Ring for the Nurse (7 page)

I know
...
but there it is and don
’
t you go worrying about it. I saw Brenton at crack of dawn, he is still running a temperature, one expected that, but he had morphia in the night and he is much more rested. How does he seem now?
”

“
I
haven
’
t been in this morning, Sister took over while I went to Matron.
”
She pulled a face.
“
Nice visit it was too; I was o
n
, the carpet well and truly. I do resent Mr. MacFarlayne running to Matron with his complaints. I
’
m just boiling over about him—what time is he due to make his round? I wish I could miss him,
”
she admitted fervently.

Philip glanced at his watch.
“
Any moment I should say.
”
He broke off abruptly as Sister Robinson bustled into the room. Rising to his feet, he stood back at Felicity
’
s side.

With a brief nod and smile to the young houseman, Sister turned to Felicity and addressed
her in conspiratorial tones.
“
Interview with Matron go off all right?
”

As the whole Hospital undoubtedly knew all by now, the secretive air seemed to Felicity somewhat unnecessary.
“
Yes, quite all right, thanks,
”
she responded conventionally, inwardly wondering whether having felt like a naughty schoolgirl being given
”
a bad conduct mark, constituted being
“
all right
”
.

O
bviously glad to have that matter off her mind, Sister continued in brisker tones.
“
I
’
ve been attending Mr. Brenton, temperature is settling slowly, on the whole I think the dear
is a
little better.
”

Felicity, catching Philip
’
s eye, had difficulty in stifling her laughter; she was glad that
the necessity for answering the telephone afforded her an opportunity to turn away. Replacing the instrument she turned round.
“
Phoning from theatre, Mr. MacFarlayne is on his way up.
”

“
Splendid! We
’
ll get through nice and early and get Smith
’
s plaster done before serving dinners. Now listen, Nurse, I
’
ll take the round if you
’
ll see to Mr. Brenton. I
’
ve made him all nice and comfy but there is his injection to give and perhaps you can manage to persuade the dear boy to take a little something—if it
’
s only fluids—I
’
m sure a nice cup of tea would be very reviving.
”

Although Felicity knew that the flush of colour in Guy Brenton
’
s cheeks was anything but a good sign, on the whole she found him looking more rested and obviously in far less pain. Crossing to the bedside, she bade him a quiet
“
Good morning
”
, then removed the untouched tray of tea from the bedside table. She felt his glance following her as she placed it aside and busied herself preparing the injection.

“
Don
’
t take that tea away, I
’
ll have it after you
’
ve finished with me.
”

Felicity looked up.
“
Sister told me you didn
’
t fancy anything.
”

“
Would
you
fancy anything if you were told to
‘
drink up like a good boy
’
?
”

Felicity
’
s lips curled into a smile, and somehow it considerably relieved her pent emotions.
“
I really don
’
t know, I
’
ve never experienced it,
”
she admitted. Her tone was dispassionate, she felt too ill at ease to express her amusement openly, she had learnt from experience how firmly he discouraged any signs of familiarity. Returning to the bed, she rolled back the sleeve of his pyjama jacket and with quite unwonted nervousness, which she fervently prayed wasn
’
t obvious, she quickly inserted the needle. Well, that was over! She replaced the syringe in the dish. No disparaging remark had so far been forthcoming so she could only hope her technique had passed muster.

“
Now how about that tea?
”

Felicity obediently returned with the tray.
“
M
ilk and sugar?
”
As he nodded assent, Felicity poured the drink and set it within reach of his uninjured hand.
“
Let me raise your pillow a little, you
’
ll manage more easily.
”
Again she experienced those quickened heart beats as she felt his head rest heavily against her arm, it seemed strange that such a simple act could stir any emotion, but, she told herself, it
was probably quite natural when the patient was someone for whom one had always felt such deference.

“
Thank goodness you didn
’
t suggest feeding me,
”
he commented, although he appeared to be manipulating the cup with some difficulty. After a few sips he replaced it carefully in the saucer, then, deliberately focusing his eyes
o
n Felicity, went on speaking.
“
I understand that you were in some trouble over admitting my
fiancé
e last night.
”
So even he knew! The
ready flush rose to Felicity
’
s cheeks and her lips trembled with humiliation and anger.
“
I might have known that everyone in Hospital would hear of
it,
even the patient,
”
she added pointedly, and there was a bitterness in her voice which she made no effort to conceal.

