“Darling, I’m so glad you’ve come. I was afraid you might be late.” She kissed Jill affectionately. “We must be in good time you know, those planes leave so promptly, they won’t wait a moment.”
“Neither will boats or trains!” Jill gave a laughing rejoinder as she returned to her mother’s embrace. “You’ve got heaps of time; there isn’t the slightest reason to get into a flap.”
“I suppose not.” Lady Hallard sighed. “Trevor has gone over to the barber. I can’t think why he had to leave it to the last moment.”
“But it’s not the last moment,” Jill insisted, as she drew her mother towards the couch beside the fire. “Come and sit down quietly. We can have a nice chat together before Trevor returns. You know he is absolutely reliable, so sit back and relax ... You’ve at least another half-hour before you need think of leaving.”
“I expect you are right,” Lady Hallard conceded as she took a cigarette from Jill’s proffered case. “What’s the weather like ... not misty or anything?” she asked with ill-concealed anxiety.
“Not a sign of mist, fog or storm,” Jill laughed. “You should have a lovely trip, so stop worrying about that too ... Now tell me about Terry: how is he? I was absolutely stunned when Dr. McRey said he’d be coming to Sunsand I was so thrilled. Do tell me how it all happened,” Jill queried eagerly.
“I don’t exactly know...” Lady Hallard frowned. “If you ask me I think the little monkey invited himself,” she explained with an indulgent laugh.
“But tell me what happened,” Jill persisted.
“Terry has quite fallen for the Doctor, and I must say he certainly understands children. It’s lucky he does, or I daren’t think what opinion he would have had of the child—the way Terry said outright that he wanted to be with you and the Doctor for Christmas, declaring you’d be lonely without him! I don’t think he gave the poor man much option.” Lady Hallard smiled at the recollection. “Naturally I tried to laugh it off, but Dr. McRey only encouraged him, and in the end invited him to stay.”
“I think he’ll love it there,” Jill spoke enthusiastically. “The house is right on the cliff with a private pathway to the sea. What time will he be down to-morrow?”
“I’ve told Hawkins to get them there before dark, so they should be in good time for tea.” The conversation distracted Lady Hallard, and she had obviously calmed down.
“I’ll be there to meet them.”
“I was so pleased to see Harriet again after all these years,” Lady Hallard went on, “... and by the way, she tells me you are leaving St. Joseph’s. I hope you are going to be sensible this time and give it up for good.”
“I’m afraid not.” Jill smiled to soften her words. “I couldn’t bear an idle existence; but then I’ve told you all that before.”
“It’s time you got married and settled down.” Lady Hallard spoke with decision. “Goodness knows you must have had your chances. I tell you, Jill, it’s ridiculous the way you carry on, and in your position, too. It isn’t as if you had to work. Why not come home and live a normal healthy life?”
“My life is both normal and healthy,” Jill protested laughingly, “... and I like it,” she added with emphasis.
“Dr. McRey would make a fine husband, and according to Harriet Laine he really is a coming man.”
“But you didn’t like him!” Jill exclaimed. Then, to cover the confusion the quite unexpected remark had evoked, went on, “You called him uncouth, said he lacked manners and, apart from his medical ability, which I admit you never questioned, you hadn’t a good word to say for him.”
“Perhaps I hadn’t—at first,” Lady Hallard agreed reluctantly. “I hardly knew him, but last Sunday he impressed me very favourably.”
“After Harriet had sung his praises and told you what an excellent position he was in—both medically—and financially,” Jill teased. She knew her mother so well. Those little snobberies to which she was addicted but would never dream of acknowledging.
“Not at all. I liked him better, that’s all. I suppose when Terry was so ill I couldn’t give my mind to anything else. Trevor tells me that he is related to the McReys we met at St. Andrews that year and, by the way, you know he beat Trevor at golf on Sunday, even after he’d given him lots of strokes and things,” she ended vaguely.
“That hardly makes him a matrimonial catch.” Jill spoke so quietly that her words were little above a whisper. The idea that she should encourage and not repel any advances Duncan McRey might make gave her an irresistible urge to laugh outright.
“What did you say, darling?”
