Peter Raynal, Surgeon

by Marjorie Moore

  For the next few moments they spoke of irrelevant things; a business agreement was readied with regard to Christine’s keep; they spoke of the surrounding country, nearby neighbors and matters of local interest, until Kay came in to say lunch was ready.

  The little dining-room was charming; probably less used than the lounge, it hadn’t quite such a shabby air, and the oak table set with fresh white mats looked inviting. Home-grown cherries and raspberries with thick country cream ended a delightful meal, over which Raynal was prepared to linger with enjoyment.

  Refilling his coffee cup, Mrs. Somers addressed him. “Christine has cleared her tray, she needs filling out. I hope our country fare will do her good.”

  Kay laughed. “It won’t be so easy, Mother. It would not surprise me if the puppy helped out with some of Chris’s dinner.”

  Mrs. Somers and Raynal joined in her laugh. “Well, maybe.” Mrs. Somers pursed her lips in mock severity. “I’ll take care she doesn’t play too many of those tricks, and as for the puppy, the child is spoiling him to death already, he’s curled down asleep on her eiderdown and nothing will move him.” Mrs. Somers drank from her coffee cup, then continued. “But perhaps a little spoiling will do Christine good and it won’t hurt the dog, all Mabel’s pups get spoiled to death in this house, I think it encourages her to have them!”

  “I feel very reluctant to leave, but I must be getting along.” Raynal rose from his chair. “May I just say bye-bye to Chris before I go?”

  “Of course.” Mrs. Somers rose too. “Take Mr. Raynal upstairs, Kay.”

  Christine’s room was everything a child could have wished for. The sloping ceiling would have been a constant danger to anyone tall, but certainly added to the charm of the room. The bed was so placed that Christine could see a vista of undulating hills through the chintz-curtained windows and the rambler rose which climbed as high as the sill filled the whole room with its perfume. As Raynal drove home through the hot crowded streets of London, he could still see Christine, a smile of contentment lighting her face as she lay in the narrow white bed, the puppy cuddled closely in her arms, its wet, black muzzle tucked confidently against her chest.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The setting sun was already hidden by the surrounding hills when Penelope Somers, still puffing from the exertion of pedalling her cycle up the steep road, pushed open the gate and entered the cottage. Rushing across the sitting room, she flung her arms affectionately round Kay’s neck and hugged her ecstatically. All Penelope’s actions were in the nature of a whirlwind, she invariably appeared to be bursting with energy and high spirits and it took more than the ordinary pin pricks of life to dampen her exuberance. As the two girls stood side by side, it was difficult to believe they were sisters; Kay’s tall, willowy figure, her serene beauty and the red glints in her hair were in complete contrast to Penelope’s rounded limbs, the tanned skin and dark close-cropped curls. Only in one detail could one have found a similarity—their eyes, dark-lashed, were of the same color and intensity.

  “How lovely to have you home!” Penelope’s voice was low and husky. “And the loveliest part is that you’ll always be home now ... at least near enough for us to see something of you.”

  “Yes, I’m glad, too.” Kay released her sister’s hold and sank back in the armchair.

  “Where’s Mum?” Penelope flung off her jacket and threw it on a chair, then, with a boyish gesture, she hitched up her corduroy breeches. Her open-necked shirt-blouse showed the sunburnt skin at her neck and her arms, bare above the elbows, gave an impression of lithe strength. In spite of work-stained clothes and heavy boots, there was a natural grace about Penelope’s figure as, hands deep in her pockets, she leaned negligently against the mantelpiece.

  “Mother is getting supper, she wouldn’t let me.” Kay picked up a dainty piece of needlework which she had been stitching, but although she held it, she made no effort to continue with her work but stared at her sister appraisingly. “Penny, you do look fit, you make me feel quite washed out.”

  Penny responded with her low, husky laugh and thrusting out one brown arm she opened and closed her fist, displaying the firm ripple of muscle above the elbow. “Fit as a flea!” she announced inelegantly. “See that muscle? I’ll bet you can’t equal it.”

