Honorary Surgeon (3 page)

Her companion leaned across the table.
“
What
’
s up, Mary? Tired?
”

Mary shook her head.
“
No, not tired; simply overwhelmed by all this loveliness.
”
She indicated the scenery.

“
I suppose it is rather nice; anyway, it
’
s cool. I
’
m afraid I
’
m not very appreciative of views.
”
He smiled apologetically.
“
Still, I
’
m glad you like it.
”
As his companion re
m
ained silent. Noel repeated his question.
“
Sure you
’
re not tired? You don
’
t seem as cheery as usual,
”
he insisted.

M
ary looked up to meet the solicitude in Noel Mayton
’
s eyes. He was far from good-looking; by some he might have been judged almost plain. Yet his features revealed a pleasing personality, due perhaps to the sparkle in his hazel eyes, and the tiny creases at the corners of his mouth, which lent humour to his expression.

“
Really I
’
m not tired; I think I
’
m just cross.
”
Mary moved her slim hands expressively.
“
This
g
lorious tranquillity after an almost unbearable day. I suppose it ought to make me feel happy. It does in a way; but it makes me feel sad, too. But there, I
’
ve explained myself very badly.
”

“
Not a bit!
”
Noel
’
s lips curved into a tender smile.
“
Poor Mary! I think I understand. I do wish you
’
d chuck this nursing. It
’
s absurd; you
’
re not fit for it
...
the heavy work
...
the whole atmosphere
...
it
’
s ridiculous for a girl like you
...
”

“
Nonsense, Noel!
”
Mary broke in, interrupting his flow of words
“
I love nursing. I admit St. Jude
’
s
gets me down sometimes; the long hours, the absurd rules and regulations
...
but I
’
m getting used to it, really I am.
”
As her companion made to speak, she urged him to silence.
“
No, don
’
t interrupt me. I mean it. I
’
m getting much more settled now, and the actual work—well, I really love that so I don
’
t deserve your sympathy one bit.
”

“
But it
’
s utterly unsuited to your temperament,
”
Noel exclaimed indignantly.
“
I think it
’
s been marvellous how
you
’
ve stuck it at all after your upbringing; all the luxury and freedom you
’
ve been used to
...
”
Noel hesitated, at a loss for words, then, leaning forward, laid his hand gently upon hers, while his voice dropped to a whisper:
“
I know you
’
ve turned me down a dozen times already, but I never lose hope. Mary, Mary, darling, won
’
t you give it up, get away now before you wear yourself out by this hopeless struggle? Mary, dear, I want you so much. I
’
ll make you happy; I swear I will.
”

“
Noel
...
Noel, please.
”
Mary gently released her hand, and the tone of her voice was unusually gentle.
“
I can
’
t. I
’
m fond of you but not that way. Please try to understand me.
”
Even as she spoke Mary doubted the wisdom of her refusal. It was true she cared for Noel, but her feelings didn
’
t amount to love, and, despite the hardships and struggles her present life involved, some curious instinct had always made her shrink from the protection he had so frequently offered her. She felt that Noel
’
s offer was prompted more by sympathy than love, and, even if it promised all the ease and luxury she now missed, she felt unabl
e
to contemplate such a union.

“
Mary, do you mean that?
”
Noel Mayton lowered his voice to enquire.

Mary, nodded her head mutely.

“
Don
’
t worry, Mary. It
’
s all right.
”
Noel forced a note of gaiety into his voice.
“
But I don
’
t promise I won
’
t ask you again, all the same,
”
he bantered.

“
It
’
s silly of you, Noel.
”
Although Mary smiled at her companion, there was a wistful expression in her eyes.
“
You
’
re too nice to waste, your time on me; you could easily find some much nicer girl.
”

The arrival of the waiter prevented any further discussion. Mary was aware of the feeling of contentment which w
a
s slowly pervading her. The romantic spell of evening was weaving its magic, and all the irritating incidents of the day had faded into nothingness. Mary
’
s gaze wandered to their fellow-guests; a well-dressed crowd on the whole, she decided. This was probably an expensive place, but then, if Sir Richard had recommended it, it undoubtedly would be. Mary smiled to herself. She really didn
’
t know what justification she had for assuming that, but somehow she imagined Sir Richard to be a man of extravagant tastes.