Jill shook her head. “Nothing.” She paused, then went on: “I don’t think you need concern yourself with Duncan McRey’s problems. He may be a confirmed bachelor and, even if he weren’t, why should he be interested in me?”
“Why not?” Lady Hallard insisted. “You are so wrapped up in that work of yours—that silly uniform ... so unbecoming, too—sometimes I can’t believe that you are a daughter of mine.” She spoke plaintively in tones only too familiar to Jill. “A good-looking man, in an excellent position, and you let Harriet—who can’t hold a candle to you for looks—snap him up right under your nose!”
“What on earth do you mean?” Jill exclaimed. “Harriet ... Dr. McRey? Why, it’s ridiculous! They are good friends, that’s all!”
“Ah!—so you are interested?” she queried shrewdly. “That man is extremely attractive, and whatever his ideas may be on the subject, he isn’t going to be left single for long. That kind of man is always shy with girls, but Harriet is at least taking the trouble to penetrate his reserve.” She paused, then fixing Jill with violet eyes so like Jill’s own, persisted, “You do like him, don’t you?”
“I ... I think he is very charming. I admire his ability, too.” Jill knew her words sounded flat and evasive while she deplored the tell-tale colour which had mounted her cheeks at the question. “... but Harriet? There can’t be anything in that, they are very good friends, that’s all,” she repeated tonelessly as though to reassure herself. With a mechanical action she flung her cigarette into the fire and watched the flame consume it until it disintegrated into minute particles of ash ... She liked Harriet and desired her happiness ... but this, this fantastic suggestion, it couldn’t, it couldn’t be true!
“Did you know that Dr. McRey had taken a house in town, in Queen Anne Street, one of those houses I’ve always admired so much?” Lady Hallard was now well embarked on her subject. “He’ll need a wife to run a place like that, so I’m afraid he’ll have to discard any fond hopes he may have cherished about remaining single.”
Jill rose to her feet. The atmosphere of the room had suddenly become suffocating, the central heating was more than she could bear, and even the fire seemed to be burning with added intensity. “I’d better say my farewells and be going.” Her words sounded strained in her own ears. “There must be plenty of little things you still have to do.”
“Can’t you wait for Trevor? He’ll be disappointed if you don’t...” If she was conscious of Jill’s sudden anxiety to speed her departure, she showed no sign. “I’ve no idea how long we’ll be away. I shan’t hurry back, I’m tired of this climate and, frankly, if it weren’t for Terry I’d get Trevor to stay South until the spring. The child seems to have taken a dislike to the idea of being left at Brent Towers alone with Nana. Thank goodness he’ll be with you over Christmas, but you’ll have to send him back afterwards. You mustn’t let him overstay his welcome with Dr. McRey.”
“Now he is getting older I suppose he won’t like being left.” Jill spoke mechanically, she was still too conscious of that overheated room. Trevor’s sudden appearance filled her with relief. Now she could get away out into the cool, fresh air, somewhere along where she could relax. She took her stepfather’s outstretched hand and returned his greeting. “I’m glad you’ve come in, I wanted to see you before I left, and I must be going now. I’ve loads of shopping to do.”
“You can’t go for a mo
ment. Just a drink first to speed us on our journey.” He smiled as he crossed to the cocktail cabinet, poured three glasses, and handing one to his wife then to Jill, he held it aloft. “Well, here is to a good journey for us and a happy Christmas to you, Jill.” He smiled at her over the rim of his glass.
“Thanks.” Jill was glad of the cooling drink. She didn’t even notice what it was, but at least it had the effect of steadying her. “I hope you and Mother have a good holiday ... Send me a line when you arrive.”
“We will,” Trevor agreed, then added with a laugh, “What do you think of young Terry inviting himself to Sunsand Bay?”
“I’ll love having him there,” Jill spoke more easily. The drink had certainly helped. “I don’t really care how he achieved the invitation, by fair means or foul! I’m with the idea.”
“Pleasant man, McRey. Didn’t seem to mind at all; in fact, I really believe he wanted the child, don’t you, Madeleine?” he enquired, turning to his wife.
