Nightingales on Call (27 page)

‘She has been sent over from the orphanage in Stepney,’ Dora heard Sister Parry saying. ‘A most unusual case, I believe. She was adopted by a couple from the church last year, but her new mother returned her to the orphanage two weeks ago, saying they couldn’t cope with her any longer. She hasn’t spoken a word or eaten since.’

‘I expect the poor child is in shock,’ Matron said. ‘She doesn’t appear particularly wild, I must say. I wonder why her adoptive parents couldn’t keep her?’

‘I’m sure it’s not for me to ask questions like that, Matron,’ Sister Parry replied primly.

‘Quite.’ Matron paused. ‘When is the doctor coming in to see her?’

‘Mr Hobbs is due in an hour, Matron.’

‘Please keep me informed, Sister. I would be interested to know what he makes of this child.’

They continued with their round. Dora watched them going from bed to bed, Matron tall and stately in her black dress and elaborate white headdress, Sister Parry and Lucy flanking her on either side. Dora tried to tell herself she wasn’t jealous, but the sight of Lucy simpering in the background irritated her. It wasn’t fair. Lucy Lane made it clear she disliked children, and barely tried to disguise her contempt for them. And yet she was the one who was shown off to Matron, while Dora was dismissed to the kitchen like a dirty pro.

She helped the juniors get Emily, the new arrival, into bed later.

‘She’s so pretty, isn’t she?’ Elliott said admiringly as they tucked her in. ‘Like a little china doll.’

She really was like a doll, Dora thought. Emily lay against the pillows, her golden curls arranged around a waxen face. Her blue eyes were devoid of emotion like a doll’s, too.

Like Matron, she wondered what the child had done to drive her adoptive mother to take her back to the orphanage. Lying there, lifeless against the pillows, she didn’t look as if she was capable of any kind of wickedness.

Dora didn’t have much more time to think about the new arrival as it was soon visiting time. The families started to arrive outside the double doors just before two, their faces pressed to the glass, trying to catch a glimpse of their children. Sister Parry positioned herself close by, her eyes on the clock, waiting for precisely two to strike. When it did, she nodded to the pros to open the doors and usher the visitors in, two at a time. They had to file past Sister, who checked over each visitor carefully and then handed out tickets, two per bed. She also confiscated any sweets they’d brought with them.

‘Sweets must be shared among all the children,’ she pronounced, if anyone complained. ‘Either that, or they don’t come in at all.’

Archie’s family arrived and were very vocal, arguing amongst themselves and with Sister Parry until they finally settled on which of his brothers and sisters should be allowed to accompany their mother inside to visit him. The others had to be content with making a nuisance of themselves on the other side of the double doors, pulling faces at Archie through the glass.

By contrast, Ernest’s only visitor was the elderly housekeeper. She turned up in her black coat and hat as usual, a parcel tucked under her arm, and marched unsmiling into his side room.

Her visit certainly didn’t seem to cheer him up. When Dora went in to offer her a cup of tea, she found Ernest asleep while the elderly woman sat in silence at his bedside.

‘Well, this is nice, I must say,’ she grumbled to Dora. ‘And to think I came all the way from Hampstead for this. I might as well have stayed at home.’

‘I’m sure you’re well paid for your trouble,’ Dora replied. Inwardly, she decided that if she had a such a boot-faced visitor, she would probably stay asleep, too.

‘It’s all right, you can wake up now,’ she whispered to Ernest, when visiting time was over and the housekeeper had gone off grumbling to catch her bus. ‘The coast is clear.’

Ernest did a good job of feigning wakefulness, yawning and stretching and looking around him. But Dora wasn’t fooled for an instant.

‘Oh, has Mrs Philpott gone?’ he looked around him.

‘As if you didn’t know!’ Dora put her hands on her hips. ‘It wasn’t very fair of you, you know. The poor old dear came a long way to see you.’

Ernest scowled. ‘You said yourself, she gets well paid for it.’

‘Ah ha! So you were awake!’

His fat cheeks turned deep red.

‘All right, I was pretending,’ he admitted. ‘But I don’t want her to come,’ he went on. ‘All she ever talks about is whether I’m keeping up with my lessons.’

Dora eyed the parcel on his bedside table. It was a long box, fastened with string. ‘At least she’s brought you a present.’

Ernest cast a disinterested glance at the box. ‘My mother sent it from Germany for me.’

‘Aren’t you going to open it?’

He shrugged. ‘I don’t need to. I expect it’s a train. Mother always buys me trains. I’ve told her I don’t really like them, but she never listens.’

