The Outcast Girls by Alys Clare

Author:Alys Clare
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781448304554
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Published: 2020-07-29T16:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

Eddy is on the platform as Lily disembarks from the train and jumps forwards to take her parcels. He waves aside her apologies for keeping him waiting and merely says, ‘Get what you wanted, did you, miss? Good, that’s right!’ proceeding to whistle cheerfully all the way back to Shardlowes.

Hurrying up the steps to the door, Lily’s mind is already running ahead to how she will prepare the remedies she requires, what proportions to use, whether there will be a large enough bowl to set up a steam inhalation using the camphor, juniper, menthol and peppermint oils she has just acquired. She reflects that Felix was right: the nurse in her has come to the fore and since she got off the train she hasn’t given a single thought to the true reason she is at Shardlowes.

The girls are going into tea in Hall as she hurries across to the stairs and she spots Miss Blytheway, who has a huge white handkerchief to her face and is blowing her nose vigorously. Two Seniors are with her, one of whom Lily recognizes as Rhoda Albercourt, monitor of Red dormitory. She too is sniffing, and the tip of her nose is red.

‘Wretched cold!’ Miss Blytheway greets Lily, glaring at her as if it is her fault that so many are falling victim to it.

‘I am about to make up some remedies that I trust will alleviate the symptoms,’ Lily replies coolly. ‘Perhaps, Miss Blytheway, you would be good enough to announce at tea that I shall be in the treatment room from now until bedtime, and any girl or member of staff who needs my help shall have it.’

Miss Blytheway nods and says a grudging, ‘Very well, thanks,’ and she and the two girls march away.

Lily puts down her parcels in the treatment room, takes off her hat and coat and puts on her veil and apron. Then she goes in to see Matron, whose scarlet cheeks and laboured breathing are not good signs. Lily wakes her from her doze, plumps up the pillows and sits her up, gives her some water and then says, ‘I shall make something that will help, Matron. Try to stay awake while I prepare it.’

Back in the treatment room she sets a large pan of water on to heat. She has several remedies to work on, including horseradish cough syrup and a mustard poultice for Matron’s chest. While the water comes to the boil, she unpacks her purchases, sorts them and finds places for them on the shelves, setting aside the box of cough jujubes and removing a couple to take to Matron.

For the next half-hour she works swiftly and efficiently. By the time the first group of girls come tapping on the door, Matron’s poultice is in place and she has been dosed with two large spoonfuls of ipecacuanha, and already reports that the tightness in her chest is easing.

Lily sees ten girls and three members of staff. None of the latter is Miss Carmichael or Miss Dickie.

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