A Sense of Duty by Sheelagh Kelly

Author:Sheelagh Kelly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Canelo Books
Published: 2017-08-14T04:00:00+00:00

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Noting Kit’s sombre mood on her return, and on ascertaining the reason, the housekeeper took pity and decreed that if the maid continued to show similar industry as she had during previous months then she could go home again on Whit Monday.

Showing gratitude, and carrying a basket of eggs, butter and cream purchased out of her own reserves, Kit set off for Ralph Royd less than a week later to find the doctor there again.

Far from the malady improving, Beata had been even more feverish, Sarah told her in the privacy of the scullery. They had even taken it in turns to maintain a night-time vigil, she had been so ill. Both women watched anxiously whilst the doctor attended the emaciated waif in the fireside bed. Beata’s face was almost grey and she had blue circles around her eyes.

From outside came the sound of children playing, the shouts of glee somehow emphasized by the quietude in here.

Upon completing his examination, the doctor was rather less cheerful than last time. ‘I’m going to prescribe belladonna for the night sweats —’

A Welsh interjection: ‘Isn’t that dangerous, Doctor?’

He beheld the mother with compassion and said they must do everything to make Beata comfortable – a glass of brandy would not go amiss.

Even then, faced with the evidence in his eyes, Sarah would not allow herself to believe that her child was going to die. Little as she could afford the brandy she passed Kit a mug. ‘Go down to the Well and fetch some, will you?’

The doctor made a joke to his patient. ‘I wish I had that sort of well.’

From her pillow, Beata’s grey face performed the feeblest of grins.

Anxious, Kit showed the physician out and afterwards set off for the Robin Hood’s Well, mug in hand.

A procession was coming along the main street that was lined with villagers. The coal cart had been washed and scrubbed for Whitsuntide, its small occupants clad from head to toe in white, giddy with excitement. A batch of older boys and girls walked behind, clad in similar garb.

‘Aunt!’ Alice waved. ‘We’re off to sing an hymn for our Beata!’

Kit waved back, yet the action lacked her normal enthusiasm and, upon observing her face, Alice and others broke free of the procession and ran up to her. ‘What’s up, Aunt?’

She scolded herself for alarming them. ‘Nowt! I’m just running an errand for your mam – look out, they’re going without you.’

But Alice, Merry and little Probyn insisted on tagging along, saying they would soon catch up with the procession, and all made their way to the whitewashed inn.

Peggo was on hand to serve Kit as she pushed her mug across the bar, for once free of his painful limp. ‘Toothache, is it?’ His lips barely twitched, though his blue eyes twinkled.

Kit found a smile and shook her head. ‘No, but it is medicinal – yes, it really is today.’

Peggo continued to pretend disbelief, teasing the children who had accompanied Kit, until Alice piped up, ‘Our Beata’s badly.

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