'But not so often,' wailed Belinda, who was very much in love. 'I shall feel green with jealousy every time I think of all those nurses, looking for an unattached houseman.'
Jimmy's smile was warming. 'But I'm not unattached, love. Come on, don't you trust me?'
When the men had gone the two girls sat on, alone, for Belinda had no special duties on that afternoon. 'Only clerking new patients. I can do that later.' She seemed moody and unsettled.
'Is it just because Jimmy's going?' asked Nell.
Belinda nodded. 'I know it's silly, but I'm mad about the man. Aren't you missing Ted?'
'Oh, Belinda, that's different. Ted and I are not in love.'
'Speak for yourself,' said Belinda seriously. 'Ted hasn't been himself since you went away.'
Nell found this remark disquieting. A kind girl, she didn't what to hurt Ted, whom she liked enormously, but she realised now that she had scarcely thought about him while she was in Shropshire. He had asked her to meet him later, for he had a few hours off duty that evening. 'I'm not dressed for gadding,' she had said doubtfully, and he had answered firmly,
'We're not going on the town. I just want to talk.'
She wasn't looking forward to the evening. She didn't want Ted getting intense and demanding. He took her to a pub in the Baker Street area and bought her sandwiches and a glass of cider. Even after her years at medical school Nell had never acquired a taste for beer.
'I've missed you very much, Nell.' They were ensconced in a corner, near to a radiator, and Ted's face was flushed, but whether from heat or emotion it was difficult to say.
Nell wriggled out of her coat and made a business of hanging it over the back of her chair. 'Have you, Ted?' She tried for a light tone. 'With all those pretty nurses around?'
'Don't be flip, Nell. You know how I feel about you.'
He leant forward and put a large hand over hers. A lock of fair hair fell into his eyes and he brushed it back impatiently. 'I'm in love with you—have been for ages.'
'Oh, Ted, I don't know what to say!'
They stared intently at each other, Nell distressed, Ted with a brave attempt at cheerfulness. 'O.K., my love, I understand. But I'm still hoping. You do like me?'
'Oh, Ted,' said Nell for the second time, less articulate than usual, and that was the moment that two men seated themselves at the vacant table nearby. She saw them out of the corner of her eye, but didn't take in their faces.
'I have a free weekend in ten days' time. I could come down to see you.' Ted looked sideways at the next table and then back at Nell. 'Why's that character staring at you?' he asked under his breath. 'Do you know him?'
Nell turned her head and found herself looking into Philip Trent's grey eyes, only a few feet away from her own. She was at once overcome with self-consciousness, because Ted still had hold of her hand.
'Small world,' Philip said pleasantly. Nell tugged her hand away and Philip smiled. 'Sorry to interrupt. Aren't you going to introduce me?'
Ted's boyish face was registering open annoyance. He looked young and gauche, and Nell felt a flash of irritation that he couldn't match up to the easy manners of the older man. Philip was introducing them both to his companion.
'My partner, James Fenton.'
Air Fenton was older than Philip, a serious-looking man with a dry manner. They made polite conversation for a minute or two, then Ted said it was time to go.
'Don't let us drive you away, my dear chap,' murmured Philip. 'We're going back to the office shortly.'
Ungraciously Ted muttered that they hadn't intended staying, and to cover an awkward moment Nell commented on the long hours Philip worked.
He shrugged. 'James and I aren't nine-to-five types. We work until we're finished. The office is just around the corner. Sure you don't want that lift?'
Ted was helping Nell on with her coat. He put a possessive arm round her shoulders and reminded her that she was coming back to the hospital with him. Nell wasn't keen on this idea, but couldn't shame him by refusing in front of the other men.
'Staying the night?' Philip asked, and she shook her head quickly.
'Catching the last train.'
In the end she caught an earlier one because her evening with Ted ended disagreeably. On the way back to the hospital he insisted on questioning her about Philip. Who was that chap? How long had she known him? When he heard that she had come to town with Philip his jealousy became open. In the privacy of his room in the residents' quarters, he lectured her on getting involved with a smooth character like Trent.
'He's far too old for you. Don't encourage him.'
