An Orphan's War

by Molly Green

  ‘Oh, yes,’ Maxine said. ‘At the Infirmary and St Thomas’ we had the full range – diphtheria, measles, mumps, polio—’

  ‘So you can recognise the various symptoms?’

  Maxine nodded. ‘Yes. I’m good at spotting things, even if the patient hasn’t come to me with any early illness.’

  June filled her in with a few more details about the teachers and what classes they taught until the same maid, Beth, knocked and came in with a tray of tea. Miss Lavender poured out two cups and handed one to Maxine.

  ‘Now tell me a bit about yourself, Miss Taylor.’

  ‘It’s actually “Mrs”. I’m a widow.’ After all this time it still felt odd saying the word.

  ‘I’m so sorry.’ June Lavender gave her a sympathetic glance.

  Maxine explained how she’d trained at the Royal Infirmary in Liverpool and then transferred to St Thomas’ in London after her husband had been killed.

  June Lavender nodded. ‘Work is always the best cure in these dreadful times,’ she commented, scribbling some notes. She caught Maxine’s eye. ‘Have you any children?’

  Maxine drew in a jagged breath. She should have expected it but somehow the question took her by surprise.

  ‘We weren’t married long enough. He was killed very soon after we were …’ She broke off, sickened. Teddy. She was pretending he didn’t exist. Her darling baby. She felt a light touch on her arm.

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ Miss Lavender repeated. ‘This must be very painful for you, but I hope you understand I have to ask these questions.’

  ‘Yes, of course.’ Maxine hunted for her handkerchief and blew her nose.

  ‘Would you like a glass of water?’

  ‘No, thank you. The tea is just right.’ She took a deep swallow and gave an apologetic smile.

  ‘Shall I carry on?’

  Maxine nodded.

  ‘Have you worked specifically with children?’

  ‘In my last year of training I was often sent to the children’s ward, which I loved. I always wanted to be a teacher, but my mother’s dream was that I should become a nurse. Then the war started and it was terrible day after day nursing young men who were smashed to pieces, then seeing them patched up and sent off to the front again. I did it as long as I could, but it affects you after a while.’ She caught June Lavender’s eye and the young woman nodded. ‘I needed a change,’ Maxine went on. ‘And if I’m working with children … well, that’s the best of both worlds.’

  She knew she was gabbling, but she wanted this job badly.

  June Lavender bent her head to jot down a few more notes, then looked up and smiled. ‘You’re just the kind of person we’re looking for,’ she said, her smile broadening. ‘I feel confident you can do the job. So all we need now is your Nursing Certificate, and then I can put you forward as a strong recommendation to Mr Clarke … he’s at Dr Barnardo’s headquarters. He’ll have a chat with you, but he usually goes on my judgement, so I don’t think there’ll be any difficulty.’

  Maxine forced herself not to show any anxiety. She’d practically been offered a job that sounded perfect, and now it would be snatched away from her because she hadn’t done her finals. Because she’d been such a fool. The irony was that in the last month at St Thomas’ the third-year nurses had been told there was little new to learn; it would all be just revision. Making sure she knew all she’d be tested on. And if previous tests and exams were anything to go by at both hospitals, she’d have passed with flying colours. When she next looked across the desk, she saw June Lavender’s eyes watching her intently.

  The young matron’s smile faded. ‘Is anything wrong?’ Without pausing, she said, ‘Oh, the salary. I haven’t mentioned it yet.’

  ‘No, it’s nothing to do with the salary.’ Maxine’s voice was quiet. ‘I’m sure it’s fair, whatever it is.’ She inhaled a deep breath. ‘I hope you won’t think I’m here under false pretences, Miss Lavender, but I haven’t taken my finals. I completed almost the full term and had the date of the exams, but my father wasn’t well and I was needed at home.’

  Such a very small lie. Please, Miss Lavender, bend the rules this once.

  There was a silence. Grass-green eyes looked steadily back.

  Maxine’s hands dug into the sides of the chair. She willed the matron to say something.

  ‘The rules for hiring staff at Dr Barnardo’s are strict,’ June Lavender finally said. ‘And nurses more than anyone, for obvious reasons.’

  Maxine opened her mouth to say she did understand, but June Lavender gently put her finger in the air.

