Doctor Knows Best (15 page)

“I'm so glad to hear it,” said Giles gruffly. “Young people always have a capacity for…”

“Oh, for goodness' sake don't keep on about that,” snapped Megan, her patience evaporating completely. “Perhaps you should change from Casualty to Geriatrics!” It was terribly rude of her, she knew, but her blood just boiled when he kept referring to her as young!

There was a long silence on the other end of the line and for a moment Megan wondered whether he had put the phone down, but then he said, “I suppose I asked for that.”

“You most certainly did,” replied Megan, then she deliberately changed the subject. “How is Joanna?”

“Fine, fretting for Richard to come down and join us, but otherwise fine.”

“Has,” Megan hesitated, then she took the plunge, “has your friend arrived from America yet?”

“My sister-in-law,” corrected Giles. “Please don't forget that.”

“Sorry,” said Megan, “that's what I meant. Anyway, has she arrived?”

“Tomorrow,” said Giles briefly. Then there was a silence.

Megan felt the tension between them even though they were so far apart, “I…er,” she faltered awkwardly, “thank you for calling, I'd better go now as we are half-way through supper.”

“Late supper,” observed Giles, obviously expecting her to elaborate.

“Yes,” said Megan, knowing he would jump to all the wrong conclusions but unable to say anything, particularly as Johnny was listening to every word. “Goodnight then, and thanks again for calling.”

“Goodnight,” replied Giles. His voice sounded distant and unfriendly and Megan had the distinct impression that he was regretting having phoned. The line clicked; he had put down the receiver.

Damn, damn, damn! Why had he phoned when Johnny was there? And to make matters even worse Johnny had answered for her.

“Thought you said it was just hospital gossip,” he said casually, cutting himself a piece of cheese, as he watched Megan's face intently.

“Shut up,” said Megan ungraciously, then she sighed. “Sorry, Johnny, I didn't mean to be rude.”

“Perhaps I should do some groundwork for you in that direction,” suggested Johnny.

“I would prefer you to mind your own business,” answered Megan emphatically, “and leave some of the cheese for me!”

Chapter Nine

The days up to the New Year passed quickly. Luckily for Megan, Casualty was frantically busy again, so she had little time to think of Giles Elliott, or of his mysterious sister-in-law, Fiona. Although when she was off duty her thoughts invariably returned to him—she couldn't help it. She wondered what decision had been reached regarding Joanna, but most of all she wondered about Fiona.

On New Year's Eve, just before midnight, Richard rang her from London. Megan was in the casualty department as she had volunteered to work the night.

So many of the younger nurses had wanted to go to parties, and Megan hadn't any inclination for that. Anyway, she felt that in her present state of mind she would be much better working; that way at least she could push unbidden thoughts of Giles Elliott into the background of her mind.

“Happy New Year, Sis,” shouted Richard.

“Happy New Year,” echoed Joanna. Megan pictured them in her mind's eye, standing happily, arms twined around each other by the telephone in the elegant London house that belonged to Giles.

“Happy New Year,” she said, trying to sound lighthearted.

“Are you busy?” asked Richard.

“Reasonably so,” answered Megan. “We've had our share of road accidents, and no doubt we'll have some more when all the parties finish.”

“Poor Megan,” said Joanna, “having to work when everyone else is having a good time.”

“Oh, I don't mind,” said Megan. “When you work in a hospital you get used to it. When Richard qualifies, he will have to work at holiday times too, you know.”

“Daddy isn't, thank goodness,” said Joanna, but then she added, “but this is the first time he has had Christmas
and
New Year off for as long as I can remember.”

“There you are then,” said Megan. “So you see, I'm no exception.” She paused a moment, then added casually, “How is your father?”

“Oh, all right I suppose,” said Joanna. “He's been closeted in with Aunt Fiona most of the time since she arrived. Actually,” she added in a confidential tone, “he hasn't been in a very good mood lately, in fact not since we came back from Devon.”

Richard interrupted. “We can't stay on the phone for too long as Joanna's father will be footing the bill. Happy New Year again, Sis, and I'll see you soon.”

“Take care,” said Megan. “Give my regards to Giles, won't you and wish him a happy New Year for me.”

“I thought perhaps you'd ring him yourself,” said Richard.

“No, no, we are far too busy here,” said Megan quickly. Much
too
quickly she knew. “You wish him a happy New Year for me. Goodbye to you both.”

“Goodbye,” came their two happy voices over the phone. Megan suddenly felt very miserable and alone indeed. She had successfully kept thoughts of Giles at bay for several days, but now with Richard's call the memories of him came back with painful clarity. Desperately she wished she could have been there with him, Joanna and Richard, and that wretched woman Fiona could have stayed on the other side of the Atlantic.

