‘That’s not the way to do it, no wonder you’re drenched. Don’t pull the brush towards you all the time – here, wait a moment.’ She disappeared and came back with a sheet. ‘Put this under the mackintosh, it’ll absorb some of the water. Scrub away from yourself, and put a piece of jaconet round your waist to protect your apron.’
She was off again as swiftly as she had arrived, so May had no chance to ask what jaconet was, or where it could be found; but the sheet underneath did help. Working as fast as she could May soon had a pile of neatly folded mackintoshes on the floor beside her; she lifted them up and put them proudly on the table; now for the sweeping and dusting.
May set off down the corridor, peering in open doors until she found the kitchen. A short, squat maid in a sacking apron was chopping cabbage with staccato thumps of the knife. She looked May up and down.
‘Cor, you aint ’arf in a mess duck – what you been doing? ’Aving a bath wiv one o’ the patients? You should’ve took your clothes off first!’ She gurgled at her own joke.
‘I’ve not even seen a patient yet, I’ve been scrubbing mackintoshes. Now I’ve got to sweep.’
The woman gurgled again then pointed behind the door. ‘There’s the broom, dusters in the box, tealeaves in the bucket.’
May had opened her mouth to ask what on earth she was supposed to do with the tealeaves when a loud and angry voice rang down the corridor.
‘Who, may I ask, has been in the sluice?’
A voice muttered, ‘Nurse Winton, Sister.’
‘Send Nurse Winton to me, at once.’
Bates’ nose appeared round the door. ‘Sister wants you, Winton,’ she delivered her message to the floor.
The maid grimaced in commiseration and shook her head.
‘You young ones, allus in trouble. You better look sharpish, she’s a tartar when she’s roused.’
With a sinking heart May followed Bates into the ward. She stood to attention in front of Sister’s table. There was a long pause while Sister Simeon’s eyes raked May from head to foot. She obviously did not like what she saw. She drew breath.
‘Nurse, just look at the state of yourself. Your shoes are filthy, your apron is sodden – whatever possessed you to do a job like that without taking your cuffs off! Your cap is crooked and,’ her voice rose, ‘your hair is coming down. Never have I seen such an appalling spectacle; you only started this morning and already you look a disgrace to the profession! I am ashamed to have you on my ward, ashamed, Nurse!’
Sister Simeon did not look ashamed, she looked blazing with anger.
‘But, that is not the worst, there is the damage to valuable hospital property!’
May stared at her in astonishment, surely not, the scrubbing brush had already been rather battered.
‘You folded the wet mackintoshes, how utterly careless of you, Nurse. Have you any idea of following instructions?’
May felt her jaw begin to drop. Sister looked at her sharply, then glanced at Bates. A degree of comprehension began to dawn on May.
‘Nurse Bates did give you full instructions, did she not. Nurse Winton?’ Sister’s tone was ominous. Out of the corner of her eye May saw Bates give a convulsive gulp; the girl’s hands were tightly clenched and the knuckles as white as her face. May knew fear when she saw it. From far back there flashed through her mind a memory of Archie hacking her viciously on the shin under the table when she had told Nanny: ‘Please, Nanny, it was Archie who threw the milk over the cat, not me.’ – ‘Tell-tale, May, little tell-tale tit. Gentlemen don’t snitch.’ Soundly bruised, May had tried to be a gentleman ever since. She took a deep breath and spoke firmly.
‘I’m afraid I misunderstood Nurse Bates’ instructions, Sister. The fault was mine; I sincerely apologise.’
Sister was still very angry. ‘It is your job to do exactly as you are told, Nurse, not to think for yourself. Go back at once to deal with those mackintoshes, then go over to the Home and change yourself completely. Since that will take you at least fifteen minutes you must come back from your off-duty this afternoon a quarter of an hour early. Do you understand?’
‘Yes, Sister. I’m sorry, Sister.’
‘Nurse Bates, take Nurse Winton back to the sluice and instruct her in words of one syllable, please.’ She picked up her pen.
May followed Bates out, feeling very subdued. Fortunately Bates was equally subdued; she showed May how to dry off the mackintoshes with a clean cloth and hang them over a clothes horse. As she went out of the door she muttered, ‘When you come back, go and report to Sister. Always do that when you’ve been off the ward.’
‘Thanks, I’ll remember.’
