‘It’s just so sad that there’s no treatment. Just awful.’ Victoria stirred sugar into a cup of tea and handed it to Beth.
‘What do we have treatment for anyway? Seems to me that the answer to everything is bed rest. People come in here, we make them lie in a bed for weeks, and so many don’t get to go out again. That’s the fourth death in here in two days.’
The girls were silent while they drank their tea. Both remained that way until Beth finally spoke.
‘If I’d seen him in the street, I would never have guessed he was an alcoholic.’
‘They don’t all sleep in doorways,’ said Victoria, who was convinced her father had been verging on alcoholism when he took his own life. She based this theory on the fact that he had drunk a large whisky with his kippers every morning at breakfast. ‘To dissolve the bones,’ he used to say when she gave him a disapproving look. He also partook of a bottle of wine and a couple of brandies at lunch and trebled that at dinner, continuing until her mother, or, later, her Aunt Minnie, dragged him to bed.
‘People seem to accept alcoholism in the poor and yet turn a blind eye to it in the wealthy,’ Victoria said thoughtfully.
The junior doctor crept into the kitchen. ‘There isn’t a spare cup in that pot is there, by any chance?’
Victoria smiled. ‘There is for you. What did you think of that thing Dr Mackintosh did, banging on Mr Trimble’s chest? I heard a rib crack, you know.’
The junior doctor picked up the cup Victoria proffered. ‘I’ve never seen it done before, but I have heard about it,’ he said.
‘He seemed to know what he was doing though,’ said Victoria. ‘And it worked.’
‘Ah, well, that would have been just luck, because, frankly, we don’t know what we’re doing half of the time. There is very little in our armoury, you know, though antibiotics are changing everything and some of the new drug research they’re talking about is almost beyond belief. Dr Mackintosh did well. My job now is to keep the patient going.’
When the junior doctor had drunk his tea and left, Beth sighed as she began washing up the cups. ‘I’m jealous of Dana,’ she said. She had been thinking about seeing the blue Humber earlier, and about the obvious happiness of Dana and Teddy. ‘I think I need a holiday. She is so lucky to have Teddy to spoil her so. On my nurse’s wage, I’ll be lucky to have enough for the train fare back to Germany, to see my family on the base. In fact, I shall have to write and ask Daddy because I know I won’t.’
Victoria put her arm around Beth’s shoulder and gave her a hug. All the irritation she had felt earlier at her bossiness had disappeared into thin air. ‘There is someone for you, Beth. There is for everyone. Just don’t let your devotion to the job mean you don’t notice him when he pops into your life.’
Beth responded with the weakest smile. They both knew that, for Beth, that was a very real danger.
*
‘I can’t lie. I love this restaurant,’ said Dana. ‘Although I think ’tis a cheek, the price they charge for oysters. We pick them ourselves at Blacksod Bay and God, they are so cold and fresh and salty. You should see it. You could eat oysters every day.’
Teddy grinned from ear to ear as the salty water from his oyster slipped down his chin. Crashing the shell on the plate, he leant forward. ‘You know what they say about oysters, don’t you?’
Dana looked at him with big eyes, mouth parted. ‘No, what? What do they say? We eat them all the time in Ireland. I have no notion what all the fuss is about. What?’
‘They say they are an aphrodisiac,’ he whispered.
Dana looked around the restaurant and cast a glance at the waiter. ‘Does he think that is why I have eaten all mine?’ she asked as the blood rushed to her face. ‘Oh my God, Teddy. Are you kidding me? You are, aren’t you?’ She was now blushing furiously and was convinced that the waiter had winked at her.
Teddy picked up another shell and prised it open. ‘Well, he might be wondering, seeing as you ate all ten in as many seconds.’
‘That was because I haven’t eaten all day and I’m starving, not because I want any flaming aphrodisiac.’
Teddy laughed out loud. ‘Don’t worry, Dana, you are safe tonight. I shall return you to Mrs Duffy safe and sound by ten o’clock, as always, and I shall even give the old dear a lift home, to save her from having to get the bus. But in a few weeks’ time it will be an entirely different story.’
Without another word, Teddy produced a black-and-white picture of a handsome country house against a backdrop of open water and placed it next to her.
