The Thursday clinic

by Anne Lorraine

  CHAPTER THREE

  ALTHOUGH SALLY asked for time to think over the astonishing new project, there was actually no doubt whatsoever in her mind as to her ultimate answer. In all her plans for the furtherance of her career, nothing like the present situ. ation had ever entered her mind, and now that she had heard the details from the Matron she was more than ever bewildered by her good fortune. The Matron had given her forty-eight hours in which to make her final dedsion. - Somewhat to Sally's surprise the woman had refused to accept an immediate decision, even though Sally had been ready to give one. "It won't be all glamour," Matron had told her, rather dourly. "Mr. Chesfield is a charming personality, and an exceedingly good surgeon, but I think I should warn you that he has the reputation of working his helpers very hard. You will, I know, be in a position of some importance it will be more or less your clinic, and the satisfactory running of it will be in your hands, but you will be working for Mr. Chesfield, and every ultimate dedsion will be his, of course." Sally had been rather taken aback by the Matron's seemingly unnecessary warning. "I think I am well accustomed to working under supervision, Matron," she had ventured hesitantly, "because I am to be a Clinic Sister I shall expect no alteration in my status in the hospital. The Matron had sighed, then smiled apologetically. "All right, Sister," she had agreed dryly, "I know you think I am determined to damp your ardour. Believe me, had I not agreed with Mr. Chesfield that you were the most suitable nurse for this important job I would never 54 have allowed it to be offered to you, I have spoken on the matter to Dr. Tring, and he assures me somewhat exaggeratedly, I am sure that you could run the Clinic singlehanded, and that you've been doing more than nine-tenths of the work for the past six months. Whether or not that is true, I know I can have complete confidence in you. It's just that I do not want you to rush into anything you may regret later. Mr. Chesfield particularly pointed out that' if you take on this job he will want you to stay in it for an appredable period. He asked me to find out, on his behalf, whether you intend making nursing your 'career." Sally frowned indignantly. "But surely the answer is obvious, Matron? I would scarcely be here at Merry's if I hadn't yet dedded I liked nursing?" Matron had smiled indulgently. "Lots of nurses are passionately devoted to their work until something or someone more attractive comes along," she suggested quietly. "I think Mr. Chesfield was thinking of possible marriage on your part." Sally had felt her cheeks grow warm, but she had kept her voice level. "Mr, Chesfield need have no fears on that point, Matron," she had said with firm conviction. "When I take on this new position I shall give him no cause for anxiety, I promise." When, at the end of the longest forty-eight hours Sally ever remembered, she went to the Matron with her decision, the older woman seemed strangely unimpressed, indeed, had the idea not been so absurd. Sally would have said she seemed disappointed rather than 'otherwise. "Very well, my dear," she said quietly, "then I will tell Mr. Chesfield what you have decided. Unless you prefer to tell him yourself? He will be along to see Tommy tonight, no doubt, I have assured him many times that there is no longer any need for such constant attendance on the boy, but he seems determined to continue hisi visits." She glanced at Sally intently, then shook her head slightly. "I will make arrangements for Tommy to be transferred 55 into the general ward tomorrow, so you will be relieved of spedal nursing." That evening Sally stayed on late, viewing the approaching interview with excitement,, and also some nervousness. She knew only too well just what a big responsibility would be hers in the new position, and even though she was determined to make. a success of it, she had the pre-examination nerves that she had always suffered during her training. Laurence Chesfield was late in arriving at Merry's, and he greeted Sally with the courteous apologies which she had come to associate with him. The boy greeted him noisily, and fidgeted .throughout the brief examination. When Chesfield straightened himself, he smiled easily at Sally. "We needn't waste any more precious time with this young rascal, Sister," he told her calmly. "He's as fit probably far more fit, I fancy, than you or I. It fits in very well with the new arrangements. And that reminds me" he turned to look at her steadily, his tanned face unusually serious "Sister have you heard 'of my plans for the Clinic, from Matron?" She nodded, suddenly tongue-tied. "And what do you think of the idea?" he asked her eagerly. 'Tf you have ten minutes to spare, couldn't we discuss it somewhere together? I'd like to hear your views on the subject, and, most important of all, I want to know whether or not you have decided to help me.'' , "Oh, yes yes!" she blurted out impulsively. "How could you suppose I would hesitate, doctor? I can't hope to thank you enough for giving me such an opportunity. I only hope I can live up to your expectations. ..." He smiled kindly, his handsome face filled with indulgence."Far more important that you live up to the patients' expectations," he teased her, "and far more difficult, I think you will agree! Ah, my dear" he took her hands in his, and she started with surprised delight at the feel of his fingers on hers "you don't know how''glad I am to hear of this acceptance on your part. I knew from the first 56 : moment in the theatre that we ought to work together I , shal feel utterly confident in leaving my patients to your care. But come" he tightened his hold momentarily we can't talk here. Get somebody to stand in for you at ; .least for half an hour. I'll make it all right with Matron there is so much for us to discuss. I want to start the i Clinic next Thursday, if it is possible. I have already a ; string of patients waiting for regular treatment, which you can give. Come along." Sally, flustered and amused by his boyish impatience , phoned through to the Day Sister, and obtained permission ; to leave her duties, and also for a probationer to sit with , Tommy until she returned. She took Chesfield to the Canteen, and was secretly relieved to find it empty of | nurses. One or two doctors and an occupational therapist ; were chatting at one corner table, but they glanced only 1 idly in the direction of Sally and the surgeon and then ; continued their talk. Chesfield, as soon as he had ordered ; coffee, leaned across to Sally, his dark face alight with in. ;- terest and enthusiasm. "Now," he began eagerly, "this is the moment I've ; been waiting for. Sister. Let's start off from the very beginning, with the feeling that we are not just doctor and ; nurse, but partners, shall we? I feel we can best handle : this job as a team 1 shall still see new patients, of course ! and prescribe treatment. Any of Trenton's small patients ; in need of ear, nose or throat treatment will also come down to the Clinic when I visit it on Thursday or, if ' unable to be brought down, of course I will go to them. ' As soon as they are undergoing treatment, they will attend your Clinic for the treatment I have advised you under| stand? You will need an assistant, naturally, and I want you to tell me if there is any one nurse you .would prefer ; to any other. I'll persuade Matron to let you have her, I ; -oromise. All tonsil cases will come to you after operation, also chronic ear troubles, sinuses, and so on you know the >