Staff Nurse in the Tyrol (9 page)

Stefan pulled out a chair for Sonia. “Some Saturday you must come again. They have a Tirolean evening and there is much singing and dancing. Everyone is very happy.”

At last they had finished their coffee, and Sonia could think of no more phrases that she should learn before morning.

“What time does the last cable car go down?” she asked.

He looked at the timetable on the wall behind him. “Quite soon. We have perhaps 15 minutes. Would you care to see the valley from the lookout? The moon shines now, and it is not far that we must go.”

Sonia stood up. She was aware of regret that tonight was almost over. She felt so safe with Stefan. How ridiculous Michael’s warning had been, and how English! Just because a man was a foreigner it didn’t follow that he was a romantic fly-by-night and completely unreliable. Stefan wasn’t like that. She remembered Greta’s bitter words. Did Stefan care only for the country to which he might never return? She glanced at the tall figure walking beside her, and as if sensing her regard, Stefan smiled down at her and his face lost the sadness it wore when in repose.

His hand rested on her arm and he led her to the curved railing of the lo
o
kout. “See? Is it not beautiful?”

Sonia forgot him, forgot where she was, forgot that the world existed. The moonlight had silvered the mountains, sprinkled diamonds among the snowfields, turned the distant river into a shining swathe of molten silver, and cast the small valleys into shadows of black velvet. Overhead the arch of the sky had the unbelievable blue of an Italian Old Master’s painting.

At last she sighed and stirred, and it seemed perfectly natural that Stefan should have slipped his arm around her shoulders. “It’s too lovely for words,” she whispered softly.

Stefan’s arm tightened. “Has no one told you that
you
are lovely?”

Something in his tone caught at her faraway attention. “I don’t remember.” She tried to be flippant.

His hand touched her cheek and guided her face around so that she faced him. “Does it make you angry then for a man to tell you that you are lovely?” He sounded puzzled.

Sonia hesitated. She didn’t want to hurt Stefan, but she didn’t want him to go on like this. “I suppose it’s because I’m not used to it.”

“Are the young men in your country so blind, so cold, that they do not tell you these things? With you I can forget for a little while the troubles of my fatherland.”

There was a fierceness in his manner that made Sonia uneasy. She tried to pull away, but Stefan held her more firmly.

“What is it that is wrong? Do you not like me? Why do you come if you do not like me, eh?”

Sonia stared at him. “Of course I like you, and I came because you were kind enough to ask me.”

“Is that the only reason? Is it not that you want me
to...”
He broke off and began to kiss her.

Sonia was too startled to resist for a moment, but then she began to struggle. “No, Stefan! Please don’t!”

Stefan paid no attention, and his kisses grew wilder until at last it dawned on him that Sonia was lying passive in his grasp. He released her so abruptly that she almost fell.

“So my friends are right,” he said bitterly. “The English girls are so cold ... they are cheats!”

Sonia began to walk away swiftly. How could she make him understand ... make him realize that she wanted him as a friend only? It was so dark once she left the edge of the terrace. She was in the shadow of the restaurant, and she could scarcely see where to put her feet. She had no clear idea of what she was doing or where she was going. She just wanted to get away long enough to give Stefan an opportunity to calm down. What had upset him? He hadn’t been
drinking ... a
t least, he had only had one glass of wine with dinner. She became aware that Stefan was calling her, and it was several minutes before the import of his words penetrated.

“Sonia! Come quickly. The cable car goes. Sonia? Forgive me! I did not understand.”

She hesitated. Could she believe him, or was it merely a trick to get her to turn back? She stumbled, tripped over a rock, and put out her hands to save herself. Then Stefan was beside her and pulling her to her feet, holding her hands tightly so that she couldn't get away.

“Sonia! I could cut out my heart rather than frighten you. Please! Please come quickly, the cable car does not wait.”

She tried to subdue her trembling. Even if she couldn’t quite trust Stefan again so soon she still needed his help to get back down the mountain to St. Anton.

“My purse! I’ve dropped it. Help me to find it.” Sonia was near tears.

Together they fumbled around in the darkness until at last her searching hands felt it.

“I have it.” Sonia stood up and tried to brush some of the debris off her dress.

“That is good. Now take my hand, and we will run so quickly that perhaps we will yet be in time.”