‘What’s this?’ She picked it up and studied it.
The picture was dark, but it was impossible not to be impressed by the size of the building, the beautiful, ivy-covered walls and the expanse of calm water in front of it.
‘It’s a hotel in the Lake District and you and I have the premier suite for two weeks, beginning the first day of our holidays. I thought we could drive to my house in Bolton, see Roland, spend a night or two at home and then continue up to the Lakes. We can do the same on the way back, to break up the journey. Do you like it?’ Teddy nodded enthusiastically at the card in her hand.
Dana gulped. ‘It’s beautiful,’ she said. ‘But, Teddy...’
He placed his hand over hers. ‘Come on, Dana, it’s been a year now. We know that you and I are the real thing. I wouldn’t dream of asking you to cut short your training, and I have another four years to go myself yet, but that doesn’t mean we have to behave like a monk and a nun. As long as we are careful. You do love me, don’t you?’
Dana looked across the table into his smiling eyes as, with one flick of his head, he repositioned his floppy fringe back over to the side. It seemed to her as though Teddy never stopped smiling.
Her mother’s words rang in her ears. ‘God, the whole town will be out to meet ye, as God is true, and now I just won’t sleep for the excitement until Mr Joyce fetches ye back from the train. Noel, will ye clean out the turf cuts from the van, our Dana’s coming home.’
She swallowed hard. ‘I can’t wait,’ she said as she avoided Teddy’s eyes, picked up his oyster and downed it in one.
‘That’s my girl,’ said Teddy, just as she coughed and spluttered.
He was the happiest and most optimistic man she knew, and yet she didn’t really know him. With Teddy, the conversation was always about today and the future, never the past. In a whole year he had never once talked to Dana about his mother or her death.
Dana knew that now was the moment. Tell him. Tell him. Tell him. Now. The words pounded her brain. But when she opened her mouth, she said instead, ‘Teddy, I’m a virgin and I’ve never done anything like this before. I’ve never been in a bedroom with a man, never mind slept in the same bed. I’ve never been on a holiday even. No one who lives on a farm goes on holidays. They just don’t.’
‘All the more reason why you will enjoy yourself then. And don’t worry about the virgin thing.’ He reached across the table and took her hands into his. ‘It will all be fine and dandy. There’s no rush. We have two weeks to relax and enjoy ourselves. Don’t worry about anything. You can trust me, Dana. I’m a doctor.’
25
Biddy was in a flap. She had opened up the old tea chest, undone the crumpled newspaper wrappings, taken out the Belleek shamrock tea service her family in Ireland had clubbed together for and sent as a wedding present, and washed it piece by piece. Then, convinced that one wash could not possibly remove forty years of dust, she’d washed it again.
‘Why on earth are you bothering getting the china out? I have never seen you use those plates before, not once.’
‘Because I have...’
Biddy didn’t get the chance to finish as Elsie powered on. ‘No, I tell a lie, I haven’t seen it as such, since your Mick disappeared. Before then, it passed by my window every week, in and out of the pawn shop. I’m surprised he didn’t take it with him when he went.’
‘He did,’ said Biddy. ‘Or at least he tried. I
thought he was back off down the pawn shop and I saw him from the bus. I jumped off and shouted to him and when he saw me, he dropped it on the pavement and ran. The bastard. Broke two plates and a cup, he did. That was the last time I ever laid eyes on him. And, God willing, it will stay that way for ever, unless of course I see him first and if I do, he won’t stand a chance. I’ve kept the broken plates to hit him with.’
Elsie watched as her friend furiously polished the sugar bowl. ‘If there’s one quality no one can deny you have, Biddy, ’tis that you bear a marvellous grudge. I’ve never met anyone who can bear one as well as you, and I’ve know a few in me time.’
‘I’ve no time for grudges now, Emily Haycock is coming around to my house, and you, get your coat off, you’re making the place look untidy.’
Affronted, Elsie hung her coat up on the nail on the back of the kitchen door. ‘I don’t think you have to go to all this bother, Biddy, because Sister Haycock is calling round, ’tis all I’m saying. Dessie is in a fine tizzy though. God, if he asked me once, he asked me a dozen times, what should he bring for her to drink.’
