Nightingales on Call by Donna Douglas

Author:Donna Douglas [Douglas, Donna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781448165025
Publisher: Random House
Published: 2015-01-05T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Five

IT WAS SISTER Sutton’s day off, and she was preparing for it like a military operation.

Jess had never known the Home Sister have a day off, but a former nurse friend of hers had been taken ill, so she and Sister Parker were going down to the south coast to visit her.

Sister Sutton had been going on about it for days, fussing about catching her train, and how she was going to get to and from the station. Every morning when Jess took her breakfast in, she would find a stack of railway timetables on her bedside table.

And when she wasn’t fussing about her journey, she was fretting about leaving Jess in charge.

‘The windows will need cleaning, and don’t forget to polish the floors.’ She bustled around the nurses’ home, pointing out all the jobs that needed doing in her absence. She looked very different out of uniform, dressed in an old-fashioned tweed coat in spite of the warmth of the July day. ‘And I want you to keep an eye on the students, too. Miss Hanley has kindly offered to take charge of the office while I’m away, but I want you to keep me informed of any misdemeanours.’

‘Yes, Sister.’

‘And don’t forget to clean that brasswork and take the lampshades down for washing.’

‘Blimey, how could I forget? You’ve already told me a dozen times!’

Jess’ muttered comment was barely louder than a breath, but Sister Sutton still heard it.

‘Yes, and I’ll tell you another dozen times if I have to!’ she snapped.

It was a relief when Sister Parker arrived to collect her friend. She was a gentle-looking elderly lady, as petite as Sister Sutton was bulky, with white hair and pebble-lensed spectacles. Jess couldn’t imagine why all the students were so utterly terrified of her.

‘Are you ready, Miss Sutton?’ Her Scottish accent was soft and pleasant.

‘I think so, Miss Parker.’ Sister Sutton adjusted her shapeless hat in the hall mirror. ‘I’ll just fetch Sparky’s lead . . .’

‘Surely you can’t think you’re going to take that dog with us?’ Sister Parker shook her head. ‘I’m afraid they won’t allow him in the convalescent home.’

Sister Sutton’s jowly face quivered. ‘Why not?’

‘I know you dote on your little dog, Miss Sutton, but not everyone likes them. Some people find them rather – unhygienic.’

From the look in her blue eyes, Jess guessed Sister Parker was one of them.

Sister Sutton looked down at the terrier sitting at her feet. ‘Very well,’ she said. ‘Then I won’t go either.’ She started unbuttoning her coat.

‘Oh, but you have to!’ Jess blurted out, then felt herself redden as she caught Sister Sutton’s eye. ‘Your friend will be so disappointed,’ she added.

‘She’s quite right,’ Sister Parker agreed. ‘Besides, we’ve bought the train tickets.’

‘But I can’t leave Sparky by himself.’ Sister Sutton looked near to tears at the prospect.

‘I’ll look after him,’ Jess offered.

‘You? Look after Sparky?’ Sister Sutton looked horrified at the very idea. ‘Oh, no, I don’t think so.’

‘But he’s used to me,’ Jess reasoned. ‘And

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