It Happened At Christmas (Anthology)

by Penny Jordan

  ‘And I am privileged to take yours.’

  Tilly watched the silent tableau as the last of the sun dropped out of the sky. The tall, elegantly dressed young man, and the other, poor and weak. But their hands were locked as firmly as their eyes. Though no words were spoken, the understanding between them was complete.

  Then the doctor took his ribbons and carefully folded them into his pocket. The man in the chair disappeared into the crowd and the doctor held out his arm. Tilly took it, and they walked in silence through the bustling market street.

  How deep her respect had grown for him! she thought then. His compassion for the poor man had touched her heart, and with this came another feeling, a warmth and intensity that left her in no doubt about what was happening. Her perceptions of him had changed as she had got to know him, and the regard that she felt for him was melting into a deeper sensation—one that she had never experienced before. All the same, she knew what it was, as every woman knew when it happened to them. But still she tried to resist the truth as despair slowly filled her breast. For what future could they possibly have together? He was destined to marry a woman of his class and standing, Rosalind Darraway, and nothing, not even Tilly’s deep and secret affection, could change that.

  The next day, Monday, Rosalind Darraway arrived in high dudgeon. ‘Harry, I’d like to speak you immediately!’

  ‘Can’t it wait till later, Rosalind?’ the doctor said as Tilly showed in the first patients. ‘We’re beginning shortly.’

  ‘This won’t take a moment.’ She glanced upstairs. ‘Surely you can spare a few minutes to discuss our future?’

  He inclined his head to the stairs and Rosalind floated up them.

  ‘What’s up now?’ wondered Mrs Fish, rocking her baby in her arms. ‘She ain’t got the dip, has she?’

  ‘No, of course not. Now, please take a seat.’ Tilly urged her to a vacant chair. ‘The doctor won’t be long.’

  Half an hour later, Rosalind came down the stairs. ‘I shan’t be here today, Tilly. I hope you’ll manage without me.’ She strode out to the street, where a car was waiting for her. The chauffeur drove away very quickly.

  A moment or two later, Dr Fleet came down the stairs. He looked very serious. Frowning at the waiting patients, he nodded, smiled politely, and disappeared into his room.

  Even Frank’s good-natured banter couldn’t bring much of a smile to his face as the day progressed. Tilly wondered what was wrong. Rosalind had remarked on their future and the importance of a swift discussion. What had happened to make him so preoccupied?

  Tilly found out before she left that night.

  ‘Tilly, please come in.’

  She went into his room. He was pacing around it, his hands behind his back. Finally he stopped and stood still. ‘Something has happened to change my plans. Sir Joshua is leaving England on January the first for the Far East.’ He coughed. ‘So at Christmas Rosalind and I are to be engaged.’

  Tilly knew she should wish him every happiness. But when she opened her mouth the words faded away. She was grateful that he didn’t seem to notice as he began to search the drawers in his desk.

  ‘Ah! Here it is.’ He brought out a small blue box. ‘I wonder, would you look at this for me?’ He opened the box and removed a little pad of blue velvet. The ring inside was set with three oval stones that sparkled brilliantly.

  ‘What do you think of it?’ he asked.

  ‘It’s beautiful,’ Tilly gasped.

  ‘You are about the same size as Rosalind. Could you try it on? I really have no idea as to how it would look on her finger.’

  ‘But I couldn’t—’ Tilly began, only to be stopped as he nodded firmly.

  ‘You see, the ring is my grandmother’s. I’m quite baffled as to whether Rosalind would like it, or whether she would want to choose one of her own. Of course the ring has immense sentimental value for me, but as I’ve never actually seen it worn it’s very hard to come to a decision. I would deeply value your opinion, Tilly. Here—let me help.’ He lifted her hand. Automatically her fingers spread out. ‘You have very dainty hands, Tilly.’ He slipped the ring on.

  Tilly stared down at the breathtaking sight. The little diamonds caught the light, sparkling like a brook on a summer’s day. It was a treasure, and one that any woman would adore. ‘I’m sure it will be most suitable,’ Tilly said, a catch in her voice. ‘The link with your family will make it even more special.’

