(no subject)

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy and Helen step out of the phone box into a street in Holby. It's cloudy, and looks a little like rain. Passers-by push past, in a hurry, without caring if they barge into anyone. There is a gloom about the place.

Guppy smiles at Helen.

"Welcome to Holby."

Comments

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen smiles bright, taking in her new surroundings. She tries to listen in to the Ladies' conversation, while watching the boy with amusment and smiling sympathetically at the mother with the twins. This is taking quite a bit of effort, but she still manages to nestle into Guppy's arm and say, "Yes, I'm fine. And you?"

[guppy_sandhu]

"Used to it." Guppy grins. "This is my home, it always has been."

One of the twins starts kicking the seat until his mother shouts at him to stop and gives him a bottle of coke to shut him up. Guppy restrains himself from wincing at a child that age being given fizzy drinks.

"It's no wonder those two are behaving so badly. She's filling them up with additives." he whispers to Helen.

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen grins. "I guess it does take some getting used to." Helen shrugs. "Additives? What do they do?" she whispers quietly back. "The next time one of them acts up, should I say something?"

[guppy_sandhu]

"Additives are things put in food to make it look pretty, last longer or taste better, but they can make kids hyperactive and badly behaved. It's in the media all the time, so chances are she knows. Anyway, this is our stop."

He gets up and shows her which button to press.

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen shrugs. "Her fault if she ignores it." she says, possibly a bit too loudly. She pushes the button fairly hard and then follows him.

[guppy_sandhu]

As they get off the bus the woman scowls at Helen. This area of Holby is a little quieter than the busy street they had first come out into. Rather than bustling pedestrians, there are people quietly taking a walk, buying ice creams and looking at the boats. It's the dock. The sea is a murky blue, as the black clouds hover over it. Guppy suddenly becomes slightly uncomfortable. There is a fence post that has been covered with police tape to protect people from the jagged edge of the broken wood.

"This is the dock." Guppy says, still a little quiet. "If you look over there, you can see Wales from here."

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen likes this area of Holby much better. She gazes out across the sea, suddenly feeling a bit more at home. "This is like home...but less sunny." she smiles, but it is broken by Guppy's unsettledness. "It's beautiful." she says. "Why the long face?"

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy points to the tape on the fence post.

"That's where Claire drove herself into the sea. Otherwise yes, this is a nicer place."

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen nods slowly. "Oh." she says. "Right. I'm...very sorry to bring that up." Stupid, Helen! Very stupid!

[guppy_sandhu]

"Don't worry about it. Come on, the shelter's just down here."

Talking of Claire has made him nervous. Holby is a city of repeated disasters. He doesn't want any harm to come to Helen. He takes her hand and watches out for muggers, terrorists and crashing planes.

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen squeezes his hand and walks by his side as he leads the way. She walks calmly, just taking in her new surroundings.

[guppy_sandhu]

There is a sound of many cats and dogs meowing and barking as they approach a large building, with 'Holby Animal Sh lter' written above the door. Guppy holds the door open for Helen.

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen's eyes widen like a child in a candy store. "Wow...." She breathes. "This is amazing..."

[guppy_sandhu]

The receptionist looks up.

"Can I help you?" she asks, smiling at Helen.

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen smiles back, trying not to seem too overwhelmed. "Ah, yes. I would like to adopt a cat...or a dog...or both." she smiles warmly.

[guppy_sandhu]

"Well you've come to the right place. I wouldn't advise adopting both at once, but we'll see. Feel free to have a wander around, and then when you've made your decision come back here and I'll find a kennel hand to help you."

She indicates a door to the left.

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen smiles. "Thank you!" she grabs Guppy by the hand and opens the door. Think: Child entering toy store.

[guppy_sandhu]

All along the sides are cages and cages of cats, from tiny kittens to old, scarred felines. Each cage has a label, reading descriptions such as these.

'Name: Mr Puff-puff
Sex: Male
Age: Around seven years
Reason for adoption: Killed family's other cat
Special details: Should be kept away from other cats, children, dogs and people of nervous disposition.

Name: Ginger
Sex: Female
Reason for adoption: Death of previous owner
Special details: Is afraid of birds'

[ooc: mun has to go to bed in a minute]

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen twirls through the hall checking out each cage, reading the descriptions, and mainly focusing on younger looking cats. When she sees one she likes, she points it out to Guppy.

(Ooc--Ok we can pick up again tomorrow?:-)

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy smiles. "Yes, that's a nice one. What does the description say about it?"

[ooc: Yep, sure. I just have jetlag and parental nagging so can't carry on tonight. I won't be around until evening my time though because my Dad's on holiday so he's taking me and my brother out for the day.]

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen smiles. "No name, but female, about six months old." The brownish-orange kitten with a white belly meows at Helen, who sticks a finger through the cage and pets the kitten. "Hello, sweetie." she grins. "I think I like this one."

[guppy_sandhu]

"She's very pretty. She'd make a nice playmate for Scampi. Would you like me to go and find a kennel hand?"

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen grins. "I guess..." She thinks for a minute, and then asks, with the tone of a pleading child, "May I get a dog too?"

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy grins. "Don't ask me. You'll have to check with the kennel hands. It might be a bit much adopting both at once; remember some of these animals are from rough backgrounds and will need time to get used to you."

He flags down a passing kennel hand, who smiles through his mop of greasy hair.

"Can I help you?"

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen grins at him. "Yes, I think I'll take this cat, but I might be interested in looking at dogs as well."