For Jessie's sake, she swallowed the rest of her coffee— now stone cold—and went out. She made one or two calls, then took a route to Alys' house which led past that of Mrs Warby. Sara knocked at the door, and the look of pleasure on Mrs Warby's face when she answered it was obvious.
Doctor, I wasn't expecting you. But do come in.' She opened the door wide. I usually do my washing on Mondays, but I thought it was high time that I got out of my rut.'
Good for you ! ' Sara noticed that for a Monday morning, she looked smarter than she did the first evening Sara met her. I'm glad you're feeling like that this morning, because I thought I'd look in on a coffee morning Mrs Henderson is having, and I wondered if you'd care to come with me.'
The eyes of the other woman shot wide open in surprise. Good gracious ! But-but I haven't been to anything like that for heaven knows how long. It's— awfully good of you, Doctor, but '
But what ? ' Sara followed her into the living-room. Well, I---- '
Sara smiled. Oh, come along. I don't want to charge in there on my own. You'll help give me confidence.'
Ah, now, Doctor, you're teasing me. You don't need anyone to give you confidence. I know why you want me to come.'
My dear, never mind the whys and wherefores,' Sara told her gently. Just go and powder your nose and put on your hat and coat, eh ? '
' All right, then, Doctor, I will,' Mrs Warby said, after a momentary hesitation. Do please sit down, I won't be a moment.'
Sara was quite pleased with her success, which she felt was probably due to inadvertent shock tactics. In the car, Mrs Warby began to thank her again, obviously flattered at being called for.
If Alys was surprised to see Mrs Warty arrive with Sara she did not show it. What she did stow, and Sara was grateful. was a genuine pleasure and a warm Welcome.
' Why, Mrs Warby, how lovely to see you again. Do : sit down—here's a nice comfortable chair for you--and I'll bring you some coffee.'
Alys, or someone, had certainly done a good job of getting people here, in spite of Monday being the
traditional
washing-day. The roomy lounge was full to overflowing, the overflow spilling into the large hall and dining-room. In one corner Sara caught sight of young Mrs Rosemary Carter, and went over to her at once.
Goad morning, Rosemary. And how are you ? '
Rosemary jumped up from where she was sitting. Oh, Doctor, how nice to see you. I'm fine, thanks. Wasn't it good of Mrs Henderson to invite me ? '
Sara smiled: ' I told you you'd soon be making some friends, didn't I ? Come along over here, there's someone else I'd like you to meet. She isn't young, but in this business of loneliness, in fact in a good many things, age doesn't matter in the least.'
Sara led her over to Mrs Warby and introduced the two. ' You remember my telling you about that nice young mother-to-be, Mrs Warby ? Well, here she is-- Mrs Carter. Rosemary, this is Mrs Warby. She has the most charming cottage. She and her husband did all the work on it themselves.'
The two women nodded shyly to each other, but did not shake hands, as if the shaking of hands was too formal a greeting. But they smiled at each other, and Rosemary began to chat, saying how she loved the look of some of the old cottages from the outside, but bad never seen one from the inside.
' Haven't you ? Oh, then you must come and see mine.'
Sara felt almost a thrill of secret triumph. Rosemary
had said exactly what she had wanted her to say. She might almost have put the words into her mouth. And Mrs Warby had responded similarly. Seeing someone else she knew across the room, Sara left the two to talk and walked straight into Mrs Williams who was selling raffle tickets.
' Good morning, Mrs Williams,' Sara said brightly.
Good morning, Doctor,' came the reply rather stiffly. Then, remembering her duties: May I sell you a raffle ticket ? It's for a Christmas party and gifts for our older people of the village.'
Yes, I know.' Sara opened her bag. ' Er—give me five shillings' worth, and if I do win a prize, raffle it off again or something like that.'
But Mrs Williams did not look exactly pleased at this generosity. She counted the number of tickets and tore them off in silence. Sara wondered what she was thinking. That buying five shillings' worth of raffle tickets was a method of handing out charity, too ? If the farmer's wife had challenged her on this, Sara would have gladly discussed it with her. But this was not the way of people in this part of the world.
Have a look at the prizes, Doctor,' she said coolly, handing Sara her tickets. There might be something there you would like or find useful—should you be one of the lucky winners.'
Mrs Williams moved on, and Sara went to find Alys, who was in the kitchen.
' Sara, how nice of you to come,' she said at once. Have you heard how Bob's father is this morning ? '
Sara said she had. Alys, I'm terribly sorry I forgot to ring you last night. It was such a shock. I'd been out for the afternoon, and '
Alys drew her into the study where they could talk in private.
Think no more about it,' she assured her. Jim rang.'
Yes, I know. Oh dear If I'd known what was going to happen, I wouldn't have gone out. I'd never have forgiven myself if '
Nonsense, my dear. You wouldn't have been to blame, whatever had happened. Thank goodness it was no worse. He should have gone into hospital for rest and treatment ages ago, but he wouldn't listen. He wouldn't even let Jim run his stethoscope over him. But never mind, he's there now, and it will do him the world of good. I thought of popping in to see him when I've got rid of this little mob, as it were.'