  ‘But I like you. I think we’d get along well and I think you’d fit in with the rest of the staff. I can’t promise anything, but leave this to me to speak to Mr Clarke. I can only promise I will do my best.’

  Maxine sprang to her feet and extended her hand. ‘You’ve been more than kind, Miss Lavender … Matron. I’m very grateful.’

  ‘Are you on the telephone?’

  ‘I’m afraid my cousin isn’t,’ Maxine said.

  ‘Then I’ll write to you.’

  Maxine tried to remain positive but in truth she could have wept with disappointment. If she’d had her certificate she was sure June Lavender would have hired her on the spot. There seemed to have been an immediate empathy. She didn’t doubt the young matron would keep to her promise and do her best to convince Mr Clarke, but Maxine knew how strict hospitals were about rules and an orphanage would likely run along the same lines.

  She could only wait … and hope.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Five interminable days later, Maxine picked up a narrow white envelope with her name on it from the small table in the entrance lobby of Pearl’s flat.

  ‘Is that you, Max?’ Pearl’s voice floated down the two flights of stairs. Her cousin stood at her door in a film-star negligee.

  ‘Yes, I’m just collecting the post.’

  ‘Anything for me?’

  Maxine ran up the stairs and joined her. ‘It’s actually for me.’ Pearl knew about the interview at Bingham Hall, and Maxine tried her best to hide the nerves in her voice.

  ‘Don’t open it until I get back,’ Pearl called as she scurried to the kitchen to make the tea.’

  She couldn’t wait that long. With Pearl chattering as she rattled the cups and saucers and filled the kettle, Maxine sat at the small breakfast table and used a knife to slit the envelope.

  12th September 1942

  Dear Mrs Taylor,

  I understand you have had a conversation with Miss Lavender, the matron at Bingham Hall, recently, about the position of children’s nurse. Matron has strongly recommended you to me although you do not yet possess a Nursing Certificate.

  Nurses are in short supply these days with the war, so I am prepared to offer you the job if you will endeavour to take your finals before spring of next year, 1943.

  If you are able to accept this, Matron would like to see you again to discuss the terms and show you your room etc. so you have all the facts before making your decision. If you accept, then I would like to meet you at Bingham Hall in the near future, but it would merely be an informal chat.

  There is no need to reply to me as your next step is to contact Miss Lavender as soon as possible. She will then advise me of your decision.

  Yours truly,

  A J Clarke

  ‘Anything exciting, Max?’ Pearl said over her shoulder as she poured the boiling water over the tea leaves in the warmed teapot.

  ‘It’s from Mr Clarke at Dr Barnardo’s.’ Maxine skimmed the letter again in case she’d misunderstood it. No, it was definitely an offer. Her face broke into a smile that nearly split her face in two. She’d done it.

  ‘Well?’ Pearl brought the tray over to the table and sat down.

  Maxine read the letter out loud, laughing at her cousin’s shout of delight.

  ‘Oh, that’s wonderful, Max.’ Pearl jumped up and hugged her.

  ‘Yes, but it won’t be permanent unless I c
an take my finals, and because I haven’t been in nursing for several months, it could be tricky.’

  ‘One day at a time, I always say.’ Pearl poured the tea. ‘You’ll find a way. As for now, have your breakfast and go straight to the phone box and ring Miss June Lavender and say, “Yes, please”. From what you’ve told me, I think working at Dr Barnardo’s will restore you.’

  A week to the day of her first meeting with June Lavender, Maxine was ushered into the Great Hall, but this time she was carrying her suitcase.

  ‘Let me take that for you, Miss.’ A sprightly man of about fifty dressed in a shirt and tie and braces tucked into work-worn trousers stretched out his hand for Maxine’s case. ‘I believe you’re on the third floor.’ He gave her a glance. ‘I’m Charlie, by the way. Maintenance man extraordinaire.’ He grinned.

  Maxine hadn’t had a chance to see her room as Miss Lavender had said on the telephone that it wouldn’t be necessary for her to come for another interview. They were already short-staffed and two more children were due to arrive in the next few days, which would keep everyone busy. She would go over the terms with Maxine as soon as she was settled in.

