To Please the Doctor by Marjorie Moore Page B

almost uncontrollable urge to ignore Harriet ’ s appeal and inform Duncan McRey without delay that he need concern himself ho longer with her shortcomings, that she would soon be shaking the dust of St. Joseph ’ s from her heels. The words froze on her lips, an innate sense of pride restrained her, and she knew she longed before all else to justify herself in this man ’ s eyes. It seemed utterly unreasonable . Why should she care? Except that she ’ d be giving up a good job, it meant nothing to her, she insisted. But in her heart she felt that was not the true reason for her silence.
    “ We should be going. Are you rested? ”
    The question roused Jill from the despondency into which her thoughts had momentarily plunged her. She gave an involuntary shiver, as some inexplicable fear held her in grip.
    “ You must be cold, you are shivering. ” Duncan McRey rose quickly to his feet, then taking Jill ’ s hands pulled her up from the seat. “ I shouldn ’ t have let you sit so long, it was thoughtless of me. ” He slipped an arm beneath her elbow as, emerging from the shelter of the wall, the wind whipped against their backs, causing Jill ’ s skirt to billow round her knees, and turning back the heavy flaps of Duncan McRey ’ s mackintosh.
    It was a short walk from the front to the more sheltered paths across the hills, and far easier walking. Duncan McRey had dropped his arm from hers and their steps quickened as the force of the wind abated. It was perhaps not so exhilarating as the sea front, but much as Jill had enjoyed the outward journey, she was not sorry for the present lull. There seemed to be storm enough in her own chaotic thoughts without being buffeted by the gale as well.
    “ Thank you for seeing me back—and for the walk too. It was wonderful. ” Jill held out her hand as they reached the hospital gates.
    “ I enjoyed it too. ” He dug into his pocket and returned Jill ’ s bag, then, extending his hand, he took hers in a firm grip. “ Good night. ”
    As she crossed the lawn to the Sisters ’ Home her hand tingled from that hand-clasp, but it was a curiously warming and pleasant sensation. Had it been meant as a show of friendship? ... she slipped quietly past the Sisters ’ lounge to the privacy of her own room; she still longed for solitude and her own thoughts. Locking her door, Jill sank down on the corner of her bed and pulled off her gloves. Then, her hands free, she untied the knotted scarf from her head. She ’ d forgotten to return it! Jill ’ s cheeks dimpled into a smile as, spreading it across her knees, she folded the soft material, carefully smoothing out the creases with her fingers. Unconsciously her mind drifted back to that moment when Duncan McRey had tied it beneath her chin. It had been a kindly thought ... Jill sighed. What an odd person he was; somehow so difficult to hate, but quite impossible to feel indifferent about. That only left the other extreme—love ... She found herself laughing softly at the thought. As far as she was concerned, that extreme was unthinkable, so it was up to her to find some middle course.

 
    CHAPTER SIX
    So closely did Jill watch her own and Brenda Malling ’ s movements during the following days that she began to feel that much more “ sleuthing ” would qualify her for a special job in the C.I..D! She didn ’ t allow the slightest detail to escape her notice, watched everything her Staff Nurse did with an eagle eye, and sooner than take any risks, undertook any special job herself rather than call upon Brenda ’ s help. It was tedious and heavy going, but was at least proving worthwhile, inasmuch as it gave her a better grip on the general running of her ward, and was also proving to her junior that not only would she not be trifled with, but that she was determined to stand her ground against any opposition.
    J ill glanced at the clock on her desk. Another ten minutes before visitors were due to leave. How she dreaded these