Part 10 (1/2)

Probably he would come again, when there might be a few minutes in which to tell him that she had no intention of even considering his ridiculous suggestion.

What did it matter what Nick thought, anyway?

she asked herself as she penned instructions in the day book.

It was galling to discover much later in the day, that he had been back while she had been down in X-Ray, speaking her mind about some missing films urgently needed on the ward.

What was more, he had stopped to chat to Sue.

”Almost ten minutes,” declared that young lady.

”Anyone would think that he hadn't anything else in the world to do, and when I asked him if he wanted to see you all he said was: ”I think not.

Staff, not for the moment.”” She sighed.

”He's very good-looking and his eyes twinkle.

' 53 ”Pooh!

' exclaimed Alethea, suddenly cross for no reason, and then to cover up her little outburst: ”X-Ray say they haven't a clue where those films are, they say they gave them to Nurse Jenkins, although no one remembers actually doing that.

I'll have a word with her, I think.

' She wrinkled her pretty forehead.

”What a waste of time when there's so much to be done!

' And it wasn't just the lost films, the whole day had been a series of small hold-ups, misunderstandings and delays.

Alethea went off duty finally, glad that it was over.

It wasn't until she was in bed that she remembered that she had meant to go and see the Princ.i.p.al Nursing Officer about leaving.

”Tomorrow,” she told herself, and resolutely shut her eyes, but before she went to sleep she found herself remembering very clearly what good company Mr van Diederijk had been at her home, sitting opposite her at her grandmother's table, tucking into Mrs Bustle's steak and kidney pie with relish.

He grew on one, she decided, and slept.

As so often happened, the next morning went as smoothly as the previous one had gone consistently wrong.

Enough staff for once, all the operation cases of the day before doing exactly as they should, even the missing X-Ray films turning up.

Alethea, her round done and the wheels of morning work turning smoothly, retired to her office to tackle the off-duty book, fill in the requisitions, make diplomatic telephone calls to the laundry, the diet.i.tian and the Social Worker and presently, to enjoy a cup of coffee with Sue.

She was deep in the off-duty when the door opened and without lifting her head she said: ”Sue, I want Mr Brook's leg up a bit.

' and when no one answered she looked up.

”Good morning,” observed Mr van Diederijk.

”Your staff nurse a.s.sures me that you are more or less free for a little while.

I should like to talk to you.

' She put down her pen.

”Now?

' ”Now.

About Penrose.

' He lifted a large hand as she began to protest and went on in a

matter of-fact voice: ”He is the only man you have loved.

' It wasn't a question, just a statement of fact.

Alethea went pink and said ”Yes,” gruffly.

”You weren't having an affair, of course.

' The pink flamed to red and she choked a little.

”Certainly not!

' ”Forgive me, I don't know why I asked that question; it was quite

unnecessary.