Honorary Surgeon (12 page)

Veronica stared at her friend in wide-eyed wonder.
“
You sound quite scared. Surely you don
’
t mind meeting him again?
”
Finding what she considered a solution to the puzzle, Veronica burst into laughter.
“
I see; I suppose it
’
s because in the ordinary way he is your boss! Well, you can forget all hospital etiquette here, and you won
’
t feel at a loss for long with Richard.
”
She pulled her friend towards the door.
“
Come along, darling; don
’
t be silly.
”

“
Just a second, I
’
m ... I
’
m not quite ready.
”
Mary pulled away from her friend and crossed to the mirror to make a wholly unnecessary adjustment to the collar of her frock. Anything, anything to postpone the moment. If only she could gain a few seconds to pull herself together!

“
I
’
ve asked him to share our lunch,
”
Veronica giggled.
“
I
’
m afraid it was somewhat inadequate for two. For three, well ... I only hope you
’
re not feeling hungry!
”
She laughed.
“
Come on, and stop fiddling with that collar. You look too attractive as it is, and I warn you Richard is inclined to be susceptible. If you cut me out with Richard, I
’
ll never speak to you again!
”

CHAPTER
EIGHT

Sir
Richard rose
from the small table at which he was seated as the two girls approached, and placed their chairs in position.
“
What a time you
’
ve been!
”
He addressed himself to Veronica.
“
Do you realize I
’
ve been right up to the house and back while you
’
ve been completing your toilet?
”

“
Just making myself beautiful on your account, darling!
”
Veronica laughed.
“
I hope you appreciate the effort.
”

“
You look charming. I have been much more usefully employed.
”
Sir Richard lifted a basket on to the table.
“
Your description of the luncheon scared me; I have been augmenting it.
”

Veronica pounced upon the basket and began to unpack.
“
Iced lemonade
...
claret.
”
She turned to Mary.
“
Do you know I entirely forgot about drinks!
”
She rummaged again in the basket.
“
Hothouse peaches! Oh, Richard, how heavenly! You remembered how I love them! I could hug you for that!
”

Mary was a silent spectator of the little scene. She was infinitely grateful for the respite, and
o
nly prayed that her two companions would continue to ignore her presence. Veronica was still absorbed in the contents of the hamper, while Sir Richard, his dark head close to hers, assisted with the unpacking.

“
Mary dear, there is a cloth in our parcel; help me lay the table.
”
Mary hastened to comply, and, although her hands were clumsy and her knees scarcely seemed to support her, she was glad of the occupation. With Veronica
’
s capable aid the table was quickly prepared, and they sat down to the appetising meal.

“
It
’
s extraordinary that you two should know each other: she didn
’
t even mention your name to me in her letters,
”
Veronica announced. She bit into a ham sandwich, then continued:
“
Tell me, Richard, is she a good nurse?
”
There was a twinkle in her eye as she asked the question.

“
An excellent nurse, I believe,
”
Sir Richard replied non-committally.

“
Why only
‘
believe
’
? Don
’
t you know?
”
Veronica spoke between mouthfuls.
“
Mary would be good at anything: She
’
s the most conscientious person!
”
Veronica paused and, raising her eyebrows in perplexity, gazed from one to the other of her two companions.
“
I say, you two, is there anything up? You don
’
t seem very friendly.
”

Although Mary
’
s eyes were lowered, she could feel Sir Richard
’
s gaze fixed on her. In imagination she could see that quizzical twist to his lips, and the penetrating stare which seemed to see right through her. Steeling herself for the ordeal, she raised her eyes to meet his, and unflinchingly met their piercing intensity.
“
You
’
re quite right, Veronica; there is
‘
something up,
’
as you call it. Sir Richard and I are not on the best of
terms!
”
Despite the difficulty she had found in forming the words, she found relief in having uttered them. It would have been impossible to keep up this pretence any longer: now it was war to the knife, and she was prepared to face it.

“
I can
’
t believe it!
”
There was no mistaking the pain in Veronica
’
s voice.
“
Have you had a quarrel, then? What
’
s it all about?
”

Sir Richard placed his hand over Veronica
’
s as it lay on the table.
“
Don
’
t look so worried: we haven
’
t quarrelled. Miss Grant doesn
’
t approve of me, that
’
s all.
”
He laughed lightly, as if he would take the seriousness from his words.
“
Purely a hospital affair: you mustn
’
t let it spoil this delightful picnic. Miss Grant and I will call a truce for the time being: how will that do?
”

“
Of course you must! Nothing must spoil today; everything is so lovely; this weather, this heavenly place, and above all Guy
...”
She broke off.
“
Oh, please you two, do be
friendly.
”

“
I
’
ve told you we are at the moment the best of friends, aren
’
t we, Miss Grant?
”
There was a curious quality in his demand which brooked no denial.

“
Yes
...
yes, of course,
”
Mary hastily agreed.

“
Now let
’
s drink a toast to it.
”
Sir Richard raised his glass. His eyes met Mary
’
s above the rim.
“
To our truce.
”
His glass touched hers, and tinkled musically in the tranquil air.
“
Mary!
”

Veronica laughed happily.
“
That
’
s better.
”
How could I bear my two best friends to be enemies? That sounds all wrong, but you know what I mean! Now how about some more food?
”

Despite Mary
’
s anxiety, the picnic proved to be a merry meal. She was reluctantly forced to the conclusion that Sir Richard was excellent company, and a perfect genius at carrying off an awkward situation. At moments she almost forgot the grudge she bore him, and was inclined
to ignore the fact that their easy relationship was, after all, only a truce. He addressed her as Mary, as if he had always known her by that, name, but, try as she would, she could not bring herself to use his Christian name, and, to avoid the difficulty, refrained from addressing him at all.

