Ring for the Nurse (25 page)

She had scarcely formed even a first impression of her brother, hardly knew whether he had changed or not before she found herself clasped in his arms, her feet almost lifted from the ground with the exuberance of his embrace. It was quite a few moments before she was able to tear herself free to stand back and appraise
him
,
“
Goodness, you have changed! Why, I do believe you
’
ve grown, you seem inches taller—and much broader too! You are so tanned it makes you look different, makes you look fairer, why, your hair is almost white!
”
She chatted excitedly as, still clinging to his arm, she led him up the steps and into the house.

Introductions were soon effected and after attending to the suit-cases Mackerley appeared with a well-loaded
coc
ktail trolley which he set before the small circle round the fire. Guy
’
s guess had been right and it soon transpired that Alaine, longing for tea after a tedious wait at the airfield, and Tony declaring that, after an absence of three years, he couldn
’
t wait one moment longer before partaking of a cup of English tea, they had by mutual consent lingered at a wayside tea-house. While they toasted Tony
’
s arrival over a glass of sherry the conversation became general; in a matter of moments Tony had made himself entirely at ease, he was obviously a good mixer and was already holding the small group enthralled with his anecdotes of the journey, his fellow travellers and incidents of his long train journey across the American continent before joining the plane. While Tony was engrossed in answering some question which Colonel Brenton had put to him, Felicity found a moment to whisper to Alaine.
“
You knew him easily, my description was all right? Although somehow he seems to have changed so much.
”

“
Know him?
”
Alaine whispered back with a stifled laugh,
“
I knew him well enough but only because he was the only male who disembarked under the age of sixty or not sporting a beard! Your description was entirely inadequate—why didn
’
t you tell me he was just heart-throb number one, that
’
s all I needed to know!
”

Felicity laughed with obvious pleasure, then stole a sidelong glance at her brother. She .supposed he was rather handsome, she
’
d never really though
t
about it before, but then she was certain that he must have improved tremendously, or perhaps during their childhood years together she
’
d grown too used to him to notice. His shoulders had certainly broadened and the tan of his skin enhanced the deep blue of his eyes with their twinkle of hidden laughter, his face too had lost those boyish curves, the jaw firmer and more set.

“
Getting to know me again, darling?
”
Aware of her scrutiny Tony had suddenly turned to question his sister.
“
I told one of the fellows on the plane that my sister was meeting me; you ought to have seen his expression when he saw me with Alaine!
”

The remark provoked general amusement and when Felicity glanced from Tony to Alaine seated at his side, she could well see the cause
of
merriment. Never were two people less alike, Alaine so dark with that strange, almost exotic beauty and Tony so fair, each in their own way so attractive, yet a complete foil to one another.

It was not until after dinner that evening that Felicity found herself, really alone with her brother. Alaine had dragged Guy off to the library and Colonel Brenton, no doubt with deliberate intention, had found he had several matters to attend to in his own room. There was so much to talk about that Felicity scarcely knew where to start, she was glad when Tony made the first opening
.
“
I bet my cable surprised you—but I had given you some warning, hadn
’
t I? I timed things well. What luck finding you here. I had visions of meetings in noisy hotel lounge or alternatively sneaking a few moments with you at the back entrance of St. Edwin
’
s.
”

“
It certainly
’
is lucky,
”
Felicity agreed.
“
We
’
ll have at least two or three days together here and I
’
ve really so little to do now that I
’
m free almost all the time. It won
’
t be nearly so easy when I get back.
”

“
You know that Brenton has offered to put me up at his flat in town?
”
Tony went on.
“
Awfully decent of him,
i
sn
’
t it? I must say I didn
’
t care much for the idea of a hotel, but of course I won
’
t be in town all the time. I want to run down home for a bit and I
’
ve one or two friends I
’
ve got to look up here and there.
”

“
How long will you be in England altog
e
ther?
”

“
I want to get back as soon as I can, I reckoned about six weeks, can you be ready by then?
”

The question had come! The question that Felicity knew now she had been dreading for so long, but thrusting aside her misgivings she turned a smiling face to her brother.
“
I gave provisional notice as you told me, I can leave in less than a month from now. It
’
s just as well as I
’
ll need a week or two free to see Mother before we sail, collect a few things ... say good-byes and all that sort of thing,
”
she ended vaguely, then went on with more animation,
“
you haven
’
t told me anything about America, what to expect there, whether I
’
ll like it, whether I
’
ll fit in.
”