Sonia blinked as they emerged into the brightly-lit restaurant. How quiet and deserted the place seemed now. The diners had gone. There were no signs, no music, only the subdued rattle of dishes somewhere in the background. Their footsteps echoed as they crossed the waiting room, and darkness met them as Stefan pushed open the door that led to the platform.

“It’s gone, Stefan! What shall we do?” Sonia tried to keep the despair out of her voice.

Stefan led her back into the waiting room. “We can spend the night here,” he said slowly. “It will not be comfortable, but at least it is sheltered.”

“But, Stefan, they will wonder where we are!”

He looked at her. “Who will wonder? Did you tell that you were coming here with me? I am not on call this night. In the morning you are on duty, not before.” He noticed her movement of withdrawal. “You need not be afraid. I will not force unwanted attentions on you,” he said stiffly.

Sonia put a hesitant hand on his arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.” Somehow she knew that she could trust Stefan again. “Isn't there some way we can get
down ...
tonight, I mean?”

He glanced at her doubtfully. “There is the trail that the climbers use, but it is dark and the moon does not always shine. I have a small flashlight, but it is not very strong.”

“Can’t we try it? We can always come back if it’s too difficult.” Sonia wondered at her own persistence. Why was she so determined to get back to the hospital? Was she worrying about Greta’s possible reaction? Or was she haunted by the memory of Michael’s mocking warning? Wouldn’t he put the worst possible interpretation on this escapade? Did it really matter so much already what Michael thought of her? Was it injured pride at his expectation that she wouldn’t make a success of her venture of coming to work in Austria or something else?

Stefan took the little flashlight out of his pocket and looked at it speculatively. “We will save it for the more difficult places. Come,
Liebchen
.”

He held out his hand, and this time Sonia took it without hesitation. They wouldn’t forget that journey down the mountain side for a very long time. The moonlight cast deceptive shadows, and often what appeared to be boulders turned out to be gullies scoured by the melting snows of the spring thaws. Many a time Sonia slipped, only to be saved from serious hurt by Stefan’s strong grip. Her sandals gave her flimsy protection against the roughness of the path. They made her footing uncertain on the patches of grass damp with the night dew.

“How much farther, Stefan?” s
h
e gasped as he hauled her once again to safety.

He made her lean agai
n
st him until she had her breath back. “Not far to Igls, I think. After that it will be easier. I think it safer if we go by the road. The path through the woods is shorter, but the darkness would hide the turnings.”

“But that will be miles and miles,” Sonia cried despairingly. “Can’t we get a taxi?”

Stefan peered at his watch. “At one o’clock in the morning? I think it is too late. In Innsbruck, yes, but not Igls. It is only a village.”

“One o’clock! We’ve been hours! We’ll never make it.” Sonia felt like bursting into tears. Every muscle ached. Her legs felt a mass of bruises from her frequent slips, and her feet seemed as if they couldn’t manage another step.

“Shall I carry you? It will be better once we are on straight ground.”

Sonia took a tentative pace forward. “No! I'm too heavy, and you must be as tired as I am.”

At last they reached the village, and their footsteps echoed eerily through the sleeping streets. The houses were sunk in darkness and the street lamps showed only an occasional cat slinking into the shadows in search of its prey. Down through the village of Igls; down the long winding hill past the church at Vill, its chimes striking two into the unhearing night; down through the darkness of the forests, cold now from the enshrouding mist; until at last they could see the light marking the entrance to the hospital.

Stefan half carried, half dragged Sonia up the length of the driveway, the gravel crunching noisily under their halting feet.

Stefan stopped outside the porter’s lodge. “Wake up,
Liebl
in
g!
We’re
here ...
we have arrived...
”

He looked down with gentleness at Sonia, who lay dropping against his arm, too utterly weary to move. Before she could make the final effort there was the sound of hurrying footsteps, and a figure in a white coat came into the blaze of light.

“Sonia! What in heaven’s name are you doing here at this hour?” She could only stare at Michael, very conscious of her mud-stained dress and her generally dishevelled appearance.

CHAPTER FIVE

Sonia straightened up and tried to brush the mud from her dress. She was almost in tears, but anger gave her the strength to answer Michael. “We missed the last cable car, that’s why we’re so late!”

“A likely story! I suppose you were so busy gazing romantically at the moon that you never noticed the time!” He was so furious that he was almost spluttering with rage.