‘Well, I thought we would have a sandwich. I’ve made a nice currant slice and then we can give her a drink and show her the letter,’ said Biddy, nodding towards the food she’d prepared, which was hiding in mounds under damp tea cloths on the Formica-topped table.
‘He’s got sherry. He thought that would be the best thing for a lady, he said. Guinness for us, as usual. Us not being ladies.’ Elsie pulled out a chair and sat down.
‘What are we then, if we aren’t ladies?’ Biddy looked put out.
‘I don’t know, I’m sure, but I’ll tell you this, I can feel a bit of bravery coming on in our Dessie. Don’t be surprised if he asks her out. He was coming across to me as being quite bold, and I do think I know a bit about these things, Biddy. As you well know, I had my share of admirers after the war. He was all interested, like, in Sister Haycock. I think his sap must be up, Biddy.’
Biddy nearly dropped the Belleek teapot. ‘All this talk of Sister Haycock and Dessie, it makes me feel, well, I don’t know, a bit odd.’
‘It’s making you feel jealous, Biddy, that’s what it is and there’s no point in you denying it. It’s written all over your face. Dessie, he’s too young for you, Biddy. We’ve reached the age when the ship has sailed and we never even knew it was docked. We let kids and life pass us by while we sat at the bingo. We got it wrong, you and me, Bid. All we have left is me with my veins and haemorrhoids and you with your incontinence pessary. If you have any affection for that woman at all, you will push her to meet Dessie half way and do her a favour. Can you imagine Dessie as a dad? They might just have a chance if she’s quick.’
‘Elsie, you are way ahead of me. Why would you think I was ever attracted to Dessie? But you’re right, I would like to see Sister Haycock with someone. I’ll think of something. Getting a couple to go a bit soft on each other, that’s easy for me and you, eh? We’ve faced tougher than that.’
They both heard the back gate close with a clatter and the unfamiliar sound of heels clipping across the back yard.
‘Quick, she’s here,’ said Biddy as she removed the ashtray from the table and straightened the cloth with her hand. ‘Move that, will you,’ she hissed, nodding to the open Liverpool Echo perched on the chair.
Elsie lifted the cushion up quickly and stuffed it underneath, just as they heard a tap on the back door.
‘Come in,’ shouted Biddy as she opened the door. ‘What are you knocking for? No one knocks when they come in here.’
Sister Haycock stepped into the kitchen and looked around. It was no surprise to her that the place was spotless. She handed Biddy a bunch of bluebells. ‘For you,’ she said.
Biddy took an empty jam jar out of the cupboard. ‘Well now, aren’t they lovely. Can’t remember the last time anyone brought me flowers. Sit down, Sister Haycock.’
Before Emily had the chance to take up Biddy’s invitation, Dessie burst through the back door. ‘I thought I’d get here early and open the sherry and check the glasses before she arrives. What time is she due?’ he said, before he turned around and saw Emily standing near the table.
‘Oh, hello. Damn, I thought I might beat you to it. We aren’t used to sherry around here.’ Dessie blushed.
Biddy looked at Sister Haycock. Biddy had no idea why, but she was blushing too.
The arrival of Madge and then Branna made the meeting complete and Biddy savoured her moment of triumph by letting everyone else speak first.
Dessie shared his news. ‘Well, I managed to speak to the man from the cleaning agency who was writing down all the details in each ward. How many windows, sills, beds, sinks; he was even measuring the length of the skirting boards. I took him a mug of tea and told him I was leaving the job of head porter and moving on.’
A loud gasp came from Elsie. ‘Dessie, you’re not! You can’t.’
‘No, I’m not, Elsie. I said it so that he would open up to me and spill the beans, and it worked a treat, he fell for it and told me everything.’
‘What did he say?’ Biddy, Elsie and Branna had eyes on stalks and Dessie took the opportunity to fill their glasses.
‘He said he’d been asked by the Bone Grinder to provide an annual price for the cleaning of the hospital wards using the new mechanical floor cleaners.’
‘What, like electric ones that plug into the wall?’ asked Elsie, her mouth wide open in amazement.