“
It
’
s fine!
”
Tony told her complacently.
“At
least it is now I
’
ve made good, but believe me, it wasn
’
t easy at first. I
’
ve got a grand place, you
’
ll just adore it, a low white two-floored house, modern as only the Americans understand the word I tell you it
’
s a gem. The position, too, is stupendous, blue-grey hills in
the
distance and orange groves sloping down the hillside. It gives you a feeling of isolation and yet all around I
’
ve friends; it
’
s gay too, I
’
m going to see that you make up for these past years, lots of fun and dancing, parties galore, picnics in unbelievably beautiful surroundings and bathing from golden stretches of sand into a blue, blue sea!
”

“
It certainly sounds wonderful
—”
Felicity began, but
her brother warming to the subject so near his heart, interrupted.

“
They are grand people too, all kinds, you can take your choice, grave or gay! You are going to love it, I just know you are!
”
His tone became more serious as he went on.
“
You
’
ll be glad to get away from here, won
’
t you? I mean nursing has been O.K., it
’
s served its purpose, it got you over a difficult time, but you must have had enough by now?
”
His words were more in the form of a statement than a question although he was obviously anxiously awaiting her confirmation.

“
Oh yes, of course.
”
Felicity hoped she sounded convincing. She supposed that, in a way, she was ready for a long test, but to leave England—forever—there was a lump in her throat which seemed to blur her words as she added,
“
I have been quite happy, you know.
”

“
And you
’
ve managed to get over Peter
’
s death?
”
Tony
’
s voice was infinitely gentle and there was a touch of deep concern as he asked the question.

Felicity nodded mutely then instilled a note of lightness into her voice.
“
Of course I have! Now tell me some more about you.
”

Tony was readily beguiled away from the subject and was soon telling her more details of his early struggles and his ultimate success until Guy and Alaine rejoined them and with a shock of surprise that Felicity realized the lateness of the hour.

“
You must be tired—after that long journey too,
”
she exclaimed contritely.

“
Not a bit of it,
”
Tony disclaimed, jumping to his feet and pulling forward a chair for Alaine.
“
The night is yet young!
”
He turned questioningly in Guy
’
s direction.
“
Are you early people, am I keeping you up
?
”

It was Alaine who answered.
“
I should say not, I loathe early nights. Give me another Camel cigarette, I just adore them, then tell me something more about your home. Is it anywhere near Hollywood, have you ever been there?
”

Since it transpired that Tony
’
s farm was within a short run of that magic world. Felicity and Guy soon found themselves outside the conversation. While Tony talked Alaine listened with rapt attention, only breaking it to ask an occasional question, a quiet and entranced listener, a role which Felicity had never seen her play. How lovely she was—the firelight shone on the creamy pallor of her skin and enhanced the nightblack waves of hair, sweeping back from her forehead. It was rarely that Felicity had ever known Alaine so rapt and calm. It seemed to lend her an air of serenity which Felicity had not believed her to possess. Unconsciously Felicity
’
s gaze turned to Guy. His eyes, too, were fixed on Alaine and there was something strange, inscrutable in his expression as if he too, were seeing something in Alaine he had never seen before.

CHAPTER
SIXTEEN

The three following
days which Felicity spent at Weir Court were the gayest she had known for a long time. There had been little for her to do for Guy and there was no doubt that he had only prolonged her stay that she might benefit by the leisure it gave her to spend with Tony Sometimes her conscience had smitten her when she had thought of St. Edwin
’
s and the extra work which would naturally devolve on Sister Robinson, but then, recalling the long separation from her brother and the fact that, in any case her nursing career was all but ended, she had thrust her doubts aside and taken full advantage of those halcyon hours for which she knew she had Guy to thank.

There had been long rides, usually in a foursome, but sometimes with Tony alone and now that Alaine had Tony to back her up and readily second any suggestion she made she no longer appeared to be bored. In fact the evenings never seemed long enough, there had been gramophone records to try out, the latest tunes which Tony had brought with him from the States, a new dance step to be practised, and with Tony
’
s backing Alaine had even managed to cajole Guy into an evening trip to a neighboring road-house where they had eaten an indifferent meal, danced to an even more indifferent band but managed to have a thoroughly enjoyable time.

