by Cathy Sharp
‘It is uncomfortable for all of us,’ Sandra said. ‘We’ll fetch the book together and then no one can blame either of us if something unpleasant happens …’
Jinny nodded, wiped her hands and followed Sandra into the cook’s office. The top of the desk was littered with papers, recipes, some unpaid bills, old menus, pens, pencils and a ruler. Jinny pointed to the long top drawer and Sandra opened it, taking out the notebook that lay there. She opened it, read a few columns and then frowned. Seeing a pile of menu cards on the desk, she picked them up and took them with her.
‘If Mrs Davies asks where her accounts are you may tell her I took them to Sister Beatrice, Jinny – and now I shan’t keep you from your work any longer …’
Sandra went out, shutting the door behind her. She frowned as she took the book up to her own office and sat down to check. There didn’t seem to be anything wrong with her figures, other than they seemed rather high for the kind of food she’d been buying. But the only crime she could be accused of was culpability in letting the suppliers overcharge her for substandard food.
Mrs Davies was being overcharged by unscrupulous shopkeepers who thought that because she’d come from the country she didn’t know the correct prices. It was a failing but not dishonesty, and the only way to stop it was for someone else to have charge of the buying.
Sandra didn’t often eat at St Saviour’s – perhaps one of Nancy’s biscuits and a cup of tea or coffee mid-afternoon or morning, and a sandwich at lunch was all she bothered with – but she seemed to recall that Sister Beatrice had told her the children had been given a roast dinner every week once meat was off ration and readily available. Jinny had spoken as if that was too expensive to be thought of and looked surprised when Sandra asked the question.
She opened the book again and checked what kinds of meat were being purchased, frowning as she realised that only the very cheapest cuts had been recorded recently. Neck and breast of lamb, scrag end of beef, belly pork and offal and occasionally sausages. Eggs, streaky bacon and liver but rarely fish of any kind. It was the kind of fare that would have been generally acceptable during the war when the shortages were at their height, but surely a roast once a week or chicken would make a nice change for the children, and fish was good for them, also more fruit.
All Sandra could do was to draw Sister Beatrice’s attention to this and leave her to deal with the cook. Sister would give Mrs Davies fair warning. If she wanted to keep her job she would provide the children with the good food they were entitled to …
‘Have you been in my office?’ Mrs Davies demanded of Jinny and Elsa some minutes after she returned from her sudden outing. ‘Where have they gone – my accounts and the menu cards?’
‘I ain’t touched them,’ Elsa sniffed. ‘I ain’t a bloody thief and if anyone accuses me of anythin’ I’m leavin’!’
‘Sandra came to fetch them for Sister Beatrice,’ Jinny spoke up, though her knees felt weak because she could see that Mrs Davies was in a temper. ‘I went into the office with her when she took them – she didn’t touch the money you locked in that drawer.’
‘I wasn’t talking about the cash box,’ Mrs Davies snapped. ‘I’m talking about someone taking my accounts and menu cards – and I want to know why she came and got them when my back was turned.’
‘Sister Beatrice asked for them,’ Jinny said, seeing the cook’s eyes snap with temper. ‘She thought you would be here …’
‘And of course you told her I’d gone off suddenly.’ Mrs Davies advanced on her and suddenly lashed out, catching Jinny a blow on the side of the head. ‘You sneaking telltale! How dare you get me into trouble. You’ll be sorry for this, my girl. Get in that scullery and clean it from floor to ceiling; it’s filthy …’
‘I done it this mornin’,’ Elsa said indignantly. ‘It ain’t a bit dirty …’
‘Get out of my way unless you want the same as her,’ Mrs Davies said furiously. ‘I’ll be in my office and I want tea and biscuits – and knock before you come in, Elsa …’
Jinny felt the sting of tears but she blinked them back, refusing to let the woman’s spiteful temper make her cry. ‘We’d better do as she says,’ she said and Elsa stared after the cook angrily.
‘I’ve a good mind to leave,’ Elsa said and tugged at her apron strings. ‘There’s better jobs than this goin’. Why should we put up wiv it?’
