Doctor at Villa Ronda Read Online Free PDF Page B

committed herself to a course from which she could not turn back.

 
    CHAPTER II
    Nicola rose at first daylight, for there was no more sleep in her. She wrapped herself in a housecoat and sat by the window jotting figures on a piece of paper.
    Lisa’s debts amounted to over twenty thousand pesetas which sounded worse in Spanish money than sterling, but it was still well over a hundred and twenty pounds. Nicola had put most of her half-share of the proceeds of her father’s house into an account with the bank and withdrawals needed six months’ notice. In any case, she knew there would be difficulty in getting the amount transferred to Spain. The bank would help in transferring the currency, but it would all take time, and Nicola needed money now.
    There was the flat in London to dispose of, but she knew several friends who would jump at the chance to take it over. The rest of her clothes and other possessions—well, she would have to think about those details later.
    S he stood up suddenly, gazing out but not seeing the sunlit sea and turquoise sky before her. She realised that her decision had already been made, even forced on her by circumstances. Perhaps, subconsciously, she had made it last night before leaving the Villa Ronda, even at the moment when Dr. Montal had murmured a grave “Goodnight” and there had been just the faintest gleam of warmth in his dark eyes.
    She would inform Patrick at the first opportunity, for she did not want him to waste his time looking for other openings for her.
    First, though, she must write to Dr. Montal, agreeing to accept his offer if he would let her have more details before she made a final decision.
    His reply was prompt, for he suggested a meeting at the Avenida Palace hotel the following evening.
    For the occasion Nicola wore her smartest dress, a pale lemon tricel, and carried a white and silver stole, for she had brought with her from England only one all-purpose lightweight coat.
    The doctor was waiting for her in the hotel foyer and took her to a quiet corner of the bar. When he had ordered drinks, he spoke straight to the point.
    “You will need references about myself. Here are the names of two of my colleagues at the hospital, and the prefect at the City Hall. You can also enquire about me at the British Embassy. Our family is well known to them.”
    She was surprised by his formality. “I’m afraid I can’t offer any references in return,” she said, “except the firm where I worked in England.”
    He waved her apologies aside. ‘The case is not quite the same. You are coming to work in our house and you must be assured that you will be treated correctly.” A hint of a smile crossed his face, lighting his eyes for an instant.
    “Thank you,” was all she could say.
    “You will probably have expenses of one sort or another to settle,” he continued, “both here in Barcelona and where you lived in London, so I am paying you two months’ salary in advance. If you want extra money, then please ask me and I’ll arrange it.”
    She found that her salary was generous in the extreme. With no living expenses of her own to pay for, she would be able to settle Lisa’s debts more promptly than she had expected.
    “We can discuss all the other details when you have settled in at the Villa,” the doctor told her. Once again the vestige of a smile lit his sombre face. “I shall try not to work you too hard, but obviously, we shall have to arrange our working hours to suit us both.”
    Adrienne joined her uncle and Nicola for dinner at this de luxe hotel, so different from the modest little place where Nicola had spent the first few days in the city. But although Adrienne maintained an easy flow of conversation and was plainly delighted that Nicola had agreed to accept Sebastian M o ntal’s offer, the doctor by contrast seemed to relapse into a withdrawn silence, giving only an occasional answer when directly addressed by his niece.
    It was arranged that Nicola