A young woman came up the stairs and the doctor nodded. ‘Nurse Steadman, this is Mr Melrose and his daughter. Come with me and I’ll explain the situation. Another nurse will be arriving to take over the night duties.’
‘Yes, doctor.’ She nodded acknowledgement to them.
‘You will give us ten minutes and then you may both come in.’ Sutton’s head was bowed in anguish as they waited, and she clasped his hands; they were icy cold with shock. ‘Mother will come through this.’ She tried to inject confidence into her voice. ‘We’ll nurse her back to health, no matter how long it takes.’
When her father didn’t speak she knew there was another pressing worry on both of their minds. Prolonged medical treatment was going to be expensive. ‘I still have a few pieces of jewellery. I’ll sell those.’
He nodded and squeezed her hand. ‘Your mother comes first. I’ll see if I can sell the business.’
‘No!’ She wasn’t going to let him do that if it could possibly be avoided. They had given up everything else in order to keep the business in the family. ‘Don’t do anything yet, please. We’ll manage. Mother may make a quicker recovery than the doctor believes.’
His mouth set in a grim line as he nodded. ‘All right, but your mother will have the best care available no matter what the cost. It’s the only thing I care about now.’
‘I agree. Whatever has to be done will be done, but let’s see how things go before we make any decisions.’
‘Oh Gertie, if only your brother had been born with a fraction of your good sense we wouldn’t be in this mess now. Your mother’s collapse is due to all the stress and worry.’
The bedroom door opened and the doctor came out. ‘You may go in now. I’ll be back in the morning to see how Mrs Melrose has weathered the night.’
Sutton rushed to his wife’s side, pulled a chair up next to the bed, sat down and took hold of her limp hand. He remained silent, eyes fixed on his wife’s face.
‘Don’t let him stay there all night,’ the doctor told her. ‘I don’t expect any change for a while.’
The way he said it made her glance at him sharply. ‘Do you have any idea when that might be? The truth, please.’
‘It might be a few hours, days, or even weeks. I’m sorry, Miss Melrose, but all we can do is wait.’
And that was what they did. They waited through the night, next day and another night. There was no change. Hanna had arrived the previous evening, much to Gertrude’s relief, and they managed to make her father get some sleep.
At breakfast she urged, ‘Go into work today, Father. There’s nothing you can do here. Aunt Hanna and I will stay with mother and help the nurses.’
‘I can’t leave her.’
‘She doesn’t know you’re here,’ Hanna told him firmly. ‘I’ll send for you at the first sign of a change in her condition.’
He stared out of the window, deep in thought. ‘It’s started to snow. Your mother loves to see the garden covered in a white blanket.’
‘She’ll see it.’ Gertrude didn’t know how she was managing to speak. Not only was she worried about her desperately sick mother, but she was also concerned for her father. It had seemed as if things couldn’t get any worse for them – but they had! They were living the worst kind of nightmare.
‘Yes, of course she will.’ Sutton turned away from the window and straightened up. ‘You are to send for me at once.’
‘Immediately,’ Gertrude assured him, watching his inner struggle and praying he would go back to work. The business needed him, and he needed a break from the sick room, or he would also become ill.
When he still stood where he was, undecided, she said firmly, ‘Mother and I need you fit and strong. What will happen to us if you collapse as well?’
‘I don’t want to leave her, but you’re quite right.’ He ran a hand over his eyes. ‘Seeing her like that is killing me. I feel so bloody helpless. I swear if Edward turned up now I would strangle him.’
Gertrude stifled a sigh of relief. Her father had been like a man in a dream, not speaking or showing emotion. Now his eyes were blazing. He was awake, angry and ready to fight. That was much better. ‘So you’ll go to work?’ she asked gently.
‘Do as Gertie suggests, Sutton.’ Hanna poured herself a cup of tea. ‘You’re getting in everyone’s way. At least at the workshop you’ll be doing something useful.’
He glared at his sister. ‘How the hell can I concentrate on business?’