The long night dragged on interminably through to morning, and by the time she had finished her stint of duty she felt drained of everything except a deep feeling of unhappiness.

“Happy New Year,” said Thelma brightly as she came on duty.

“What's happy about it?” asked Megan wearily. She certainly didn't feel happy and she didn't think Thelma had anything to feel particularly happy about.

“Sister,” remonstrated Thelma good-naturedly, “I always think the next year must be better than the last—it's what keeps me going.”

Megan smiled wanly. Trust Thelma to have a good, sensible philosophy she thought, feeling ashamed of herself. “You're right,” she said. “I must think like that too. Think positive, as they say!”

“You'd be surprised at the difference it makes,” said Thelma as she took off her cloak and hung it up. “I live my life in a permanent state of anticipation!” She laughed. “I'm usually disappointed, but never mind.”

Megan felt even more ashamed. How stupid she had been, allowing herself to wallow in self-pity all night. She attempted to put on a brighter face. “Don't take any notice of me,” she said. “I'm just tired, that's all. I'm not used to doing the night shift.”

“What has happened to Sister Moore?” asked Thelma.

“She had last night off,” said Megan. “I had all of Christmas, so she deserves the New Year.” She paused at the door. “Happy New Year, Thelma, I hope that this year really does turn out to be a better one for you.”

“So do I,” answered Thelma with feeling.

Megan made her way back to her room thinking about Thelma's philosophy. There was no doubt about it, that was the way to look at life. I must try to do that, she thought as she climbed into bed and immediately fell soundly asleep, the sleep of exhaustion.

In the days following New Year Megan determinedly put Giles Elliott out of her mind, adopting the philosophy that the future would have to take care of itself. When Susan came back from her leave Megan cautiously sounded her out about Johnny Cox, as she had promised Johnny she would. To her surprise Susan was as enamoured of Johnny as he was of her, and equally unsure of his feelings. Susan, too, was afraid to show her true feelings in case she was rebuffed. Megan said nothing to Susan about Johnny; he's got to tell her himself, she thought, so she cornered him next time she saw him in the canteen.

“Have you seen Susan?” were his first words.

Megan smiled. “Yes, I've seen Susan,” she answered, “and my advice to you is ask her out and tell her how you feel.”

Johnny grinned from ear to ear. “You mean I've got a chance?” he asked incredulously.

“A very good one,” said Megan briskly, “and from now on
you've
got to do all the work!”

Johnny reached across the table and squeezed Megan's hand. “Thanks, you're a real pal,” he said. “I'll do the same for you one day.” He bolted down the rest of his lunch. “I think I'll dash up to the orthopaedic ward before my theatre list this afternoon. Never know, I might just be able to have a quick word with her.”

“Don't get her into trouble with Sister,” warned Megan. “If Sister Warner is on today be careful, she has no sense of humour at all.”

Johnny waved a hand airily as he got up from the table. “Don't worry, I'll use my irresistible charm on her!” All his old self-confidence had come bubbling back and he was on top of the world again.

Megan watched his retreating figure wistfully. Lucky Johnny and Susan. Why can't I have a love life, she thought mournfully. Why does Giles Elliott have to be free and yet somehow not free? Something or someone is there, I know, and I don't know what. Why couldn't I have met him before he was married—although he wouldn't have looked at me then, she reflected wryly, I would have been much too young and he wouldn't have had Joanna so Richard wouldn't have met her. If Richard hadn't met Joanna then Giles wouldn't have spent Christmas with them in Devon. She smiled ruefully. It was like a never-ending circle, full of ifs and buts! The only thing she bitterly regretted was that she had allowed herself to fall hopelessly in love with him, and that he obviously didn't love her. He was attracted, yes, but in love, no, she thought cynically. She gave herself a brisk mental shake; forget him, she instructed her wayward thoughts. If you can, came the nagging little voice which always popped up unbidden when she least wanted it to.

When she returned to Casualty after lunch there was a message scrawled for her on the notice board.
Sister Jones—please phone Mr. Elliott
and it gave his London telephone number. Even the sight of his name scribbled on the noticeboard caused Megan's heart to lurch in an unruly manner. It was with trembling fingers that she dialled the number in her office. This is ridiculous, she told herself, no man is worth getting into such a state for.

Giles answered the telephone himself, almost as if he had been waiting for her to ring.

“Hello,” said Megan, keeping her voice cool and efficient. “You left a message for me to ring.”

“Yes, I did,” said Giles in that soft voice which caused her heart to beat even faster. “How are you?”

“Fine,” said Megan, wondering if that was the only reason he had rung. But why should he do that? He was returning to the casualty department in two days' time.

“I expect you are wondering why I rang,” said Giles, voicing Megan's thoughts.