Stefan put a protective arm around Sonia. “I think, Michael, that we will not remain friends if you speak so to Sonia. I have not harmed her. I have brought her back safely.”

Michael looked from Sonia’s flushed and weary face to the stern one of Stefan. “I wonder. I suppose it was an accident, but for the love of heaven don’t let it happen again. What would your parents think? For two cents I’d tell them to come and take their daughter home.”

Sonia took a step forward. “Michael! You wouldn’t!” She was trembling so much that she could hardly control her voice.

For a long moment he gazed at her and then shrugged his shoulders. “Why should I concern myself about you if they’re foolish enough to allow you to come here? It’s none of my business, I suppose.” Then without warning he blazed at her, “But don’t do it again! Do you hear me?”

Sonia flinched.
“Yes ...”
she faltered.

Then he stalked away without a backward glance.

“Come, Sonia, it is time that you went to bed. Will you be all right? Can you find the way?”

Sonia nodded. “Yes, I think so. Goodnight, Stefan. I’m sorry.”

He looked surprised. “Sorry? For what? Because Michael is not pleased with me? It happens often.
Auf Wiedersehen, Liebchen
.”

Sonia slipped off her sandals as she went through the entrance to the nurses’ corridor. There was only one light burning dimly near the staircase, and she didn’t want to hit on the wrong room. Hesitantly she pushed open a door. The moonlight shining through the window reassuringly showed her that she had found her own. She was too tired to bother switching on the light as she took off her muddy dress and fumbled her way unwashed to her welcoming bed. She could
wash ...
in the morning.

Someone was shaking her roughly. “Sonia! Get up! It is the second time that I call you!”

Sonia struggled to get her head off the pillow and stared at Greta in bewilderment. “Is it morning?”

The other girl stamped her foot. "Stupid! Would I be here if it is not morning? Out of bed you get, or I do not wait for you.”

Sonia exerted her will-power and clambered out. “I won’t be long,” she promised.

Greta departed with, “Ten minutes I give you ... no more.”

Thankfully Sonia pulled on her uniform, picked up a damp face cloth, and rubbed it vigorously over her face ... so much for the wash she had promised herself. But at least Greta didn’t appear to know anything about last night’s escapade. She adjusted her cap and saw that she was already beginning to look sunburned. It covered up the marks of the fatigue she was feeling after the climb to the summit of Patscherkofel and the nightmare journey down again. Surprisingly, apart from being sleepy she felt none the worse. If it hadn’t been for the remembrance of Michael’s unreasonable attitude she would have thought that nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

“So you are ready. How did the German lesson progress?”

“Quite well, thank you.” Sonia tried not to stammer as she recalled what had happened afterward.

But Stefan had only misunderstood for a little while. He knew now that she only wanted to be friends.

Greta was looking at her. “I did not hear you return. I think perhaps you are asleep, eh? I myself was quite late. Michael and I were talking and we did not notice the time.”

“But I thought Michael was on call,” Sonia said.

“I did not say I was out
with Michael. The call does not mean he is busy all evening.” Greta sounded aggrieved, but mixed with her annoyance was an obvious air of triumph.

Sonia let the matter drop thankfully. Greta would probably know sooner or later, but there was no sense in rousing the storm before it was absolutely necessary.

Sister Th
e
r
e
se greeted them with her quiet smiling dignity. Sonia wondered for a moment what the nun would have thought if she had known the hour and the circumstances in which her English staff nurse had returned to the hospital last night, or rather this morning. But perhaps she would have understood and forgiven in a more kindly way than either Greta or ... Michael. Sonia concentrated on listening to the night report. She found that she could make out quite a few more words than yesterday. Knowing the children’s names and something of what was wrong with them helped as well. How much more of the language must she understand before Michael would be satisfied? Suddenly she became aware that the night nurse had stopped reading, and Sister Th
e
r
e
se was beckoning to her. She could see that Greta was looking displeased.

“Sister Therese would like you to do the dressings this morning with Doctor Bradbury. After you have finished and tidied the dressing ward, please, she would like you to feed the babies,” Greta translated unwillingly.

