Nurse Saxon's Patient Read Online Free PDF Page B

rather, not talked. ’
    ‘ Don ’ t worry about it, ’ Julie advised calmly. ‘ It ’ ll all come back to you, slowly but surely. The great thing is to get you well first, as quickly as possible. ’
    It was a relief that Ian came in then, preventing any further comment. He made a quick but careful examination of the patient and said that Garth might be allowed to sit up for a little time that afternoon, but when he was questioned fretfully as to ‘ how long my hands are going to be encased in these lumps ...’ he smiled down at Garth and shook his head.
    ‘ The plaster will have to stay oh a little while longer, I ’ m afraid, ’ he told him. ‘ Just be patient, and we ’ ll do our best to get you fit as quickly as ever we can. I ’ ll look in again this afternoon, just to check on thing s. ’ But Julie did not need to be told that he was ‘ looking in ’ to observe his patient ’ s reactions to his first official visitor.
    Tansy arrived exactly on time and, for her, she was very subdued and quiet. She sat primly on the edge of the bedside chair, her hands folded in her lap, her wide eyes staring at Garth as if she could not believe he was alive and on the way to recovery. Julie tactfully withdrew to as discreet a distance as possible, leaving them to talk together, but although she unconsciously strained her ears she could hear nothing but a polite murmur from Tansy and an occasional interjection from Garth, but as her patient did not appear to be upsetting himself she remained where she was.
    Tansy did not stay very long. Long before the hour was up she approached Julie ’ s chair and asked in a whisper if she might have a private word with her. Julie gave a quick glance towards the bed, but apparently Garth had fallen asleep, so she nodded agreement.
    ‘ Only for a moment, ’ she cautioned the other girl, as they stepped into the corridor together.
    ‘ It won ’ t take any longer than that, ’ Tansy assured her, closing the door of Garth ’ s room behind her. ‘ Listen, Nurse. I must talk to someone about what ’ s bothering me. What will happen when he does remember ?’ She hesitated a moment, then in a little breathless rush she added: ‘ It ’ s so awful, you see. If I could talk to you ... privately ... not just for a moment, but really confide in you. Could you come round to my flat as soon as possible and let me tell you all about it ... ask your advice? ’
    Tansy had not noticed that Ian had approached along the corridor and halted just behind them. If he had been expecting a scene in Garth ’ s room he must have been surprised to find instead the nurse in charge and the patient ’ s visitor chatting cosily in the corridor. Julie saw him first and gave him an anguished glance, imploring him not to say anything sharp to the girl or to herself for leaving her patient unattended for a few minutes.
    ‘ Miss Maitland wanted to ask me something privately, Mr. Greensmith, ’ she greeted him. ‘Mr. Holroyd is asleep. ’
    ‘ I ’ ve asked Nurse if she ’ ll come and see me as soon as she can, Doctor, ’ Tansy began confusedly. ‘ It is important ... for Garth, I mean. I ’ m sure she would be able to advise me what to do. ’
    ‘ I have an afternoon free tomorrow, ’ Julie began doubtfully, but before Ian had time to make up his mind whether or not this was an appropriate time to mention he had hoped to take Julie for a drive or not, Tansy had seized her opportunity.
    ‘ That would be lovely, ’ she gushed. ‘ Around three, if you can. You have my address? ’
    ‘ Yes, I have it. ’ Julie looked at Ian, but his face was a controlled mask and she had to make up her mind for herself.
    ‘ I ’ ll be there, ’ she promised, and because Tansy still looked uncertain of herself she smiled reassuringly. ‘ If what you have to tell me will help Mr. Holroyd I wouldn ’ t miss it for the world, ’ she assured her, and with that Tansy had to leave the two to return to Garth and