East of Barryvale

by Yvonne Whittal

  She heard the door open and close with a sharp click, and knew that she was alone. She shivered as though his sudden departure had robbed the room of its warmth.

  'It won't happen again,' he had said, but if only he knew how much she had wanted to remain in his arms for ever! Jacqueline pressed her fist against her bruised lips and tasted the saltiness in her mouth as the tears chased each other down her cheeks.

  How could Meldon do this? It was so out of character. He was engaged to be married, ,yet he was playing with her, teasing her and drawing an undreamed-of response from her. Why? Did it please him to have several women in love with him at the same time?

  When Aunt Ellen bustled into the room with a glass of warm milk for Jacqueline before she herself retired for the night, she found Jacqueline lying weakly against the pillows, her cheeks flushed and her eyes red-rimmed and swollen from her recent bout of weeping. With motherly concern Aunt Ellen made her comfortable, wiped her hot face with a damp cloth and sat with her until she slept.

  The following morning Jacqueline received a visit from a young man whom Aunt Ellen obviously knew, for they chatted happily as they entered her room.

  "I'm Stephen du Toit," he supplied as Jacqueline strove for recognition. "The chap you wanted to give an ice bath on your first morning at the hospital."

  "Oh, yes," she smiled eventually, her brow clearing. "Positions are somewhat reversed at the moment, though."

  "So I see," he nodded with a grin.

  "Did she really want to give you an ice bath?" Aunt Ellen asked inquisitively.

  "Yes," he laughed, "but there was provocation from my side which led to that decision."

  Aunt Ellen looked from one to the other, then shook her head helplessly and left them alone. Young people spoke in such riddles, she decided.

  "Won't you sit down?" Jacqueline invited, but he declined the offer.

  "I have to get back to the farm," he explained. "I called to thank you for saving my brother's life."

  "Your brother?"

  "Yes. You were called out to our farm because my brother was haemorrhaging badly. Immediately after­wards you became ill, and that's why my visit has been somewhat delayed."

  "Of course, now I remember." Jacqueline's brow cleared. "How is your brother?"

  "Very well indeed, thanks to you. He's home now, but still has to take things easy for a while, naturally."

  "I'm so glad."

  "Well, I must leave now," he said apologetically, "but when you're well again, please call at the farm whenever you have a free moment. My brother and sister-in-law will be only too pleased to be able to repay you in some small way for what you did."

  "With help from above almost anything can be accom­plished, Mr. du Toit," Jacqueline replied, embarrassed by so much friendliness and praise. "Give your family my regards and thank them for their kind invitation."

  "I'll do that."

  Jacqueline was thoughtful for some time after Stephen du Toit had left. She was unaccustomed to such visits from her patients, for in the city you never became ac­quainted with them and hardly ever saw them again once they had left the hospital.

  The farmers in the Karoo were known for their hospi­tality and friendliness. The men were a tough lot, who have had to endure the many setbacks of the unpredic­table weather. They had learnt to take droughts in then-stride and many a time had to start from scratch. In spite of this they had not become hardened, but instead were incredibly tenderhearted. Their womenfolk were never idle, and always lending a helping hand where needed.

  It was good to be amongst such people again, Jacqueline thought as she relaxed against the pillows.

  Meldon's visits after that unfortunate evening became very brief and professional. In spite of this Jacqueline had begged Aunt Ellen to remain present on each occasion, and if Meldon found it strange, he refrained from saying so and merely chatted amiably.

  Jacqueline was spending less and less time in bed as the days went by, and one evening while enjoying a cup of tea in the kitchen with Aunt Ellen, Meldon arrived with Tanya. He promptly pulled a chair out to sit down, but Aunt Ellen, noticing Tanya's obvious discomfort at having to enter the kitchen in her expensive silk evening gown, suggested they all go through to the lounge.

  "I think I'll go to my room," Jacqueline excused her­self, brushing past Meldon who stood towering above her in his dark evening suit.

  "Wait!" he called as she reached the door.

  She turned slowly to face him, painfully aware that her well worn, faded cotton dress did not compare favourably with Tanya's elegant gown.

  "How are you feeling?"

  "Well, thank you," she muttered, thinking: 'As if you cared!'

  "Shall we skip the check-up tonight?" His keen glance noticed that the hollows in her cheeks were filling out, but the smudges beneath her eyes were still evident.

  "I think so," she replied. "You're obviously going out somewhere and you must be in a hurry."

  "We're on our way to a dinner engagement," Tanya filled in, her lips parting in an artificial smile.

  "Then please don't let me keep you," Jacqueline said with forced politeness, and left the kitchen.

  She entered her room and subsided listlessly on to the edge of the bed. Jealousy coursed through her veins like a red-hot fire as she visualised Meldon and Tanya spend­ing the evening together. Thrusting her thoughts from her over-active mind, she was on the point of preparing for bed when there was a light tap at her door.

