23 minutes. 13 seconds.
14 seconds.
House stared at the clock on the wall.
"-and she coughed last night! I mean, she's never even sniffled before! Has she got influenza? Oh god, she's dying, isn't she? My poor baby! Oh, Annabelle!" House ventured a glance at the woman sitting opposite him, a young girl on her lap. The girl eyed him crossly, her nose wrinkling with boredom. Her mother had been at it for almost half an hour.
"Mrs -"
"Newbury."
"Please leave the room." She looked stunned. Her daughter looked thrilled.
"But -"
"I need to talk to your daughter in private," said House slowly and clearly. The woman frowned.
"Well, I really don't see what you need to ask her without me in the room! She's my daughter!"
"Mrs Newton -"
"Newbury."
"- Newbury, I have some questions that your daughter may find awkward answering in front of you." She glared at him suspiciously.
"Like what?"
"I think there might be something seriously wrong with her. Have you heard of the disease Nanofluchoccus?" She squeezed her daughter tightly.
"No."
"I thought not. There are some tests we need to run, and you'll have to sign some forms." The mother almost ran out of the room. Able to breathe, the little girl shifted in her seat, looking at the doctor with accusing eyes.
"That was a lie," she said delightedly. "Mommy says lying is wrong."
"I'll bet your mommy thinks a lot of things are wrong," muttered House, pulling a blue lollipop out of his pocket. "Want it?"
"Mommy says lollies are bad," she said, taking the lollipop, unwrapping it and putting it in her mouth. She began to suck vigorously. House relaxed, rather futilely believing it would shut her up. "Am I schiks?"
"Dying. Two hours, max."
"Oh dear," she said, looking rather pleased. "Mommy will be really upset." They sat staring at each other for a few moments.
"How old are you?" she asked suddenly.
"Ancient."
"Are you married?"
"Women like your mother have persuaded me not to." She smiled, her tongue bright blue.
"Do you still go to school?" House groaned.
"I think I prefer your mother," he said.
"What's your name?"
"Usually, that question comes at the beginning of the conversation."
"What's your name?" House rolled his eyes and wondered how cross his lawyer would be if he gave the girl - Annabelle, poor thing - a sedative.
"Greg."
"That's a boring name," she said conversationally.
"Your name is Annabelle. Like that peeing doll," he replied childishly. 4.58pm.
"So?" she said, scowling. "My mom chose it."
"No kidding."
"What's that?" she asked, pointing at his cane.
"A special tool for hitting annoying children." Her eyes widened.
"Really?" she said, unperturbed. There was a short silence before, "Who's your best friend?"
5pm
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I'll have to break up our little chat." The girl kicked her legs up and down, creating a steady loud thumping beat.
"Bye!" she said, waving. House forced a grin and almost ran out of the door.
---
House sank into the chair opposite Wilson's bed with a sigh.
"Fun in clinic duty?" Wilson had come to learn House's timetable.
"Bundles of it," said House foully. Wilson opened his mouth to ask something but House silenced him with a glare. "I have just been through the mother from Hell followed by her minion." Wilson closed his mouth, nodded and switched on the television.
---
Okay. Slightly random chapter. Interesting one coming next, promise!
R & R :)