The Christmas Wedding

by Dilly Court

  Daisy slipped her arm around Mary’s shoulders. ‘I’ve seen how you’ve coped with dire circumstances that would terrify an ordinary woman. You’ll have your family to help you and we’ll find Jay and bring him home.’

  A groan from the bed brought Daisy back to reality and she shooed everyone from the room, including the vicar, who protested that he ought to sit with the dying man.

  ‘Get the sanctimonious old goat out of here,’ Esmond said feebly. ‘You’ll stay, Daisy.’

  She closed the door and went to stand at his bedside. ‘You’ve done the right thing, Squire.’

  His eyelids fluttered and closed. ‘Hold my hand.’

  The squire’s funeral took place within days and the entire village turned out to see their landlord interred in the graveyard, although there seemed to be very few genuine mourners, if any. Mary arrived at the church surrounded by her family. She had refused to stay at the manor house, preferring to remain at Creek Hall until the will had gone through probate. Daisy could understand her reluctance to accept the change in her fortune, but she knew that Mary would never be happy living in the place that held mixed memories, unless Jay returned to take up his rightful position. The squire’s death seemed to have signalled the end of the cholera epidemic and no new cases had occurred.

  Despite the recent losses and hard times, life in the village slowly returned to normal. Eleanora and Sidney now owned the leasehold on their cottage and Daisy was happy to see them both settled and free to enjoy living in the country. She moved back to Creek Cottage and Jack went to live at Creek Hall with his mother and sister. Hilda had been fitted with her wooden leg, as she called the contraption made for her by Fred Shipway. She had managed at first using a crutch and then a stick, and now she could walk, albeit with a slight limp, and get about unaided. She proved to be an able cook and Mrs Bee said she was invaluable now that they were feeding in-patients, although there were fewer rooms occupied since the end of the recent outbreak.

  Daisy walked to Creek Hall daily, but there was not as much for her to do now and she was wondering whether she would be allowed to finish her training at the London. She brought up the subject one morning after she had assisted Nick in his morning routine.

  ‘I’m thinking of returning to London, Nick.’

  He met her anxious look with a frown. ‘Do you miss London so much?’

  She shook her head. ‘Not really. It’s just that there isn’t very much for me to do here. You don’t need me now.’

  ‘We have three in-patients and I do two surgeries a day. Of course you’re needed.’

  ‘But I’m not fully trained, Nick. I ought to get my qualifications.’

  ‘So you’re leaving me without a nurse?’

  ‘I didn’t say that. It’s just that if I did decide to settle here in Little Creek I could be of more use if I was fully qualified.’

  He shrugged and turned away. ‘It’s up to you entirely, Daisy. If you feel you need to return to London it’s entirely your decision. You must do what you think is best.’

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  It had not been an easy decision, and if Nick had asked her to stay Daisy knew she would not have left the place she had come to love. But he had been adamant that she must make up her own mind, and he had been cool towards her, which made her feel guilty and angry at the same time. After all they had gone through together during the outbreak of cholera, she would have expected him to show some regret that she had chosen to return to her studies. He had not even been at the station to see her off, and it was Aunt Eleanora who had cried and kissed her goodbye, while Uncle Sidney had made sympathetic noises, patted her on the back and wished her well. Despite her disability, Hilda and the younger children had walked all the way from Creek Hall together with Dove and Linnet, but there was no sign of Nick and that made Daisy angry. There might once have been a hint of a romance between them, but their relationship during the cholera outbreak had been purely professional, and he had no right to make her feel guilty for wanting to continue with her studies. Jay would have wished her well, had he been there to wave her off. Jay would have understood.

  It was late afternoon when Daisy arrived at the lodging house in Fieldgate Street and she received such a warm welcome from Minnie that it made up a little for Nick’s apparent indifference and ingratitude. Minnie was openly overjoyed to have her roommate returned to her, and even Flora Mackenzie had shown a degree of pleasure when Daisy walked into the parlour. But Rex was his usual grumpy self and he leaped at her with claws outstretched and fangs bared when she climbed the stairs to her old room. Minnie joined her and they sat on their beds while Daisy related the horrors of the cholera outbreak, ending with the squire’s dramatic change of heart on his deathbed.

