An Orphan’s War. Molly Green
than I thought.’ She jumped to her feet and tucked her book under her arm.
He immediately sprang up. ‘But you haven’t finished your—’
‘I wouldn’t want to be accused of wasting time again.’ She threw him a cold glance. ‘Good day, Mr Blake.’ With that she turned and made her way through the narrow spaces between the other tables, inwardly seething.
Pompous prig. She thought of more words for Mr Edwin Blake as she tidied her hair in the small mottled mirror over the washbasin in the cloakroom before she felt ready to face her patients again.
‘A word with you, please, Nurse Taylor.’
Sister Crook put her head round the tiny kitchen as Maxine was preparing the drinks on her ward. She immediately put down the cloth and followed Sister into her room.
‘Sit down, please.’ Sister Crook took her place on the opposite side of the desk. ‘I’m most surprised,’ the older woman began, ‘to find that although you have not actually been rude to one of your superiors, you have nevertheless not acted in the required deferential manner to an eminent surgeon. So what do you have to say for yourself?’
A flush of anger rushed to Maxine’s cheeks. ‘I imagine you’re referring to Mr Blake,’ she said, barely trusting herself to speak.
Sister nodded.
By sheer willpower, Maxine stopped herself from saying anything that would get her into more trouble.
‘What I’m saying, Nurse, is that you need to mind your P’s and Q’s when he’s around. Mr Blake is an important man and we’re grateful to have him here. And you don’t want him putting any black marks against your Nightingale Badge, do you?’
‘No, of course not.’ Oh, how she detested such arrogance. Someone who put himself so far above the minions, he thought nothing of having the power to ruin her career if he so wished. Her hands clenched into fists.
‘So will you in future give him the respect he deserves?’
Maxine only paused for a second. Sister’s eyes were unusually stern. ‘Yes, Sister, I’ll do my best.’
‘That will be all.’ She let her gaze rest on Maxine a few moments more. ‘You’re an excellent worker, Nurse Taylor, but you have much to learn about men. Never forget – they can make us or break us.’
Maxine did her best to avoid Mr Blake whenever she could. Even glimpsing him in the distance along one of the corridors made her seethe that he’d reported her, but he seemed bent on seeking her out.
‘Nurse Taylor, would you come over here and show the juniors the correct way to take a patient’s temperature,’ and ‘Nurse Taylor, please show Nurse Johnson how to give a proper bed bath,’ and ‘Nurse Taylor, would you demonstrate hospital corners on this bed.’
Maxine would grit her teeth and carry out his instructions, which normally would have come from Sister, until it became obvious to her – and probably most of the staff, she wouldn’t be surprised – that he was doing this on purpose, causing her a good deal of embarrassment. She knew she would have to speak to him about it.
Bennett had only said that morning, after Maxine had made an irritable comment about him, ‘Taylor, you realise our dear Mr Blake fancies you.’
In spite of Maxine’s denial, she couldn’t help the warmth that seeped under her collar.
‘Whatever nonsense are you talking about?’ she demanded.
‘He singles you out – nearly all the time. It’s clear as daylight to the rest of us.’
‘But I’ve done nothing to encourage him to single me out. I don’t even like the man. I do respect him, having seen the results of his operations, but that’s all.’
‘Careful,’ Bennett hissed. ‘He’s coming in and making a beeline for you.’ She winked. ‘I’m off.’
‘Ah, Nurse Taylor.’ Edwin Blake strode up to her. ‘I’d like you to help me with old Mr Hodgkins in the far bed – if it’s not too much trouble.’
‘No trouble at all, Sir.’
She’d tackle Mr Blake later – when she’d got some food inside her.
Maxine drew in a deep breath before she raised her hand to knock on the door of Mr Blake’s private office.
‘Come in.’ Edwin Blake looked up from his paperwork, an expression of surprise flitting across his face.
‘Mr Blake, may I have a private word with you?’
‘Of course. Please be seated.’ He got up and walked to the door, clicking it shut.
‘May I be frank?’
‘By all means.’ He leaned forward, steepling his hands. ‘You sound as though you have something troubling you.’
‘I do.’ She kept her gaze steadily upon him. ‘It’s been remarked upon more than once that you are deliberately singling me out, and some of the staff, and even the patients, are beginning to gossip.’
‘Really?’ A dark auburn eyebrow shot up. ‘What about?’
‘That you’re seeking me out … drawing attention to me in front of the others.’ She looked him in the eye. ‘If I’m honest, I’ve noticed you doing it myself, but I put it down to the fact that we got off to a bad start and you’re asserting your authority … reminding me of my place.’
He caught her gaze and held it. Then he put his head back and roared with laughter. ‘You’re even more innocent than I thought.’
He came round to her side of the desk and sat on the edge of it so he was facing her. He caught one of her hands, which she immediately snatched away.
‘Can’t you see? It’s because I like you. I’d like to see more of you, and not just here in the hospital. I’d like to get to know you better.’ He took her hand again and in her confusion she didn’t pull away. ‘You’re lovely, Nurse Taylor – Maxine. Do you understand what I’m saying?’
She gave a start of surprise. She really hadn’t been prepared for this kind of admission. ‘Why are you interested in me?’ She tapped the top of her apron with her fingertips. ‘I haven’t even got my full qualifications yet. I’m nowhere near your level and never will be. I don’t understand.’
‘I don’t want anyone “near my level”, as you so quaintly put it,’ he said, smiling. ‘I don’t want you to alter at all. Why don’t you give me a chance? Let me prove that I’m not the ogre you first thought I was.’
‘What if I find my first thought was right all along?’ She removed her hand and looked him directly in the eye. ‘For instance, why did you find the need to report me? I thought that was totally unfounded.’
He frowned. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘You spoke to Sister Crook about me. That I’d been disrespectful to you. I suppose I have to be grateful you didn’t go straight to Matron.’
‘I haven’t spoken to anyone about you. Why should I?’
‘But Sister called me into her office and warned me that you’d—’ She broke off. Sister hadn’t actually said it was Mr Blake who’d reported her. It could have been anyone who’d overheard her. One of those nurses in the canteen, maybe. Heat flew to her cheeks. How stupid she’d been to assume …
‘You’re blushing, Nurse,’ Edwin Blake said, laughing. ‘I believe you’ve just realised I’m not quite so bad as you’d thought. But if you’re