Bates vanished. May finished her task as quickly as possible, then rushed out and back to the Nurses’ Home. She lost her way once, but managed to re-orientate herself from the small chapel. In her room she found a note on her chest of drawers: ‘Beds must always be left fully stripped. Home Sister.’ May sighed, changed as quickly as possible, skewered her hair with all her remaining hairpins and then set off again for Simeon Ward.
Chapter Ten
Mindful of Bates’ warning May presented herself to Sister, who was rustling down from the far end of the ward. She was subjected to a tight-lipped scrutiny, but thankfully Sister merely informed her that she was well behind with her work and she must sweep and dust the ward at once, then report to Staff Nurse. May rushed back clutching broom, box of dusters, shovel and bucket of tealeaves in an unwieldy bundle. Earlier, May’s imagination had dwelt excitedly on the moment of her first entry on to a hospital ward as a fully-fledged nurse; it would be a dramatic and significant occasion. Instead she felt hot, flustered and awkward. Everything had been such a rush and her dress was tight and her starched collar bit into her neck as she bent down and dumped her tools on to the floor. She picked up her bucket, tipped it and threw a sweeping arc of tea leaves in front of her and began to savage them with the broom. Almost at once a hoarse voice called from her right.
‘Nurse, Nurse.’
At first this made no impression on May at all; then suddenly she realised that the prone figure in the second bed was beckoning to her. Her heart sank; what could he want that she would possibly be able to do for him? She looked round, but all the other nurses were out of sight behind screens further up the ward. May was sorely tempted to rush up and tug at someone’s skirts and beg them to come in her place, but the old man’s gestures were becoming more frantic, and visions of delirium raced through her mind – he might fall out of bed while she was away. Squaring her shoulders she put down the broom and marched over to him.
‘Yes? What can I do for you?’
To her relief it was obvious from the expression in the patient’s eyes that he was alert and fully conscious; indeed, he appeared to be trying not to laugh.
‘New, are yer, gal?’
May hesitated, then admitted, ‘Yes, it is my first day. Can I help you?’
‘No, lass, I can help you. Yer doin’ it wrong.’
May bridled. ‘Doing what wrong?’
‘Everythin’, so far. Ain’t that right, ’Arold?’
May turned to the next bed. A blue-chinned individual with a squashed nose gave a faint nod as he lay propped up on his pillows. He panted, ‘’Sright. You tell ’er, Dad. She’s only young.
‘I’m twenty-two!’ May said indignantly.
‘That’s wrong, too,’ the old man was chortling. ‘You didn’t oughter tell us personal things like that – Sister’d ’ave yer guts fer garters.’
‘She already has done,’ May rejoined gloomily.
‘Right then, you listen to us. Yer gotter dust first, before yer sweeps.’
‘Why?’
‘Cor blimey, yer worse than a new recruit. ’Cos they always does it that way, that’s why. Dust first, everywhere yer can find ter dust, dust it, fast. ’Ere, ’and me that glass, duck, Staffs looking this way. Now, put yer tools neat-like next the fire, don’t leave ’em about like that – ’cos someone’ll tr
ip over ’em, that’s why,’ forestalling May’s interjection. ‘Yer’ll ’ave ter move now, she’s lookin’ again. When yer done what I told yer come back and ’and me me glass again and I’ll tell yer what to do next. Right, ’Arold?’
‘Right, Dad.’
With a hurried word of thanks May stacked her utensils near the hearth, picked up her duster and began to rub everything she could see with it. Halfway up the ward at hollow-cheeked grey-faced man pushed himself up off the pillow and called her over.
‘Aspidistra,’ he gasped, then fell back exhausted. May looked wildly round, then rushed back to the centre table and passed her duster over the glossy leaves. Then she was off again on her headlong charge.
‘You are nearly running, Nurse Winton,’ came the carrying tones of Sister stationed at the far bed. ‘Nurses do not run other than in the case of fire or haemorrhage.’
‘No, Sister, thank you, Sister,’ a flustered May tossed the apology over her shoulder. Down the far side, back to the entrance, dusting frantically as she went, May felt the beginnings of a stitch, and was aware of her corset digging uncomfortably into her ribs. She trotted over to the old man; on her circuit she had noted the charts over the beds, and now with a quick flick upwards she read his name.
