The Nightingale Nurses Read Online Free PDF Page A

she’d chosen Nick Riley. He should be on his knees giving thanks to God, she decided.
    But deep inside her there was a knot of tension that just wouldn’t go away.
    ‘Rube?’ She almost jumped when she realised Nick was standing over her. His smart wedding suit only seemed to emphasise the taut muscles of his body, as lean as a fighting dog’s. ‘I’m going outside for a breath of fresh air.’
    ‘You will come back, won’t you?’ she blurted out.
    His dark brows drew together in a frown. ‘What kind of a question is that?’
    ‘I dunno.’ She felt suddenly foolish. ‘Take no notice of me, I’m just being daft.’
    She looked away, but his fingers tilted her chin and turned her face up to meet his. ‘Ruby, look at me.’ His eyes met hers, intense and direct. ‘We’re married, all right? I ain’t going to let you down. I’m standing by you.’
    ‘I – I know.’ She bit her lip, feeling wretched. ‘Kiss me,’ she pleaded.
    He looked around. ‘What, here? In front of everyone?’
    ‘Why not?’ She rose, pushing her chair back with a clatter. The port and lemons made her unsteady on her feet and Nick’s hands came out to catch her as she stumbled. ‘You ashamed of your wife, or something?’
    She wound her arms around his neck and moved in for a kiss. Nick tried to offer her a peck on the lips but Ruby buried her fingers in the springy thickness of his curls, holding him fast as her tongue boldly probed his mouth. She felt the stiff resistance in his body for a second before he yielded to her, as he always did.
    Their kiss brought a riot of catcalls and cheering from the crowd.
    ‘Oi, you two! Save it for the wedding night!’ someone shouted.
    ‘They’ve already had that, from what I’ve heard,’ someone else said, then shut up as Nick pulled away sharply and turned to scowl at them.
    ‘It doesn’t matter anyway.’ Ruby laughed defiantly, holding up her left hand. ‘We’re married now. It’s all legal and above board.’
    ‘Better late than never!’ another brave soul shouted from the back of the bar.
    Ruby was still smiling bravely and laughing off everyone’s jokes when Nick slipped outside a few minutes later. She waited until she saw the door close behind him, then turned to her brother Dennis.
    ‘Get me another drink,’ she said, thrusting the glass at him. ‘And make it a double this time.’
    ‘You want to go steady, you know.’ Lettie appeared at her side. ‘You don’t want to get squiffy.’
    Ruby stared at her mother. A network of fine purple veins stood out on her thin, flushed cheeks, and her hat was squashed into a strange, lopsided shape where someone had sat on it. ‘You’re a fine one to talk!’
    ‘I’m not expecting, am I?’ Lettie plonked herself down on the bench next to her. ‘You’re having a baby, remember?’
    ‘How can I forget?’ Ruby murmured, moodily tracing a sticky beer ring on the table in front of her.
    Lettie squinted at her. ‘You’re in a funny old mood, all of a sudden. What’s the matter?’
    ‘Nothing. It’s just—’ Ruby started to speak and then stopped herself.
    ‘I know what this is about.’ Lettie pulled off her hat and plonked it on the table. ‘You’re worried about what I said earlier, ain’t you?’ She pressed one thin, clawed hand against Ruby’s shoulder. ‘You don’t want to take any notice of me, love. You’re right, you and Nick are properly wed now. He’s not going to look at anyone else, especially not an ugly mug like Dora Doyle. Not while he’s got you.’
    Dennis arrived and put Ruby’s drink down in front of her, then held out his hand for the money. Ruby shot him a filthy look and he retreated sharply.
    ‘Besides,’ Lettie went on, slurring her words, ‘you’re expecting his baby. And that means a lot to Nick Riley, whatever he lets on. I know I’ve said some things about him in the past, but I’ll say one thing for him: he’s a grafter. You’ll never have to worry about him