To Please the Doctor (25 page)

“
I
’
ll love having him there,
”
Jill spoke more easily. The drink had certainly helped.
“
I don
’
t really care how he achieved the invitation, by fair means or foul! I
’
m with the idea.
”

“
Pleasant man, McRey. Didn
’
t seem to mind at all; in fact, I really believe he wanted the
chil
d, don
’
t you, Madeleine?
”
he enquired, turning to his wife.

“
Of course he wanted Terry, but I doubt if he would ever have taken the initiative to ask him if Terry hadn
’
t made the suggestion himself.
”
She threw a
glan
ce of
unmistakable meaning at Jill as she went on:
“
I
’
ve been telling Jill, I
’
ve quite changed my opinion about the doctor. He and Harriet Laine seemed very good friends, didn
’
t they?
”
she enquired, addressing Trevor.

“
I really must be g
o
ing now,
”
Jill interrupted before Trevor had a chance to reply.
“
I
’
ve so much to get through and you know what a time shopping takes.
”

Trevor waited while Jill gave her mother a good-bye kiss, then escorted her to the door. There he paused.

“
Bye-bye, Jill, don t work too hard. Now you are leaving St. Joseph
’
s, why not give up altogether...?
”

J
ill placed a gentle finger on his lips.
“
Now, don
’
t
you
start,
”
she told him laughingly, then, returning his warm handclasp, hurried towards the lift.

Studying her list, Jill decided to buy Terry
’
s present first. That purchase took up quite a bit of the afternoon, but as she finally selected an exciting-looking building set with most realistic bricks and watched the assistant wrap it, she knew what fun it was going to be handing it herself instead of having to consign it to the impersonal method of postal delivery There were oddments to choose for his stocking, too
...
of course the mythical Santa Claus would get the
thanks
for those, but she
’
d enjoy the excitement which every little gift aroused. The choice of a party frock for Julie was quite a problem, too, and when over a solitary cup of tea she reviewed the day
’
s purchases, she was justifiably satisfied. She poured herself a second cup, then glanced at her watch. It wasn
’
t the rush hour, so she
’
d probably get a taxi without undue trouble and be in good time for her train. As she quietly drank her tea she found herself recalling Lady Hallard
’
s hints
...
more than hints surely? A frown creased Jill
’
s forehead. It must of course have been her mother
’
s too romantic imagination? In the quiet, undisturbed atmosphere of the tea-room, Jill felt far more able to face the question. Harriet and Duncan were good friends, they understood one another; she was certain that there was nothing more to their relationship than that
...
caring for him herself as she did, surely she would have been the first to detect any closer relationship between them? Jill half-closed her eyes as she lived again those precious moments on the beach, already three nights ago, and yet she could still feel his arm encircling her waist, that so gentle kiss which for one ecstatic moment had given her a joy beyond belief ... She had been so sure that he, too, had shared some part of that halcyon moment, that some spark had been kindled within him, a spark which might one day burn with a flame to match her own. Had she been deceived, was she deluding herself, had love blinded her to reason?

Jill settled her bill and collected together her parcels. Dismissing her useless conjectures, she made her way to the street and hailed a passing taxi. It was foolish to allow
herself to be disturbed by her mother
’
s idle chatter. How could she possibly, in one short day, have detected a romance which Jill, who worked in daily contact with both Duncan and Harriet, had never as much as dreamed of. Obviously the most sensible idea was to thrust the fantastic notion completely from her
m
ind.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Jill had never
looked at the
cl
ock
so
often during her hours on duty as she did on the afternoon that Terry was due at Sunsand Bay. It seemed as if time would never pass, and she longed for the moment when she could close her office door behind her and hurry across the garden to Duncan McRey
’
s house. She found herself speculating happily on the greeting which Terry would give her, how would he be looking? Would that lovely pink glow have returned to his cheeks? She hated not having been at the house to welcome his arrival, but, travelling as he and Nana had done, by car, made the exact hour uncertain, and she had scarcely felt justified in leaving Brenda to shoulder all the work of the ward while she awaited their arrival.

“
Why don
’
t you get off now?
”
Brenda suggested as she rolled back her sleeves to superintend the children
’
s teas.
“
I can easily manage. I
’
ve three
‘
Pros.
’
on duty, and there is never much clearing up to do when there hasn
’
t been a ward round—or a visiting day!
”
she ended smilingly.