  He smiled. ‘My grandmother was very special to me. My father was her only son, and I’m sad to have lost them both from my life. This ring is her legacy and I’ve always cherished it.’ He paused. ‘But now you’ve reassured me that Rosalind will like it too.’

  Tilly slid the gold band from her finger. It had been a perfect fit. The space where it had covered now felt very bare. ‘Miss Darraway will be honoured to wear it.’ She placed it back in the box.

  ‘This has all been quite sudden,’ the doctor said as he replaced the box in the drawer. ‘It will, I’m afraid, mean I shall not be able to return here in the New Year.’

  ‘Oh!’ Tilly felt full of panic.

  ‘I have a house and a practice to arrange, you see, and I must set about these things as soon as possible now…’ His voice drifted as he turned his back and walked to the desk. ‘I hope that we shall hear soon from Uncle William.’

  Tilly quietly left the room. What was going to happen now? Would Dr Tapper sell the practice if he couldn’t come back?

  Would she and the children be homeless?

  CHAPTER SIX

  ON WEDNESDAY afternoon it rained very hard. The wet weather drove people from the streets and the passage was deserted.

  ‘Tilly, I’ve received another letter from the New Cross Hospital,’ the doctor told her as he stood at the window, considering the wet streets. ‘Grace and Emily have been moved into another ward and are now classed as out of danger.’

  ‘Does that mean they’ll be home soon?’ Tilly asked, but the doctor shook his head.

  ‘They have to build up their strength first.’ He frowned as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ‘I’d like to see for myself how they are, so that I can give their families some idea of the situation. This afternoon may be the perfect opportunity to visit the hospital. You’re most welcome to join me, if you’d like to see the girls.’

  ‘I’d like that very much.’ Tilly nodded.

  ‘Then we’ll leave as soon as you’re ready.’

  Tilly hurried to fetch her coat, and the doctor gave Frank his instructions. ‘Don’t worry,’ Frank said as he stood at the door. ‘If anyone turns up I’ll give them a cup of tea and sit them in the passage till you get back.’

  ‘I shouldn’t think anyone would venture out in this,’ Tilly said as she buttoned up her raincoat.

  ‘No major operations whilst we’re away, now, Frank,’ the doctor teased as he took his umbrella from the stand.

  Very soon Tilly was sitting in the car beside the doctor. He started the engine and it gave a splutter. They surged forward and Tilly grabbed the side.

  ‘You’re quite safe,’ he assured her calmly.

  ‘I should hope so.’ Tilly felt nervous as the vehicle picked up speed.

  ‘Have you never ridden in a car before?’

  ‘No. My husband James always promised me I would one day. Unfortunately, he died before I had the opportunity.’

  ‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ the doctor replied softly. ‘But I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.’

  Tilly thought how luxurious the car felt inside. It was much smaller than the big car Lord and Lady Hailing used, but the seats were all leather and button-backed, and very comfortable.

  ‘What form of transport has my uncle used in the past?’ the doctor asked as he turned the steering wheel.

  ‘He drove a pony and trap until recently, but then the pony went lame. Even so, he insisted on walking to those who were bedridden or too sick to attend the surgery. He would go out in all weathers, much as I tried to persuade
him not to.’

  The doctor drew a deep breath. ‘No wonder the pressure on his heart became too much.’

  The car slowed as a bicycle appeared in front of them. The man riding it was soaking wet and had his head down, battling his way in the downpour. The doctor applied the brakes and fortunately avoided him. With a little grunt he pulled a knob on the instrument panel and the headlights went on.

  ‘I’m always amazed at the fact that this car is so well equipped. It even has a hood that is collapsible, yet unfortunately it has nothing to help clear the rain except this silly hand-operated gadget that makes practically no difference at all.’ He turned a lever and a long blade swept across the windscreen.

  Once more the car began to move. Tilly had always wondered what it felt like to ride in a car. How exciting it was to be sitting high up and looking down on everything!