Back once more in her own room at St. Edwin
’
s, Felicity unpacked her suit-case and recalled many happy incidents of that brief interlude. Alaine had intended returning to town on the Monday and Felicity was glad that she had remained on so they could return together. Guy had, as promised, offered Tony the hospitality of his flat, Alaine had returned to her own flatlet in Kensington and Felicity to Hospital. She found herself choking back a sigh as she slipped her now empty suit-case out of sight under the bed. She
’
d always returned to duty quite happily after her holidays but this time it wa
s
different, somehow even her
small
room which she had grown to love seemed to have
shrunk
—
it lacked the welcome it had always previously offered and even the tulips which Diana had thoughtfully placed on her table drooped over on their long stems as if they shared her own inexplicable sense of despondency.

Diana
’
s appearance at that moment was certainly a welcome sight after an exuberant greeting, she stood back to appraise her friend.
“
How well you look! Private nursing seems to agree with you, I
’
ve never seen you look prettier!
”

“
Nursing!
”
Felicity echoed scoffingly.
“
It
’
s been a positive picnic after ward work, there has been hardly anything to do—anyway, not since the plaster was removed on Sunday. I could really have left the next day, I
’
m sure Mr. Brenton only kept me on so that I
’
d have a day or so with Tony.
”

“
Sounds a bit too quixotic for him!
”
Diana laughed, then went on eagerly,
“
Have you been back long? I hurried off duty as fast as I could, but I always seem to be held up when I want to be early. How about rushing round to the
‘
Kettle
’
for a snack, there is so much I want to ask you, I want to hear everything and we just can
’
t talk in the dining, room.
”

“
We stopped for a meal on the way up—do you realize it
’
s past eight? Still, I
’
ll come along with you, I can always manage a coffee.
”
Felicity was already slipping on her coat.
“
Come on, let
’
s go—this place depresses me. By the way, thanks awfully for the flowers.
”

Seated at a table in the nearby restaurant, Diana began to ply her friend with questions. It was lucky that Felicity had already eaten, since it was doubtful if, with all she had to recount, she would have had much opportunity to do more than snatch at the cup of coffee she had ordered. Diana, relishing her delayed supper; was an eager listener, obviously enjoying Felicity
’
s detailed description of Weir Court and all the happenings of that brief but exciting stay.

“
How lucky your brother turned
up while you were there.
”

Diana
’
s comment led to a further description of Tony
’
s arrival, of her inability to meet him and of Alaine
’
s offer to deputize, and by the time Diana had finished her meal and was sharing Felicity
’
s pot of coffee, she had heard very nearly all Felicity had to tell.

“
So Milady Jason didn
’
t act all up-stage with you and your brother?
”
Diana queried.

“
Not a bit—I was annoyed when she turned up in the car the day we left here, but she was really very nice and I must say I
’
m glad she stayed on! She brightened things up considerably. Tony is so tireless, I suppose living abroad has made him accustomed to gaiety, and an English country house isn
’
t exactly thrilling. I shouldn
’
t have known how to entertain him, I seem to have become an awful sober-sides, and Mr. Brenton isn
’
t what you would call hilarious!
Alaine was just wonderful and I must say that, if she wants to, she can be a most diverting companion.
”

“
I
’
m glad to hear it.
”
Diana was obviously unconvinced but unwilling to waste time in argument when there was so much she still wanted to know.
“
So you are really leaving hospital? I can
’
t bear the idea, I
’
ve been just miserable these last few days without you, it
’
s been deadly. Tell me, when do you and your brother expect to sail?
”

“
I leave in less than a month and we sail in six weeks.
”

“
Any happier about it?
”

“
Not really,
”
Felicity admitted. It was a relief to be able to speak freely of the doubts which assailed her.
“
I
’
m so afraid I won
’
t fit in, and I might disappoint Tony; these last few days haven
’
t shown him the real me. I
’
ve told you it was Alaine who kept things going; I couldn
’
t, and wouldn
’
t want to live at that pace, I prefer a quieter sort of life. He seems to entertain so much out there, it must be a life of endless parties. Oh, Diana, I
’
m so scared of it all! Scared of leaving England too, I
’
m all het up inside yet there isn
’
t a thing I can do about it.
”

