Nothing Ventured

by Anne Douglas

  Isla was glad she’d waited, for when it came to their turn to shake Dr Lorne’s hand and wish him well, he rather mysteriously asked them to step aside with him for a moment; he had something he’d like to ask them.

  Exchanging looks, the three nurses moved with him to a corner of the room, where he smiled at them and thanked them for their good wishes, then for a moment or two hesitated.

  ‘I do hope you’ll forgive me for putting an oar in, so to speak,’ he said at last, ‘and if I’ve got this all wrong, I’ll apologize in advance.’

  As they gazed at him expectantly, he coughed and went on: ‘The thing is, it’s been reported to me that you three, who have done so much for Lorne’s, are actually thinking of handing in your notice. Now, please, I know you have a right to do whatever you wish, but if this is true, I want to ask you, for the sake of Lorne’s, to reconsider. It’s been a shock, perhaps, that there’s been such a shake-up here, but I know Doctor Revie is capable of doing a very good job only if he has the cooperation of his staff – really good nurses, as you three are.’

  As his kindly eyes went from face to face, they stood in silence, amazed that he’d known what they were planning to do, very much shaken that he had requested them not to do it. Clearly, though he hadn’t put it into words, what he was asking was that they should think of his beloved hydro, of all that he’d loved and built up, rather than Dr Revie. So, what were they to say?

  The first to speak was Sheana. ‘I am thinking of getting married,’ she said quietly. ‘I suppose then I’d have to leave.’

  ‘Not necessarily,’ he said eagerly. ‘There are no rules banning married women here, and it would be a great loss if you were to go, Sheana.’

  Sheana? He’d used her first name? Nothing seemed to show more clearly that Dr Lorne was on his way out from his hydro, and a further cloud of sadness wrapped around the nurses as he still fixed them with his gaze.

  ‘If you really think we matter,’ Ellie said diffidently, ‘I could stay on.’

  The doctor’s face lit up. ‘Excellent! If you really feel you could, I’d be most grateful.’ His eyes moving to Sheana, then to Isla, he waited, and after a quick glance at Isla, Sheana said if it were true she could stay on if she married, well, yes, she would. Which left Isla.

  What could she say? She raised her eyes to Dr Lorne’s. Cleared her throat: ‘I’m like Ellie – if we’re needed, I’ll stay.’

  ‘Thank you,’ he said simply. ‘I give my thanks to all of you. And to Joan, who’s also agreed to stay. Now, what about some of Mr Paul’s excellent chocolate cake?’

  While he moved back to shake hands with those waiting to say goodbye, the girls stood, looking at one another.

  ‘How did he know?’ asked Ellie. ‘That we were planning to go?’

  ‘I expect Staff Miller overheard us,’ Sheana replied. ‘She always gets to know things – or it might have been Staff Craddock. She’s as bad.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter how he knew,’ Isla murmured. ‘Once he’d asked, I knew we wouldn’t say no.’

  ‘Hope you’ll be all right,’ Sheana said sympathetically. ‘I mean, with Grant Revie in charge.’

  ‘Why, Isla’s got Mark Kinnaird!’ Ellie cried. ‘She’ll be all right.’

  ‘Of course I will,’ Isla agreed, wondering how she would tell Mark she was not leaving the hydro after all.

  In fact, she still had not told him, even when Grant Revie arrived.

  Sixty-Six

  On a day in December, cold and grey, Grant Revie arrived back at the hydro to take up his new position as director. No one from the treatment rooms saw him in the morning, when, after being shown round his flat by Joan Elrick, he was given a hand-over talk by Dr Lorne who’d come in specially, and then had lunch in the flat he’d just been shown.

  Kind words were exchanged by the outgoing director and the man who was to succeed him, after which Dr Lorne quietly departed, being escorted to his car by tearful Joan, while Grant, accompanied by Sister Francis, prepared himself for his first meeting under new circumstances with the hydro staff.

  They had been earlier called together in the large lounge, as usual during the patients’ rest period, and no one could deny that there was a certain feeling of excitement at the thought of meeting the man who had once been such a favourite but had left under something of a cloud. Who would have thought he’d come back in such style? What sort of director would he be? Very different from Dr Lorne, was all anyone could be sure of, though no doubt he would be pulling out all the stops to charm folk as he’d done before. Which was not to say he would succeed.