‘Can I have a look?’

‘If you like.’

Dora unfastened the string and opened the box. Sure enough, inside was a wooden train, a perfect replica intricately carved and painted. ‘Goodness, what a beauty,’ she said. ‘Don’t you want to play with it?’

Ernest lifted his plump shoulders in a careless shrug. ‘I told you, I don’t particularly care for trains. Besides, it’s no fun playing on your own.’

Dora felt a twinge of pity for him. ‘All the same, it’s a very thoughtful gift,’ she said. ‘And it’s a shame to leave it in its box.’

‘I think you should give it to Archie,’ he said.

Dora stared at him. ‘Why would you want to give away your new toy?’

‘Because he lent me his comic, and I lost it. I asked Mrs Philpott to bring me another one to replace it, but she said Mother wouldn’t approve of comics. So I thought I’d give him this instead. He likes trains, doesn’t he?’ Ernest looked up at her, his eyes anxious. ‘That would be all right, wouldn’t it? I haven’t taken it out of its box, so it wouldn’t have germs or anything?’

‘I’ll ask Sister, but I’m sure it will be all right. But are you certain you want to give away such a beautiful toy? What will your mother say?’

‘She won’t care. She probably won’t even notice,’ Ernest said. ‘Will you give it to him, Nurse? Tell him I’m sorry – about his comic.’

Dora smiled. ‘I’ll be pleased to,’ she said.

Archie was overjoyed with his gift. His hands were shaking as he took it out of its box and stared at it reverently.

‘It’s smashing,’ he whispered, his face shining with delight. ‘Can I really borrow it?’

‘Ernest says you can keep it.’

Archie’s eyes were round when they met hers. ‘Really? He said that?’

Dora nodded. ‘It’s to make up for your lost comic.’

Archie gazed down at the train. ‘This is worth a hundred million comics,’ he sighed.

‘I’m glad you like it.’

Archie was thoughtful for a moment, then he said, ‘Nurse Doily? Would it be all right if I nipped in to see Ernest later – just to thank him for the present? I won’t stay long, honest,’ he promised.

‘Certainly not!’ Dora did her best impression of a scandalised Sister Parry. ‘You know you’re not allowed out of bed. Sister would have a fit if she caught you.’

Archie gave her a cheeky smile. ‘Ah, but she’d have to catch me first, wouldn’t she?’

‘Archie Duggins, if I catch you out of bed I won’t be responsible for my actions!’

‘Anything you say, Nurse Doily.’ He looked innocent. But Dora caught the glint of mischief in his eyes and had a feeling that he would do it anyway.

‘
I MUST SAY, O’HARA,
I am very surprised to see you before me today.’

Matron faced Effie across her desk, solemn-faced. Effie clasped her hands in front of her in an effort to stop them shaking.

‘So am I, Matron,’ she said.

‘But it seems that contrary to Sister Tutor’s predictions, you have somehow managed to pass your Preliminary Training examination.’ Miss Fox consulted the results sheet, eyebrows raised as if she still couldn’t quite believe the words written in front of her. ‘I suppose it just goes to show what miracles can happen if you apply yourself, does it not?’

‘Yes, Matron.’ Effie struggled to contain her excitement. It rose like a bubble inside her, and would have exploded into laughter if she hadn’t kept her mouth clamped so tightly closed.

She had passed! She had been in a daze since she read the results pinned up on the wall of the dining room. The other girls had all crowded round the minute the piece of paper had gone up, but Effie had lagged behind. She was already mentally preparing herself for what she would tell her mammy.

But there it was, in black and white. O’Hara, E. – PASS. Even then she had to ask Prudence to read it out to her, in case she had made a mistake.

‘Are you listening to me, O’Hara?’

She came to, to see Matron watching her closely, brows rising to meet the edge of her starched bonnet.

‘Yes, Matron. Sorry, Matron.’ Effie felt herself turning red.

‘You’re really going to have to learn to stop daydreaming if you’re going to train here for the next three years.’

It took a moment to realise what she had said. ‘You mean I can stay, Matron?’ Effie’s face brightened.

‘I am inclined to grant you the benefit of the doubt, given your family connection with the Nightingale,’ Miss Fox replied. ‘Your sisters are excellent nurses, and I hope they will be a good influence on you.’

‘Yes, Matron,’ Effie promised, although her mind was already elsewhere.

She couldn’t wait to tell Hugo. Poor boy, the last couple of weeks had been so boring for him. She’d only been able to see him a couple of times because she was studying so much, and even then she’d wept on his shoulder because she was convinced she was going to fail.

