Tender Nurse (17 page)

She broke off, feeling that she had said too much and that she was really being unjust toward Andrea and Martin and over-concerened about Godfrey.

Andrea said quietly: “I’m sorry you feel like that. I think your vision is somewhat distorted. You’re not seeing things quite in perspective, but I’ll tell you how it happened. He walked over to the ‘Home’ with me. Then, more on impulse than anything else, I suppose, he took me in his arms and said he loved me. Oh, Virginia, it was wonderful. Then the other night, he took me out and asked me to marry him. I said ‘yes’ without hesitation, for I know now what love is.”

Her arms under her head, she gazed up at the blue sky where the gulls wheeled overhead, their white wings flashing in the sunlight.

Virginia glanced at her face and saw the look of complete happiness that had settled there like a benediction. She was happy, it was obvious. But what was Godfrey going to feel like?

“I’m glad for your sake, Andrea,” she said at length. “I know you’ve loved him for some time and it’s a wonderful thing to be loved in return. But I could be happier still for you if it were not for Godfrey. How he is going to suffer!” She knew only too well, what it was like to love in vain.

A frown puckered Andrea’s brow and she moved uneasily. “I know, I know, and I’ve worried myself sick about him. But these sort of things are beyond one’s control. I love Martin as I’ve never loved Godfrey.”

“When are you going to tell him?” Virginia asked quietly.

“Tonight.”

There was silence between them for a while. Then Virginia asked: “What are you going to do about your training, and how are you going to prevent wagging tongues?”

“Martin doesn’t seem very concerned about people talking. He thinks the excitement will die down quickly enough. But if Matron objected to my staying on after we were engaged — or married, then Martin would probably leave and go into private practise.”

“You seem to have thought of everything.”

Andrea looked at her. “You’re still not altogether reconciled to the idea are you, Virginia?” she said quietly.

Suddenly the sun clouded over and it grew chilly. Virginia looked at her watch. “We’ll have to get moving if we’re to get some tea and freshen up.”

Andrea gathered her things together in silence, her stomach contracting violently at the thought of meeting Godfrey.

He was waiting as arranged at the Pier entrance. A light rain had begun to fall.

“Hello, darling,” he said as she got into the car. “It will only be a shower, I think. I hope so, because my steering gear seems a bit defective. I’ve only noticed it since I’ve set out, but it will be all right if I’m careful. I must get it fixed though. I’ve a fellow coming to look at it tomorrow.” He searched her face as she settled beside him. “You look wonderful. Had a good time, you and Virginia?”

“Yes, lovely?” She gave him a brief account of their doings as he drove along, adding, “Virginia has gone to meet George.”

“She’s been going out with him for quite a time now, hasn’t she? Are they serious?”

“Virginia never gives any indication. They seem to be just good friends.”

“How long can a man and a woman remain good friends’?”

Andrea gave him a surprised glance. “I wouldn’t know the answer to that, Godfrey.”

What had prompted him to throw out such a question? He was not given to philosophising a great deal. She had no wish to pursue his line of thought, however. She felt that would be treading on dangerous ground, so she steered the conversation away from the hospital and its personnel.

She was thankful that they were not going to spend the evening alone together. In the company of Chris and Harry Scott, introspection or speculation would be impossible. They were such a lively couple. She was mistaken, however, if she thought the evening with them would be an easy one. They had not seen her for some time, and consequently bombarded her with questions about hospital life. When they heard that she was working in the operating theatre, they were even more interested, and it was difficult to speak calmly or matter-of-factly about anything so closely connected with Martin, especially in Godfrey’s presence.

At last the time came for the journey back to the hospital. Soon, she must tell him that he must not wait for her at all; that she could never marry him and could not continue to see him. She would like to spare him knowing about Martin, but there would be no help for it — he would naturally want an explanation. Silently rehearsing how to begin, yet shrinking from the task, Andrea scarcely noticed that it was raining again. They were passing through Burton Woods when Godfrey broke the silence.

“You’re very quiet, darling. What are you thinking about so deeply?”

She colored. “I — as a matter of fact,” she blurted out, “I was thinking about you, Godfrey.”