Megan hesitated. “Well, actually, yes I was,” she confessed. “Is there something I can do for you?”

“Several things,” answered Giles. “The first thing is, are you free on Thursday night?”

“Yes,” said Megan, mystified, “I hadn't planned to do anything.”

“Good,” said Giles. “Then would you please keep it free. I would like you to come out for a meal with Fiona, Joanna and me.”

“You would?” asked Megan in surprise, not feeling particularly happy at the thought of having to sit through a meal with his sister-in-law. “Are you sure Fiona will want to meet me?”

“
I
want her to meet you,” said Giles.

Megan began to feel a little irritated at the peculiar turn of events. “I can't think why—she and I can't possibly have anything in common.”

“It's not for your benefit, or hers,” answered Giles rather taciturnly, “nor mine either, but for Joanna.” He paused, then sighed. “I'm sorry to draw you into what is really my family problem, but Joanna hasn't been easy to deal with. She has refused point blank to go to America and has told her aunt that she wants to finish her schooling in the south of England. I was thinking of sending her to your old school, as a boarder. It is relatively near the hospital, so she could come home at weekends if she wanted to. Joanna has persuaded her aunt that it is a good school and has cited you as a shining example of its products!” He laughed, but to Megan it sounded forced. “There, you should be flattered.”

“I am, of course,” answered Megan slowly, “but I left school a long time ago, although I have kept in touch and I know it hasn't changed that much.”

“Yes, I know that because Richard told me,” said Giles. “The other reason I'm bringing them both down is that Joanna is due to have an X-ray through her plaster, just to check that all is going well. I thought I could kill two birds with one stone.”

“I see,” said Megan. “Well, I don't really have much choice, do I?”

“Yes, of course you do,” answered Giles quickly with a tinge of impatience. “If you don't want to do it, just say no.”

“I don't mind,” said Megan, “as long as you remember that I shall only give my opinion on the school and not whether Joanna should go to America or stay in England.”

“Don't worry, I wouldn't be so unthinking as to put you in that invidious position. I'll see you on Thursday then. Joanna has to attend the fracture clinic in the afternoon to see Mr. Morgan. I'll let you know what time we'll pick you up in the evening.”

“You needn't pick me up,” said Megan quickly. “Just tell me where you are going and I'll get there.”

“Without a car?” asked Giles. “Have you forgotten that Richard still has your car?”

Megan sighed. “For a moment, yes,” she confessed. “I'll have to rely on you, I'm afraid I've no alternative.”

“I'm sorry,” Giles' voice sounded clipped, “I know you prefer your independence. See you on Thursday.”

Long after she had put down the phone Megan sat at her desk, drumming her fingers nervously, staring with unseeing eyes at the tattered Christmas decorations still hanging in her office. She felt a hard lump of apprehension at the thought of the meeting on Thursday. The idea of seeing Giles with Fiona she found almost unbearable, for she was a living link with his dead wife. Her thoughts returned to Giles once more. He had sounded so unfriendly on the telephone that she wondered whether he would have preferred Joanna to have gone to America—then quickly dismissed that as nonsense. If there was one thing she could be certain of it was the fact that he loved his daughter dearly and would do anything to make her happy. She wondered about Fiona again. What would she be like?

When Thursday arrived Megan found she had butterflies in her stomach from the moment she got up. Was it because of meeting Joanna's Aunt Fiona? Or was it because of seeing Giles again? She wasn't sure; perhaps it was a little of both she decided.

She saw Giles and Joanna briefly at the end of the corridor in the early afternoon, obviously on their way to the appointment with Mr. Morgan. They didn't see her and she didn't bother to make her presence known. Time enough for that later, she thought.

Casualty was fairly slack that afternoon so Megan forced herself to take the opportunity to catch up with some paperwork. She had a lecture to give the following week to some pupil nurses and she needed to write up some transparencies to use for illustration on the overhead projector in the seminar room. It was a job she hated doing, but it had to be done and it needed all her concentration. So it was in a slightly irritated tone of voice that she answered the tentative knock on her door.

“Come in,” she said without looking up.

“Hi,” said a voice.

Megan looked up swiftly. It was Joanna, grinning like a Cheshire cat as she hobbled on her walking plaster towards Megan's desk.

Megan stood up and pushed her chair back. “Hello,” she said, “you are looking very fit and well—obviously the leg isn't bothering you at all.”

“No, it is absolutely fine,” said Joanna, kissing Megan on both cheeks. “Mr. Morgan says I can probably have the plaster off a week early.” She sat down in the armchair. “Dad's just coming, he's still talking to Mr. Morgan.”

Megan perched herself on the edge of her desk. “I understand I am to convince your aunt that Earlsfield School is a good school for young ladies like you,” she said.