  Maxine followed Charlie with her case. He knocked on the door. A little odd, she thought, but as soon as she saw the twin beds and someone’s belongings scattered on the bed by the window she understood. She was to share with one of the teachers or maybe the other nurse. Disappointed, though not surprised, she turned to Charlie, who set her case on the floor. ‘Thank you very much.’

  ‘I hope you’ll be happy here, Miss.’ He nodded and disappeared.

  Maxine sat down on the edge of the bed. Happy? When was the last time she felt happy? For an instant, Crofton Wells flashed in front of her. His craggy features, the warm smile, his shiny brown hair. Brown eyes that crinkled when he smiled. No sooner had his face appeared to her than it vanished. She was on her own. Her eyes stung. No, she’d never be happy again all the time she had no idea where little Teddy was. One day she’d find out about her baby. Make sure he was safe and well and happy. But for the moment she was content … and that was enough.

  It had taken all of ten minutes to unpack her things and make her way downstairs. She could hear the sounds of children changing classrooms. Bells clanged and doors opened and banged shut.

  ‘Stop that shouting, Harvey,’ someone called.

  ‘It weren’t me, Miss,’ came an instant reply.

  ‘Don’t answer back, please. And it’s “wasn’t”, not “weren’t”.’

  The sound of giggling.

  ‘Everyone who is in my painting class please go to the art room.’ A tall, large-built woman, her light-brown hair rolled back at each side of a plain face, appeared at one of the doorways. She glanced over at Maxine. ‘Oh, hello. Are you the new nurse?’

  Maxine nodded. ‘Yes. Maxine Taylor.’

  The woman extended a plump hand and smiled. ‘Barbara Steen – call me Barbara – and very pleased to meet you. We certainly need you with only Kathleen now.’

  ‘She’s the other nurse, isn’t she?’

  ‘Yes, and although she’s extremely knowledgeable she’s really an assistant nurse. So that’s why it’s so important to have you with us.’

  Maxine made her mouth smile but inwardly she quaked. Another nurse who wasn’t qualified. And working so closely with only a few adults was going to be difficult. She needed to keep her distance. Oh, she’d be friendly enough, but she mustn’t get close to anyone, however nice they seemed. If they found out she, too, wasn’t fully qualified they’d start probing deeper. And that would be dangerous.

  June Lavender appeared from her office and smiled at Maxine, extending her hand. ‘A warm welcome to Bingham Hall,’ she said. ‘I’m sure you’ll soon settle in. And by the way, when the teachers and nurses are together, we go by our Christian names. It’s only in front of the children that we’re formal. So do call me June.’

  ‘Thank you … June.’

  ‘I’ll introduce you to Cook. If you get on the right side of her everything else falls into place.’ She chuckled at Maxine’s worried look. ‘I’m only teasing. Bertie is lovely.’

  Bertie’s kitchen was large and cluttered with pots and pans and bowls. A huge dresser held masses of plain white china plates, cups and saucers stacked up in piles on the main surface. A kitchen maid was at an enormous enamel sink, tackling a huge pile of washing-up.

  ‘Will you be wanting a cup of tea, hen?’ Bertie asked, wiping her hands down her apron before putting a hand out to shake Maxine’s.

  ‘I don’t think I’d better.’ Maxine cast an anxious glance at June Lavender. ‘I’ve not come far and I think Matron is ready to show me the ropes.’

  ‘By all means have a cup of tea,’ June told her. ‘Get to know Bertie. And any questions you might have, ask Bertie if I’m not around. She normally knows the answer, don’t you, Bertie?’ She turned her head to the cook.

  ‘I try,’ Bertie said, giving a modest sniff. ‘Now for that tea.’ She glanced at June. ‘Will you have a cuppa, too, Matron?’

  ‘I can’t stop,’ June said. ‘One of the two new children is arriving later this morning and I want to make sure everything’s ready and I’m here to settle him in.’

  ‘What’s his name?’ Bertie asked, filling the kettle and putting it on the stove.

  ‘Peter Best.’ June lowered her voice as though someone might be eavesdropping, ‘He’s actually half German.’

  ‘Well, he’s not the first one we’ve had.’ Bertie set out the cups and saucers and poured milk into a large jug, all the while explaining to Maxine, ‘We had a boy called Joachim last year and his parents sent him here for safety. Turned out to be a child genius in music, didn’t he, June?’