‘Please don’t go,’ Jinny begged. ‘I know she’s awful but the others are lovely, and I want to stay, but if you leave I’ll have to look for another job. I couldn’t do everything alone …’
‘I’ll stay a bit longer for you,’ Elsa said. ‘You want to put some cold water on yer face, love. The bitch hit you hard …’
Jinny nodded, feeling the soreness where Mrs Davies’ ring had caught her lip. She’d tasted blood and knew it had bled. It would probably swell a bit and Micky would want to know who had done it when she met him that evening. He was taking her to a youth club where they had a jukebox and could dance to Rock ’n’ Roll music, drink coffee and play darts, and Jinny was looking forward to it. She only hoped he would believe her if she said she’d walked into a cupboard door …
CHAPTER 16
Rose entered the kitchen to find it empty that evening. She’d been hoping for a cup of tea before she started her shift, but no one was around and she hesitated to make it for herself. She knew Muriel had disliked anyone helping themselves, but rationing had made sugar and tea short and things were different these days. However, Mrs Davies was also pretty touchy and she didn’t want to upset her. Jinny always made her tea and gave her biscuits when she was around, but it was her night off, of course.
Becoming aware of a light in the cook’s office, Rose wandered towards it and knocked. A few moments passed before Mrs Davies opened it and glared at her.
‘What do you want? I’m busy preparing menus for this weekend …’
‘Sorry … I was wondering if I could make myself a cup of tea. We’re out of milk in the staff room …’
‘You know where the kettle is I suppose?’
‘Yes – I just thought I should ask …’
‘There’s plenty of tea, milk and sugar … Now, you’ll have to excuse me, I’m busy.’ Looking beyond her shoulder, Rose saw a black cash box open on the desk and several banknotes lying beside it. All the drawers of her desk were open, papers pulled out and left lying on the desk; some had fallen on the floor as if she’d searched frantically.
‘Have you lost something?’ Rose asked.
‘Did you take my book?’
‘I’ve no idea what you’re talking about?’
‘I bet it was that nosy Sandra … or that bloody girl …’
‘Do you mean Jinny? Why don’t you ask her in the morning?’
‘Don’t you worry, I shall …’ Mrs Davies slammed the office door in her face.
Rose was puzzled. Mrs Davies was clearly in a bad mood and she’d lied when she’d said she was preparing menus – she’d obviously been counting the money in her box. Was she keeping a sharp eye on it because of the thefts? Coldness settled at Rose’s nape. It was uncomfortable for everyone with these thefts happening, because they all felt the shadow of suspicion – even Rose, who knew that she hadn’t taken money from the staff’s petty cash and she hadn’t even been on duty when Kelly’s money was taken. Yet she still felt uncomfortable, and she was sure Jinny felt the same, probably Elsa did as well. It was unpleasant.
Rose made a pot of tea and carried it up to the sick room, where she found Wendy just finishing her report for the day.
‘Ah, tea, how nice, is there enough for me?’ Wendy asked as Rose set the tray down. ‘I think Elsa has gone on strike. She usually brings me one mid-afternoon, but she didn’t today – perhaps it’s all this fuss …’ Wendy smiled as Rose poured milk into two mugs and then tea just the way they all liked it. ‘You made this, I think?’
‘Yes, I did,’ Rose agreed. ‘No one was in the kitchen and Mrs Davies was in the office
counting her money – and in a foul mood.’
‘Oh dear, I wonder what that’s all about,’ Wendy said and sipped her tea. ‘Lovely, now why don’t you tell me how you got on the other night – did you have a good time?’
‘Yes, very nice. I enjoyed the meal and Nick was the perfect gentleman, opening the doors for me, asking me what I liked … Yes, it was lovely – and I do like him. He asked if we could go to the theatre to see a musical show sometime and I said yes … so he’s going to ring me when he gets tickets.’
