Nurse Trudie is Engaged (12 page)

Yet he could not resist exchanging glances with the other woman who sat opposite to him and whose green eyes appeared to see into his very soul, to know his reasons for these gestures, informing him mockingly how futile they were. Cutting his chicken with meticulous precision, Philip tried for the hundredth time to analyze the attraction she undoubtedly held for him. The main thing, he was certain, was her amazing vitality when she wanted to do anything, or have someone else moving for and with her, and the equally amazing indolence when she relaxed.

“
She
’
s like one of the big cats at the zoo,
”
he thought and was aware that the suggestion was a compliment to Veronica.
“
When she moves, when she wants something, she
’
s quick, alert
... vibrant with a zest for living. When she
’
s relaxed she almost purrs.
”

He stopped his thoughts abruptly. He had realized already that such a person would drive him mad if he had much to do with her; she and he had little or nothing in common. His tastes and ideas were Trudie
’
s; his way of life more akin to hers than to that of any other woman he had met. And yet, he reflected wryly, how could he judge? Trudie and Veronica were practically the only two people of the opposite sex he had had anything to do with, apart from his work.

He glanced at Ursula. Cool, competent and serene, she was talking to Geoff about his own ideas on the project at Arcpo, and Philip could see plainly that her interest and enthusiasm were aroused. Already she was outlining plans and schemes and in a brief lull in the conversation he heard her say,
“
I think we should
interest Herr Mazo in this. I shall be seeing him next week
—”

The remainder was lost as general conversation broke out again, but Philip repressed a sigh. That was what Geoff needed: someone to listen while he expounded his theories, someone clever enough to pick out the essential points that could be further developed, to see ahead and who knew the right people to see.

“
And what I need,
”
he told himself,
“
or thought I needed—and Dora must have thought so too since the idea was hers in the first instance—was a nice
“
safe
”
engagement to someone like Trudie. And now I have it I
’
m not satisfied. I don
’
t want Veronica, and I don
’
t suppose she
’
s the least bit interested in me, except as another scalp to hang on her belt! And yet
...”

He shut his mind to that thought. Not even mentally would he admit to the almost violent attraction he felt toward this stranger, an attraction such as he had read about in some long-forgotten novel but had never believed existed outside the author
’
s mind. Now he knew it could be a very real thing, threat to the well-being or peace of mind of an ordinary individual, and he had not the faintest idea of how to fight against it. Yet he knew he must, or find himself destroyed.

From her seat at Dr. Hislop
’
s right, Dora was paying attention with only half her mind to his conversation. She was answering mechanically, almost without hearing what was said.

“
We have them from birth,
”
she said now, referring to the children.
“
Even before they are born, what with prenatal care, postnatal care, clinics ... the lot. We care for them through the formative years, through the middle years and on to a ripe old age; yet there are so many bodies wasted—neglected by their owners for us to put to rights again, abused, ill-treated—and so few apparently aware of what a crime they are committing.
”

“
Most people take their bodies for granted, while they are strong and healthy, that is,
”
Dr. Hislop agreed, smiling,
“
but you were not thinking of what you were saying then, Dora. I said if you had your new block could you not do more for those unfortunate youngsters who were born needing help?
”

“
I
’
m sorry.
”
Dora apologized immediately and sincerely. She knew Dr. Hislop to be completely on her side in her request for a block to be added to the extension, and she knew that in certain circles he could be of invaluable help in achieving her end. Yet she was so absorbed in watching Philip and his reactions to Veronica that she had lost the thread of the conversation. Dr. Hislop was not offended. Dora had often thought him the most tolerant man she had ever encountered. He followed her glance and his own rested affectionately on Philip.

“
He
’
s a grand chap,
”
he said very softly and for Dora
’
s ear alone.
“
I
’
d no idea this was in the air. I only know that Trudie thinks there
’
s nobody to touch him, in St. Catherine
’
s or out. I only wish he could have met Garth. They
’
d have got along together so very well. Having Veronica here seems to bring him closer in some ways, and to send him farther away in others ... and yet it
’
s by no means the same as if they had arrived together.
”
He gave a short
,
sharp sigh and quickly recovered himself.
“
Philip can never take Garth
’
s place,
”
he went on, still speaking in the same low voice,
“
but at least he is an addition, a replacement if you like, to the family.
”

Dora nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She was wondering just how much Veronica was also looking at Philip with the idea of making him a replacement for Garth. And what of Trudie then? Or of Philip himself?