‘Good morning Mr Tomkins. Would you like a drink of water?’
He grinned his approval as he took the glass. ‘Thank yer, Nurse,’ loudly, then, dropping to a conspiratorial tone, ‘Now, get yer broom and put the end with the bristles on the floor.’ Harold gave a sycophantic chuckle from the next bed, and May glared at Mr Tomkins. ‘I have seen a broom used before!’
‘I wouldn’t ever’ve believed it. Throw an ’andful o’ tea leaves on the floor, they lays the dust, see, then push the broom forrards – away from you, what yer was doing before put dirt all over yer shoes and stockings. Up this side, down the other, and keep level. If yer doing it wrong ’Arold an’ me’ll shake our ’eads. Orlright?’
‘All right,’ May echoed. She flashed a smile of thanks at him and then was off for her broom. Apart from banging into a trolley and earning a glance of reproof from Staff Nurse she got round the ward without mishap. Scrambling her implements together she returned them to the kitchen.
‘Give ’em ’ere, Nurse. I’ll empty yer shovel for you, just this once.’
‘Thank you, I’m afraid I don’t know your name – I’m Nurse Winton.’
The maid looked surprised, but pleased. She wiped her hand on her apron and held it out to May.
‘Pleased ter meet yer, I’m sure. Me name’s Roberts. Missus Roberts, but you can call me Maudie, like the others.’
They shook hands and then May pounded back to the ward and thankfully noticed Staff Nurse at the centre table.
She put her hands behind her back and reported: ‘I’ve dusted and swept, Staff.’
Staff Nurse’s practised gaze scoured the ward. ‘Fluff, third bed from the end, Nurse Winton, and the fourth locker on the right is crooked.’ May panted off to rectify the faults. ‘Well, it’ll have to do, since it’s your first day, but tomorrow Sister will run her finger over every ledge; it must be perfect. The bedpans are waiting for you in the sluice; wash them, and then bottles, test glasses and spitting mugs.’ May swallowed, but as Staff moved away she hastily asked, ‘Please, Nurse, would you show me the right way to do them?’
Staff Nurse gave an exasperated sigh, then, obviously having heard of the mackintosh episode said, ‘Well, you are new. I’ll send Pro Three to help you.’
May’s spirits lifted when Pro Three turned out to be the helpful, dark-haired girl. She whisked down the ward with a smile, and the words, ‘I’m Sellers, by the way,’ as they went into the sluice. ‘Bates didn’t tell you what to do this morning, did she?’
May shook her head.
Sellers continued, ‘Sister scares her stiff, and she takes it out on everyone else, if she gets the chance. She can’t help it.’
‘Well, I did upset her at breakfast, and my step-mother has often told me how tactless I am.’
Sellers grinned at May. ‘Oh, so that was you, was it? You’re certainly making an impression on your first day. Now for goodness’ sake listen carefully and do just as I tell you – I haven’t got long.’
Sellers reeled off her instructions; May listened intently.
‘Lysol, this bottle here, put about that much,’ finger held against the bottle, ‘in the sink. Use this tow, and watch for the handles, they’re hollow and you must get them absolutely clean inside, Staff will have a squint down them when you’ve finished. Bottles, urinals, that is, some of them get a bit smelly, put a piece of bicarb in and pour really hot water down their necks.
It was obvious from the smell what these funnel-mouthed objects were used for, but May was puzzled. ‘Why don’t they just use bedpans, Nurse Sellers?’
‘They do on a women’s ward, but the men use bottles, it’s really much easier.’
May still didn’t understand. ‘But however do they use them – isn’t it rather awkward? And why only men?’
Sellers turned and stared at May. ‘Have you no baby brothers, Winton?’
May shook her head.
‘Oh dear,’ Sellers hesitated, then her face cleared. ‘You must have noticed male horses, what they do – well, men are the same. Only smaller, of course,’ she added hastily.
May looked at Sellers in amazement. ‘How very odd!’
Sellers was obviously trying not to smile. She said kindly, ‘You’ll see odder things than that in hospital. Now, these are spitting cups, you do know how they’re used?’
‘Yes, Nurse.’ May peered inside. ‘Ugh, how revolting!’
