Ring for the Nurse by Marjorie Moore

reach. Snapping open his cigarette case she handed him a cigarette, then held a match until the tip of the cigarette glowed.
    “ I must refill my lighter, it ’ s easier to manage with one hand, ” Guy Brenton remarked as, with a nod of thanks, he settled back in his chair.
    The purely mechanical task of bedmaking allowed Felicity full rein for her though t s. Why on earth should she worry what plans he cared to make? Patients were coming and going every day of the week, it was all part of the routine of hospital, one did one ’ s best for each one, then they passed on to other hands, perhaps cured, perhaps convalescent but usually forgotten. Although a member of the staff, Guy Brenton was only a patient more exacting than most and demanding more of her attention, and although his visitors had, on the whole, been few, Miss Jason had well balanced that little credit!
    “ This is the best time of year in the country. Do you know Buckinghamshire at all? My home is at Weir, it ’ s only a short run from town but it ’ s ideally placed in the Chilterns. ”
    Guy Brenton ’ s unexpected opening broke into the train of Felicity ’ s thoughts. It was rarely that he made any direct effort at conversation, and it was certainly the first time he had ever touched upon anything personal.
    “ I don ’ t know it at all, I was brought up in the West Country but I imagine that any place would be preferable to London at this time of year. ” She smoothed the bedspread, then crossed to the window and pulled aside the white linen curtain. “ It ’ s a lovely morning, yet if I open the window wider, you will only get smoke and soot and noise, it ’ s better as it is. ”
    “ I quite agree. ” He held the unopened newspaper on his knee and went on speaking. “ I get down to Weir Court as much as I can, I usually manage week-ends, and during the summer I sometimes snatch a night or two during the week. ” He paused and although his eyes were directed at Felicity as she stood beside the window, it was as if he was scarcely aware of her presence. “ It ’ s been our family home for years, it ’ s much too big and very lonely for my father, he is an old man now, entirely dependent upon my visits for company. I want him to sell it, it ’ s only a responsibility and once I ’ m married I shall be able to spend less time than ever with him. ”
    “ Won ’ t you and Miss Jason make your home there? ”
    Guy Brenton ’ s scarcely concealed surprise at the question showed Felicity how he must have forgotten her presence. “ No, that is not our intention. ” He looked down at the folded paper on his lap and it seemed as if he had meant to put an abrupt stop to the conversation, but suddenly he spoke again and this time he directly addressed her. “ Miss Jason doesn ’ t care for the country, London has always been her home, she doesn ’ t like country life and I don ’ t think she ’ d ever adapt herself. ”
    “ I see. ” Felicity spoke briefly while she sought for suitable words. “ I suppose it could be dull if you ’ d not been brought up to it. ”
    “ I ’ d like to get down there for a bit now—I ’ m no use in town, to myself or anyone else. ” He gave an ironical laugh. “ The maimed animal ’ s instinct to hide itself. ”
    With a courage she had not believed herself to possess, Felicity found herself giving voice to the thoughts which for so long had trembled on her lips. “ You are taking the wrong attitude—ever since your accident it ’ s been the same—you ’ ve given up fighting, you are determined that your arm will never return to normal, you don ’ t sleep, you don ’ t eat, you ’ ve just resigned yourself to the worst, it ’ s wrong and it ’ s cowardly! ” Felicity was aware of the tumultuous beating of her heart. Surely that hadn ’ t been her voice speaking? She couldn ’ t have so far forgotten herself! Rigid with apprehension, she stared at her companion, waiting for the storm