‘Now that’s what I wanted to hear. You deserve a bit of fun, Rose.’ Wendy looked pleased for her. She finished her tea, put her cup down and frowned over her notes. ‘I’ve got three patients in the isolation ward I think you should keep an eye on during the night. They all seem to be suffering from sickness and high temperatures. I feel it is an infection that they all have, but I haven’t had a doctor yet. I thought it might be just something simple so I’ve been checking them every twenty minutes or so – but if they get any worse you can either ring yourself or speak to Sister …’
‘Has she been in yet?’
‘No, she popped in earlier this afternoon and said she might be late this evening, because she had an unpleasant duty – but I’m sure she will be here soon enough …’
‘Yes, well, I’ll check them again when you leave. What about Beth? She came back from hospital today – how is she?’
‘Much better. She didn’t want to stay in bed, but I told her the doctor would come in the morning, and if he says she can go back to the dorms and school she can get up then …’
‘Good …’ Rose glanced through the report. ‘Tom had cuts and bruises again – that lad is always in a fight at school.’
‘Kelly made him come to me, because his leg was bleeding and he had a nasty gash, but I patched him up and the bleeding has stopped. He didn’t want to stay in the ward so I let him go … but you’re right. Something is upsetting that lad, but he won’t talk about it …’
Rose nodded. Tom was sometimes a troublemaker but she too thought that his anger was caused by some emotional distress that he was unwilling to share.
She finished reading the report, then, ‘You had two cases of nits I see … let’s hope we don’t have any more catching them.’
‘They were in the early stages so I think it’s all right,’ Wendy said and reached for her bag. ‘The district nurses don’t visit the schools as often as they did so I make sure to check our kids regularly. I’ll leave you to it then. I’m going to visit Nan and Eddie this evening. They’ve invited me to supper. It’s Eddie’s birthday and I’m taking him a present …’
‘Oh, I didn’t know …’ Rose fished in her bag and took out a pound note, slipping it into an envelope and wishing Nan’s husband ‘Happy Birthday’ in clear writing on the outside. ‘Give him this and say I would’ve sent a card if I’d remembered. I like Eddie …’
‘Me too,’ Wendy said and waved to her as she left.
Rose went to Beth’s bed in the far corner of the ward. The girl was fast asleep and looked peaceful. She left her sleeping and went through to the isolation ward, her bag lying open on the desk where she’d left it after giving Wendy the money for Eddie …
Rose saw Tom leaving the sick ward as she returned after visiting Sister Beatrice’s office. She’d been concerned by the condition of one of her fever patients and Sister had said she would telephone for a doctor.
‘You did right to tell me,’ Sister said. ‘Never take risks with the children’s health, Rose. If you are ever in charge here for whatever reason, I want you to remember my rule – any deterioration, any slight change that you feel is wrong, get the doctor immediately. We are nurses and we care for the sick, but doctors are here to guide us.’
‘Yes, Sister, I agree with you,’ Rose said and was thoughtful as she left the office to return to the sick ward. Seeing Tom leave, she called out to him. ‘Did you need me?’
Tom glanced back at her and she thought he looked startled for a moment, and then he shook his head. ‘I wanted Nurse Wendy …’
‘I can help you, Tom.’
‘Nah, it’s all right,’ he said. ‘Just somethin’ I wanted to tell her …’
Rose watched him walk to the staircase leading to the boys’ dormitories and frowned. ‘If your leg is bleeding I can dress it …’ she called as he disappeared from view but he continued to ignore her.
Entering the ward, Rose looked about her. What had Tom been in here for? Had he been looking for Wendy as he’d said or was he lying – or was she just too suspicious because of all that had been going on recently? It wouldn’t be fair to label a boy a thief just because he’d been where he shouldn’t be – besides there was little for him to steal here. Pushing an open desk drawer shut, Rose shook her head, because she had other things on her mind of more concern.
Her patient, a boy of twelve, was burning up when she returned to him and Rose knew she’d been right in asking for a doctor. Ken was very unwell and she thought he might have a rash coming. She thought it might be a case of measles and wondered if the other two were suffering from the same; both had complained of feeling hot when she first came on duty, but only Ken had seemed to be suffering both high fever and pain …
Rose fetched a bowl of cool water and started to bathe the young lad’s arms and face, because he was thrashing and moaning, hardly aware of her now – whatever was causing his discomfort was serious, because he was feeling really ill.