“
How about another bathe?
”
Sir Richard leaned back, smoking contentedly.
“
Do you girls feel like going in again?
”

“
Rather!
”
Veronica paused.
“
I wonder if the costumes will be dry?
”
She rose from her chair.
“
I
’
ll go and get them, anyway.
”

The moment Veronica had disappeared round the bend of the terrace, Sir Richard addressed his companion.
“
Mary, please try to understand, we mustn
’
t air our grievances in front of Veronica. Poor child, she has a pretty rotten time as it is. Whatever you think of me, please don
’
t let it affect us when Veronica is present.
”

Mary was amazed at the feeling in his voice, and, without hesitation, gave him the answer he demanded.
“
No, I promise not to.
”
It was at that moment Mary was convinced that her first impression had been right: this was no ordinary friendship, Veronica and Sir Richard
...
Her heart ached. How, oh, how could such a terrible thing have happened? Mary pulled herself up with a start. What was the matter with her, jumping to such conclusions? Why, Veronica was married, but somehow that thought didn
’
t afford her much consolation.

“
Mary, it was kind of you. I shall never forget it, the way you so readily jumped into the breach. I didn
’
t want to hurt Veronica.
”
Mary noticed how his voice softened as he mentioned Veronica
’
s name.
“
She was so happy, and—well, I don
’
t think she gets much fun,
”
he added almost apologetically.

“
Yes, I realize that!
”
Mary lapsed again into silence.
“
You know I
’
m awfully grateful for this temporary truce, but couldn
’
t we turn it into a permanent one?
”
As Mary remained silent, he continued:
“
I do apologize.
”

“
Apologize!
”
Mary scoffed.
“
I owed you an apology once: for some reason or other I withheld it, but the revenge you took: that I will never forgive, never,
”
she declared hotly.

“
I couldn
’
t resist it.
”
Sir Richard
’
s lips curved into a smile.
“
You know I intended to tell you about your hat
when I approached you in the ward. You refused to listen to me. When I unwittingly overheard your most scathing remarks about myself, the temptation to get my own back was too strong; I just couldn
’
t resist it.
”
He laughed boyishly.
“
Surely you can understand that?
”
Mary was acutely conscious of Sir Richard
’
s disarming manner, and for a moment she felt herself weakening
’
under his magnetic charm: then suddenly, as if a cloud had de
s
cended, obscuring the sun, memories flooded back, and, in imagination, she visualized her return to hospital, and the nightmare which awaited her there, a nightmare caused by this man
’
s thoughtless action. Fighting back the angry annoyance she felt at the memory, she addressed her companion, and the words were scarcely audible.
“
I
’
ve told you, I can never forgive you.
”

“
But, Mary, why this bitterness? What have I done?
”
Sir Richard leaned across the table, and laid his hand persuasively over hers.

Mary snatched away her hand, and her eyes sparkled angrily.
“
What have you done? Can
’
t you see? You
’
ve made my hospital life, my only means of livelihood, unbearable. You know the nurses all worship you.
”
Her tone became sarcastic.
“
I was never popular because I didn
’
t join your adoring throng. Then you, with your wretched interference, suggested that all along I had been friendly with you. How do you think they liked that? What sort of life shall I have among them now?
”
Mary questioned, as she fought back the tears which threatened to force their way beneath her lashes.

“
Good heavens! I had no idea! So that was what you were trying to tell me that day
...”
There was genuine concern in his voice.
“
No wonder you hate me.
”
He rose to his feet and crossed swiftly to her side. Placing his hand on her shoulder, he spoke again.
“
Whether you forgive me or not, please believe that I am genuinely sorry.
”
As Mary remained with her head bowed, he placed his hand beneath her chin and tilted her face upwards.
“
Mary, please don
’
t cry. I can
’
t bear it. Besides, Veronica will be back any minute; you mustn
’
t let her see you like this.
”

“
Veronica! You are very concerned about her, aren
’
t you?
”
Mary accused him wildly.
“
Your feelings for her are pretty obvious.
”
The moment the words were out,
Mary would have given anything to recall them. An enigmatic expression flashed across Sir Richard
’
s face before he turned away and, with a shrug, settled himself back again in his chair. For a moment Mary was almost frightened. What had she said? How was Sir Richard likely to take such a suggestion?

She need not have feared. When Sir Richard spoke again, his bearing and voice were quite unchanged.
“
Mary, there is no mistaking your suggestion, but, you know, you can
’
t have it both ways. You accuse me of playing up to the nurses; now you suggest I am in love with Veronica.
”
He sighed despondently.
“
Even I am not so low as to be guilty on both charges.
”
His eyes sought hers
q
uestioningly.
“
Mary, do you think you are being quite
f
air?
”

“
Perhaps not.
”
Mary flushed, and lowered her eyes until her long lashes veiled their expression.
“
The way the nurses hang round you maddens me. I imagined you rather provoked it: perhaps the blame lies with them. I admit I may have been wrong about you, she added almost inaudibly.

“
Thank you for that, at least.
”
His lips smiled, although there was no merriment in his expression.
“
I hated you to think that I enjoy that sort of thing, or that it has been in any way my seeking.
”
He forced a teasing note into his voice.
“
Now we
’
ve cleared up that point, I
’
ve only one more thing to live down. I
’
ll do my best to do that, and perhaps you
’
ll also try to forget it,
”
he added earnestly.

Mary smiled sadly. There certainly was an extraordinary appeal about her companion which she found very difficult to resist.
“
I
’
ll do my best,
”
she promised,
“
if the nurses will let me forget it.
”
Mary extended her hand timidly across the table, and, as she felt it instantly grasped in Sir Richard
’
s firm grip, a wave of comfort surged through her.