  Minnie’s hand flew to cover her mouth. ‘Oh, my! Who would have thought it? But Mary won in the end – how marvellous.’

  ‘It would be if only Jay would come home. He isn’t aware of what’s happened, and I don’t know how to set about finding him. The Lazy Jane could be anywhere by now, and he swore never to return to Creek Manor.’

  ‘But it’s different now,’ Minnie insisted. ‘Jay is the lord of the manor. It really is like something from a novel by Mrs Gaskell.’

  ‘But the happy ending is yet to be written,’ Daisy said drily. ‘His mother needs him.’

  ‘Then let’s hope he decides to visit her at Christmas. It’s only a matter of weeks away.’ Minnie blushed rosily. ‘Christmas will be special this year.’

  ‘Why so?’

  Minnie leaned across the gap between the beds to grasp Daisy’s hands. ‘It’s supposed to be a secret, but I have to tell you.’

  ‘Tell me what? Go on, Minnie. I can’t stand the suspense.’

  ‘I’ve been seeing Toby quite a lot since you went away.’

  ‘I asked him to pay my half of the rent. I hope he did.’

  ‘That was why he came in the first place, but then he asked me out to dinner.’

  ‘Are you telling me that you and Toby are stepping out?’

  Minnie’s colour deepened. ‘He’s asked me to marry him. I know it’s quite sudden, but we’re in love and we plan to announce our engagement at Christmas. My parents don’t know yet and I’m a bit nervous because they’re quite old-fashioned and they’ll say we haven’t known each other long enough.’

  Daisy had a sudden vision of Mrs Carrington’s contemptuous attitude when they had last met outside the London Hospital. ‘Don’t take any notice of other people, Minnie,’ she said earnestly. ‘If you and Toby love each other that’s all that matters.’

  Minnie’s eyes darkened. ‘I’m so sorry, Daisy. I can see you’re upset. I didn’t mean to remind you about your broken engagement.’

  ‘I’m not upset and I’m delighted for you and Toby. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have for a sister-in-law.’

  ‘Thank you. I knew you’d be on our side. Anyway, Julian Carrington wasn’t good enough for you.’

  ‘That’s what I think,’ Daisy said, chuckling. ‘I didn’t tell you at the time, but he had the nerve to turn up at the hospital and he wanted us to get together again. When I refused he demanded that I return his ring.’

  ‘The bounder! I hope you told him off.’

  ‘I made my feelings very clear, and I won’t be seeing him again. But that’s enough about Julian. I’m more interested in you and my brother. I can’t wait to see him.’

  ‘He’s calling for me this evening. We’re going to see a show at the Pavilion Theatre. The girls from upstairs are much in demand these days. You must come with us, Daisy.’

  ‘I’m tired – it’s been a long day. Maybe tomorrow, if you’re both off duty?’

  ‘That would be lovely.’ Minnie jumped up from her bed. ‘He’ll be here any minute now. You must come down and give him a surprise. He wasn’t expecting to see you today.’

  ‘Yes, of course I will, and then I must have an early night. I’ll need all my wits about me when I face Sister Tutor tomor
row, and I’m not looking forward to that interview.’

  Sister Johnson was surprisingly helpful. She accepted the fact that Daisy had had little choice other than to stay in the country and do what she could during the cholera outbreak, and she seemed quite impressed.

  ‘In the normal course of things I wouldn’t allow a student to take such a long time off, but in your case it was unavoidable, and you will have gained knowledge first-hand of nursing a terrible disease. Under the circumstances I’ll allow you to rejoin your colleagues on the wards. You’re a good student and I’m sure you’ll soon catch up.’

  ‘Thank you, Sister. I’ll work twice as hard.’

  ‘I’m sure you will. You may start today. The wards are always very full at this time of the year.’