He grinned delightedly. “Well now, that’s something. Tell me more.”

She panicked. Not now, she thought. I mustn’t tell him now. Not until the last minute. A long discussion would be too painful.

“Ah, come on now,” he wheedled as though reading her thoughts. “Tell me what you were thinking about.” The car skidded slightly and Godfrey brought the wheel sharply round, decreasing his speed. “Sorry about that, darling,” he said. “The road is terribly slippery.”

“Yes.” She was almost thankful for the diversion, uncomfortable though it was. “We’d better not talk any more whilst you’re driving. I’ll tell you later what I was thinking.”

“You’ve got me guessing now. I think I’ll pull up round the next bend. As a matter of fact, there is something I want to ask you.”

He steered carefully round the bend. Vaguely, Andrea wondered what it was he wanted to ask her.

Then suddenly Godfrey gave an exclamation. “The steering’s gone!”

Andrea was aware that the car was sliding sideways, while Godfrey wrenched at the steering wheel. In the beams of the headlights, she saw a confused blur of hedgerow merge into the brick wall of Burton Manor gateway.

She knew a moment of sheer panic before something crashed on her head. Instinctively, she put up her arm but with the blow came darkness and oblivion.

“ANY SIGN of consciousness yet, Nurse Wainwright?” In the small side-ward of one of his medical wards, George stood at the bedside where Andrea lay, her dark hair spread out on the pillow, framing her pale face and seeming to emphasize its whiteness.

“No, Doctor, I don’t think so. She did open her eyes once, but she just stared straight at me, then closed them again.”

Rita looked at him curiously as he gazed down at the figure in the bed. He seemed extraordinarily concerned about Grey. Was it because she was a friend of Slater, or had he a more personal interest? Somehow, she could never quite fathom what was going on there. George, though appearing frank and open on the surface, never gave much away. As for Grey and Slater, they were as close as oysters. And where did Martin come in, if he “came in” at all? Rita had found herself asking these kind of questions for some time now, but she had altered strangely since her operation. Now, she was no longer avid for information so that she could pass it on and gossip. She was deeply interested for a different reason.

Suddenly George looked up at her. “You’ve nursed your patient well. How she escaped with nothing more than concussion and bruises is a mystery.”

“It was you who came across their car, wasn’t it, doctor?”

“Yes. But it wasn’t quite the coincidence it might seem. I believe she and her — er — the young man she was with had been spending the evening with friends just the other side of Cliftonville, and I happened to have been to Cliftonville for the evening.”

“How is he — her young man?”

“In a bad state, I’m afraid. He not only has concussion and fractured ribs, but injuries to the spine.”

“How awful. Doctor — can you tell me whether he and Nurse Grey are engaged? She certainly never wore a ring.”

“Why do you want to know?”

“As the patient’s nurse. If she should become conscious the first thing she will ask is——”

“Yes, of course, but I’m afraid I can tell you nothing about her private life. Tell her as little as you can about his condition. Send for me right away. The man is Mr. Graham’s patient, and he is interested in them both. He may even come to see her himself. You can tell her that Godfrey is on Lister and that Nurse Slater is looking after him. Anyhow, she may be rather confused when she does come round, so don’t pay too much attention to anything odd she may say.”

“Very good, doctor. I will keep in mind what you say and send for you immediately she shows any sign of consciousness. Dr. Howard——” she added, looking at him squarely. “There was a time when I couldn’t have said this, but — well, I’ve changed a bit since my op. You and Mr. Graham were so wonderful to me, I just want you to know that you really can trust me now. My tongue isn’t nearly so active as it used to be.”

“I know I can trust you, Nurse. That’s why I asked for you to be Nurse Grey’s special.’ I can’t tell you any more now. I can only ask you again to keep to yourself anything Nurse may say in delirium. She may be quite rational when she comes to, of course. Indeed, I hope so. Well, thank you for what you have just said, Nurse. I appreciate it very much.” He rested his hand on her shoulder for a moment, then went out.

Rita resumed her vigil by the bedside. What was all the mystery, she wondered. Was George afraid of Andrea giving something away? Well, whatever it was, it would be safe with her.