Nell was losing patience fast. 'Do stop being so silly! All the man did was give me a lift, because my car was out of action. He doesn't approve of me, and I certainly don't like him.'
'He wasn't looking at you as if he disapproved of you,' Ted said obstinately. 'I hate the thought of him being your next-door neighbour.'
'So do I!'
'I'll bet! Girls always go for older men,' he said glumly. 'Now if only he looked like that stick of a partner ‑'
'I should probably like him more,' said Nell, attempting a joke, 'then you really would have to worry.'
Ted gave her a disbelieving scowl. 'You know perfectly well Trent's ten times better looking than that other chap. I'm not a fool. Those dark forceful types are always popular with girls.'
'Not this girl,' Nell said firmly, but when he refused to be convinced she said they might as well go down to the common-room, and shortly after that she left.
Sitting in the train, she brooded over the unfortunate chance that had made Philip and his partner walk into just that pub. Or fortunate perhaps, because as a result of her disagreement with Ted she had been able to leave earlier than she might otherwise have done. This reflection made her feel rather mean, but Ted's new air of possessiveness was becoming decidedly irritating.
At the station she telephoned her aunt, and asked to be picked up. 'Sorry to be a nuisance, but I've tried in vain for a cab.'
Elizabeth said she would be there as soon as possible, but it was Philip's blue Aston Martin that drew up by the station entrance fifteen minutes later.
'Your aunt's rather tired,' he said briefly as he slung Nell's purchases on the back seat, thereby making her fed that she was being a thorough nuisance.
When she apologised he shrugged and started the car. 'If you'd come on the last train it would have been worse. Were you expecting Elizabeth to meet that?'
'I thought I'd be able to pick up a taxi. One usually can.'
He asked her why she'd changed her mind. 'I thought you were all set for an evening with the boy-friend.'
'Well, you thought wrong.' Why did he always bring out the worst in her, making her ill-mannered and aggressive? He had after all put himself out to meet her, for the station was seven miles from Lanmore. 'I didn't feel like a late night after all,' she amended in a more conciliatory tone. 'And you've got it all wrong. Ted's not my boy-friend. Just a—a chap I've known for years.'
'You could have fooled me,' Philip remarked. 'When we came into that pub you were holding hands and gazing into each other's eyes very intently. I felt quite embarrassed at interrupting you.'
'I don't believe you,' said Nell crossly, remembering his expression when she first saw him—amused, mocking, not in the least embarrassed. 'And we were not holding hands. At least I wasn't—oh, what's the use? You aren't interested.'
'Not very,' he agreed negligently, and put his foot down on the accelerator. When they reached die house he said he wouldn't come in again. He had only called in to tell Elizabeth he would meet the late train.
Nell stared at him. 'You mean to meet me? That—that was kind of you, Philip, though it might not have been necessary.'
'It turned out to be necessary,' he pointed out. 'And I didn't want Elizabeth having to go out. You must have noticed that she's looking far from well.'
Sensing criticism that she should jaunt off to London, leaving her aunt to
manage,. Nell said rather stiffly that she hadn't noticed it. Elizabeth looked just the same as usual to her.
He made an exasperated sound and flicked the interior light on. 'I don't understand you, my girl. Your aunt brought you up and made considerable sacrifices for you. Don't you feel any affection for her at all?'
'Correction—Grandpa brought me up. And Blackie. Aunt Elizabeth doesn't like kids. Surely you've noticed, if you know her so well?'
She regretted this speech as soon as she had made it, and fumbled for the door handle, wanting only to get away from him. His hand shot out, restraining her. When he spoke his voice was scornful.
'What a malicious little bitch you are! Elizabeth's entirely right. She has a lot to put up with, poor woman.'
The unfairness of this attack brought tears of exasperation to Nell's eyes. So Elizabeth grumbled about her to Philip, hinted at sacrifices made on her niece's behalf. If anyone had given up time to the child Nell, it had been Blackie, not her cool remote aunt. However, it was useless trying to convince him of this. He was too firmly on Elizabeth's side, too convinced of Nell's lack of gratitude.
'Would you please let me go, Mr Trent,' she said in a low, furious voice, and as his grip slackened she jerked her hand away and flung the door open.
