Island Hospital (20 page)

She caught sight of the clock and fled from her daydreams. Alan was already at the wheel of the
Sea Witch.
He smiled a little as he saw her face. Sheila hadn’t had time to wipe that half-tender expression from the curve of her lips nor the softness from her eyes.

“What kept you?” he asked in amusement.

Sheila grew very pink. “I forgot to watch the time.”

Alan advanced the throttle and the
Sea Witch
pulled away from the landing in a growing curve of speed. The tide was high and only the biggest reefs had their heads above water. The ever-present cormorants turned their heads in idle curiosity, but couldn’t be bothered to flop into the water before commencing their usual clumsy flight; they stayed where they were. The sun touched the iridescent green of their neck feathers until it was difficult to believe they had ever seemed to be a shabby black. Sheila curled herself up on the corner seat near the wheel and watched the ever-changing scene unfolding in front of her eyes.

“This is it. If you’ll hang on, I won’t bother tying up. I shouldn’t be long. I’ll send one of the kiddies down for you if I need any help.” He shut off the engine, picked up his case, and stepped ashore.

Sheila couldn’t help contrasting this with a domiciliary visit at home ... the G.P., or consultant surgeon, in his best suit, stepping out of his car and being ushered into the house with all due ceremony. No doubt in Canadian cities it was very much as it was in England, but here in the backwoods there was a simplicity about it that appealed to her. There were many lingering touches of the old family doctor who was friend and counsellor, as well as doctor, to the community. She felt that to Alan his patients would never be just another file of notes, but people that he was interested in and cared about. Their wrongs were his wrongs, and if any efforts of his could put them right, such help would be at their service.

Alan was quicker than she expected, and two of the youngsters came tagging along at his heels.

He grinned at Sheila. “I’ve promised them a run around the
Sea Witch.
Hop in, kids, and no messing about, mind you.” He grabbed hold of the bows and slowly turned the
Sea Witch
until she was facing out to sea. Then he jumped aboard.

The boys’ eyes widened as the engine started up and they cocked their ears expectantly as the engine note deepened into a powerful purring sound. Alan slipped into gear; the
Sea Witch
leapt forward like an arrow from a bow, and the waves of wash unrolled like a ribbon astern.

Sheila got up from her seat and beckoned to the two lads.

“You can see better from here.”

With shy grins they accepted her offer and crouched on their knees so that they could see, noses pressed against the windscreen.

Alan put the boat through her paces, slowing down to an idle whisper and then speeding up until the very mountains echoed with the roar of her passing. He threw an understanding glance at Sheila, and then turned reluctantly back toward the landing.

“That’s it, kids. Hop ashore now and tell your Mum I’ll be back tomorrow.”

He was silent for a time as they started out on their return journey, and Sheila was content that it was so. The
Sea Witch
ran quietly through the still water, and only the distant lapping of waves on the shore told of her passing.

Alan stirred at last and headed the boat out toward the open sea and switched off the engine. Sheila looked at him in wondering surprise.

He turned toward her and his arms went around her with such assurance that Sheila felt no doubts about the rightness of it, and when his lips met hers with a gentleness that didn’t seem to go with a man of his stature, she gave herself up to the rising surge of happiness. Whatever miracle had changed Alan from a woman-hater into this gentle lover seemed of no further importance. Alan’s arms tightened and his lips grew more demanding. Sheila felt herself slipping away on a tide of such emotion that her heart seemed too small to contain it. She stirred and tried to get her breath.

Alan’s arm relaxed. “Am I squashing you? Poor little Sheila!” He bent and kissed her gently, just once.

Sheila lay against his arm, limp with sheer wonderment. So this was love ... this maddening wondrous feeling that sang through one’s blood and made the moon and the stars reel from their places in a darkening sky.

“Alan
...
” but there were no words and it didn’t seem to matter. For long minutes she rested there, utterly content.

Alan’s eyes watched the play of feeling on her face, and they too were content. “Sheila dearest, come and sit down. There’s so much to tell you.”

She looked at him in dawning surprise. He smiled happily.