Over the coffee and cigarettes Noel broached the subject of Mary
’
s future.
“
Mary, what
’
s going to happen to you? How much longer are you going to stick hospital life?
”

“
Why, until I grow aged in its service, of course! You know
...
wispy-haired, tight-lipped, and crowned with a sister
’
s bonnet!
”
Mary
’
s cheeks dimpled bewitchingly.
“
I
’
ll be inviting you to tea in my sanctum and enquiring solicitously after your wife and children!
”

A rumble of distant thunder startled Mary into a momentary silence. Low clouds had suddenly gathered, completely. obscuring the moon.
“
I wonder, do you think we
’
re in for a storm? It wouldn
’
t be surprising after the heat to-day.
”

Noel
’
s gaze followed hers.
“
Umph! It has clouded quickly. Good thing if it does rain; it will clear the air.
”
Even as he
spoke a few heavy drops of rain fell, quickly followed by another ominous rumble. The dried foliage crackled beneath the thundery splashes as the rain increased in intensity. In a few minutes the garden was almost obscured in a veritable deluge, only to be illuminated at intervals by vivid streaks of lightning. The verandah, although roofed, was no protection against the storm, and the occupants of the tables quickly sought shelter indoors.

“
I suppose we
’
d better follow their example,
”
Noel suggested.
“
Lucky we
’
d finished dinner. Let
’
s see if we can find a lounge of some kind.
”
He rose to his feet and slipped his arm through Mary
’
s.

“
Yes, I suppose we must go in,
”
Mary reluctantly agreed, casting one backward glance at the silver eddies of rain as they drenched the parched earth. On the far side of the restaurant they found the lounge, a cosy room furnished with chintz-covered armchairs. Noel drew up two chairs a
n
d, beckoning the waiter, ordered liqueurs.

“
Now you
’
ve got your weekly proposal off your chest, please be your natural cheery self,
”
Mary teased her companion.
“
I
’
m deliciously rested and want to be amused.
”

“
The trouble is that you never take me seriously.
”

“
Of course I do,
”
she protested laughingly.
“
I believe your regular proposals are a most solemn ritual; sometimes I think it
’
s rather a pity you don
’
t take your work more seriously.
”
The twinkle in her grey eyes took the sting from her words.

“
Work!
”
Noel grimaced.
“
An invention of the devil!
”
He leaned back in his chair.
“
I think on the whole I work very hard—but one must have an occasional weekend for golf, and a spot of tennis in the afternoon now and then.
”
He laughed.

“
You don
’
t really have to work; that
’
s your trouble. Being the only son of doting
’
parents has been your downfall.
”
Mary sighed.
“
I must admit a wealthy parent is a great asset.
”

“
Dad
’
s an angel, bless him. Sees me through rose-coloured spectacles
...
most admirable objects, which you apparently lack!
”
Noel stopped speaking as his eyes strayed across the room.
“
Good Lord! There
’
s Alymer!
”
He rose and walked towards the tall figure standing by the doorway.

Mary could not overcome the feeling of disappointment which surged through her as she too recognized the newcomer. Why on earth did they have to run into Sir Richard just at the moment when she didn
’
t feel like making polite conversation with anyone; when she longed solely for the easy companionship of her friend? Sir Richard of all people, too; the last person in the world she wanted to meet. She had always avoided social relationship with any of the staff, except Noel; she
’
d known him long before she
’
d as much as considered the possibility of becoming a nurse.

“
Mary
...
Sir Richard is alone here; I
’
ve asked him to join us.
”
Noel
’
s words roused Mary from her reverie, and she felt her hand held in Sir Richard
’
s cool fingers.

“
I trust I
’
m not intruding; I
’
m just waiting for the storm to clear a little before returning to town.
”
Sir Richard drew up a chair before continuing.
“
I
’
ve been out to a patient beyond St. Albans, and
t
hen it started raining I decided to turn off and shelter here for a while. It was such a deluge I could scarcely see through it,
”
he exclaimed.

Mary twisted the stem of her liqueur glass between her fingers as she listened, in desultory fashion, to the two men talking. A discussion of the weather was followed by comments regarding the new road-house, which they compared favourably with other similar establishments.

“
Miss Grant is enchanted with the garden.
”
Mary was conscious of Noel
’
s efforts to draw her into the conversation.