The Home Front Nurses by Rachel Brimble

Author:Rachel Brimble [Brimble, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Published: 2024-08-08T00:00:00+00:00

21

FREDA

‘Sylvia, what in heaven’s name is this all about?’ Freda demanded as her friend dragged her and Veronica by their elbows into the ladies’ toilets. ‘I haven’t got time for fun and games. I’ve already been on the sharp end of Sister’s tongue this morning and if she catches us in here, she’ll⁠—’

‘Shh. I just need to talk to the pair of you for two minutes.’

Freda exchanged a look with Veronica as Sylvia made her way along the row of five cubicles, pushing at each door, presumably to check they were empty. Crossing her arms, Freda waited while Veronica darted anxious glances at the closed main bathroom door.

‘Right. Good. We’re alone.’ Sylvia grinned, her pretty brown eyes alight with suspiciously excited intent. ‘I have a plan to do something for a patient of mine, but I need your help.’

Freda frowned. ‘And who is this patient, might I ask?’

‘Mrs Harlow.’

‘Mrs Harlow?’ Veronica echoed. ‘But she’s getting better every day, isn’t she?’

Sylvia nodded. ‘Exactly. Which means the woman is well enough to cope with what I have in mind to do for her.’ She looked from Veronica to Freda. ‘Something that will undoubtedly give the poor woman just the boost she needs to get through the final days of her recovery.’

Inexplicable unease tiptoed along Freda’s spine, yet the happiness in Sylvia’s eyes was hard to dismiss. ‘Alright, you’ve got our attention. What are you up to?’

Veronica smiled and planted her hands on her hips. ‘And why do I feel as though Freda and I are going to run for the door the minute you tell us?’

‘Mrs Harlow is suffering more and more the longer she is away from her children,’ Sylvia said, her voice soft with care. ‘She needs to see them. Be with them… even if it’s only for a while.’

‘And how can we help with that?’ Freda asked, trying to fathom what her friend had planned. ‘Children aren’t allowed on the ward.’

‘Exactly.’ Sylvia grinned, her eyes flitting between Freda and Veronica. ‘But if the three of us work together, we could ensure Mrs Harlow gets to see her kids for an hour this evening.’

Veronica laughed nervously. ‘How?’

Freda dropped her arms and narrowed her eyes. ‘I really don’t like where this is going, Sylvia.’

‘Just listen to me.’ Sylvia glanced at the bathroom door and then back at Freda. ‘All three of us are on duty this evening.’

Freda’s unease only escalated at Sylvia’s distinctively conspiratorial tone. ‘And?’

‘And, I’m hoping it won’t come to it, but I’m sure I could drive an ambulance as well as I can a car if needs be.’

‘You can drive?’ Veronica asked, her eyes wide. ‘I love that!’

Sylvia grinned. ‘So do I. We’ve got to keep adding strings to our bows, V, and driving was one I wasn’t going to miss out on. I learned as soon as I could afford to.’

‘Which is very admirable,’ Freda said, still not at all keen where this was heading if her suspicions were right, but knowing she had to hear what Sylvia had to say.

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