  Daisy slipped back into the routine the moment she put on her starched grey uniform dress, white cap and apron. She worked tirelessly, finding it much easier than the arduous work at Creek Hall during the worst of the epidemic. That evening, back in her room, she made copious notes as she studied her textbook, but she found herself nodding off and she made herself ready for bed. She was exhausted, but when she stretched out on the thin mattress she could feel the metal base and she longed for her comfortable bed in Creek Cottage. The sound of horse-drawn traffic in the street below filtered through the badly fitting window, adding to the noisy tramp of booted feet and roars of laughter, as men rolled out of the public house further along the road. The older ladies had gone to their room, which was directly above hers, and Daisy could hear them walking around, their bare feet padding on uncarpeted floorboards, and the dull chatter of their voices. All this was strange to her ears after a long absence, and she could imagine how a child must feel when sent away to boarding school for the first time. It came as something of a shock to realise that home for her was now Little Creek. She might be a Londoner born and bred, and she loved the city, but her past and present had come together and she found herself pining for the quiet of the countryside, the soft rippling of the creek as the water rushed over the pebbles, and the occasional sharp cry of a fox somewhere deep in the woods. She closed her eyes and dreamed of the Lazy Jane, floating at anchor on the sunlit waters of the inlet.

  For the next weeks Daisy worked harder than she had ever done before. The long hours on the wards were followed by evenings occupied with her studies. She spent as much of her precious free time as she could with Toby and Minnie, who were obviously very much in love. Daisy was delighted for her brother, but the pair were so wrapped up in each other that she often declined their invitations to accompany them for a meal or to the theatre. She wrote once a week to her aunt and uncle, keeping them up to date with her progress, and although she penned several letters to Nick, his replies were infrequent and brief. She knew that he must be extremely busy and that made her feel guilty. Perhaps she ought to have remained at his side and worked for the good of the people she had come to know so well. In London the crowds that thronged the streets were a faceless mass, whereas in Little Creek she knew everyone, if only by sight, and certainly by reputation. Mrs Bee and Hilda had kept her up to date with the gossip and, as the days went by, she felt the gap between herself and her adopted home widening into a huge gulf.

  The other occupants of Mrs Wood’s lodging house seemed to sense Daisy’s inner turmoil and they went out of their way to comfort her. The two older ladies invited her to share their tea and biscuits whenever she came across them in the parlour, and Ivy was always ready to chat about anything and everything. She was a different person now that she was free from Jonah Sawkins’ attentions. He had not bothered her since Daisy had sent him away, although Ivy said she had seen him walking out with the barmaid from the Old Three Tuns, who towered over him and made him walk to heel like a well-trained puppy. Perhaps, Ivy suggested with obvious relish, Jonah secretly liked dominant women with muscular forearms like a navvy and a reputation for throwing drunks bodily from a pub. Despite the unfavourable description of Jonah’s latest conquest, Daisy could not imagine what any decent woman could see in him, but it was a relief to know that he was no longer a threat to Ivy, who definitely deserved better.

  Winter was closing in, with freezing temperature and peasouper fogs, and there was a threat of snow in the air. Heavy clouds hovered just above the rooftops, trapping the smoke from thousands of chimneys and filling the air with noxious fumes.

  Daisy was in the outpatient department one morning when a young seaman was brought in on a stretcher. He was suffering from severe burns to his face and torso and was in a great deal of pain. Toby was on duty and he gave the patient a hefty dose of laudanum before beginning the examination.

  ‘Can you tell me your name?’ Toby asked gently.

  The young man muttered something unintelligible and Daisy had to lean closer in an attempt to understand him. ‘I think he’s saying Benny and something about a ship.’

  ‘How did this happen to you, Benny?’ Toby leaned closer. ‘I can’t understand what he’s saying, Daisy. Can you?’

  ‘No, I didn’t get a word of that.’ She held Benny’s hand. ‘We’ll take care of you.’

  ‘Find out if anyone came with him, Daisy.’

  ‘Yes, Doctor.’ Daisy left the cubicle and walked out into the main reception area, threading her way through crowds of people of all ages, some in rags and others reasonably well dressed. She stopped one of the porters.

  ‘Do you know if there was anyone with the injured seaman?’

  ‘One of his shipmates came with the poor fellow.’ The porter jerked his head in the direction of a man who was standing by the door, looking as if he would rather be anywhere than in a hospital.