“
Don
’
t talk to me about visiting days
...
”
Jill sighed.
“
The nearer Christmas, the worse they get. We
’
ve only one more to face and I
’
ve quite decided, however fretful the children get, there are to be no more paper chains, not one inch!
”
she avowed.

“
I quite agree
...
But seriously, I can so easily manage now without you, and you might just be in time to greet your brother.
”

“
I
’
d like to ... if you are sure?
”
Jill spoke with some diffidence. It was not in her nature to evade one moment of duty, but then it wasn
’
t every day that anything quite so exciting happened as Terry
’
s arrival.

“
Then do go!
”
Brenda urged.
“
I know exactly how you feel. I
’
ve managed to get Boxing afternoon off. I
’
m going to rush up to town to see Julie. As a matter of fact, Philip—Dr. Traven—is taking me in his car; there won
’
t be any holding me all the morning!
”
she warned Jill laughingly.

“I’m so glad,”
Jill responded with real sincerity.
“
Thanks, I will go, if you don
’
t mind, but if anything unexpected turns up, don
’
t hesitate to ring me at Dr. McRey
’
s house. I
’
ll come back straight away.
”

With Brenda
’
s assurance that she certainly would, Jill hurried off, her excitement rising as the house on the cliff edge came into view, and she recognized the family car standing at the entrance. Hawkins was still at the wheel but he alighted quickly as Jill advanced. Touching his cap, he greeted her with a smile.
“
Master Terry and Nurse are inside. Mrs
.
...
the housekeeper kindly told me to wait, Miss. She said she
’
d give me a cup of tea before I started back.
”

Jill exchanged a few words with the chauffeur, then hurried up the steps. She was scarcely over the threshold when Terry, bounding from the sitting-room, threw himself at her, his arms a stranglehold round her neck. Still holding him, Jill carried him back to the room; then, lowering him to the floor, sank on to her knees before him.
“
Let me look at you!
”
She held him at arms
’
length while she scanned the wriggling little body. He certainly appeared very different from the wan figure she had last seen in his cot at Brent Towers. Like most children, he had regained his normal healthy colour almost as quickly as he had lost it, and now there was little sign of the danger he had passed through.
“
Why, you look better than ever. You are a sham, I don
’
t believe you need a seaside holiday at all
,” she
teased, hugging him afresh.

“
Ough
...
”
Terry released himself and, tugging Jill to her feet, pulled her over to the armchair.
“
I do! I want one awful badly. Uncle Duncan said I did he
’
s a doctor he knows.
”
He waited until Jill had sunk into the chair, then clambered to her lap.

While T
erry was busily occupied making himself comfortable
,
Jill had a chance to turn to Nana, and after a warm greeting and some conventional enquiries as to the comfort of the journey, Jill went on.
“
I see tea is ready. Haven
’
t you had any yet?
”

“
Terry
would
wait for you. How he has been able to resist that lovely spread I don
’
t know. I can see
he will be thoroughly spoilt here. The way he h
as gone off his food the last few days, too
...
”
She made a clucking
sound of disapproval.
“
I
’
ve told him if he doesn
’
t eat properly I
’
ll take him home again. I certainly will,
”
she added, turning to Terry with a would-be severe frown.

It was obvious that Nana
’
s threats carried little weight with Terry. An impish smile dimpled his cheeks as he cuddled closer to Jill.
“
I
’
m going to eat lots and lots. I promised, didn
’
t I?
”
he asked with an air of hurt pride.
“
I promised Uncle Duncan, too.
”

“
So you call the Doctor
,
Un
cl
e, do you?
”
Jill asked with some amusement.
“
Did he tell you you could?
”

“
I said it would be nicer,
”
Terry admitted slowly, then perceiving Jill
’
s look of doubt went on eagerly.
“
He thought it would be nice, too
...
didn
’
t he, Nana?
”

“
You take good care that folk think what you want them to, young man!
”
she responded, then, addressing herself to Jill, went on:
“
Such lovely rooms we
’
ve got, and Mrs. Miles is a most obliging person.
”
Nana
’
s expression betrayed the fact that she must have harboured some doubts as to what comfort awaited her in a bachelor establishment.
“
Now I
’
ll go along and tell her you
’
re here, and maybe we can start on that fine tea.
”