Sonia smiled at the nun.
“Bitte, Schwester.
”

Sister
Ther
e
se
beamed with pleasure.
“
I
st gut.
”

Sonia went toward the dressing ward to get her dressing trays ready. Her reluctance matched Greta’s unwillingness that she should be the one chosen to work with Michael this morning. As she put the forceps in to boil and set out the sterile towels and dressings, she wondered what Michael would find to say. She fastened the slip of paper with the children’s names and their diagnosis to the cupboard door where she could see it at a glance. Beside it she placed the list of phrases that she had learned yesterday with Stefan. Her tongue stumbled over the pronunciation as she whispered the unfamiliar words over and over again. Would she have the nerve to try them out on the children this morning? She left the trays covered and went off to breakfast. There was no sign of Greta anywhere. Perhaps she had already gone.

The dining room was crowded, but Sonia found a place at one of the tables. The girls smiled at her, but went on with their own conversation. She was glad not to have to make the extra effort. She had almost finished eating when she saw Greta leaving the dining room. She was quite sure that the other girl saw her and was deliberately ignoring her. Sonia stifled a sigh. It was a bit hard if she was going to be blamed for obeying instructions that were none of her making. If she had been given the choice Greta could have done the dressings with Michael every morning. Sonia wanted surer grounds under her feet before she crossed swords with him again.

The sterilizer was boiling merrily when she returned to the dressing ward. It didn’t take long to add the instruments to her tray. She could hear the voices of the children as they collected in the corridor outside the door. Michael should be here any minute. She might as well have the first child ready and waiting.

“Kommen Sie, Lisel, bitte
,”
she said firmly.

The girl laughed. “Yes, Nurse, I come.”

“You speak English!” Sonia didn’t know whether she was relieved to discover that her patient spoke English, or disappointed because her German had been wasted.

Sonia started to unroll the bandage. “When did you learn your English? Have you visited England then?”

Lisel shook her head. “I have not been to England. We learn English in school. It is necessary that we learn it if we wish to take the job as secretary in a big office. Also Doctor Bradbury speaks English to me when I am here in the hospital to help me with the practice. I like to talk it
as...”

“We seem to have a young lady who likes to talk too much.” Michael came in briskly.

If he was surprised to find Sonia alone in place of the two nurses who had done yesterday’s dressing list he gave no indication.

“Good morning, Nurse. Have you some of Lisel’s special ointment ready for me?” He started to scrub his hands.

Sonia subdued her momentary panic and tried to remember what Greta had given him yesterday. Lisel touched her on the arm and pointed to the cupboard shelf. Sonia had seen the little jar with Lisel’s name on it before Michael had noticed that she was at a loss
...
she hoped.

“Thank you, Nurse. Now, let’s have a look at your ear, Lisel. Speculum, please, and the head-mirror ... thank you. Yes, I think that’s better this morning. Let’s have some of the ointment and a dressing. I’ll put the bandage on while you clear away the tray. Well, young lady, would you like to go home next week?”

Lisel began to jump with excitement. “Can I really go to the home of my parents? You do not tell me the joke, eh?”

“Keep still! How can I put on your bandage neatly enough to please Nurse if you hop about? You may tell your mother that you can go home next Monday. Off you go.”

Lisel curtsied. “I thank Doctor Bradbury most gratefully.”

“Next!”

Sonia hurried to the door, collected the next patient, and ushered him in. The little boy glanced uncertainly from Michael to Sonia as if not quite sure whether to cry or not.

She lifted him up onto the stool.
“Mein Kleiner, das tut nicht Web,
”
she said very softly, hoping that Michael wouldn’t overhear and laugh at her accent.

The child smiled shyly, but Michael looked at her sharply before he spoke.

“It shouldn’t hurt, you know. His mastoidectomy was done a month ago. We’re only keeping him in to feed him up a bit before he goes home.”

Sonia took off the small dressing. Apart from a tiny spot it was quite healed. She passed Michael a fresh piece of gauze with her dressing forceps.

“Malnutrition makes a tremendous difference to the rate of healing, or perhaps you haven’t had time to observe that,” Michael said conversationally.

Sonia couldn’t be sure whether he was mocking her or not. “I did notice when I was working with the Home Nursing Service,” she said quietly.

“So you’ve actually worked among the poor. How did you enjoy it? I suppose you played Lady Bountiful in a fur coat?”

