Connie’s Courage by Annie Groves Page B

task of maintaining the standards set down by Miss Nightingale as a sacred trust, Pride. I will not have that trust, or the exemplary record of my nurses, damaged or sullied in any way. One bad apple can contaminate the whole barrel, as we all know. My first instinct, so far as you are concerned, is to dismiss you from this Infirmary forthwith, and in disgrace.’
    Connie dared not raise her own gaze to meet Matron’s. A horrid feeling of light-headedness and nausea was beginning to spread unpleasantly through her.
    Matron cleared her throat. ‘However, it seems there are mitigating circumstances in your defence.’
    Connie’s eyes widened. Unable to stop herself, she looked at Matron.
    â€˜I have received some degree of praise for your work from those in charge of monitoring it, Pride. It seems that they consider you show a glimmer of promise of eventually becoming a good nurse. And for that reason, I am disposed to give you another chance.’
    Another chance? Connie was terrified that she might faint with shock, and relief! She, who hadn’t come anywhere near to fainting in the operating theatre!
    â€˜Good nursing though, Pride, is not just aboutpractical diligence. It is about duty, responsibility, obedience: these are the virtues I wish to see growing in you, Pride. The virtues I intend to see growing in you,’ Matron concluded ominously. ‘Virtues which, I fear, are currently lacking in you.
    â€˜The only reason you are not now facing dismissal and disgrace is because of those members of my staff who have expressed their faith in you. I trust you will not let them down!’
    â€˜Connie, are you all right?’
    â€˜What did she say?’
    Connie looked from Mavis’s concerned face to Josie’s anxious one. There was no sign of Vera, and somehow Connie was not surprised. She could well understand that Vera would feel uncomfortable having to face her so soon after having laid the blame for what had happened entirely on her shoulders.
    â€˜She said I am to have another chance,’ Connie told them shakily. ‘Oh Connie!’
    As they both hugged her tightly, Connie could feel the tears rolling down her face. ‘Oh, I was so frightened I would be sent away,’ she admitted.
    â€˜Vera’s been let off as well,’ Josie informed her. ‘Haven’t you, Vera?’ she added, as the other girl came into the room.
    Although Connie looked immediately toward her, Vera refused to meet her gaze, her face turning a guilty red, before she turned it away and tossed her head defensively, sniffing unconvincingly, ‘Pooh, I don’t know what all the fuss was about!’
    â€˜Vera, there’s something I wanted to ask you about …’ Connie began quietly.
    But before she could finish what she had been about to say, Vera broke in quickly, ‘I can’t stay, I’ve got to get back on me ward.’
    Silently Connie watched her leave. One of the links in their friendship had been broken by the lie Vera had told to protect herself, and Connie knew that things would never be quite the same between them.
    And Connie was right. Whilst on the surface the four of them remained firm friends, a subtle shift in their loyalties began to develop over the months that followed. Connie emerged as the leader of what, essentially, was a trio of herself, Mavis and Josie, whilst Vera began to distance herself from them.
    They still went out together on their rare evenings off, the music hall remaining a favourite venue, especially when George Lashwood was appearing. But whilst she retained her mischievous sense of fun, Connie was becoming increasingly involved in her work.
    And then, out of the blue, Vera, announced that she was walking out with a young man she had met at the music hall.
    â€˜If I’m going to be skivvying, then I might as well be doing it in me own home and not this bloody Infirmary,’ she told them sharply. ‘Bert’s