She was badly upset by this unpleasant scene, and would have preferred to slip into her bedroom unnoticed. Elizabeth's door was ajar, however, and she called out as Nell passed. Reluctantly the girl stopped. 'Do you want something, Elizabeth?' Her voice was cold and Elizabeth put on her spectacles to study her.
'Just to say goodnight. I hope you thanked Philip for his kindness in collecting you.'
Her manner was that of a bossy adult to a young child. Nell laughed in spite of herself, but it was an angry laugh and Elizabeth stared at her. 'Is something wrong? You look upset.'
'No, no! I'm not a bit upset!' Nell exclaimed with sarcasm. 'I like being told I'm ungrateful and uncharitable. What exactly have you said to Philip about me, to make him so disapproving?'
The other woman went pink. 'I don't know what you're talking about. Naturally, since Philip's a good friend, he knows how you've behaved. I hope you haven't been rude to him.'
'No ruder than he was to me. He called me a malicious little bitch. Charming, don't you think?'
Elizabeth took off her spectacles again and began to undo her bedjacket. 'Why do you have to quarrel with Philip when he's been so kind to us? You've upset me very much.' She put a hand to her forehead and shut her eyes.
Nell studied her aunt's face, which certainly looked pale without make-up. 'He said you aren't well. Is that true?'
Elizabeth opened her eyes again and Nell was struck by the dark shadows under diem. 'I've got a headache. I get them lately.'
'Perhaps you need your specs changing?'
'No, Nell. I get headaches when I'm upset. And you don't help by being difficult. I'm tired now. I want to go to sleep.'
Dismissed, Nell went slowly away, wishing she understood Elizabeth better. Her aunt looked a lot older when she had creamed the make-up off her face. Had she had a hard time, living with the old man? Had he been difficult and demanding? If so Elizabeth would have had to bear the brunt of it with herself away. Was that why her aunt resented her so much, or was there some truth in Mrs Middleton-Massey's assertions?
As she undressed Nell thought wistfully of the wider world of medicine, which she was beginning to miss very badly. Domestic life, with all its trivial irritations and jealousies, wasn't for her, at least not yet, while die was in her early twenties. She supposed it was different when you were in love, though most of her women friends who got married managed to combine domesticity and a career very successfully.
Andrew MacFarlane came to see Colonel Whitehead two days later, since Thursday was his father's day off. 'We have a whole day each, once a week,' he told Nell, when she walked to the car with him at the end of his visit. 'And alternate weekends. We need the time off if we're to stay sane, but the days when we're single-handed are pretty tough.'
He wasn't grumbling, just stating a fact. Country G.P.s in small practices worked far harder than their city colleagues. 'You look jolly well on it. Andrew,' Nell smiled, but she remembered that his father, who had called yesterday, had looked quite grey with tiredness. It was then that she had an idea. 'I'm going bonkers hanging around the house. How would it be if I helped out in the practice occasionally? Just for something to do. I wouldn't expect to get paid.'
Andrew had the car door open, but he shut it again, his face lighting up. 'It's a great idea, Nell! Dad and I are hard pressed, with all that new building in the village. We've been talking about an assistant for some time, but it hasn't yet been approved by the Executive Council.'
'Well then ... do say yes. I'd love to do it.'
'I'll have to talk to Dad, but if he agrees I know he'll insist on paying you at the going rate.' He took a step forwards, put an am round her shoulders and planted a kiss on her cheek. 'I'll make Dad agree,' he promised. 'It's just what we need.'
His father approved wholeheartedly of the idea. Next morning, when he had completed his examination of the Colonel, he told Nell that he wanted a word with her. Elizabeth accompanied them into the library and insisted on sitting him down by the fire with a sherry.
'Well now, my dear'—Dr Mac smiled across at Nell, who stood expectantly by the mantelpiece—'Andrew's told me what you discussed, and I think it's an excellent idea.'
She was delighted. 'How soon can I start? How much do you want me to do?'
Her aunt, who was sitting beside the doctor, looked from one to the other. 'What's this, Sandy? Is Nell going to work for you?'
He showed surprise. 'Haven't you told Elizabeth, my dear?'