“
I wouldn
’
t worry.
”
Diana spoke reassuringly.
“
Of course you
’
ll have
to go, it
’
s only fair to your brother that you should give it a trial, then, if you don
’
t like it, I can
’
t see that there is anything on earth to stop you coming back.
”

“
I suppose not,
”
Felicity agreed, a trifle consoled at Diana
’
s sound argument.
“
Perhaps I
’
m unduly anxious, maybe it will be all right once I get there,
”
she concluded, but her tone still lacked conviction.

“
You haven
’
t told me about Brenton and Miss Jason yet,
”
Diana reminded her.
“
You told me in your letter he
’
d found out about the ring, how did he really take it, do you think it
’
s going to be all right?
”

“
They marry in just over three weeks. I suppose everything is settled amicably now, Alaine is definitely giving up her career—in fact it
’
s giving her up since I understand that Fettle
’
s Studios are
cl
osing down—I believe she
’
ll settle to married life once she has given up her ambitions.
”
She paused for a moment while her brow creased into a worried frown.
“
I do
hope they
’
ll be happy, they are both such nice people
—”
She broke off, unwilling to put into
words her own lingering doubts and how much Guy s happiness had come to mean to her.

“
He ought to have married the type who could stand up to him, some girl he could really respect, but perhaps being as alluring as she is, Alaine Jason will do just as well. She paused to light a cigarette, then went on,
“
What made you come back to Hospital, you aren
’
t on duty till morning. I thought you
’
d spend the .evening with your brother.
”

“
I didn
’
t feel I should do
that, that
’
s why we had supper on the road. You see, Alaine had to get home in good time as she
’
s got a dance on this evening and as Tony was going to Guy
’
s flat I couldn
’
t very well go along with him.
”

“
Guy indeed! Since when?
”
Diana asked with raised
eyebrows.

A
flush of colour mounted Felicity
’
s cheeks.
“
Oh, I don
’
t know, it just slipped out,
”
she confessed awkwardly.
“
You see, we four have been so much together the last three days, Tony is so friendly and casual with everyone, he and Alaine dropped right away into Christian names, and I suppose Mr. Brenton decided he
’
d better follow suit. I felt uncomfortable about it, and I imagine he did too; an occasional
‘
Felicity
’
slipped out, but most of the time we just avoided addressing one another by name at all!
”

“
What a joke!
”
Diana laughed.
“
I
’
ll split my sides if I hear you addressing him as
‘
Guy
’
on the wards!
”

“
Don
’
t be idiotic!
”
There was a note of embarrassment in Felicity
’
s laugh and anxious to terminate the conversation she began to speak of other things.
“
Do tell me how are Bill and Philip, I
’
m longing to see them. What about fixing a foursome one evening?
”

“
I don
’
t suppose you
’
ll have many evenings to spare now your brother
’
s here,
”
Diana reminded her.
“
In any case Bill won
’
t be along. Believe me or not the wretched man has thrown me over for that red-headed Jones on your ward.
”

“
I don
’
t believe it!
”
Felicity exclaimed.
“
I know
you
weren
’
t ever serious but he always seemed so keen.
”

“
Never trust a man!
”
Diana sighed but there was a twinkle in her eyes which gave the lie to her words.
“
I suppose I played him up once too often, anyways I
’
ve lost him all right and I can
’
t say I
’
m really heartbroken.
”

“
You are an incorrigible flirt,
”
Felicity said with mock severity, then went on,
“
What about Philip, don
’
t tell me
he has walked out on us too.
”

“
Not exactly.
”
Diana giggled.
“
For two or three days after you left he slunk around Hospital like a bear with a sore head then he turned to yours truly for comfort. He has been hanging round me the last few days, took me to a show on Saturday night and a movie on Sunday. I expect, as you were away, I was the next best thing, but I, must admit I
’
ve enjoyed it, it
’
s nice to be taken out in style sometimes. You always managed to keep him at arm
’
s length but you know if you
’
d only relax a bit he really can be quite fun.
”