  “I wouldn’t even try!” Kay laughed with her sister. “But I can’t see that I need to. What would I do with it anyway?”

  “Living in London is no good to anyone.” Penelope dropped into the chair facing her sister and, having lighted a cigarette, she continued speaking. “Living on a farm will get a bit of color into your cheeks, you look positively anaemic; might put a bit of flesh on your bones too, I bet they starve you at St. Jude’s!”

  “Not exactly.” Kay smiled. “But I can’t say it’s quite like home food.” She paused, then added: “I say, Penny, hadn’t you better take off those muddy shoes, Mother told me that she washed all over this carpet yesterday, she wanted it to look especially nice because I was bringing Mr. Raynal down. I told her she wasn’t to go to any trouble, but you know Mother, she’ll find any excuse to do a bit of extra cleaning or polishing.”

  “I can’t be bothered.” Penelope settled herself more comfortably in her chair and pushed a cushion behind her head. “I’m exhausted, had a devil of a day! You nurse sick people, you ought to have a try at nursing sick animals, they are a job I can tell you; we’ve got a cow, rubbed her leg against some barbed wire, she’s a beast to handle. We had one calved this morning too, and then Betsy, the sow decided to present us with a litter almost at the same time.”

  “It sounds too revolting.” Kay grimaced. “Give me sick humans any day and heaven knows I’m tired of them too.”

  “I can believe that,” Penelope responded sympathetically. “You wait till you are at Aldon Farm, you’ll get used to it, you’ll just adore looking after your own stock. You haven’t told me anything about Robin,” she added with a quick change of subject. “Have you heard any more, when is he really arriving? I’m just thrilled about it, I was at school when he went away, but I remember him all right, a real sport, always slipping me tuppence for sweets when Mother wasn’t looking.”

  “No wonder you got so fat!” Kay laughed. “He is due tomorrow, London at ten, should be here on the eleven-forty-three.”

  “Good, I’ll come along to the station with you, I told Mr. Morgan I might want to get off. I’ll go in early and get through my work, then I’ll cycle to the station and join you there.” She paused and looked critically at her sister. “Aren’t you feeling all squeamish inside, I would be if I were going to meet my future husband.”

  “I suppose I am, in a way.” Kay picked up her needle and began absent-mindedly to finger the work in her lap. “Sometimes I can’t quite believe it.”

  “Mum says that Mr. and Mrs. Sykes—he was Mr. Aldon’s cowman—have been cleaning up the farm, Robin must have sent instructions; you are going there direct, aren’t you? Given up the idea of a honeymoon. I think that’s much better. It will be fun running round and buying stock—as good as any honeymoon—there is a big sale of stock and farm implements coming off at Staunford next week, you and Robin ought to go along, there will be some fine stuff there. Farmer Dell’s, you know, he retired last month, he had the finest cattle in the district.”

  “I shan’t know good from bad,” Kay admitted. “I expect Robin knows, after all he has farmed in Australia ... but I won’t be any help.”

  “You’ll learn!” Penelope assured her complacently. “Now tell me, how did your friend’s visit go off—I mean the Raynal man you brought down from London? Is the child here, what’s she like?”

  “She is a pet, a sweet little girl, and so good too, she has settled down beautifully. Mother presents her with one of Mabel’s pups and they are inseparable already. She has gone to sleep, so you won’t see her till morning.”

  “And your friend, Mr. Raynal?”

  “He isn’t my friend. He is just a surgeon for whom I work at St. J
ude’s.”

  Penelope gave a prodigious yawn and, rising to her feet, crossed to Kay. “What are you making? Goodness, that looks smart. Trousseau, I suppose, but it’s a bit flimsy for country life, isn’t it?”

  “I like to be flimsy—as you call it—underneath, even if I am practical on top.” Kay held up the offending garment. “Pretty, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, very, you always did sew beautifully.” Penelope’s tone was indifferent, as she turned away. “I suppose I’d better have a wash before supper or I’ll have Mum down on me.” She walked towards the door, then paused. “Coming up?”

  “Yes...” Kay folded her work and replaced it neatly in her sewing box. “I could do with a wash, too.”