Later that day, Andrea moved restlessly and opened her eyes giving at the same time a sudden warning cry.

“Godfrey, look out!”

Swiftly, Rita bent over her. “It’s all right, Andrea. You’re all right now. It’s all over. Just lie still.”

With wild, startled eyes, Andrea gazed uncomprehendingly at Rita’s white clad figure. Rita took her hand. “You were picked up by Dr. Howard, my dear. You’re back at The Royal.”

Andrea’s eyes cleared, then with a slight shudder, she grasped Rita’s hand tightly. “It was terrible, Rita, terrible,” she whispered.

“Yes, dear, it must have been, but you’re safe now. All you have to do is to keep quiet and rest a while.”

“What — what happened to — to —Godfrey?” Her voice was almost a whisper.

Rita took both her hands in her own. “He was brought here, too. He’s on Lister. Slater is looking after him.”

Relief showed in Andrea’s eyes. “Oh——” she breathed. “I’m — glad. He’ll be all right with Virginia nursing him. How badly hurt is he, Rita?”

“I can’t tell you that, my dear, and I must go and ring up Dr. Howard. I promised to let him know the minute you came round. You’ll be all right while I go to the phone, won’t you? Just close your eyes and go to sleep again.”

Andrea gave a slight smile and closed her eyes obediently.

She was glad that George was going to come. She could talk to him about Martin. If Godfrey was on Lister, Martin would be looking after him. Perhaps George would tell her how Godfrey was. Her thoughts became confused and she drifted into sleep again. Presently she came to the surface to hear a man’s voice speaking her name. When she opened her eyes, George was standing by her bed gazing down at her with a world of concern in his eyes.

“Well, Andrea. I’m glad to see you conscious again. How do you feel?”

She smiled up at him. “It’s wonderful to feel safe. I feel as though I’ve awakened from a dreadful nightmare.” “You’ve had a very narrow escape. Have you any pain anywhere?”

“My head aches and I feel rather sleepy.”

“That will wear off. What about your arm?”

“My arm?” She looked at her arms lying on the bedcover and suddenly realized that her right arm was swathed in bandages. She moved it carefully. “It feels a bit stiff.” “But you can move it.”

“Oh, yes.” She demonstrated the fact, then lifted her other hand to her face.

“Just a few cuts and bruises,” he told her.

“Dr. — George — how has Godfrey fared?”

He looked down at her gravely. “He is more badly hurt than you are, Andrea.”

She moistened her lips. “How badly?”

“We’re not quite sure yet, my dear,” he said gently. “He has fractured ribs, caused by the steering wheel. He wrenched his shoulders and has concussion——”

“Oh!” She covered her face with her hand. “Poor, poor, Godfrey. I wish I could go and see him.”

“Perhaps you will in a week or so, but you must get stronger yourself first.”

“George — I suppose Martin won’t be coming to see me?” she asked wistfully. “It’s not his ward, I know, and it would look odd to Sister and the nurses, but——”

“It won’t be so very odd really, pet. I’ll tell Sister he’s coming to see you about Godfrey. He wants to see you. He’s been out of his mind with worry — even though I’ve kept him well informed of your progress. Well, now, I must rush off. Get as much sleep as you can, and try not to worry about Godfrey. Virginia will be along to see you this evening when she’s off duty. She told me to tell you. And by the way——” he bent closer toward her and said softly: “Martin sent his love.” He straightened up. “Now here comes Nurse Wainwright.” He turned to go out. “She’ll be all right now, Nurse. Just keep her quiet and don’t let a lot of people in here. She’s to see no one except Nurse Slater, for a few days, at any rate. Better say, not until I say so.”

“Very well, doctor.”

For the rest of the day Andrea slept intermittently, rousing only when Rita gave her some light form of food and nourishing drinks. Once when she opened her eyes, Virginia was seated at the bedside. “Hello, Gini,” she said sleepily, then her lids closed heavily again.

The next day she was brighter however and when George entered the small private ward accompanied by the Ward Sister, she was ready to greet him.

“Well, Nurse Grey?” he asked with a smile. “How are you?”

“Good morning doctor. I’m feeling much better. The headache has almost gone.”