  "Come in," she called with some trepidation, and almost experienced a feeling of relief when the door opened and Tanya's perfume came wafting towards her.

  "Meldon is already waiting outside for me," she said, seating herself gingerly on the side of the bed. "He asked me to speak to you and this is just as good an oppor­tunity as any."

  "What did he ask you to speak to me about?"

  "Your illness has been quite a bother to him and he mentioned to me the other day that having to call here so often was allowing him very little time to get on with his own work."

  "I never asked him to come," Jacqueline replied defiantly.

  "But surely, my dear, you must realise that Meldon feels under an obligation to see to you personally because of his friendship with your father?"

  With those words Tanya touched a raw spot and Jacqueline flinched inwardly. Gathering herself up with as much dignity as she could muster, she took a deep breath and looked Tanya squarely in the eyes.

  "You can tell Meldon from me that I don't wish to have any further calls from him." She stopped to take an agonising breath and steadied a trembling lip between her teeth. "His obligation ends here and now!"

  "I'm glad to see you're being sensible about it, Jacquel­ine," Tanya said, rising to her feet. "I told Meldon you would understand, but you know what men are like."

  "I'm afraid I don't. That's the trouble."

  "They're really all cowards at heart, my dear," Tanya informed her.

  "I don't think you should keep Meldon waiting," Jacqueline said with a calmness that surprised even her­self.

  Tanya seem to want to linger, then smiling affably she swept out of the room. It was with difficulty that Jacqueline controlled the wild desire to scream hysteri­cally. She was amazed that she had managed to remain so calm while Tanya obviously had relished the idea of hurting her beyond endurance. How much punishment could one person take?

  So Meldon had discussed with Tanya the reason for his regular visits and had mentioned the wish to dis­continue them? Did he also mention that he had kissed her and how she had responded? How they must have laughed when he described how easily she had succumbed to his caresses.

  "Fool! Fool! Fool!" Jacqueline shouted vehemently, smashing her fist into the pillow. "What a fool I am!"

  "Yes, my dear, what a fool you are."

  "Aunt Ellen!" Jacqueline swung round wide-eyed. Aunt Ellen stood in the doorway, a light of battle in her usually gentle eyes.

  "What a fool you are to believe that wo
man," she repeated.

  "You heard?"

  Aunt Ellen nodded. "I suspected she was planning to cause mischief and pretended to come in for something. How can you believe her, Jacky?"

  "But she said-----"

  "She said, she said! Jacqueline, have you no sense? Why don't you listen to your heart instead of your head?”

  "I... I don't know. I'm so confused."

  "Of course you're confused," Aunt Ellen persisted. "That's what Tanya wants. Can't you see she'll do every­thing in her power to get Meldon? And this includes hurting and humiliating you. She heard Meldon telling

  me that unless I thought it necessary, he wouldn't be calling on you regularly in future. Tanya immediately made use of this information and twisted it to her benefit."

  Jacqueline shook her head helplessly.

  "Do you believe that Meldon, with his high ideals and straightforward nature, could be so callous?" Aunt Ellen asked earnestly. "And give me your answer straight from the heart."

  "Oh, Aunt Ellen," Jacqueline sighed. "In my heart I want to believe that he's sincere and that there wasn't a word of truth in what Tanya has told me. But—"

  "Don't!" She sat down beside Jacqueline and placed a comforting arm about her. "Sometimes it's better to let your heart show the way."

  Jacqueline considered this thoughtfully. "I think I should go on my planned trip overseas and while I'm away and busy studying I might even find that I don't care for him after all."

  "Perhaps," Aunt Ellen agreed, not for one moment believing this could happen. "But don't go until after Christmas. By that time matters may have sorted them­selves out."

  "Christmas is only six weeks away."

  "A lot can happen in six weeks, my dear."

  Aunt Ellen was right. A lot could happen in that time. Perhaps then she would know the truth of whether she had given her heart wisely or foolishly.

  The days that followed seemed to fly and Jacqueline was regaining her strength rapidly. Meldon did not visit her again and Jacqueline was now almost certain that Tanya had spoken the truth. She went ahead with her plans to study abroad, keeping in mind the promise she had made to Aunt Ellen.

  Two weeks after returning to the hospital Jacqueline received an urgent call one evening to report to Casualty.

  When she arrived she found Meldon there with the two Casualty doctors.

  "Ah, Jacqueline," Meldon greeted. "Come with me."

  He took her into a small office and closed the door. His manner was quite disturbing and as they had hardly spoken to each other since her return, she was a little apprehensive as to the reason for this call.

  She sat down in the chair he had indicated and waited.

  "There was an accident out on the main road," he said, pacing about. "Two cars were involved in a head-on collision. The one man escaped with a few scratches and bruises, but the fellow that was brought in a short while ago was seriously injured."

  There was a gnawing feeling at the pit of her stomach, but she remained silent.