‘Because you’ve got to.’ Her expression softened as she studied her brother. ‘I know it’s hard, but Gertie’s right, we need you. I’ll help all I can financially, but my funds are all too limited, as you know.’
‘Oh hell!’ Sutton looked stricken. ‘I’m sorry Hanna, but you mustn’t beggar yourself because of us. Gertrude, I’m going to leave this responsibility to you. Let me know when we urgently need more money and I’ll see if I can get a loan against the business.’
She nodded, determined that she would do anything to stop him placing the business in jeopardy. ‘I have a few pieces of jewellery to sell. The money from those should help a little.’
‘Sell your mother’s as well. I’m sure she won’t mind. That should meet the immediate medical costs.’
‘I’ll do that today.’ She hesitated. ‘I could ask David—’
‘We will not borrow money from our friends, Gertie! This is a family matter and we’ll deal with it ourselves.’
‘Of course we will.’ Hanna handed her brother his hat and coat. ‘Now go.’
As soon as they were on their own, Hanna turned to Gertrude. ‘I’ll stay with Florence while you go and do what you have to. Never mind what your father says, get money from anyone. I spoke to the doctor last night and he believes Florence is going to need nursing for quite a long time – night and day. From today we are going to have a team of four nurses working shifts. She must not be left alone for a moment.’
The room began to swim. ‘Four nurses?’
‘Don’t you go all weak on me!’ her aunt reprimanded firmly.
‘Sorry.’ She took a deep breath. ‘What are we going to do, Aunt?’
‘The best we can, my dear.’
Chapter Sixteen
The amount the jeweller had offered for her precious pieces had been insulting. Gertrude was furious as she stormed up the road. Because she was a young woman on her own he’d thought he could cheat her. Well, she wasn’t going to allow that. One member of the Melrose family had let himself be conned by cheats, and she wasn’t going to be the second!
Without hesitation she called a cab and was on her way to see David. This wasn’t unusual because she had always turned to him when she needed help.
‘Hello, Miss.’ Millie jumped to her feet as soon as Gertrude walked into the office, her face wreathed in smiles.
Her anger faded when she saw Millie’s happy face. ‘How are you getting on? Do you like working here?’
‘It’s smashing. Fred’s happy too. We was all sorry to hear about your mum. How is she?’
‘Not at all well. Is David in?’ she asked, changing the subject as her voice trembled.
‘He’s just popped out.’ Millie pulled up a chair for Gertrude. ‘But he won’t be long. Would you like a cup of tea?’
Before she could answer the door opened and David walked in.
‘Gertie! How’s your mother?’
She just shook her head, eyes misty, and he crouched down in front of her. ‘Is there anything I can do?’
Taking a tight hold on her fragile emotions she nodded. ‘I’ve come to ask you to do something for me.’
‘Let’s go into my office at the back and you can tell me all about it.’ He held the door open for her, and said, ‘Millie, watch the office for me. I don’t want to see anyone for a while.’
‘Yes, Mr Gardener.’
Once they were alone she poured out her worries, fears and anger. ‘Would you sell some jewellery for me? You’ll have more chance of getting a fair pr
ice.’
‘Is this necessary?’ he asked gently.
‘Yes, and it’s only the start. According to the doctor, mother’s recovery could take a long time.’ Much to her shame, a tear trickled down her face and she swiped it away. ‘It’s terrible, David. She doesn’t move or even open her eyes. The nurses know how to feed her liquids and we need them. There’s a nurse with mother the whole time, and the doctor’s in and out all the time …’
‘I understand.’ He picked up the packet of jewellery she’d placed on his desk. ‘I’ll sell these for you, and make sure you get enough to tide you over for a while. I’ll be able to add a little to it as well.’
‘Father said I mustn’t ask you for money.’
‘You haven’t asked, I’m offering.’
‘Thank you.’ Her voice was thick with emotion. ‘I’ll do my best to pay you back.’
‘No, you won’t!’
