't afraid of getting in trouble if it meant you could help. I admired that, the way you were so willing to help others, even if if meant taking a risk.
Late nights you were even better at breaking all (well maybe not all, but a good few) of Mrs Beazley's rules. All those times you stayed up studying long after Mrs Beazley had tried to send you upstairs, I'm sure of it. Sneaking the freshly baked biscuits and coming into my room with two cups of tea, when I finished late after a hard case. Or going into the Doc's office, pinching his kit that time Al McBride got one over on me and you were all out of bandages.
I've changed my mind this morning though, I think there had to be some sort of rule about saying goodbye. Mrs Beazley says you're off to London and that you'd meant to say goodbye but you had to tell the Doc first. I guess I understand that. It's kind of like how you're meant to tell your parents about some things before telling other people. Makes sense, we almost were a little family. It doesn't really matter now though, you're gone and England's lucky to have you. Ballarat was.
I'm probably breaking my own rules, telling you all this, really even writing this letter at all. And, I know it's only been a day since you actually left, but it's been nearly a week since we really got to talk and I was looking forward to us both having the day off. Because, well, I’ll miss you - a lot. It's not quite the same anymore knowing I won't hear you laugh as I come in the door or have to mind how long I take in the shower. Who knows what I'll do when the Doc and Mrs Beazley are fighting, no one else to hide with. I'll have to see if Doc can help peel potatoes for my salad too but I think we both know how that will end.
Anyway, I'll stop going on. I do hope you have a great adventure in London. Don't miss Australia too much.
With love,
Charlie