  June smiled. ‘He could certainly play the piano and the violin beautifully. Luckily we had a wonderful music teacher called David who spotted his talent and Joachim is now in London studying classical music, but sad to say we’ve lost David … and Iris, our nurse who you’re replacing. David and Iris fell in love,’ June smiled, ‘and they’ve moved to London to be nearer Joachim so he doesn’t feel so alone. They’ve taken him under their wing.’

  ‘What a wonderful story,’ Maxine said.

  ‘Not so wonderful about Joachim’s sister and parents,’ June said somberly. ‘They were all sent to one of those dreadful camps. We don’t know what happened to them but we have our suspicions. The trouble is, children can be very cruel, so they don’t need to know about Peter’s German side. We’re told Peter speaks excellent English.’ June looked at Maxine, her smile back. ‘Come and see me in the office when you’ve had your tea and I’ll show you the ward and introduce you to Kathleen, our other nurse.’

  June chatted about some of the children as she led Maxine down a short flight of stairs to a lower floor later that morning.

  ‘We’re not at basement level,’ she said, ‘but at least any child who’s sick or had an accident is safe and can get well in peace. And, of course, if there was an outbreak of any diseases, the patients are more contained away from the others.’

  ‘It makes sense,’ Maxine murmured.

  June tapped lightly on the door which said ‘Hospital Ward’ and immediately it opened. A young woman, her curves firmly held in by her crisp nurse’s uniform, with white cap partly covering her bright red curls, broke into a smile when she saw the two women.

  ‘Oh, thank goodness you’ve arrived. You must be Nurse Taylor.’

  ‘Please call me Maxine.’

  ‘And I’m Kathleen. Nurse Manners to the kids. Pleased to meet you.’ She pumped Maxine’s hand up and down. ‘It’s been very difficult since Iris left. We’ve had two nurses from the agency but neither of them worked out, did they, June?’

  June shook her head. ‘It’s difficult to get the right person.’ She turned to Maxine with a warm smile. ‘But I believe it’s third time lucky.’

  ‘And you’ll be sharing my room,’ Kathleen said, smiling. ‘Hope you didn’t find it too untidy.
I did make an effort and we shouldn’t get in each other’s way too much as we’ll be on different shifts.’

  ‘Everything was fine.’ Maxine returned the smile, grateful Kathleen seemed so nice.

  ‘Come on in.’ Kathleen stepped aside to allow the two women in.

  The familiar smell of disinfectant filled Maxine’s nostrils, reminding her of St Thomas’ – of Edwin. She brushed the thought away.

  ‘How’s Bobby getting along?’ June raised an enquiring eyebrow.

  ‘Come and say hello to him. He’s opted for a bed at the far end.’

  Maxine noticed there were only three children occupying the twelve beds as they made their way towards Bobby.

  June stopped by a boy who was sitting up in bed reading a comic.

  ‘Jack, this is Nurse Taylor,’ June said. ‘She’s here to help you get better.’

  ‘I liked the other nurse,’ he said with a determined look in his dark eyes.

  ‘She was only here to fill in until Nurse Taylor came,’ June said, throwing Maxine an apologetic look, ‘and we must make her welcome. Can you do that?’

  Jack was silent, his eyes defiant.

  ‘What’s your full name, Jack?’ Maxine smiled at the boy.

  ‘Jack Ronald Barrow, Miss.’ The boy threw a swift look in Kathleen’s direction. ‘Nurse says I can go back to classes tomorrow.’

  ‘That’s marvellous,’ Maxine said. ‘We’ll soon see you upstairs then.’ Turning to Kathleen, she asked under her breath. ‘What’s the matter with him?’

  ‘He gets sick headaches a lot,’ she replied. ‘The doctor’s checked him and can’t find much wrong. So we’ve had him in the ward for a couple of days … keeping an eye on him.’ She looked at Maxine. ‘I’m afraid all the children have problems of one kind or another – very often it’s a mental thing and you can see why when you hear their stories, poor little devils.’

  They walked past a child who was curled up in her bed fast asleep.

  ‘That’s Pamela,’ Kathleen said under her breath. ‘She cut her hand on a piece of glass in the garden – turned out to be a stray piece from when the greenhouse got hit last year by Jerry.’