Shall we go together ? ' suggested Sara.
Alys agreed, then said she had better get back to her guests, so they went out into the crowded hall where still more people were arriving and being given coffee by Alys's helpers.
Do all these people belong to the W.I. ? ' asked Sara.
Alys laughed. ' Heavens, no, I wish they did, But they nearly all belong to one or other of the village societies, and we try to support each other's activities where possible.'
Very nice. What are they again—apart from the Mothers' Union ? '
Alys reeled them off. Darby and Joan club, British Legion, the Young Farmers' dub, Scouts, Guides, Brownies, Cubs, the drama group— I tell you, we've no time to be bored in the country.'
' It seems not. But don't people ever want to get out of the village—go to a theatre in town or something like that ? '
My dear, transport is the difficulty. Buses run on market days only. The railway station is miles away from all the villages it serves. Times of trains are often inconvenient and in the winter it's too much of an effort. Not quite everybody has a car, even in these days. Country people always have had to make their own entertainment, and it looks as if they will for a long time yet.'
Weil, maybe it's not a bad thing on the whole—for people to make their own entertainment, I mean. It's much more interesting. All the same, people ought to be able to get into the towns and the City and see some professional entertainment now and then.'
Alys gave a sly little grin. ' We, in the W.I., are doing our best. A resolution with regard to transport in rural areas has already been passed.'
And what happens then ? ' asked Sara. ' It' s no use just passing resolutions into a vacuum.'
' In the W.I., nothing is done in a vacuum,' Alys said firmly. The passing of resolutions gives the National and County Federations a mandate for action. The Institute has a membership of some millions. A letter sent to a governmental department or other body representing millions of women all over the country is bound to carry weight. The W.I. were responsible for having many of those ghastly turnstiles removed from public toilets, getting legislation passed forbidding the use of inflammable material in making children's nightdresses— and so on.'
Sara laughed. ' All right, all right Point taken. When can I be enrolled as a member ? '
' A fortnight tomorrow in the village hall at ha
lf past seven. I'll propose you at the next committee meeting.'
' Any initiation ceremony ? '
' No, just an official welcome from the President— yours truly.' Alys broke off, looking towards the door. Ah, here comes Mrs Ready. Talk to her, will you. Sara, while I get her a cup of coffee.'
Sara went forward to meet her, a smile on her face. She had no wish to give the rector's wife the impression that there was anything but the friendliest of relations between them.
Good morning, Mrs Ready. How nice to see you again.'
Mrs Ready looked at her a little uncertainly at first, then smiled.
'Why, Dr Martindale, I didn't expect to see you here.'
I only popped in for a moment. I must go as soon as Alys comes back with your coffee. Isn't this an awfully good idea of getting people together and giving a hand to the older people ? '
Mrs Ready agreed that it was, and seemed to have something else on her mind, but Alys returned, and Sara said goodbye to them both. Before she went, however, she made sure that Mrs Warby was able and willing to walk the short distance home, and was pleased to see that she and Rosemary Carter were still chatting to each other. Uncle John had been right, she decided. There was really very little wrong with Mrs Warby that good company and something to occupy her mind other than herself would not cure.
Sara. went on her visits, thinking, as she drove along, of some of the people with whom she had come into contact since she had come to the village. She was beginning to have quite a warmth of affection for them. Even for Mrs Williams, whose toes she appeared to have trodden on. hard. Sara had not intended to tread on her toes, but did not wholly regret having done so, if any good would some time result. Mrs husband was a fanner in. a very big way. In some degree, these big farmers had taken' the place of the old Squire, the farmer's wife, regarding herself as the ' Squire's missus Not in every case, of course, but in some. She supposed manufacturers the farmer, and even more so, his wife, could not help the
of farm machinery making tractors without hoods, for instance. And perhaps they were powerless to increase wages. She did not know enough about politics and how the unions worked. But both the farmer and his wife could do something about their cottages for which the farm labourers paid rent. Strictly speaking, these things were none of Sara's business, except where it
affected the health of her patients. But Sara felt that anybody should speak out against anything they saw to be wrong or unjust, even if it meant making themselves unpopular. Sometimes people needed shaking out of their complacency.
Sara ate a solitary lunch, and did not enjoy eating alone. She was going to miss Uncle John. She could not help thinking of Jim who ate alone every day—unless he had his meals with Nina. She had not, so far, ever been to his house, and she wondered what it would be like, what sort of tastes he had.
After lunch, she rang him to say that she was now going to the hospital, and that she would let him know the minute she returned.
Have you any urgent calls ? ' he asked.
No, there's nothing that can't wait until this evening. But I think I should warn you about the Marples' boy.' Peter ? What about him ? '
' He has some abdominal pain we can't quite account for. Both Uncle John and I have seen him. It's probably a sub-acute appendix. I thought of getting him into hospital for observation if it doesn't clear up in the next day or so.'
' Right. Thanks for the tip. Well, I shall be here all afternoon unless something urgent in my area crops up. Give my regards to John. I might pop in to see him myself this evening, if that's all right with you.'