  “You!” Penelope laughed incredulously. “You look spotless ... and so smart too, I love that frock ...” Chattering all the time, Penelope followed her sister up the stairs.

  Kay was aware of a warm glow of happiness as she sat over supper with her mother and sister. The room was so cosy, the food so appetizing and well-cooked and the soft air, which blew in through the opened windows, carried the aroma of heath and woodland. The distant sounds of birds and insects was like music in Kay’s ears. London, the hospital, dust, heat, traffic, all those things seemed far away. Kay listened idly to the conversation between her mother and sister, they spoke of people in the village who, since her absence in London, had become mere names to her and even when they discussed subjects nearer home, Kay realized what a stranger she had become. Her occasional weekends at home hadn’t been sufficient to keep her close to the lives of the two she loved most, but now once again she would become part of the small world which was theirs. When the conversation turned to Robin, Kay felt a tremor run through her veins ... time was getting so near now ... just a few hours and she would be held in his arms... would reach that haven which she felt must have been her goal during all those years of apathy and hard work.

  “It’s a pity you want to marry in such a rush.” Mrs. Somers spoke with deep feeling.

  “Can’t understand why!” Penelope cut herself a thick slice of bread. “Not that I hold with elaborate weddings, white tulle and frippery and all that rot, but can’t you wait till you’ve completely finished with St. Jude’s?”

  “Robin wrote that he couldn’t get the farm straight unless we can be there together to see what we both want, then, while I’m back at hospital, he can have the work carried out.”

  “I expect that really is the best plan...” Mrs. Somers broke off. “But I do like a nice wedding...”

  “Poor Mum. worrying about the conventions, they’ll be just as much married as they would be with all that white satin stuff,” Penelope teased. “It’s quite as proper, you know.”

  “It may be, but I don’t like this rush.” Mrs. Somers was not to be deterred. “It’s one day in a girl’s life and it ought to be a day to remember.” She commenced to collect the plates together. “I’m sorry you didn’t get back to lunch today, Penny ... Mr. Raynal came, a delightful man, I’d like you to have met him.”

  “I expect I’d have shocked him if I’d turned up in my working clothes... and what a mess I was in this morning, too...”

  “Penny, you didn’t change your shoes and just look at the carpet where you’ve been sitting!” Kay’s tone was filled with reproach as she viewed the muddy mess under the table. “You’ve finished work now, you could have made yourself respectable.”

  “It’s not worth changing, I always go to bed early ... what’s the use?” Penelope flicked the mud away with the toe of her shoe. “Your hospital training has made you far too fussy,” she grumbled good-naturedly.

  “She is a careless child ... I’m always telling her.,. Mrs. Somers had already produced a brush and was removing the offending dirt. “But there ... she is tired when she gets back and I’ve given up bothering...” She stood up from her stooping position and viewed her handiwork. “Well, it was soon cleared up.” She ended with satisfaction.

  “Hush, Mum ... isn’t that a car? ... at this time of evening ... I wonder who on earth it can be?” Penelope stood in listening attitude.” I wonder if Mr. Morgan wants me back ... that cow...”

  Mrs. Somers had crossed to the window and was holding back the curtain. “It’s stopping here ... well, I never ... I wonder who it can be?” She peered forward, one slim, blue-veined hand resting on the sill. “It’s the station taxi! ... it can’t be ... yes, it is ... Kay ... Penelope ... it’s Robin!”

  Kay was aware of standing as if rooted to the spot, as her mother and sister rushed past her to the door. Her mind seemed absorbed with the most trivial absurdities ... the table wasn’t cleared, the room was looking so untidy, she still wore her navy and white frock while upstairs in her room lay her best outfit which she’d planned to wear at the station m the morning. Anyway, Robin was due tomorrow, he couldn’t come now, she hadn’t expected him yet, it wasn’t possible! Any question of possibility was soon thrust willy-nilly from her mind, when she felt herself held in a bear-like embrace which almost lifted her feet from the ground. As Robin’s arms drew her closer, she was dimly aware of the smoky aroma of his tweed jacket, the rough warmth of his cheek against her own, but it was only when his lips touched hers, that she was conscious of reality. Gradually Robin’s hold relaxed, then with one strong arm still encircling her waist, he placed his finger under her chin and tilted her face to his.