  It was kindly Dr Morgan who presented him to his staff that afternoon, the one, everybody thought, would only be a foil for the charismatic Dr Revie, but that was where they were wrong. For where was the famous charm that had been expected from the new director? Where was the smile, the ease of manner, the far-reaching rays of the brilliant blue eyes?

  Well, the eyes were still there, obviously, and their blueness was just as vivid, but there was only the briefest of smiles. As for the ease of manner, Dr Revie seemed almost subdued. Handsome still, it was as though in the time he’d been away, he’d lost part of himself, which was so unexpected that people didn’t know quite how to react.

  It was only when he’d been talking a few minutes, saying how glad and proud he was to be back at Lorne’s, that the eyes of his audience found a probable reason for the change in him. Unlike Dr Morgan, he was not wearing a white coat over his dark suit, and it was on one of his sleeves that the black armband was finally spotted, and all became clear. Of course, Dr Revie had just lost his father, and from the look of him, had taken it pretty hard. Couldn’t be all bad, then, could he, if he’d cared about his father? Even Isla, nervously watching from a distance, felt a sudden sympathy, although Sheana, standing close to her, was sighing and shaking her head, as though she were unconvinced.

  What was he saying, anyway, in this new serious style of his? Something more, it seemed, about how it was wonderful to be back, and Lorne’s was as splendid as ever, the best thing for him being to find the excellent staff he remembered still in place, which meant that together they could face the future with confidence.

  ‘And yet,’ he said slowly, ‘I think, even at this early stage, it’s important for me to tell you that there may be difficulties ahead. Difficulties we’ve not had to face before, as good bookings have never been a problem for us. Now, after Christmas, I’m afraid they are undoubtedly down.’

  Here Dr Revie gave a rueful shrug.

  ‘It appears there’s been something of a falling off in people’s interest in hydrotherapy, though the reason isn’t clear. But it’s general and certainly Lorne’s isn’t alone in feeling the effects of it. What we have to do is counteract this new trend, which means a number of changes will have to be made. I can’t tell you more at present, but you will be informed of all plans as soon as they are made. In the meantime, remember that I have the welfare of this hydro and all of you who work for it very much at heart. Please feel free to come to me at any time if you need me. I’m here, I’m back, and happy to be so. Thank you all for your attention.’

  As he withdrew to stand near Dr Morgan and Sister Francis, there was a small amount of applause, after which people looked at one another, deciding what to say about what had been a decidedly gloomy opening speech from their director. At least, though, there was tea being served by Mr Paul, though no cake, and as they drank their tea, tongues were loosened and the staff began to question just what Dr Revie had meant by ‘changes’.

  ‘I don’t like changes,’ Sheana stated, as Larry and Barty joined the nurses. ‘I fear the worst, eh? As for that black armband, I’m not impressed. I bet that’s just a ploy for sympathy. What do you think, Isla?’

  ‘I think he could be missing his dad,’ she answered slowly. ‘I believe he was very fond of his parents. But about the changes – I’m like you, Sheana. I’m worried.’

  ‘We’ll just have to wait and see
what happens,’ said Ellie, setting down her cup. ‘Now it’s action stations – Staff’s looming up, wants us to get back to work.’

  ‘At least we have work,’ Kitty Brown declared cheerfully, ‘for now.’

  There was a silence, the sort that can follow an odd and unexpected remark. Sheana was the one to speak first.

  ‘What do you mean, for now, Kitty? Who’s said we might lose our jobs?’

  ‘No one yet,’ Kitty replied, unconcerned at Sheana’s tone. ‘But when a new boss starts talking about changes, you can guess what sort of changes he means.’

  ‘Redundancies?’ asked Larry. ‘Can’t see Revie sacking me. Who’d run the gym?’

  ‘Might close the gym,’ Kitty retorted. ‘If there aren’t enough folk wanting to use it, it’d make sense, eh?’

  ‘Oh, come on!’ cried Ellie. ‘You’re just teasing, Kitty. Doctor Lorne specially asked us to stay on, said we were needed. I don’t think we have any need to worry.’

