No Man's World: Omnibus by Pat Kelleher

Author:Pat Kelleher [Kelleher, Pat]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781781083130
Amazon: 1781083134
Barnesnoble: 1781083134
Publisher: Abaddon
Published: 2015-01-14T16:00:00+00:00

EDITH COUNTED THE shell-shocked patients back into the compound. She bridled when she saw them strung together with rope looped around their waists, and accosted the private escorting them.

“Is that absolutely necessary?”

“It were the only way we could get ’em, back, miss. It were like herding cats. They kept trying to wander off. But once we got ’em like this, they came quiet like,” he said, somewhat abashed.

“Yes, well, they’re not wandering loose now. Take the ropes off, please.”

The private obliged and untied each one as they went quietly and compliantly into the compound.

“Thank you,” said Edith with a curt nod, and turned to follow them in.

“Nurse Bell, a moment please!”

Sister Fenton came striding towards the compound from the hospital tents. Edith sighed with frustration. What was it this time? She turned and waited diffidently as the senior nurse approached.

“Yes, Sister?”

“These men were in your charge. How on earth did they get out?”

Edith felt her face flushing. “There was a gap in the wire, Sister. It’s been dealt with.”

Sister Fenton seemed to find that acceptable. “I know Captain Lippett’s attitude to these men is a little harsh—”

“A little harsh?” retorted Edith.

Sister Fenton did little more than arch her eyebrow. Edith knew she’d just stepped over a line and lowered her eyes. “Sorry, Sister.”

“As I said,” Sister Fenton reiterated for emphasis, her features softening. “I know Captain Lippett’s attitude is a little harsh, but he does have a greater responsibility here. If you had concerns, you should have brought them to me. I appreciate that you have managed to care for these men in your own time and now that the fighting seems to be over, at least for the moment, I came to see if there was anything you needed for them.”

Sister Fenton’s show of concern caught Edith off guard. She was so used to seeing her as some dried-up old dragon, even though she could scarcely be more than ten years older than herself. Sister rarely, if ever, let that mask slip, but Edith realised that the woman was in an unenviable position. She was alone. At least Edith had got Nellie to befriend, to talk to and confide in, but Sister Fenton’s station as a senior nurse, and a spinster at that, left her somewhat out on a social limb. They didn’t often spare any thought for her or her plight at all. Lord knows it was hard enough for them on this world, amongst all these men, but for her? Was this her reaching out for female companionship?

“Oh. Well, I was just about to examine them. It seems they’ve been out all night and an extra pair of hands would be welcome, Sister.”

Fenton smiled. It was a disconcerting sight. “Right, well, let’s get on, shall we?” she said, rolling her sleeves up and stepping past Edith into the compound, her businesslike mask hardening into place once again.

The soldiers were meandering around aimlessly, some were whimpering quietly, some fidgeting, but it was a restless movement, not the involuntary spasms and jerks of shell-shock.

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