  “Kay ... you haven’t changed!”

  Still at a loss for words, Kay returned his gaze, her eyes searching the well-remembered features. But Robin had changed, she decided, his face was the same, his expression, but somehow he had grown! Her lips curved into a smile at the thought. Of course he had, so many years had passed and with the broadening of his figure, his features too had matured, while the outdoor life he had lived had bronzed his skin, giving him a rugged appearance. He was still handsome, she decided, his eyes bluer than ever against his I sun-tanned skin, and his hair, always fair, was now bleached almost white.

  “Well, what’s the verdict?” Still holding her, Robin smiled as he asked the question.

  Suddenly aware of her silent stare, Kay felt the warm color mount her cheeks. “I think you’ve changed ... at least I don’t know ... you are broader, and oh, so sunburnt!”

  “That was farming in Australia, out in the open air from sunrise to sunset! You are still lovely, the Kay I remember so well ... the Kay I couldn’t forget.”

  “Stop staring at one another and come and sit down.” Penelope’s prosaic words made Kay conscious again of Robin’s arm around her. “Break it up ... we want to hear all Robin’s news. Why he turned up early, what he is going to do now, where he is staying tonight...?”

  “And if he has had a meal?” Robin interrupted Penelope with a laugh. “The first questions can all wait, I’m ravenous!”

  In a moment Mrs. Somers had left the room and from the clatter of china which emerged from the kitchen, it was obvious that Robin’s hunger would soon be appeased. Still holding Kay closely beside him, he crossed to the armchair and, seating himself, drew her down on the low stool beside him.

  “Gosh, it’s good to be here.” His eyes wandered round the once familiar room. “Nothing has changed either. I remember that photo of you youngsters ... yes, and that one of your dad ... Everything looks exactly the same as the day I called to say good-bye, even those flowers over there in the blue vase, I believe they are the same too!”

  “Well, hardly . . Penelope laughed cheerfully. “We’ve changed those once or twice, but I bet you are right about the rest, even to the room, even to that bum in the rug; I can remember putting my fingers in the hole and trying to make it bigger!”

  Robin rested his arm round Kay’s shoulder and drew her closer to his knee. “Yes, you were that sort!” he retorted. “Remember what a pest she was, darling? If it hadn’t been for Kay, I wouldn’t have come here so much.” He laughed, then looked across at Penelope appraisingly. “You have certainly grown up, where are the pigtails? What
a get-up too, what sort of job do you do? Oh, I remember,” he added, without awaiting an answer. “You look after sick pigs or something.”

  “Don’t be crude! I’m assistant to Mr. Morgan, the veterinary surgeon and as soon as I’ve saved enough money, I’m going to the College to study and get qualified.”

  “Good for you!” Robin smiled in agreement. “You certainly have blossomed out, look the part too, most capable young woman I should say.”

  “She is marvellous.” Kay spoke with feeling. “It must be awfully hard work, I don’t know how she does it.”

  “And don’t you work hard too?”. Penelope retorted. Then, turning to Robin, added: “She is a Sister now, that’s pretty good, has her own ward and everything.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me.” Robin stooped and drawing Kay’s face round kissed her firmly on the lips. “I expected that of you.” His eyes searched her face as he added: “You aren’t going to mind giving it all up, are you?”

  “Mind? ... I’m sick to death of it ... I never want to see a hospital again! But I’ve got to go back for a bit, you know that, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I got your letter, but that won’t matter, it will give me a chance to get the place fixed up, it’s going to be a bit uncomfortable at first. It’s only by living there that we can tell exactly what improvements to make.”

  Mrs. Somers’ return with a loaded tray interrupted the conversation. Kay rose to her feet and taking it from her mother, placed it on a small table at Robin’s side. “Here, have something to eat and then we can talk to our heart’s content, I’ve so many questions to ask you, I don’t know where to start.”