  ‘That’s right,’ Sheana agreed. ‘Let’s try to be as cheerful as we can and look on the bright side. There might be a load of bookings in the New Year – folk wanting to undo Christmas overeating!’

  Everyone laughed as they made their way to their various duties, Isla among them, though when she was hurrying to keep her appointment with a patient at the pool, she became aware of someone calling her name and, recognizing the voice, stopped and turned with a sinking heart.

  ‘Isla, I’ve been trying to catch you,’ Grant Revie said, with only the slightest of smiles. ‘I just wanted to have a quick word.’

  ‘I can’t stop. I have a patient to see.’

  ‘I won’t keep you. Just wanted to say I’m glad you’re still here at Lorne’s. I thought … well, that you might want a break.’

  ‘Doctor Lorne asked me to stay on, Sheana and Ellie as well. We were all planning to leave.’

  ‘Doctor Lorne?’ Grant appeared disconcerted.

  ‘For the sake of the hydro,’ Isla told him coolly. ‘Seemed to think it couldn’t manage without us.’

  ‘So you didn’t want to work for me?’

  ‘Didn’t fancy the changes. You’re the new broom, aren’t you?’

  ‘I hope to do well; I want Lorne’s to prosper under me. That’s why I’m glad you’re here to help me.’

  He was very serious, very sincere, but Isla, moving away, made no comment. Only when she was some distance away, did she turn and say she was sorry he had lost his father.

  ‘It must be hard for you; I know you were close.’

  ‘Thank you. Yes, we were close and it is hard. Work helps, though. Work always helps.’

  ‘Yes.’ She gave him one last cold look before moving fast down the corridor towards the entrance to the pool. After some moments, he turned away.

  I must tell Mark what I’ve done. That was all Isla could think as she found her patient and began to help him into the water. Why had she not told him before? There would have been no reason for him then to mind too much that she would be working for Grant Revie, because she could have honestly said she would probably see very little of him, now that he was director. And she’d been sure, anyway, that he would avoid her as he had done before. Instead, though, he’d sought her out, had wanted to talk. What was he playing at?

  ‘All right, Mr Drew?’ she asked, reminding herself she should be concentrating on her work. ‘This is just a partial immersion, not a full one; there’s nothing to worry about. And you’ll find it really helps the arthritis, when the water supports you.’

  ‘Oh, I’m not worried,’ he answered cheerfully. ‘Not when you’re looking after me, Nurse Scott!’

  And Isla smiled, putting Mark to the back of her mind, aware of what she had to do.

  Sixty-Seven

  Well, she told him. Eventually. Still hoping that he would not take it as badly as she feared he would. Often, when you were worrying about something, it turned out not to be so terrible; after all, she’d only stayed on to please Dr Lorne, which should count in her favour. Mark liked and admired Dr Lorne; why shouldn’t he want her to do what the doctor asked of her?

  Because, as she knew in her heart, doing what the doctor wanted would mean she would be working again with Grant Revie, and in spite of the break between her and Grant, Mark wasn’t happy about her seeing him in the workplace. He would have wanted Isla to tell him as soon as she’d changed her mind about staying on, which was exactly what she hadn’t done. And now, when she was really faced with telling him, she was anxious.

  They’d been having a meal at the little restaurant Mark knew on the Galashiels road, and were having coffee away from their table alone in a quiet lounge. The noise from the other diners, though filtering through to them, was not troubling, and as they drank their coffee and looked at one another, Isla knew that this was the time.

  And Mark himself gave her her cue.

  ‘Have you thought any more about which hospital you’re going to try for?’ he asked, as he refilled their cups from the pot the waiter had left.

  She drank some coffee. ‘Hospital?’

  ‘Well, you must have been thinking about it, haven’t you?’ Mark’s warm brown eyes were gently questioning. ‘Is it to be Edinburgh Southern?’

  ‘Mark, I’m not actually applying anywhere.’ Isla set down her cup. ‘The thing is – I should have told you before, don’t know why I didn’t – but I’m staying on at Lorne’s.’

  ‘Staying on? I don’t understand. That wasn’t your plan, was it?’

  ‘No.’ Her voice was low. ‘It wasn’t.’