  She recognised the long stretch ahead as the East India Dock Road, and soon they entered the Blackwall Tunnel. The noise of the rain had stopped, to be replaced by the whoosh of other vehicles as they passed. Soon daylight appeared at the other end of the tunnel, and a sign read ‘Greenwich Point’.

  When they came to New Cross, the big Victorian hospital looked very forbidding. Dr Tapper had once told her that the hospital had been used as an asylum, and later for the isolation of smallpox victims.

  It was bleak in appearance on the outside, but inside was worse. Long corridors everywhere, and a peculiar smell. Whilst the doctor spoke to the woman at the desk Tilly looked down a corridor. A little girl with a shaven head was sitting in a Bath chair. A boy, also without hair, hobbled along very slowly on his crutches.

  Were Emily and Grace down there?

  She jumped as the doctor touched her arm. He said in a whisper, ‘I had to persuade her to let us in, as it’s not yet visiting time. They seem very strict about the rules.’

  Tilly inclined her head. ‘Why do those children have no hair? Is it their disease?’

  ‘It’s removed for cleanliness’ sake,’ he told her quietly.

  ‘But they look so frightened and alone.’

  ‘It must be very upsetting for them,’ the doctor agreed, with a great deal of conviction in his voice. ‘But at least these sufferers are being attended to. We must remember that.’

  A nurse came to march them off. Tilly was separated from the doctor, and in a small changing room was told to wash her hands in disinfectant. Then she was given a white cloak, mask and cap to wear. She managed to smooth down her damp blonde hair behind the clumsy strings, but there was no mirror.

  Whatever would the girls think when they saw her dressed like this?

  Dr Fleet reappeared, also clad in white. ‘Don’t worry,’ he said in a voice muffled by his mask. ‘I am told these precautions are still necessary to prevent infection. However, I’m eager to make enquiries as to when the girls will be moved from such depressing surroundings.’

  A nurse strode towards them, her footsteps ringing out loudly. ‘We can allow a short visit,’ she said, looking annoyed. ‘But it’s most unusual without prior notification.’

  The doctor nodded. ‘Thank you. Can you tell me when the girls will be discharged from here?’

  ‘Only the doctor can tell you that, and he’s not here.’

  ‘That makes things rather awkward. I was hoping to speak to him today.’

  ‘You will have to make an appointment.’

  Tilly saw the doctor’s eyes look very cold behind his mask. Once more they were marched along endless corridors. Eventually they came to a door marked ‘Visiting Room.’ The nurse opened it.

  ‘Please take a seat on this side of the room. The two patients will sit on the other.’ Tilly and the doctor walked in and sat down as instructed. The nurse added abruptly, ‘There must not be any physical contact between you and the patients, of course. And nothing passed over or given.’

  With that, she was gone.

  ‘I’ve known more relaxed drill in the army!’ the doctor exclaimed. ‘I’m sure a few pleasantries wouldn’t have gone amiss!’

  Tilly knew he was annoyed. How could anyone get well in this desolate place, without any human warmth or kindness?

  They sat and waited. The odours of the hospital were thick and pungent, and seemed far more offensive than any fresh air that visitors might bring in.

  Eventually the door opened and Emily and Grace entered. Standing in long white gowns, and wearing masks around their shaven heads, they looked like two little ghosts. Immediately once the nurse had gone they held hands.

  Hot tears sprang to Tilly’s eyes. She wanted to get up and hug them, and tell them everything was going to be all right. She must have leaned forward, because the doctor reached out to stop her.

  With great tenderness he spoke to them. ‘Grace—Emily, it’s very good to see you. Do you remember me—Dr Fleet? And this, of course, is Tilly.’

  They both nodded, huddling close together.

  ‘We must look very frightening in these clothes, but underneath the masks we are just the same people. Now, won’t you sit down and tell us how you are? Then perhaps we can give you some news of your own families.’

  The girls sat down. Tilly had to stop herself from running over. Like the other children, they looked so lost and alone. The doctor explained that they were getting better, and that he intended to find somewhere else for them to go to recover.

  His gentle words seemed to cheer them. Tilly knew they were listening intently when their eyes filled with tears at the mention of seeing their mothers.