“It’s good news. How’s that? Put your head on my shoulder.” He sighed. “The number of times I’ve wanted to do just that. Now to begin at the beginning. Some things you may already know. Doctor Graham’s death has made all the difference in the world. First, this job’s mine for as long as I want it. Second, the old boy has left all his money to the hospital, and I don’t mind telling you, there’s rather a lot of it. Enough for all extra expenditures, my pet project, and anything else I can dream up. Isn’t it wonderful? We can do most of the things we want.” He felt her movement of surprise and chuckled softly. “Yes, most of the things
we
want. You didn’t think I was going to leave you outside the scheme of things, now did you? Let me finish. There’s also a house across from the landing that belongs to the hospital. It was used for the doctor and his famil
y...
”

He paused tantalizingly. Sheila could hear her heart pounding in her ears and found herself holding her breath as she waited for him to continue.

He looked down at the fair head resting so trustingly against his shoulder and his arm tightened. “It could be for us ... that is, if you’ll have me.”

The very humbleness of his request touched Sheila as nothing else would have done. “Oh, Alan
...
” was all she could murmur.

But it seemed to content him, and their lips met in a lingering kiss to seal their pact.

Alan stirred at last. “Come on, Sheila, this will never do. Duty calls, and with George not back, that means me.”

Sheila curled up in her corner seat and watched Alan with happy eyes as he started up the
Sea Witch.
To think that so short a space of time could contain such happiness
...
happiness far beyond her wildest dreams. The boat swerved back on its proper course and the phosphorescent wake curved behind them like a glittering carpet borrowed from the stars. Alan stood beside her at the wheel, his shoulder touching hers. He peered into the twilight shadows as they neared the reefs and rounded the point.

A sudden blaze of lights struck them like a blow. Every light in the hospital seemed to be on.

Alan switched off the engine and moored the boat. “Come on, Sheila, I don’t like the look of this. Something must have happened.”

His arm went across her shoulders as he guided her toward the path.

Sheila pulled herself out of her dreamy content. When she and Alan were married—
a
nd a thrill ran through her at the thought—there would be emergency calls like this.

Matron met them at the door and her worried expression softened into a smile as she saw their faces. “I needn’t ask if I may congratulate you, Doctor! My blessings on you both.” She sighed and her face looked old. “It must be catching. I’ve just found a note from Clare. She and Max have gone off to be married.”

Sheila felt Alan stir and her hand went out to him.

Alan’s eyes searched Matron’s. “You sure they’re getting married?”

Matron nodded. “George and Judy will be at the wedding. They arranged it all before they left.” She straightened her shoulders. “I suppose I’d better see about getting someone else.”

Alan turned, and his eyes were so full of love that Sheila went into his arms with a happy little sigh. He kissed her. “Come on, darling, there’s just one more thing to tell you, and then my slate’s clean. Clare was landed on me when she was a kid of 16 ... no parents, and her brother, who was in my year at medical school, died tragically just when he’d got his
finals
...
There wasn’t much money, so
I
chipped in when necessary. It left me a bit short, but that didn’t matter
then
.”
His arms tightened and his lips brushed her hair. “No doubt I spoiled the kid. She had the usual school girl crush on me that I ignored when I could. Perhaps her brother hoped we might make a go of it, but it would never have worked. Now she’s settled happily, I hope, and
now
...
” He looked down at Sheila and his expression left no doubt of his feelings. “Any questions?”

She laughed softly. “But didn’t you kiss Clare?” her voice teased him.

Alan chuckled. “Only on birthdays and feast days! Why, sweetheart?” A shadow crossed his face. “No, don’t tell me. So that’s why you’ve kept me at arm’s length
...
”

A question stirred in Sheila’s eyes. “But, Alan, you said
...”
and there was gentle laughter in her voice.

Alan swept her into his arms. “Just remember, darling, a man can say some daft things that don’t bear thinking about. Can you forgive me once and for always?”

Sheila lifted her face to his. “For always, Alan.”

Their lips met and they both knew the answer for all time. The blood and ways of the old world would merge with those of the new, and their children would inherit the glories of them both.