  ‘Thank you, Smith.’ Daisy left him and made her way towards the man, who looked disturbingly familiar. She had a sudden memory of a sunny day in a secluded creek off the River Crouch.

  He turned his head at the sound of her approaching footsteps and a look of recognition crossed his weathered features.

  ‘What ship are you from?’ Daisy asked breathlessly, but she already knew the answer.

  ‘The Lazy Jane, miss. I’ve seen you before.’

  Daisy glanced anxiously over her shoulder to see if anyone was listening. ‘Is the captain on board?’

  ‘He might be. It depends who’s asking.’

  ‘I must see him. I have some important news for him.’

  ‘He won’t come ashore, miss. I could pass on a message.’

  ‘No,’ Daisy said firmly. ‘I must tell him in person.’ She quelled the excitement rising within her. She must remain professional despite the temptation to do something rash. ‘Your shipmate is very ill. We’ll do what we can for him, but his burns are very serious.’

  The man shook his head. ‘Poor Benny. He was always a clumsy devil, but he didn’t deserve to suffer like this.’

  ‘Can you tell me his full name, and if he has any family who need to be informed.’

  ‘He’s Benjamin Sykes and he supports his widowed mother. The old lady won’t be able to manage if he don’t send her money.’

  ‘We’ll do what we can for him and there’s always a glimmer of hope. Please tell the captain that, and ask him to come to the hospital. I’m on duty this evening until ten o’clock. If he asks for Probationer Nurse Marshall someone will tell him where to find me. I have something of great importance to tell him.’

  ‘I’ll pass the message on, miss. But we’re due to sail at midnight. And the captain won’t want to miss the tide.’

  Daisy caught him by the arm as he was about to leave. ‘Why has he brought the Lazy Jane to London if he’s afraid to come ashore?’

  ‘I can’t tell you that.’ He hesitated. ‘I’m Guppy, in case we meet again, miss. Clem Guppy.’

  Daisy smiled and nodded. ‘I trust we will see each other in happier circumstances should we meet again, Clem.’

  He tipped his cap. ‘I’ll pass your message on to the captain, miss.’

  She waited until he had left the building before hurrying
back to the cubicle where Toby was doing his best to treat the severe burns.

  ‘You took your time, Daisy. Did you find anyone who knows this fellow?’

  ‘Yes, this poor chap is Benjamin Sykes and he comes from a ship moored in the Upper Pool. It’s sailing at midnight.’

  ‘Well, this is one crew member who won’t be going with them.’ Toby gave her a searching look. ‘You’re very flushed, Daisy. Are you all right?’

  ‘Yes, I’m perfectly fine. I should be used to seeing such terrible injuries but it’s always upsetting, especially in someone so young, and apparently he supports his widowed mother.’

  ‘That’s sad, but you can’t take on the woes of the world, Daisy. Go and get yourself a cup of tea and something to eat. I’ll manage here, although there’s very little I can do other than clean him up and give him large doses of laudanum.’

  Daisy was on edge for the rest of the day, hoping that Jay would contact her, even if it was just a message passed on by Guppy. She was kept busy in the outpatient department and then on the female ward, where Toby found her late that evening. She was in the tiny kitchen washing the dregs of cocoa from the cups she had collected from the patients’ bedside lockers.

  ‘We couldn’t save him,’ he said tersely. ‘He slipped away peacefully enough.’

  Daisy turned her head away so that he would not see the tears that had sprung to her eyes. She had not known Benjamin Sykes personally, but he was very young to die and she could not help wondering who would break the sad news to his mother. ‘Was anyone with him at the last, Toby?’

  ‘A shipmate of his turned up at the very end. A chap called Guppy. I think you spoke to him this morning.’

  ‘Did he leave any message for me?’

  ‘Why would he? What’s going on, Daisy? Why are you so upset about the fate of a stranger?’

  ‘I’m tired, Toby. I’m just about to finish my shift and I’m going back to Fieldgate Street and straight to bed.’

  He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. ‘You do look exhausted. I’d walk you home, but I’m on duty for another two hours.’