  ‘So, why the change? The last time we discussed this, you were only thinking of getting away from the hydro. There was no way, you said, you could ever work with Grant Revie as director. Suddenly, that’s all changed. He’s director, all right, but you find you can work with him after all? So, what’s going on?’

  ‘You make it all sound so suspicious,’ she protested. ‘It’s just that Doctor Lorne asked me, and Sheana and Ellie as well, not to resign. He said we’d be needed and shouldn’t go. So, we agreed to stay.’

  ‘Doctor Lorne wanted you to stay?’

  ‘Yes, it was all done for Doctor Lorne.’

  ‘That being the case, why haven’t you told me before? Why keep it a secret?’

  Why had she? Isla looked down at her empty coffee cup. ‘I’m not sure, Mark. I suppose I thought that you wouldn’t be happy about me staying on at Lorne’s.’

  ‘With Grant Revie as director? You’re damn right I’m not happy. I persuaded you to stay on at Lorne’s after his shameful behaviour towards you because I knew it was better for you to stick it out, regain your self-respect, which you did. But it’s all different now. I don’t trust him.’

  ‘What do you mean, you don’t trust him?

  ‘I mean, where you’re concerned.’

  ‘Where I’m concerned? Mark, that’s ridiculous!’ Her cheeks flushing, her eyes stormy, Isla was quick to speak what was only the truth – or what was probably the truth. And she would have had no hesitation in believing what she was saying, had Grant not followed her down the corridor as he had on his first day, had he not sought her out when he need not have done. It might have meant nothing, it might have meant something – she just wished he hadn’t done it – but in any case she’d been right to say what she’d said to Mark. It was ridiculous to think that there could ever again be anything between herself and Grant Revie.

  ‘Why ever do you say such a thing?’ she asked, her colour still high. ‘You have nothing to fear from Grant Revie.’

  ‘Think not? I’m not so sure. Look what’s happened – he appeared to have a genuine love for you, but when Magda came in his sights, he tried for her, thinking she could be of help to him. When she rejected him, that made him look a fool and he took himself off. But since then he’s had time to think, time to remember you, Isla, and has maybe learned his lesson.’ Leaning forward, Mark fixed Isla with a troubled gaze. ‘Can’t you see why I don’t want you working with hi
m again? Why I want you to leave the hydro? Just as you said you would?’

  ‘Mark, I can’t leave the hydro. I promised Doctor Lorne I’d stay. I couldn’t go back on my word.’

  ‘You just want to please him?’

  ‘It’s not a question of pleasing. As I say, it’s about keeping my word.’

  ‘And you won’t consider doing what I ask? What you said you’d do, anyway?’

  For some time, she did not speak, her thoughts too confused over her situation. At one time, no question, she’d have done what Mark wanted. It would have been the right thing to do; they were in love, they would have a future together – of course she’d have been ready to do what he would like her to do.

  But now, since her own love had grown, his had seemed to remain static. Never once had he put into words that he loved her. There had been no talk of their future, no ring on her finger, which wasn’t in itself important – only what it signified. For some reason still unknown, Mark did not consider her as a future partner. Why, then, should he ask her to leave the hydro just because Grant Revie had returned there? What right had he to ask her to do that?

  No more right than she had to put her cards on the table and tell him of her feelings for him, to ask him why she wasn’t suitable for him, even to hint at marriage? The fact was that, as a woman in 1926, she had no right to propose to a man, because he was the breadwinner and she wasn’t, which meant she would be asking him to keep her for the rest of her life. Why, even if she’d had a job of her own, she’d be expected to give it up. Such was the situation and there was nothing she could do about it – except now, at least, to tell Mark plainly that she was not prepared to do as he asked.

  ‘Aren’t you going to answer me?’ he asked suddenly. ‘For God’s sake, Isla, what’s in your mind?’

  She raised her eyes to his.

  ‘I’m sorry, Mark, but I can’t do what you ask. And I don’t think you’ve any right to ask me.’

  ‘No right?’ He appeared shocked, his eyes searching her face as though trying to make sense of what she’d said, but then he let go, sank back in his chair and looked away. ‘Well …’ He ran his hand over his face. ‘Maybe that’s true.’