There was an indefinable expression in Guy Brenton
’
s eyes as they held hers, it might have been surprise at her outburst or even resentment; it was impossible to tell. Baffled and not a little uncomfortable, Felicity turned away. She was glad to be able to busy herself unscrewing the syringe ready for sterilizing; she worked slowly, unconsciously playing for time. By the rattle of the cup against the saucer, she knew he was drinking again, yet she was sure his eyes were still following her movements. That particular job could not be prolonged indefinitely so, forced to turn, Felicity packed up the tray with the tea things ready for removal.
“
Have you finished with your cup?
”

“
Yes, thanks.
”
He lay back against the pillow.
“
Tell me, who is supposed to be nursing me, you or Sister?
”
Felicity the tray now balanced on her hand turned as he asked the question.

“
I am. Of course Sister Robinson is in charge—she had to attend you this morning as I was otherwise engaged— with Matron,
”
she added pointedly, while her lingering resentment was obvious.

“
I haven
’
t the slightest doubt that Matron instructed you to keep visitors away from me, I
’
d like to endorse those instructions—with a small addition. Keep Sister Robinson away too. I appreciate that she is well-meaning, but I dislike being fussed.
”

As he finished speaking a slow smile curved his lips, it was so friendly and reassuring that Felicity felt strangely moved. It gave her courage too, she was sure that during all the months of their association it was the first ti
m
e she had felt completely at ease in Guy Brenton
’
s presence.
“
I have no intention of fussing you.
”
Only her deep blue eyes returned his smile, her lips remained impassive, but she was aware of an added sense of confidence as she turned from the room, softly closing the door behind her.

With relief, Felicity realized that Mr. MacFarlayne
’
s round was over by the time she
“
got back to the ward. Sister was nowhere to be seen but Philip was awaiting her in the
office.

“
There you are, I thought I
’
d wait a few moments to see
if you
’
d turn up—how is he?
”

The question was vague, but obviously referred to Guy
Brenton.

“
Better than I thought he
’
d be, quite cheerful in fact; still running a temperature but he managed some tea and seems in far less pain,
”
Felicity responded as she set down the tray she was carrying on a side table until she could attend to it.

“
The next few days will make a lot of difference;
”
Philip paused to light a cigarette, then went on:
“
MacFarlayne has had to go to theatre for an
‘
emergency
’
, he is coming back again to see Brenton later. Sister has gone to Plaster Room, she
’
ll be back in about half an hour.
”

“
Good, that will give me time to get some of these notes written up.
”
Felicity sat at the desk and drew the papers towards her, then turned with a laughing glance to her companion.
“
Haven
’
t
you
anything to do?
”

“
Loads!
”
Philip laughed, then added more soberly,
“
I just wanted a word with you first—I want to be sure that you really understand—I mean about that MacFarlayne business—you do realize it wasn
’
t my fault, don
’
t you?
”

“
We
’
ve already had all that out, you know I don
’
t blame you. Now get along and let me do some work.
”

“
You certainly seem less annoyed than you were first thing,
”
Philip leaned forward and put an arm on her shoulder.
“
I
’
m sorry about all this, sweet, you know that, don
’
t you?
”
He dropped his arm quickly to his side as, following a light knock, the door was opened to admit a girl, a complete stranger to Felicity, but apparently no stranger to Philip Elver and extending her hand she advanced eagerly towards him.

“
Why, it
’
s—it
’
s—now what is your name? I saw you in
Out Patients, didn
’
t I
?
...
When Guy and I were brought in. What a nightmare it was! You were sweet about everything but I was so shaken that I don
’
t remember even thanking you properly. I don
’
t know how I
’
d have faced up to things without your help, you were a positive angel!
”

The words might have been gushing and ill-chosen, yet Felicity found herself momentarily spellbound by the charm of the newcomer
’
s voice and by the startling beauty of the girl herself. There was no doubt that the stranger must be Guy Brenton
’
s
fiancé
e and she was not to be left long in doubt as to the purpose of the visit.

“
I came to see Guy.
”

Philip, no doubt sensing that this might be the right moment to make himself scarce, nodded
“
Good-bye
”
and beat a hasty retreat, deliberately disregarding Felicity
’
s signs to remain. Left alone, Felicity turned her eyes towards the other girl. Her face beneath the small tilted hat was a perfect oval, the pale olive skin flawless. Her hair, drawn back from her face and twisted in a knot low in the neck, was dark and lustrous and emphasized the high forehead and the pencilled brows. The mouth was perfectly shaped, its bold scarlet in direct contrast to the pallor of her skin.

“
Could I see Mr. Brenton?
”