“Of course he wanted Terry, but I doubt if he would ever have taken the initiative to ask him if Terry hadn’t made the suggestion himself.” She threw a glance of unmistakable meaning at Jill as she went on: “I’ve been telling Jill, I’ve quite changed my opinion about the doctor. He and Harriet Laine seemed very good friends, didn’t they?” she enquired, addressing Trevor.
“I really must be going now,” Jill interrupted before Trevor had a chance to reply. “I’ve so much to get through and you know what a time shopping takes.”
Trevor waited while Jill gave her mother a good-bye kiss, then escorted her to the door. There he paused.
“Bye-bye, Jill, don t work too hard. Now you are leaving St. Joseph’s, why not give up altogether...?”
Jill placed a gentle finger on his lips. “Now, don’t you start,” she told him laughingly, then, returning his warm handclasp, hurried towards the lift.
Studying her list, Jill decided to buy Terry’s present first. That purchase took up quite a bit of the afternoon, but as she finally selected an exciting-looking building set with most realistic bricks and watched the assistant wrap it, she knew what fun it was going to be handing it herself instead of having to consign it to the impersonal method of postal delivery There were oddments to choose for his stocking, too ... of course the mythical Santa Claus would get the thanks for those, but she’d enjoy the excitement which every little gift aroused. The choice of a party frock for Julie was quite a problem, too, and when over a solitary cup of tea she reviewed the day’s purchases, she was justifiably satisfied. She poured herself a second cup, then glanced at her watch. It wasn’t the rush hour, so she’d probably get a taxi without undue trouble and be in good time for her train. As she quietly drank her tea she found herself recalling Lady Hallard’s hints ... more than hints surely? A frown creased Jill’s forehead. It must of course have been her mother’s too romantic imagination? In the quiet, undisturbed atmosphere of the tea-room, Jill felt far more able to face the question. Harriet and Duncan were good friends, they understood one another; she was certain that there was nothing more to their relationship than that ... caring for him herself as she did, surely she would have been the first to detect any closer relationship between them? Jill half-closed her eyes as she lived again those precious moments on the beach, already three nights ago, and yet she could still feel his arm encircling her waist, that so gentle kiss which for one ecstatic moment had given her a joy beyond belief ... She had been so sure that he, too, had shared some part of that halcyon moment, that some spark had been kindled within him, a spark which might one day burn with a flame to match her own. Had she been deceived, was she deluding herself, had love blinded her to reason?
Jill settled her bill and collected together her parcels. Dismissing her useless conjectures, she made her way to the street and hailed a passing taxi. It was foolish to allow herself to be disturbed by her mother’s idle chatter. How could she possibly, in one short day, have detected a romance which Jill, who worked in daily contact with both Duncan and Harriet, had never as much as dreamed of. Obviously the most sensible idea was to thrust the fantastic notion completely from her mind.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Jill had never looked at the clock so often during her hours on duty as she did on the afternoon that Terry was due at Sunsand Bay. It seemed as if time would never pass, and she longed for the moment when she could close her office door behind her and hurry across the garden to Duncan McRey’s house. She found herself speculating happily on the greeting which Terry would give her, how would he be looking? Would that lovely pink glow have returned to his cheeks? She hated not having been at the house to welcome his arrival, but, travelling as he and Nana had done, by car, made the exact hour uncertain, and she had scarcely felt justified in leaving Brenda to shoulder all the work of the ward while she awaited their arrival.
“Why don’t you get off now?” Brenda suggested as she rolled back her sleeves to superintend the children’s teas. “I can easily manage. I’ve three ‘Pros.’ on duty, and there is never much clearing up to do when there hasn’t been a ward round—or a visiting day!” she ended smilingly.
“Don’t talk to me about visiting days...” Jill sighed. “The nearer Christmas, the worse they get. We’ve only one more to face and I’ve quite decided, however fretful the children get, there are to be no more paper chains, not one inch!” she avowed.
“I quite agree ... But seriously, I can so easily manage now without you, and you might just be in time to greet your brother.”
“I’d like to ... if you are sure?” Jill spoke with some diffidence. It was not in her nature to evade one moment of duty, but then it wasn’t every day that anything quite so exciting happened as Terry’s arrival.