She’d just gently dried his skin when the door opened and Doctor Henderson entered.
‘I think it may be measles,’ she said to greet him. ‘Wendy admitted three of the children with fevers today and he seems much worse than the others …’
‘He’s covered in spots,’ Doctor Henderson agreed, ‘and he’s very hot. Poor lad feels dreadful I’ve no doubt …’ He made a brief examination of Ken and then went to wash his hands at the basin before returning to Rose. ‘Yes, I think measles is probably right. He has a rash over his arms, back, chest and legs and there are white spots in his mouth – has he coughed at all?’
‘Yes, a few times,’ Rose replied. ‘What do you recommend?’
‘Plenty of warm drinks and perhaps a Vitamin A supplement …’ He frowned. ‘This child looks a little underweight. Does he have an eating disorder?’
‘Not as far as I know,’ Rose frowned. ‘Only the new arrivals generally need vitamins …’
‘Yes, I know they get a good diet here, but I think in this lad’s case it might help.’ He looked down at him. ‘Are you eating properly, Ken?’
‘Yes, sir – ’cept I don’t like fatty things much; they make me sick …’
‘I see … and what sort of thing don’t you like?’
‘Fatty stews and gristly meat, sir, and I don’t like liver …’ He gave a little moan. ‘Sorry, sir. My ma would say I shouldn’t moan and I’m too finicky – but I couldn’t eat the casserole yesterday or lots of times recently. It makes me sick …’
‘I see.’ Stephen Henderson raised his brows at Rose. ‘Plenty of good warm drinks and that vitamin I think, nurse. Perhaps some nice soup and toast when he starts to eat again or a ham sandwich – feed him up a little and make sure he gets the right food. I’ll just take a look at the others …’
Rose bent over Ken who was frowning. ‘It used to be good when the other cook was ’ere …’ he said and looked uncomfortable. ‘Sorry I said, but I’ve always had a funny tummy …’
‘I’m glad you did tell Doctor,’ Rose said. ‘You’re entitled to say what you feel, Ken.’
‘Ma would say I was lucky to have three meals a day. She never when she was little and that’s why she died of consumption …’
‘Yes, I know about your mother, Ken, but no one would blame you if you can’t eat the food,’ Rose said and frowned as she waited for the doctor’s verdict.
‘I’m pleased to tell you that Ken is the worst of them,’ he said. ‘We’ve had an outbreak of measles at the school
so quite a few boys have gone down with it, but none of them is as covered in spots as Ken. However, I’m concerned that he hasn’t been eating properly for a while. He looks undernourished and that isn’t like a St Saviour’s child. The others are in better condition, but a bit on the thin side. Are you having trouble feeding the children properly? I’m a little surprised, because I’ve been told this is an excellent home – but both of them told me they don’t always get enough food to eat …’
‘I’ll speak to Sister Beatrice,’ Rose promised, feeling concerned. Muriel had always prided herself on the food she’d given the children and Rose knew that Jinny liked cooking for them – so what was going wrong?
‘Yes, I shall have a word myself I think,’ Doctor Henderson said. ‘Something isn’t quite right here, Rose …’
‘I don’t eat here much these days. I used to but now I tend just to ask for a tomato sandwich when I’m on duty and eat at home or in a café somewhere.’
‘And why is that?’
Rose hesitated. ‘Well, the day I did have lunch here the meat was tough in the casserole – and when I’ve asked for a ham salad on two occasions, Mrs Davies said she can’t supply extras without notice … so I stopped bothering.’
‘Then that seems to be your explanation,’ he said. ‘The trouble lies with the kitchen staff.’ He hesitated, then, ‘I was wondering if I could take you out one evening, Rose? I saw you with Nick at the party … but unless you have a relationship I thought perhaps … dinner at the weekend?’
‘I’m on nights all this week,’ Rose said and felt a little awkward suddenly. ‘But lunch one Sunday would be lovely … except that it can’t be this week because I’m going on a picnic with some of the kids and their teacher and his own children …’