From Manchester to the Arctic: Nurse Sanders embarks on an adventure that will change her life by Sheena Billett

Author:Sheena Billett [Billett, Sheena]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Vanstone Press
Published: 2023-01-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter seventeen

The following morning, as Connie was standing at the window enjoying her first coffee of the day and trying to summon up some energy after only a few hours of sleep, someone burst into the room behind her.

She turned expecting Elizabeth, François, or maybe Oliver, but froze to the spot as she took in the anger evident in Mrs Brooks’s face as she strode towards Connie. Grabbing her arm and pinching it hard, she hissed into Connie’s face. ‘How dare you! I thought you were a bad influence, but I never thought you would corrupt my daughter in such a blatant manner.’

‘If this is about the film—’ The pieces started to fall into place.

‘Yes, it is about the film, corrupting my daughter with this…filth.’ She could hardly get the word past her anger.

‘Esther told me she had your permission. I would never have taken her otherwise.’

‘A likely story.’ She took a step back. ‘My daughter would never tell such a lie.’

‘Surely going to see a film can’t be that bad a thing. She is twelve and deserves to join in with a bit of fun.’ Connie instinctively felt the urge to argue Esther’s corner.

Mrs Brooks stared at her with bulbous eyes, and was momentarily rendered speechless.

Connie, in spite of her shock – or maybe because of it – felt a sudden urge to giggle. But, she sternly reminded herself, she was not at school or on the ward now, where authority could be mocked and challenged. She had seriously upset this woman and if her life here was going to be in any way bearable, she had to back down, to take her anger seriously.

‘Look, I’m sorry Mrs Brooks. I’m sorry that you feel I’ve disrespected you, but I honestly thought that you had given permission. I would never have taken Esther otherwise.’

Now, seemingly exhausted by her rage, Mrs Brooks sat heavily on the settee. ‘I shall speak to Esther.’ She spoke through clenched teeth, but her fire was gone and Connie felt a twinge of sadness for this little woman with such a small life.

‘Please don’t be too hard on her.’

‘I’ll thank you to mind your own business with regards to my daughter.’ Mrs Brooks tried to summon her previous anger, but Connie could tell she was spent.

After a few seconds, she took a breath and struggled to get up from the settee, angrily pushing Connie’s arm aside as she tried to help.

‘I don’t need your help, thank you, Nurse Sanders,’ she said breathlessly.

After Mrs Brooks had gone, Connie wondered what the outcome of all this would be.

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