'It was only an idea,' Nell said quickly, and Elizabeth added coolly,
'I'm the last person she'd tell.'
'I wish you wouldn't talk like that,' Nell sighed, wondering why her aunt always felt this unpleasant urge to snipe at her.
Dr Mac cleared his throat. 'Well now! To get down to business. How much are you prepared to do? And how much can Elizabeth spare you?'
'I can do as much as you want!' exclaimed Nell eagerly, but seeing the disapproval on Elizabeth's face added an amendment. 'Provided it doesn't clash with the times I'm needed here.'
They worked out a possible timetable, with which Elizabeth grudgingly agreed. Evening surgeries on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so that the man on his own would have at least two hours off in the twenty-four, Wednesday morning because it was always a busy one, and Saturday morning because whoever was on for the weekend usually had a heavy round of visits on that day.
'Four surgeries. Enough to keep you out of mischief!' the doctor commented briskly, finished his sherry, thanked Elizabeth for her hospitality and made for the door,
'Enough to keep my hand in too,' Nell said happily, almost skipping along beside him, so glad was she to be starting work again.
Elizabeth had gone off somewhere and there was nobody else around. Dr MacFarlane looked down at Nell's bright face, took her by the arm and led her outside.
'Understand, my dear, this is just a friendly arrangement. If it's not always possible for you to come you only have to let us know.'
'I shall make sure it is possible,' she assured him.
'Your aunt might need you. Or your grandfather.'
'It's only four sessions a week. Why should they, except in an emergency? And Grandpa is getting better.'
'I was thinking more of Elizabeth's needs,' Dr MacFarlane said with a touch of dryness. 'Why do you two get on so badly, Nell?'
'Is it that obvious?'
'I'm afraid it is. Elizabeth was hurt just now that you hadn't confided in her. Couldn't you be a little more ... tactful?'
'I do try, Dr Mac. Honestly.' Nell stared at him with troubled eyes. 'But she doesn't exactly meet me half way.'
'Elizabeth is at a difficult time in a woman's life, on the threshold of the forties. She's seen her chance of ma
rriage slipping away, while she's stayed at home to look after your grandfather.'
Nell didn't think that her very choosy aunt had ever met a man she had wanted to marry, or that staying at home and being Miss Whitehead of Lanmore Manor had been so disagreeable a life. She remembered Elizabeth as being much involved in the social life of the district, a keen churchwoman, a leading light in the Women's Institute, with a wide circle of friends. Her life had always been varied and interesting. It was only now, since her father's illness, that her social activities had had to be curtailed.
Of course she said none of this to Dr MacFarlane, because it would have sounded ungenerous. Instead she told him that she would encourage Elizabeth to get out more. 'Perhaps being at home so much is making her irritable.'
'More than likely,' agreed Dr Mac, his shrewd eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled at her. 'As your grandfather says, there are just too many females in this house!'
CHAPTER FOUR
Nell started work next Wednesday morning, arriving at the surgery before Andrew, so eager was she to begin. She introduced herself to Miss Winter, whom Andrew had likened to Dracula. Not a fair comparison. Miss Winter might look fierce, and could certainly put cheeky patients in their place, but she welcomed Nell warmly, saying it was high time her doctors had a bit of help.
Andrew's greeting was just as enthusiastic, and Nell felt a glow of pleasure at getting back to work in such congenial surroundings. Andrew sorted through the thick pile of case notes, giving her the ones he thought would be easiest.
'Mrs Willis and Mrs Burton—both hypochondriacs. They're here for a chat. And old Mr Davies. He'd love to see a pretty girl! And all three of the Crawford children, my God! I don't suppose they've anything serious. Coughs and colds probably—their mother's a chronic worrier.'
'Can't I have anyone interesting?' Nell queried ruefully, and he patted her shoulder encouragingly.
'Breaking you in gradually. And letting you see what a G.P.'s life is really like. Ninety per cent trivial complaints, ten per cent serious!'
However, the trivial complaints mattered to the people who had them, though they were often only an excuse to come to the surgery. Unhappiness, loneliness and boredom weren't diseases, but they could lead to ill health. Andrew talked about this when they had coffee together at the end of the surgery.
Return to Lanmore Page 5