Sara said it was, and they rang off. It was odd, but she almost felt there was something wrong when he was being normally polite with her. He often hurt her when he was being belligerent, but there were times when she enjoyed sparring with him. Which was the real man ? she wondered. Whichever it was, she had to admit that she liked him better when he was being domineering. She couldn't help but smile to herself at this admission, but decided not to analyse further.
She called for Alys, and together they visited Uncle
John. He was certainly being well taken care of, and with rest and treatment was already looking much better.
Now, Sara,' he said, when she had given him the news and assured him that though she was managing all right, she was missing him, I don't want you to feel obliged to visit me every day. You've got plenty on with that practice, and you must get some leisure. Go out with that young Oliver and enjoy yourself.'
Sara smiled. He hasn't asked me yet.'
Oh, he will. He'll be a fool if he doesn't. What do you say, Alys ? '
Alys laughed. What are you trying to do, Father ? Marry Sara off before she's properly settled ? '
No, but there's one sure way of getting her settled, and that's for her to marry somebody who lives here.'
' Then you'd better not push her at Oliver. He's likely to get moved on. Better make it Jim Crombie. He was born in these parts.'
For a moment, Sara said nothing, then she forced a laugh. When you two have finished, I'd like to make my own mind up, if you don't mind. As a matter of fact, I think I shall remain a bachelor. There's a lovely little cottage belonging to the Forestry Commission I'm thinking of renting. It has no mod. cons., but it would suit me down to the ground.'
They didn't take her seriously, of course, but the more Sara thought of the idea of renting that cottage, the better she liked it. Oliver rang her up that evening when surgery was over to ask her how Uncle John was, so she asked him to come to the house for a meal.
I hate eating alone, and I'm sure Jessie will be delighted to have someone else to cook for. A man, in particular.'
Well, since you put it that way-thanks. As a matter of fact, I wanted to see you —but I'll tell you later.'
Twenty minutes later, Oliver knocked at the door.
Jessie had cooked a small chicken with delicious croquette potatoes and small button sprouts, and from the cellar produced a bottle of white wine.
Jessie I' laughed Sara in faint protest.
We always have wine when we have a guest, Miss Sara,' she said firmly. 'The doctor would have insisted.'
Sara smiled, thinking to herself that he certainly would, judging by what he had said to her that afternoon.
What's the secret smile for ? ' asked Oliver.
At this, the smile became a laugh. Oh, nothing. Just Jessie and Uncle John between them.'
She had already told him of her visit to the hospital and how he was.
Oliver said: ' I wanted to ask you about that other date you promised me. Can you manage it with Dr Henderson being in hospital ? '
As a matter of fact, he told me this very afternoon that I must have some leisure, and I suppose I must, really, so subject to it being all right with Jim
Do you have certain days off ? '
Not so far. Being friends as well as colleagues, as it were, they just worked things between them. It seems to work out all right. But what had you in mind ? '
There was a special play at the Theatre Royal, it seemed, one which was to be put on in the West End of London when a theatre could be found. Some of the greatest star actors were to be in it.
But will you be able to get tickets ? I would. have thought it would be booked weeks in advance.'
He shook his head. ' The theatre still isn't all that popular for straight plays in these parts. In any case, I've already got tickets. I was in town, so I got them on the off chance. They're for tomorrow night.'
Oh, well, I'll ring Jim when we've finished our meal. I expect it will be all right.'
doorway for a moment—like some grand inquisitor, thought Sara—and looked from one to the other as if he had caught them in a drunken orgy. Then Sara had a sudden, awful thought. He had said he was going to see Uncle John this evening. Had b.e had a relapse ?
The laughter in her eyes and the witty, challenging remark in her mind died. She put down her glass slowly.
Is—anything wrong ? '
she asked jerkily.
CHAPTER VII
' Wrong ? ' he echoed.
' Yes—with Uncle John. You have seen him this evening ?
But to her relief he shook his head. As a matter of fact, I'm just on my way. I was passing, so thought I'd call in and see if you had a message or there was anything you wanted me to take. I—didn't know you were entertaining.'
Oliver laughed, and Sara was thankful that he was here. ' Come off it, Jim. Sara asked me over for a meal, that's all. The wine was Jessie's idea.'
And the joke was Oliver's,' Sara added, suddenly seeing the funny side of things.
' Oh, really ? '
At the sarcasm in his voice Sara's humour fled. She felt more like asking him what business it was of his to come barging into the dining-room and stand there registering disapproval. But she stopped herself in time. After all, Jessie had shown him in, this was Uncle John's home and not hers, Sara's. Also, Jim was her uncle's friend. Jessie came in again at that moment to clear away the main course.
' Would you like a drink of some kind ? ' Sara asked him. I'm sure Uncle John has something somewhere— hasn't he, Jessie ? '
But Jim shook his head. I'll be on my way, if there's nothing you want me to take in.'
There isn't, but thanks for calling,' said Sara, feeling rather abashed at his refusal to stay for a little. while. He moved to the door, and seeing a signal from Oliver out of the comer of his eye, she called him back. A moment—Jim.'
With obvious reluctance and a look of impatience, he
turned. Sara felt like a teenage daughter about to ask a favour of a tyrannical father.
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