Secrets for the Three Sisters by Annie Groves

Author:Annie Groves
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: null
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2024-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY

‘Oooh, you never did!’ Effie’s scandalised giggle caught Rose’s attention as she entered the busy ward ready for her next shift. The young nurse and her Welsh friend were loading the trolley ready to be pushed around the beds, but quite how diligent they were being was open to question. Rose deliberately moved away so that she could observe them without putting them off. If they were being sloppy, she would have to intervene.

‘I did. I just couldn’t resist him. It’s been so long since I saw him. I never get enough leave to go home and back – it’s too far. But when he said he had several days and could come up here, well, I nearly burst with excitement, I can tell you.’

Effie’s eyes grew wide. ‘Oh, it’s ever so romantic, Coral. To think he came all that way just to see you. That’s true love, that is.’

Coral grinned and raised her eyebrows. ‘Well, it’s true something, at any rate. He makes me feel really special. I’ve missed him something dreadful, I have.’

Effie put the bottles of iodine and calamine lotion into a neat row on the top of the trolley. ‘Oh, I can just imagine. Someone to look after you, care for you. You’re lucky, you are.’

Coral nodded and her red hair began to tumble out of its bun. She automatically tucked a curl behind one ear. ‘I reckon I am. He’s one in a million, my Jonnie. So when he said he’d got this hotel room and it wasn’t far from here – what was I to do? Ever so nice, it was, clean as anything, big thick curtains like you see in the films – and a great big bed. Such lovely sheets . . .’

Rose thought she’d heard enough. If she could pick out their conversation from across the aisle, then so could any of the patients. Although, strictly speaking, the ones nearby were all rather deaf and so Coral’s exploits might remain private.

‘Now, are we all set to go?’ Rose decided not to challenge Coral, who must have broken the nurses’ home curfew, but to get back to the business of nursing.

The Welsh nurse blushed a little but to her credit she nodded and showed that the trolley was fully equipped. ‘We are, Nurse Harrison. Sorry, I meant Sister.’

Rose smiled generously. ‘That’s all right, it will take a bit of getting used to. I still find that, myself.’

Effie gave the last bottle a quick wipe. ‘It’s all there, Sister. I checked against the list and everything.’

Rose nodded. ‘Quite right, Nurse Jenkins. Not that I would have expected anything else.’ She met the young woman’s gaze and hoped that her own brisk efficiency would bring out the same attitude in the trainee. But Effie’s expression showed that she was still dreaming of romance. Ah well, thought Rose, she’ll snap out of it soon enough. Just at that moment a patient from the far end of the ward cried out that he needed help, and Rose indicated to Effie that she should go.

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