Nurse Angela Read Online Free PDF Page B

“She’s after you.”
    “She doesn’t stand an earthly chance, does she, Roger?” said Peter.
    Roger laughed. “Not while Angela’s around or anytime.”
    Very soon the flat was full of a merry, laughing crowd consisting of writers, artists and their models. Roger and Angela served the drinks. Presently, Roger called for a toast and everyone drank to Peter’s continued success and congratulated him on the acceptance of his book.
    It was after 11 o’clock when Roger said to Angela, “You look tired, darling. I don’t suppose you’ve had much sleep since being on duty last night. Would you like me to run you back to the hospital? This crowd will be here for goodness knows how long yet.”
    “Oh, Roger, would you?” she said gratefully. “I am rather tired.” Quite apart from lack of sleep, the day had been a strain one way and another.
    Debbie watched them go, her dark eyes narrow with jealousy. How a gorgeous man like Roger could even look at an anemic creature like that ...
    In thoughtful silence, Roger drove through the almost deserted streets. Angela glanced at his profile. This was a new Roger. He was usually so cheerful, so casual. Not that he was depressed or miserable now, but she had rarely, if ever, seen him so silent and pensive. She wondered if he did have financial worries in spite of what he had said earlier. Yet somehow he didn’t seem really distressed about that.
    He drove into the hospital grounds and drew up outside the residence. Rather to her surprise, he switched off the engine and tu rn ing, put his arm around her and kissed her very gently.
    Her hand touched his temples and his blue eyes looked questioningly into hers.
    “Good night, Roger,” she said softly.
    He kissed her again. “Darling, you’re nice. I like you very much indeed.”
    “Do you now?” she mocked lightly.
    His eyes roved over her face. “What time shall I call for you tomorrow?” he murmured, his lips close to her ear.
    “About 11?”
    “So late? That’s almost half the day gone. Still, I suppose you have to catch up on some sleep. We’ll have a coffee at my place before we set off for home.”
    “Yes, we’ll do that. Good night, Roger.”
    He let her go reluctantly and she slid out of the car.
    She turned and waved as he started up the engine, then let herself in the residence. Dear Roger, he was rather a dear. Was their friendship deepening into something more? It would be easy to fall in love with Roger; she was more than fond of him already. It was the first time he had kissed her and as her head touched the pillow she gave a sudden, broad smile as she recalled something Nancy Roberts had asked. No, Roger’s beard didn’t tickle when he kissed her. It was soft and somehow, well, sort of nice. She fell sound asleep.
    At nine o’clock the next morning a maid brought her breakfast. After a leisurely meal and a bath she dressed in a soft, red, jersey dress, which she set off with a bright scarf. Hearing Roger’s car, she slipped on a warm camel coat and ran downstairs.
    The sight of Simon walking across to the hospital brought back forcibly the disturbing article that Peter had told her of. Angela’s heart contracted with sympathy for Simon. Why had he not given her a chance to finish what she had been going to say the other evening when he had invited her out? She saw him pause and turn to look in her direction as she got in the car beside Roger. Then he went abruptly indoors.
    Roger saw him too. “He’s a cool customer, Dr. LeFeure,” he said. “He passed me almost close enough to speak, but went by with barely a nod.”
    “He is rather inclined to be moody,” Angela said. “But of course if that article Peter saw is about his father, it’s not to be wondered at.”
    “No, that’s true.”
    They were silent for a minute; then Angela said, in order to change the subject, “What time did the party break up last night?”
    “About two. Debbie lingered on for ages after that. In the end,