“Then do go!” Brenda urged. “I know exactly how you feel. I’ve managed to get Boxing afternoon off. I’m going to rush up to town to see Julie. As a matter of fact, Philip—Dr. Traven—is taking me in his car; there won’t be any holding me all the morning!” she warned Jill laughingly.
“I’m so glad,” Jill responded with real sincerity. “Thanks, I will go, if you don’t mind, but if anything unexpected turns up, don’t hesitate to ring me at Dr. McRey’s house. I’ll come back straight away.”
With Brenda’s assurance that she certainly would, Jill hurried off, her excitement rising as the house on the cliff edge came into view, and she recognized the family car standing at the entrance. Hawkins was still at the wheel but he alighted quickly as Jill advanced. Touching his cap, he greeted her with a smile. “Master Terry and Nurse are inside. Mrs. ... the housekeeper kindly told me to wait, Miss. She said she’d give me a cup of tea before I started back.”
Jill exchanged a few words with the chauffeur, then hurried up the steps. She was scarcely over the threshold when Terry, bounding from the sitting-room, threw himself at her, his arms a stranglehold round her neck. Still holding him, Jill carried him back to the room; then, lowering him to the floor, sank on to her knees before him. “Let me look at you!” She held him at arms’ length while she scanned the wriggling little body. He certainly appeared very different from the wan figure she had last seen in his cot at Brent Towers. Like most children, he had regained his normal healthy colour almost as quickly as he had lost it, and now there was little sign of the danger he had passed through. “Why, you look better than ever. You are a sham, I don’t believe you need a seaside holiday at all,” she teased, hugging him afresh.
“Ough...” Terry released himself and, tugging Jill to her feet, pulled her over to the armchair. “I do! I want one awful badly. Uncle Duncan said I did he’s a doctor he knows.” He waited until Jill had sunk into the chair, then clambered to her lap.
While Terry was busily occupied making himself comfortable, Jill had a chance to turn to Nana, and after a warm greeting and some conventional enquiries as to the comfort of the journey, Jill went on. “I see tea is ready. Haven’t you had any yet?”
“Terry would wait for you. How he has been able to resist that
lovely spread I don’t know. I can see he will be thoroughly spoilt here. The way he has gone off his food the last few days, too...” She made a clucking sound of disapproval. “I’ve told him if he doesn’t eat properly I’ll take him home again. I certainly will,” she added, turning to Terry with a would-be severe frown.
It was obvious that Nana’s threats carried little weight with Terry. An impish smile dimpled his cheeks as he cuddled closer to Jill. “I’m going to eat lots and lots. I promised, didn’t I?” he asked with an air of hurt pride. “I promised Uncle Duncan, too.”
“So you call the Doctor, Uncle, do you?” Jill asked with some amusement. “Did he tell you you could?”
“I said it would be nicer,” Terry admitted slowly, then perceiving Jill’s look of doubt went on eagerly. “He thought it would be nice, too ... didn’t he, Nana?”
“You take good care that folk think what you want them to, young man!” she responded, then, addressing herself to Jill, went on: “Such lovely rooms we’ve got, and Mrs. Miles is a most obliging person.” Nana’s expression betrayed the fact that she must have harboured some doubts as to what comfort awaited her in a bachelor establishment. “Now I’ll go along and tell her you’re here, and maybe we can start on that fine tea.”
Jill had to agree it looked most appetising. Mrs. Miles had drawn the table close to the fire, and the crisp white doth was barely visible between the numerous dishes of sandwiches and cakes with which she had loaded it. As she clasped Terry in her arms and felt his warm cheek pressed against hers, she was aware of a deep sense of contentment. It seemed like a miracle that he should be safely here at Sunsand when such a short while back she had been filled with unspeakable fears ... Her heart overflowed with gratitude as she thought of all that Duncan McRey had done for her, the confidence he had afforded her, his wonderful handling of Terry, and now, on top of everything else—this! Her eyes strayed round the room. It had been made to look as comfortable as it could with its heavy old-fashioned furniture, and a Christmas tree—as yet untrimmed—stood on a low pedestal near the fire, the rich green of its branches dark against the cream-washed walls. Jill sighed with sheer happiness as she unconsciously drew the child closer, tucking his head against her shoulder and resting her face against the soft curls of his hair.
To Please the Doctor Page 17