He sounded angry, and she’d never seen him lose his temper before. ‘Have I upset you?’ she asked. ‘I’m sorry to be so weak. I should be able to deal with this on my own, but I’m swamped. So much has happened in a short time and I’m finding it difficult to handle.’
‘I’m mad, Gertie, but not at you. It hurts to see the family I love in this dreadful situation, and all because of one selfish bastard! And don’t you dare apologise for showing your emotions. Many would be helpless faced with such a disaster, but you’re a fighter, and you’ll keep doing that until you walk out the other side of this nightmare. I’m proud of you.’
His confidence strengthened her and she touched his hand gratefully. ‘If we could find that selfish brother of mine it might help mother’s recovery.’
‘Maybe. I’ve got some business to do with Alex, so would you like me to ask if he’s made any progress?’
‘Oh, thank you.’ She hesitated, swallowed what little pride she had left, and said, ‘Fred told me the man involved in finding the card cheats is helping a little girl who lives in his street …’
David’s eyes narrowed.
‘You needn’t worry, he hasn’t told me his name. But I was wondering …’ She rose to her feet, furious with herself. ‘Hell and damnation! I won’t do this. I won’t beg. We’ll manage. We still have some of mother’s jewels, and she’ll get better quickly. I know she will. And we’ll rebuild our lives. It doesn’t matter how long it takes. We can do this. I’m frightened, but I won’t beg. I won’t!’
‘Easy now.’ He was leading her back to the chair.
She sat down and gazed at her friend with tortured eyes. ‘Mother will recover, won’t she, David? I dread to think what will happen to father if she doesn’t.’
‘Of course she will.’ He stooped down in front of her and took hold of her hands. ‘Just hold in there, Gertie. I know you’ve got the strength and courage.’
The smile she produced was wobbly. ‘Will you keep reminding me of that?’
‘Every day, I promise. And you must come to me whenever you feel the need to shout at someone.’
‘You could regret that offer.’
‘Never.’ He shook his head. ‘That’s what friends are for.’
Millie joined David by the window as they watched Gertrude walk up the road. ‘It hurts to see her suffering like this, don’t it?’
‘How much bad luck can one family have?’ David growled in frustration.
‘Hmm.’ Millie looked up at him. ‘But she’s got you for a friend to help her through this. My mum says life’s full of ups and downs. You have to work your way through the downs, and be happy in the ups.’
He couldn’t help smiling at the girl’s homespun logic. She was full of her mum’s sayings, and there was a lot of sense in them. ‘Your mother’s a wise woman. Now, I must go out again, so will you be all right for a while? My father should be back any minute because he has an appointment in half an hour.’
Millie nodded. ‘Mr Harrison’s coming to see your dad. I’ve met him before and he likes a nice strong cup of tea.’
She grinned. ‘I can manage.’
Knowing that was true, he put on his coat and left, heading for Alex’s home. Millie was turning out to be a real asset. He’d certainly done the right thing in employing her. His father had been doubtful at first, but he now doted on the young girl, joking and laughing with her. She was sensible and not easily flustered, and more than that, she was thoroughly likeable. Everyone who came to the office adored her. She had brought laughter into the place.
His thoughts turned to business and he hoped Alex was in. The negotiations for the ship had stalled. The owners wouldn’t accept their offer and were pushing for a higher price. He’d raised the bid slightly, but he had to know how far to go before he could proceed.
He was shown to the library where Alex was pouring over some accounts. He glanced up. ‘Ah, David, how’s it going?’
‘Not well. They’ve raised the price by two hundred pounds, and quite frankly I consider the offer we’ve made to be a fair one. But they’re still hesitating.’
‘Hmm.’ Alex sat back, deep in thought. ‘Stick to our offer and if they demand more, walk away.’
‘You could lose her,’ he warned, knowing how much Alex had set his heart on adding this ship to his others. ‘She’s a fine ship.’