‘Unless you know another way, Elsie? He told me that with one of these machines you can do the work of three to four cleaners, so, instead of having twelve of our ladies overnight on the main corridor, we would only need three or four at the most.’
There was an audible gasp from around the table.
‘Matron won’t stand for it,’ said Madge.
They all turned to look at her. Biddy noted that there was not a flaw in her make-up. Must have taken her hours, she thought, her eyes glued to Madge’s full, shimmery-pink lips as they moved.
‘I heard her on the telephone to Dr Gaskell,’ Madge continued. ‘Talking about Miss Van Gilder. Dr Gaskell’s wife is just lovely, you know. Whenever Matron telephones him at home, it’s always her who answers the phone. “Darling!” she shouts. I’ve never been called “Darling” by anyone. Funny how people actually talk like that, isn’t it? When Fred was alive, I was “Missus”; that’s about as romantic as it got for me.’
‘So, when “Darling” came to the phone...’ Even saying the word darling felt odd to Biddy. ‘...what did Matron say?’
‘She told him that they had made a terrible mistake with Miss Van Gilder and that she was upsetting far too many people. That she wanted him to find a way to remove her. Quite agitated she was.’
‘And what did Dr Gaskell say?’
All eyes were fixed on Madge. She sipped her sherry, having declared that she was very definitely a lady. She wriggled in her chair and straightened her skirt beneath her. It felt as though the air had left the room as they waited.
‘He said no.’
‘Oh, for goodness’ sake,’ said Branna. ‘I got meself all hopeful there.’
Silence fell for a moment while they all took a sip of their drinks, Biddy, Elsie and Dessie from the bottled Guinness, Madge and Sister Haycock from their sherry glasses.
‘Did the letter from St Dunstan’s arrive, Biddy?’ asked Emily. That was really what she had come for. She was trying to absorb the fact that Madge listened in to telephone calls. This was new to her and she wasn’t sure what to make of it. But she had been invited to join the St Angelus mafia and she’d been sworn to secrecy by Biddy.
‘It did, yes. It did. I was saving it until last,’ said Biddy solemnly. She slowly extracted the letter from the pocket of her apron. ‘Shall I read it out loud?’
They all nodded.
‘Currant slice, anyone?’ asked Elsie as she pushed the plate towards Emily.
It looked delicious and Emily politely took a slice. Dessie
studied her delicate fingers as she did. He had never been this close to Emily for any length of time before. He had admired her from afar in the workplace, chatted at the doctors’ ball and had a dance with her. That must have been when it had begun, the thoughts that drove him mad. They often had brief conversations, passing the time of day, discussing the weather, and now here she was in his friend and neighbour’s kitchen. He was feeling bolder than he ever had before because he had seen a light in her eyes and felt the answering beat of his own heart. It was a light he hadn’t seen for many years. He doubted himself, wondered if he was being fanciful, but as she lifted her head from biting into the currant slice, she smiled. When the crumbs fell down on to her chest and she flicked them away with her hand, he looked and there it was again, the smile. But it was more than a smile, it was a smile that said something. It said, try me, if you dare.
‘Dessie, are you listening?’
Dessie snapped himself back into the room and looked at Biddy. ‘Of course I am.’
‘Why didn’t you answer me then? Ouch!’
Dessie noticed that Elsie had just kicked Biddy under the table and that Branna was filling Emily’s glass, which was nowhere near empty. His face flushed and he wanted to die with shame. Had he been staring at her? Had he? Before he had time to melt from the heat in his cheeks, Biddy coughed and began to read once more.
‘There were problems wherever Miss Van Gilder went. She didn’t have a friend in the hospital. She was cautioned by Matron for ordering one of the doctors around. She sacked half of the domestic staff in the hospital and took on a cleaning agency. Had a stand-up row with Matron and is just an awful, unpleasant woman. Some say she was dismissed, some say she walked. There were even rumours that the police might have been called in. Matron has been here since the Ark and she’s very fretful about the reputation of St Dunstan’s, so not one of us got to know all the details, but it was something to do with the cleaning agency she took on. Once Miss Van Gilder had gone, Matron put the domestics straight back on to their old contracts and we never saw the cleaning agency again.’
The Children of Lovely Lane Page 33