“Visitors? Now ain’t that nice, Ma’am?” She had beamed on being told of Janet and Martin’s imminent arrival. “We’ve that nice pair of chickens, too, and there is still a fine picking of beans in the garden ...” She had rattled-on while Kay carefully explained extra items which would be required. Gertrude was certainly quick at learning, helped no doubt by her own interest in a job which she felt must be one in a million. “Such a nice couple and ever so fond of each other” she had told her mother on her first evening out.
Satisfied that all the downstairs was well, Kay hurried up to give a last glance at the spare rooms. She had wasted such a lot of time day-dreaming it wasn’t surprising that she found herself with a bare half-hour to Peter’s return—but then that was just how she wanted things, she admitted, every moment at work about the house, or at rest, submerged in her own happiness.
“I say, Kay, puppy has been asleep on the spare room chair and I’m afraid his coat has come off a bit,” Christine greeted Kay as she opened the door.
“You mean his hairs are everywhere!” Kay responded. “And by the way,” she added with mock severity, “Biggy isn’t a puppy any longer and just calling him ‘puppy’ won’t make him so, it’s time he grew up and behaved.”
“I don’t like grown-ups who behave!” Christine flung her arms round Kay and hugged her. “That’s why I love you.” The compliment, Kay felt, was doubtful, but despite herself she had to smile.
Everything was ready and in order and Kay had changed into a clinging grey frock which she knew to be a favorite of Peter’s, by the time she heard his car wheels crunching on the gravel drive. Flinging open the door she stood under the portico ready to welcome him.
“Darling!” He drew her gently to him while they kissed and his hands still held here closely even as they drew apart. “Let me look at you.” His eyes appraised her. “Lovely as ever.” Releasing one hand but still holding the other, he drew her again to the door. “We are forgetting our guests. I brought Janet and Grig down with me, and here they are.”
Kay greeted Janet and Martin with obvious pleasure. “Do come in. I am so glad you managed to come.”
“Martin didn’t know if he could get off until the last moment...” Janet broke off abruptly as she followed Kay into the house. “Oh, Kay, what a glorious place!” She exclaimed as the full beauty of the panelled hall and staircase met her entranced gaze. “It’s ... why it’s absolutely perfect!” She turned eagerly to Martin, who was following closely behind. “Martin, isn’t it grand ... and somehow it’s just right; I know that sounds silly,” she began to explain somewhat awkwardly, “but it’s the sort of place that somehow suits you, Kay. I’m not very good at expressing things like that, but I feel it’s the kind of background I’ve always imagined you ought to have.”
“What was the matter with Surgical Two? Pretty good background, I always thought,” Martin rejoined laughingly, but he too was obviously as deeply impressed as Janet, and as they entered the lounge he paused, the better to survey the perfect proportions of the lovely room.
As Janet pulled off her gloves, her eyes too wandered round the room. “Those flowers against the white wall, how marvellous they look.” She paused. “By the way, where is Christine?”
“Busy taking dog’s hairs, one by one, off the spare room armchair,” Kay laughed. “I suggested a brush but she prefers her own methods!”
Peter crossed the room and linked his arm through Kay’s. “How about a drink, darling, before you take your guests up to their rooms?” At Kay’s nod of approval he crossed to the cocktail cabinet and drew out bottles and glasses. “It’s getting quite autumnal, it was quite a chilly run down.”
Kay poked the cherry log fire in the grate. “I imagined you might be cold; there is plenty of hot water too, if anyone would like a bath before dinner.”
“Kay, dear, don’t!” Janet begged. “If you say much more you’ll have me homesick for the comforts of the nurses’ home at St. Jude’s!”
There was general laughter at her remark and Martin slipped his arm affectionately through hers. “You won’t be there much longer, my sweet.”
“How long before you two put up the banns?” Peter inquired as he handed them each a glass of sherry.
“I’m thinking it won’t be long.” Martin gazed down fondly at the dark curly head of his fiancée. “I’ve got all my friends busy up north and I’m already hearing a rumor of a wee house...”
“Martin, you didn’t tell me!” Janet lifted an animated face to him.
“He’ll tell you even less once he’s married to you,” Peter Raynal teased, and crossing again to Kay put his free arm round her and drew her close to his side. “That’s right, isn’t it, darling?”
“Quite right,” Kay responded promptly, her laughing eyes denying the words.
“Well, sir, how about a toast?” Martin lifted his glass. “To you and Kay ... and to us too, may we find all the joy our hearts desire.”
As they drank the toast, Kay’s eyes met her husband’s, and in that brief glance she knew that he felt even as she did, that together they had already found a fulfilment far beyond their hopes and dreams.
Peter Raynal, Surgeon Page 23