She put two pieces of strapping neatly across the dressing. “We wore outdoor uniforms and I didn’t enjoy it at first. There seemed so much that was needed and we could only do so little. Afterward it wasn’t so bad. I suppose I developed a sense of proportion.”

“Perhaps that’s what I lack,” Michael said with a sort of savage bitterness. “However, we’re doing dressings at the moment, not organizing social welfare. Next!”

Sonia ignored his unfairness and quietly brought in the next child without another word.

Michael glanced at her. “You can use your magic words on this one if you like. It’s a first dressing.”

Sonia decided it was the nearest to an apology that he could bring himself to make. She put an arm around the quivering shoulders of the little girl.

“Meine Kleine, das tut nicht Web,
”
she said reassuringly. The child looked at her blankly.

Michael chuckled. “I forgot to tell you this one is French.
Cela ne fera pas mal,
Marie.”

Sonia resisted the temptation to stamp her foot. Michael was the absolute limit! Was this his way of getting back at her for last night?

He grinned at her. “Smile, Nurse, you’ll frighten the patients into thinking I’m maltreating you.”

Sonia was not to be wooed so easily. "Well, aren’t you?” she demanded.

After that he seemed to lose interest in teasing her, and they worked in silence through the rest of the dressings
.

“Is that the last one, Nurse?” Michael put his hand up to hide a yawn.

“Yes, Doctor Bradbury.” Sonia matched his formality.

“Good. Shut the door, Sonia. I want to talk to you.”

Sonia hesitated and then did as she was told. “What about?” She tried to sound defiant.

Michael looked at her grimly. “You know perfectly well. What am I going to do with you?
”

“I don’t see that it’s any of your business. You’re not responsible for my actions, are you?” She spoke as calmly as she could.

“God knows I don’t want to be,” Michael said bitterly. “But after
all we’re both English and we should
—
”

“I thought that was the last thing you wanted to be reminded of!” Sonia said heatedly. “I’m quite capable of managing my own affairs, thank you! I’ve always coped before.”

Michael surveyed the small angry figure. “In England, you mean. Your performance in this country to date hasn’t exactly borne out your statement, has it? Lost at the station, lost the hospital address, missed the last cable car, returned to the hospital at an hour that no self-respecting girl
would...”

“You’re not being fair! Just because you happened to be there and offered your help doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t have managed in the end. Last night was an accident, and anyway I was quite all right with Stefan.” She flung the words at him.

“Quite all right with Stefan?” he repeated her words. “Are you
sure ...
quite sure?”

Sonia colored painfully as she remembered the kisses Stefan had forced on her. “Quite
sure ...
now,
”
she said steadily.

He sighed. “I happen to know what occurred. Stefan didn’t want to tell me, but I got it out of him. You were let off lightly this time—with kisses—but you may not be so lucky another time. They’re not all as considerate as Stefan, you know.”

“You had no business making Stefan tell! Why can’t you leave me alone? I haven’t asked for your help!” She was near tears.

“I don’t know why I bother,” he said crossly. “I don’t want it any more than you do, but until you have the sense to look after
youself...”
He paused and put out a conciliatory hand. “Let’s not quarrel, Sonia. I know I’m unreasonable at times, but since we have to
work together...”

“I never wanted to quarrel,” Sonia put in. “I only want to be left alone to get on with the job I came here to do.”

“No one can work in isolation. Listen, I’m off this afternoon—you are, too, aren’t you? How about coming and having tea with some friends of mine? It will give you a chance to meet an Austrian family in their own home.”

Sonia hesitated. She didn’t want to give in to Michael so easily. She was still angry with him. But he was smiling at her now, and she found it difficult to resist his invitation.

“Come on—say yes.”

“All right.” She tried not to sound ungracious. “What time?”

“Half-past two on the terrace.”

Greta glanced suspiciously at Sonia’s still flushed face as she entered the room. “Sonia, Sister Therese waits for you to start the babies. I thought you had finished the dressings already before.”

Sonia put the last of the instruments she had been cleaning into the sterilizer. “I’m just coming,” she said with what calmness she could muster.

Greta was about to follow her, eager to pry confirmation of her suspicions, but Michael called, “Greta, I want you to tell Sister Therese that
Lisel...”

Sonia made her escape. Had Michael done it for her? She hurried into the nursery. Sister Ther
e
se was already there, her gentle hands readying the babies for their bottles, her soft voice crooning a lullaby.