‘Oh, do buck up, Euphemia,’ he’d told her briskly. ‘You’re absolutely no fun when you’re in this mood.’

At least now she could tell him she was staying. He would be so pleased. And she wouldn’t have to do any more wretched exams for ages, so she could afford to relax and have a good time.

‘You needn’t think this is the end of the matter.’ Effie looked up sharply. Katie had often told her that Matron had a gift for mind reading, and she seemed to be showing it now. ‘You will be spending the next three years on the wards, under the supervision of the sisters, and you will need to pay careful attention to everything you are told and follow their orders precisely. There will be patients’ lives at stake, and any small mistake could have dire consequences. Do you understand, O’Hara?’

‘Yes, Matron,’ Effie replied, although she was already looking out of the window, her mind wandering to how she could celebrate.

Matron sighed. ‘Very well,’ she said. ‘You may go. I daresay you and your friends will want to congratulate each other.’

Prudence was standing in the passageway, waiting for her turn to go in and see Matron.

‘What did she say?’

‘I’m staying on,’ Effie replied, still dazed.

‘Oh, well done!’ Prudence’s plain face broke into a smile. ‘I hope she lets me stay, too.’

‘Oh, she will,’ Effie reassured her. ‘If she’ll let me stay, she’ll let anyone!’ Then, realising what she’d said, she added, ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—’

Prudence laughed. ‘I’m glad you’re staying, O’Hara. The place would be so boring without you!’

After she’d finished talking to Prudence, Effie hurried back across to the nurses’ home to find Jess.

She didn’t have to look far. Jess was in the hall, polishing the linoleum. She must have been waiting for her, because she looked up sharply the minute Effie walked in.

‘Well?’ she whispered.

Effie forced her features into a sombre look, and saw Jess’ shoulders slump.

‘Oh, well, at least you know you did your best,’ she said. ‘Perhaps you’re just not cut out for nursing . . .’

‘I’ve got three years to find out, haven’t I?’ Effie grinned.

Jess stared at her, the truth dawning. ‘You! You had me going there.’ She prodded Effie with the end of her mop. ‘Have you really passed?’

Effie nodded. ‘Thanks to you.’

Jess’ cheeks turned pink. ‘You’re the one who took the exam,’ she mumbled.

‘Yes, but I wouldn’t have had a hope of passing it if you hadn’t made me buckle down and learn.’

Jess smiled shyly. ‘Well, I’m pleased for you.’

‘We’ll have to go out and celebrate.’

Jess’s smile faded. ‘Don’t you want to go out with the rest of your set? I’m sure I heard them planning something earlier on.’

‘I daresay I’m not invited,’ Effie said. Anna Padgett had been very off with her since she’d found out about her friendship with Jess. ‘Anyway, I’d rather go out with you. So where do you fancy going? My treat,’ she added.

Jess still looked doubtful. ‘Are you sure you wouldn’t rather go out with the others?’

‘I told you, didn’t I?’ Effie replied. She thought for a moment. ‘Tell you what, why don’t we get the bus and go to Lyons? I’ve always wanted to go there. Katie says it’s a beautiful place. What time do you finish work?’

‘I’m supposed to finish at six but—’

‘I don’t want to argue about it.’ Effie held up her hand. ‘I’ll meet you here at half-past. And don’t be late!’ she warned.

In the end it was Effie who was late. Jess was waiting for her, standing outside the nurses’ home, dressed up in a pink coat and hat.

‘You look grand,’ Effie said. ‘That coat really suits you.’

Jess blushed and shrugged off the compliment. ‘I got it for my auntie’s wedding. It was only second-hand, mind. I haven’t had much call to wear it since, but I thought as this is a special occasion . . .’

‘Quite right, too,’ Effie said. ‘Shall we go? I’m starving. I hope Lyons is as good as Katie says.’

‘I wouldn’t know,’ Jess said. ‘I’ve never been.’

‘Never been to Lyons?’

‘Never been past Aldgate.’

Effie stared at her in astonishment. ‘You mean to tell me you’ve lived in London all your life and you’ve never been up west?’

Jess looked awkward. ‘Never had any call to go. Although I did see the Tower of London once. From a long way away,’ she added.

Seeing Jess’ sheepish expression, Effie wondered if she’d embarrassed her friend. She always seemed to be putting her foot in it. ‘I suppose I’d never seen the sea before I got on the ferry to England,’ she admitted.