  "He has several broken ribs and his right arm was broken in two places, but the injury that worries me most is the badly fractured skull."

  A significant silence followed and Jacqueline felt her­self go tense.

  Meldon sat down on the corner of the desk. He took his time lighting his cigarette, and took some more time staring thoughtfully at the smoke curling up from it.

  "Dr. Sanderson is on holiday at the coast and to get him back here we would be wasting valuable time," Meldon continued. "As you know, Dr. Marais is down with a bad bout of influenza, and Tanya is incapable of doing an operation of this kind."

  "But I-----"

  "You've assisted Dr. Sanderson with several opera­tions of this nature and you could do it," he went on as if she had not spoken. "Will you do it, Jacky?"

  "I can't!" she burst out frantically, the palms of her hands suddenly clammy as they lay in her lap.

  "Can't? Or won't?" he asked quietly, his eyes coldly penetrating.

  "Meldon, I've never done an operation of this nature on my own before," she explained, striving for calmness. "To alleviate the pressure on the brain is a very delicate operation and requires the utmost skill."

  "But you know what has to be done," Meldon per­sisted.

  "Yes, I know what has to be done," she sighed.

  "Jacqueline," he spoke persuasively, "if you don't operate, that man could die. If you do, he at least stands a fair chance."

  She nodded, stretching her hand out to the telephone. "Where is he now?"

  "In the theatre. Sister is just waiting for the go-ahead from you."

  Jacqueline asked the switchboard operator to put her through to the theatre.

  "Dr. Thornton?" Theatre Sister queried as she an­swered the phone at the other end.

  "Get the patient ready," Jacqueline said cryptically. "I'm coming."

  "We'll be ready when you are," Sister said, replacing the receiver.

  Jacqueline looked down at her hands and was sur­prised to find that they were not trembling.

  "You knew I wouldn't refuse. Didn't you?" she asked, looking up at Meldon who sat watching her with his arms folded across his chest.

  His smile infuriated her and she stood up and walked swiftly to the door. Then panic gripped her. Hating the thought of making him realise how important his steady­ing presence was to her, she asked: "Will you be there?

  "Yes, if that's what you want," he replied promptly, his expression giving nothing away.

  "I would be grateful if you would," she told him, and left the office lest he should see the embarrassed blush spreading over her cheeks.

  They faced each other a short while later across the prostrate figure of the unfortunate patient. Meldon gave his customary nod of encouragement and Jacqueline closed her eyes to offer up a silent prayer. The anaesthe­tist gestured that she could start and from the moment the first instrument was slapped into the palm of her hand, she never hesitated. The minutes ticked by and ran into hours as she worked steadily towards her ultimate goal.

  Jacqueline's body was drenched with perspiration beneath the theatre gown and the Sister continuously had to wipe her forehead to prevent the moisture from running into her eyes.

  "He can't take much more, Doctor," the anaesthetist spoke in a hushed voice.

  "Just a few minutes more," Jacqueline begged.

  "It will have to be quick, then," he agreed, and Jacqueline, working feverishly against time, felt the sweat running down her back.

  It was not until the patient was wheeled from the theatre that the tenseness left her. She stood as though dazed while the Theatre Sister stripped her of her theatre garments and handed her a towel. Jacqueline splashed water into her hot face and dried it automatically.

  "What we both need is a cup of strong, black coffee," Meldon remarked, removing the towel from her nerve­less fingers and taking a firm grip on her arm.

  "Make yourselves at home in my office, Dr. Powers," Theatre Sister said as he marched Jacqueline out. "I'll have coffee sent in to you."

  Jacqueline sank down into the chair Meldon had pulled out for her and closed her eyes. The enormity of what she had accomplished overwhelmed her, churning inside her in mad turmoil. Although the patient was still on the critical list, she had, with the help of God, possibly saved a man's life.

  She opened her eyes to find Meldon smiling down at her, and involuntarily she smiled back at him, forgetting for the moment the heartache that lay dormant within her at his obvious treachery.

  A nurse came in and placed a tray on the desk with two cups of coffee and sandwiches.

  "Sister said you might be hungry," she explained, and left again hurriedly.

  They helped themselves in silence and only when Jacqueline took a bite out of the sandwich did she realise that she was indeed hungry. She had not eaten since mid­day and then she had only had an omelette and a cup of tea. Meldon watched with satisfaction as the last sand­wich disappeared and grinned at Jacqueline's apolog
etic glance at the empty plate.

  "You did well, Jacky," he complimented her. "But then I knew you would."

  She gazed at him steadily for a long moment. Her fair hair had grown since her arrival in Barryvale and it hung in soft waves almost to her shoulders. She had no idea how appealing she looked sitting there with her hair brushed back from her face to expose the fine blue veins at her temples. She had not yet regained her healthy tan since her illness and the faint shadows beneath her eyes were very prominent at that moment.