‘I know, but trust me. We’ve made a generous offer, and if they think they are going to lose the sale they’ll come after you. Their next price will be only a fraction higher than we’ve offered. Then accept.’
‘Suppose they don’t?’
‘They will.’
David studied the man in front of him, constantly surprised. ‘I thought you weren’t a gambler.’
‘There are times when you have to make a strategic retreat in order to get what you want. You tell them the deal’s off and they won’t even let you get out of the door.’
‘I hope you’re right.’ He felt excitement and apprehension at the same time. He very much wanted to keep this job, and didn’t want to mess it up.
‘So do I.’ Alex smiled wryly. ‘But I have complete faith in you. I can’t spare the time to do this myself. I’ve my other businesses to oversee, and more commitments than I can count at the moment. The doctor’s starting May’s treatment and I want to keep a close eye on that. Her parents are naturally worried. Then Edward Melrose has to be found. I’ve got a man working on it, but he’s had no luck so far.’
‘You know his mother’s seriously ill?’
‘So I’ve heard, but don’t know the details. What exactly is wrong with her?’
‘A seizure of some kind. She’s unconscious, but if you ask me her heart’s broken. Edward was always her pride and joy.’
Alex’s mouth tightened. ‘The same thing happened to my mother.’
‘Gertie came to see me this morning. She’s desperate and I’ve never seen her like that before. She’d been trying to sell some jewellery and couldn’t get a fair price. She’s asked me to do it for her.’
‘Sell her jewellery?’
‘I’m afraid so. Her mother needs constant nursing, and that’s costly. If the illness goes on for a long time, and that’s the medical prediction, then they will have to dispose of her mother’s pieces as well. It’s devastating to see them suffering like this.’
‘Have you got the items with you?’
‘Yes, I’m going to sell them when I leave here. The money is needed quickly. Her father’s threatening to sell the business to meet the medical expenses, but she’s fighting to stop him doing that. It’s all they have left.’
‘She’s right! Her family must keep the business.’ Alex was now prowling the room, and then he stopped in front of David. ‘Show me the jewellery.’
‘I don’t expect there’s much of great value.’ He emptied out the contents of the bag Gertrude had given him. ‘She’s never put much store in such embellishments.’
‘An unusual young girl,’ Alex remarked, as he bent to study the items on the table.
‘She is, but she has her faults like all o
f us. Stubbornness is one of them. When she gets an idea in her head it’s near impossible to reason with her.’ He watched Alex examining the jewellery, and when he remained silent, David continued. ‘Her intelligence and quick mind are things a lot of people find hard to deal with – especially men.’
‘Then they are fools.’ Alex held up a gold bracelet. ‘I’ve seen her wearing this.’
‘Ah yes, that was a present from her Aunt Hanna, and the only piece Gertie constantly wore.’
‘Sentimental value?’
‘Yes, but she won’t let that influence her. Her family is more important than anything else.’
‘That’s a quality to be admired.’ Alex sat back. ‘Her father’s right to take her into the business. Properly trained, she could turn out to be an asset to him.’
‘I agree, and he should have done that as soon as it became obvious Edward wasn’t interested.’ David’s eyes filled with sadness. ‘He hesitated because he wanted his daughter to have a husband and family of her own. That’s unlikely now.’
Alex looked up sharply. ‘Why?’
‘Well, look at the mess they’re in. They’ve withdrawn from society because they can no longer entertain as they once did. Gertie’s time is completely taken up with looking after her mother, and helping her father in any way she can. What chance does she have of a life of her own?’
‘You think a lot of her,’ Alex remarked, noting the worry lines etched on David’s face.
He nodded. ‘She’s always been like a sister to me. Infuriating, funny and adorable. The Melrose house has been my second home since I was a youngster, and it’s tearing me apart to see them suffering like this. If I could wipe it away I would, but the only thing I can do is be a friend she can lean on when things get too bad. And at the moment they’re as bad as they can get.’ He turned his gaze back to Alex. ‘What do you think I can get for the jewellery?’
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