  It was very quiet in the car on the way home. Tilly felt very sad. They had had to leave Grace and Emily inside that bleak room without even a hug goodbye. The nurse had returned all too quickly and told them the visit was over. The doctor, however, had promised them it wouldn’t be long before they saw their families again.

  Tilly could see he was preoccupied, his face white and tense, as he drove them home. The memory of the hospital would remain in her mind for ever. The terrible smell of disinfectant and the underlying odour of illness was still in her nose.

  ‘What shall we tell their families?’ she asked faintly. ‘We can’t say what it was really like because it would worry them too much.’

  ‘Yes, I agree. I was trying to look on the bright side when we entered the place, but there was very little to recommend it. I shall write immediately and say that I want the girls transferred to a convalescent home. Somewhere close to their families, where the Mounts and Tanners can visit. I’ve heard that there is a place in Poplar that might be suitable. What they need now is clean air and good food and visits from their loved ones to maintain a recovery.’

  ‘I don’t see how anyone could be expected to get better at New Cross. I’m glad Mrs Mount and Mrs Tanner didn’t go to visit there. It would have broken their hearts.’

  ‘Quite so,’ he agreed quietly.

  At last the journey was over. Frank was there to greet them, and looked very pleased with himself when the doctor patted him on the back.

  ‘No one turned up,’ he said, a little disappointedly, ‘but I gave the place a good clean.’

  ‘Thank you, Frank. You’ve done very well. You must go and have your supper now, and a well-earned rest.’

  After he had gone, the doctor took off his coat. ‘I apologise, Tilly, if our trip today caused you distress. It was a step into a world that radically needs changing. We do our best for the sick, but in some cases it really is not enough. In time, modern methods will help the poor souls who fall victim to disease, and one day there will be new cures without having to undergo such experiences.’

  ‘I hope it happens quickly.’

  ‘I have full confidence it will. Only recently a professor at the very same hospital my uncle was at—St Mary’s—isolated a substance that can be used in the fight against diseases such as diphtheria. The medical world is very excited about it.’

  ‘Will it help Grace and Emily?’

  ‘I’m afraid it won’t be ready in time. But
, God willing, Professor Fleming will help many thousands—no, millions—in the years ahead, with his discovery of penicillium notatum.’

  ‘That sounds a bit like something Dr Tapper would put on his shelves! He used to call camomile matricaria recutita. Liquorice had a Latin name too, but it was always difficult to remember.’

  ‘Then maybe one day we shall see penicillium on the shelves too—though of course it will never be given in its raw form, like camomile or liquorice, though the culture was discovered quite by chance, in fact, on a patch of mould left out on a plate. Professor Fleming noticed the rings around the mould were absent of bacteria, and from this deduced that a chemical in the mould was defeating the bacteria. However, isolating the chemical is very complicated—unlike your tried and tested method of simply spooning camomile into a paper bag!’

  ‘It sounds very long-winded to me.’

  ‘Yes, it is—as all science tends to be. But one day the cure to many diseases will be in our hands. And after what we saw today, Tilly, this must be our goal.’

  The doctor’s eyes shone with intensity and hope. When she looked into them she understood why he was so eager to use new and improved methods. He really cared about his patients, and it had shown today.

  ‘Now, it’s time you were on your way,’ he said quickly. ‘I’m sure one of Molly’s pies will be awaiting you, and I shouldn’t like to see it spoiled.’

  ‘I doubt that anything could spoil one of Molly’s pies!’ She was about to leave when she stopped. ‘If you’ve nothing prepared you’re welcome to share supper with us.’

  His face brightened. ‘How very kind. What time would be convenient?’

  ‘Say in half an hour or so?’

  ‘Perfect. And…er…Tilly?’

  ‘Yes?’ She smiled as she met his eyes.

  ‘Won’t you call me Harry—when we’re not in surgery?’

  A request that brought a hot flush to Tilly’s cheeks.

  Frank jumped up from the chair, yawning. ‘I sent the girls off to bed and ate me supper by the fire. I must have dozed off.’