“
She
’
s not the woman for him,
”
Dora decided.
“
She
’
d kill him
... spiritually and mentally, if not physically.
”

Her glance slid from Philip to Malcolm. So far he appeared to be the one person who was impervious to Veronica
’
s undoubted attractiveness and to her beguiling ways. That she had deliberately set out to reduce him to the same state as Philip, Dora had no doubt. She was the eternal beguiler, ensnaring all males with whom she came into contact, regardless of age or of social discrimination.

“
I
’
ve seen her kind before,
”
Dora reflected,
“
and they never bode any good to anyone, not even to themselves. I
’
m sorry for her; it
’
s part of her make-up and she can
’
t help herself. But I
’
m not going to stand by and see Trudie
’
s and Philip
’
s lives wasted for want of a little well-meant interference.
”

Malcolm, she decided after another look at that firm, clear-cut profile, seemed perfectly capable of taking care of himself. His legal, analytical mind would see to it that mere emotions were kept well in their place, and she did not doubt that he could command enough self-discipline to achieve that object. But Veronica ... she glanced at the girl, and was a little shaken by the naked emotion she saw on that attractive face ... Veronica was piqued. She was not accustomed to being either ignored or rebuffed, and a slight shudder ran through Dora
’
s frame as she uttered a soundless prayer that Malcolm might prove to be as self-controlled and self-sufficient as he posed.

“
I thought,
”
observed Dr. Hislop as Mrs. Emma came in with the coffee,
“
that we would not observe the custom of leaving the gentlemen here alone. We
’
ll have our liqueurs here, and retire to the lounge together. If anyone would care for bridge
...”

“
I
’
ve arranged a concert,
”
Geoff said modestly, but waiting for the exclamations that he knew would follow. He was a stereophonic sound man and had his tape recorder, record player and radio all wired in this way.

“
My style?
”
Dora inquired, her brows beetling at him as though in menace, but she was laughing, knowing Geoff could swing from classical music she loved to current rock, depending upon his mood.

“
Your style,
”
he assured her gravely.
“
Satisfied?
”

“
My style, too,
”
Ursula said firmly.
“
Dora
’
s told me so much about the concerts you arrange. You must have all my favorite records.
”

The conversation drifted to music in general, to one
’
s likes and dislikes, and for a time Veronica was left somewhat out of things.

“
She
’
s waiting her time,
”
Dora decided.
“
I wouldn
’
t put it past her to sing
... to any accompaniment,
”
and to make the matter more interesting she was in the process of laying a little bet with herself on the outcome, when the telephone rang sharply, insistently, alerting them all.

“
Can
’
t be a social call at this time of night,
”
Dr. Hislop observed.
“
Besides, all our usual callers are here
... hope it isn
’
t some complication or other. We haven
’
t been around to the celebrating drinks yet.
”

He broke off as Mrs. Emma hurried into the room and made straight for his chair.

“
Bad accident on the new highway, Doctor,
”
she said quickly.
“
There
’
s an excursion coach, two cars, a motorcycle and a truck involved. That was the police. They want you to come at once. There
’
s an ambulance on the way from St. Catherine
’
s and another from Deeping Thrackwaite.
”

“
We
’
ll all go.
”
Philip was already on his feet.
“
Trudie can help. You too, can
’
t you?
”
he asked Dora.

“
Of course,
”
she said at once, brisk and competent,
“
but no one else. Geoff and Ursula won
’
t be able to do anything, neither will Mrs. Garth, or Malcolm. They
’
d only be in the way.
”
She gave them all the quick, sweet smile she used when she wanted the nurses to do something special, and at once they were on her side.

“
We
’
ll start the concert,
”
Geoff said obligingly.
“
We can always play the records through again when you return.
”

But although he started the record player as soon as the sound of the cars had died away, somehow no one wanted to listen; the four of them sat around with only the hushed background of music, not talking, waiting, waiting, waiting
... the evening over before it had more than spent itself halfway.

Half an hour had passed since the four had driven off to the scene of the accident. The big room was warm and glowing; the shaded lights on the walls and the flickering flames of the log fire, lit against the chill of the late spring evening, combined to give an illusion of comfort and well-being, of contentment and calm.

“
But there
’
s no calm in me,
”
Veronica thought, bored by the selection of records, annoyed because Geoff had insisted on them all occupying places in what he termed
“
the apex of the sound.
”
The only music Veronica knew and understood was the music to which she sang. The songs she knew and the little fame she had enjoyed had no place in Geoff
’
s scheme of recordings.

“
If only Malcolm would be friendly,
”
ran her thoughts.
“
He
’
s like a judge, setting himself apart; aloof and self-contained, not speaking, not moving, one hand half-shielding his face, the other holding a cigarette carelessly between the fingers.
”