Jill had to agree it looked most appetising. Mrs. Miles had drawn the table
close
to the fire, and the crisp white doth was barely visible between the numerous dishes of sandwiches and cakes with which she had loaded it. As she clasped Terry in her arms and felt his warm cheek pressed against hers, she was aware of a deep sense of contentment. It seemed like a miracle that he should be safely here at Sunsand when such a short while back she had been filled with unspeakable fears
...
Her heart overflowed with gratitude as she thought of all that Duncan McRey had done for her, the confidence he had afforded her, his wonderful handling of Terry, and now, on top of everything
el
se—this! Her eyes strayed round the room. It had been made to look as comfortable as it could with its heavy old-fashioned furniture, and a Christmas tree—as yet untrimmed—stood on a low pedestal near the fire, the rich green of its branches dark against the cream-washed walls. Jill sighed with sheer happiness as she unconsciously drew the child
close
r, tucking his head against her shoulder and resting her face against the soft curls of his hair.

Nana re-entered the room bearing a plate of hot scones,
while Mrs. Miles brought up the rear carrying the tea-tra
y
which she set carefully on the table.
“
Now is there anything else you want?
”
She gave a quick
look
at the table.
“
Mind you ring if there is anything I
’
ve forgotten.
”

“
Now there
’
s a pleasant body for you!
”
Nana exclaimed as she began to fill the cups.
“
And her Mary is a jolly little girl, as polite and pretty as you please.
”
She prepared a sandwich for Terry and filled his mug with milk, then drew up a chair.
“
Come along, dear, and sit up nicely to the table
...
Mind you eat your tea properly and no nonsense now—remember what I told you!
”
she added in
firm
tones as she pushed his chair closer to the table.

As Jill drank her tea and ate hot scones and listened to Terry
’
s happy chatter—interrupted with Nana
’
s constant reminders that he
‘
eat up like a good boy
’
—it seemed that the whole scene was strangely familiar, as if she had sat at this very table and acted in the same way many times before. Even the room was taking on an air of homeliness, and in the gathering shadows its hard, unfriendly lines were softened and it enveloped her with warmth and friendliness.

“
Am I too late for tea?
”

Jill recognized Duncan McRey
’
s presence with a sense of surprise; she couldn
’
t imagine why. Surely it was the most natural thing that he appear in his own house, particularly as he had not yet welcomed his guests? With a feeling of uneasiness almost amounting to guilt, she made to rise.
“
I ... I didn
’
t hear you come in.
”

“
Sit down
...
don
’
t let me interrupt you.
”
He restrained her as she pushed back her chair and drew another up to the table, then seating himself, went on speaking.
“
Bad habit I seem to have of creeping up unheard.
”
His eyes twinkled with laughter while he greeted Nana and Terry in turn.
“
Well, young man, how is the appetite?
”

This seemed to be Nana
’
s cue, and without giving the child an opportunity to reply, she gave full vent to her feelings.
“
Far from good, Doctor. I
’
ve warned him how angry you
’
ll be. He pecks at his food, doesn
’
t attempt to eat a meal properly.
”

Listening to the conversation, Jill was amazed how readily Duncan McRey managed to quell Nana
’
s eloquence without hurting her feelings. It seemed that, if he cared to exert it, he had a way with adults as well as children! Jill knew his dislike of discussing its failings in a child
’
s presence, and with remarkable tact he successfully turned the conversation to more general subjects.

When tea was at last finished, Nana addressed Jill.
“
If you
’
ll excuse me, I
’
ll pop along and unpack a few things. Perhaps you won
’
t mind keeping an eye on Terry for a while. I expect he
’
s tired. I
’
d like to get him to bed in good time.
”

Clambering down from his chair Terry crossed over to Duncan McRey. For a moment he hesitated as if uncertain, then lifting his wide blue eyes began boldly:
“
You
‘
member saying you
’
d mend my engine, you promised, if I were good. I were very good, so I
’
ve brought my engine for you to mend.
”

“
Of course I hadn
’
t forgotten. I must certainly have a look at it tomorrow.
”
Duncan McRey smiled down into the eager little face which, at his reassuring words, had immediately lost its expression of indecision.

“
Not to-morrow!
”
Terry shook his head.
“
I
’
ve waited a terrible long time. Can
’
t you do it now?
”
Anxious to
cl
in
c
h
the matter, Terry hurried across the room to where his coat lay folded on a chair and returned triumphantly with the engine held aloft between his two podgy hands.
“
I got it here! I didn
’
t pack it in case it got more broken. I carried it on my lap all the way.
”
He thrust the toy into Duncan McRey
’
s hands:
“
Mend it
... please,
”
he implored.