‘Yes, I prefer bedpans myself, but actually you can learn a lot about a patient’s condition from these, Winton. But just wash them out now, and put turps in the bottom when you’ve finished. Here it is. Test glasses, for urine, you know – don’t touch them until you’re sure they’re finished with. If they’re stained you can use some nitric acid, but only a few drops, mind, and be careful, it can give you a nasty burn. I must go now – if you’re really in difficulties come and find me or Bates, but don’t go near the ward while the honoraries are there, whatever you do though they mostly come round in the afternoon.’
Sellers was gone before May could ask who or what the honoraries were – they sounded like a variety of geranium, but presumably were something more important.
May marched resolutely over to the sink, turned on the hot tap and reached gingerly for the first bedpan. Suddenly Sellers was back; she opened a cupboard and handed May a piece of waterproof sheeting. ‘Jaconet, pin that round you, otherwise you’ll have no aprons left by the end of the week.’
‘Thank you, Nurse.’
May picked up the lysol bottle and poured the recommended quantity into the sink.
Once she had overcome the initial feelings of nausea May found a certain satisfaction in attacking the bedpans; at least you knew where you were with bedpans, there was no pretence about them: and she had remembered to fill the urinals first so they could soak in their bicarb. She paused for a moment and stared at them in wonderment. Well, she had learnt something today, at least!
At ten o’clock Staff Nurse appeared at the sluice door. ‘Haven’t you finished yet, Winton? Really, you’ll have to learn to work faster. Report to Sister at once.’
May’s heart jumped. ‘Why, what have I done wrong now?’
‘Everything, very likely,’ Staff Nurse replied, then relenting, ‘She will send you off duty for half an hour to dust and sweep your own room and make your bed; and if you move quickly you’ll have time to snatch a glass of milk in the dining room before you come back.’
May sped along the corridor to Sister’s table and found Pro Two already there, being dismissed as well. She raced off and May panted after her, determined to find out the whereabouts of the brooms and dusters in the Nurses’ Home. Having asked this May continued, ‘Wouldn’t it be easier for the maids to do our rooms?’
> Pro Two, who had a rather unpleasant flat-vowelled accent replied tersely, ‘We’re cheaper. Do get a move on, Winton, otherwise I’m not waiting for you.’
It struck May that after years of being told to walk in a more decorous and ladylike manner she was now being constantly scolded for her slowness! She quickened into a trot, only to be told, ‘Don’t run, we aren’t allowed to run except in cases of fire and haemorrhage – you’ll get into trouble with Sister.’
‘Which Sister?’
‘Every Sister,’ was the repressive reply, and May lapsed into silence and concentrated on copying Pro Two’s scuttle – ungainly, but definitely fast.
Pro Two, though not particularly friendly, did give May the help she needed, and twenty minutes later chivvied her down to the dining room where large pitchers of milk stood waiting and, to May’s delight, piled slices of bread and basins of dripping. She spread a slice and then noticed one of the new probationers watching her.
‘Hello, I’m May Winton. You started yesterday as well, didn’t you?’
The girl nodded; she was tall and bony, but with striking features. Her voice was clear, ‘Ada Farrar.’ She shot out her hand.
May, perilously balancing glass and plate in her left hand shook it firmly. ‘How are you getting on?’ she asked.
Ada Farrar emitted a sound somewhere between a laugh and a snarl. ‘Do you know, some little pipsqueak of a doctor, barely wet behind the ears, came into the ward this morning and we had to practically get down on our knees and salaam to him! Fancy, the Sister must be well into her fifties, she must know a thousand times more than he does, and yet she kowtows to him – just because he’s a man!’ She put down her glass with a bang and added, unnecessarily, May thought, ‘I’m a suffragist, myself. Well, I suppose I’d better get back, I don’t want another shouting match,’ and flashing a smile surprising in its charm and vivacity she was off. May, cheered by the encounter, followed suit.
The rest of the morning passed in a whirl. May cleaned all the baths and basins and polished the taps, then she polished the taps again, since Staff Nurse said they were smeary. After this a great pile of soiled linen had to be sorted out, and the worst stained drawsheets rinsed out, since the laundry maids were apparently more fastidious than the nurses. As soon as the linen was neatly folded in its baskets, it all had to be taken out again while she searched for a patient’s personal shirt that she had put in by mistake. By this stage May felt that she was spending as long undoing her tasks as she was doing them, and it was clear from Staff Nurse’s terse comments that she shared this view.
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