Free The Favourite Child by Freda Lightfoot Page B

endowed with a fine head of black hair. At either side of his small neat head protruded a pair of well shaped ears but none of this troubled Bella in the least, for though he was somewhat pedantic and formal in his approach, he possessed a cheerful enough aspect and an optimistic outlook that would be welcome in any sick room. His least endearing feature was a slightly fishy odour which seemed ever to cling to his clothes. This was caused by the fact that he occupied two rooms above Mr Solomon’s fish shop and, clean as the premises undoubtedly were, there was no escaping the aroma which rose from the heaps of wet fish to the rooms above.
    He appeared to actively court Bella’s approval by frequently mentioning his work with the deserving poor, admitting to having given treatment on numerous occasions without any hope of being paid. ‘It is a sad fact of life that those who need it the most can afford it the least.’
    Bella listened with some amusement to all of this but guessed that her father would receive a large bill for the care of his wife on this occasion, though she supposed Dr Lisle was at least assiduous in giving value for money. Yet she still hadn’t plucked up the courage to mention the subject of most concern to her.
    As Christmas and New Year passed, the little doctor continued to visit on a daily basis. Eventually, she remarked upon it. ‘Perhaps you don’t need to come quite so often now, Doctor, though a nurse perhaps, would be beneficial.’
    He smiled cheerily at her. ‘I’m sure you can give much better care for your dear mother than any nurse.’
    ‘That’s not necessarily the case but even if it were true, in all honesty, the task of caring for her is a hard one. I could do with a break now and then.’ Emily seemed to be adept at ringing her bell at night just when Bella had finally drifted off to sleep, and everyone else in the house appeared to be either constantly absent or stone deaf.
    Dr Lisle tut-tutted sympathetically. ‘Of course it naturally falls entirely upon you, as the unmarried daughter.’
    Bella attempted to smile through gritted teeth. ‘I would simply like a nurse to help me.’
    ‘Of course, my dear.’ But the following day he did not bring a nurse, only an invitation to supper. ‘As single people with similar interests, perhaps you and I could provide some respite to each other from the caring work that we both undertake so unstintingly. A little socialising would be good for us both. I thought that tomorrow, being Saturday, we could take a stroll around the Penny Bazaar. I know young ladies like to shop,’ he teased, eyes twinkling. ‘Perhaps finishing with tea at the Lyons House on the corner of Princess Street, or have supper in my rooms if you prefer. Mrs Solomon could do us a nice bit of hake, I am sure.’
    Bella felt a surge of panic. This wasn’t what she’d intended at all. Her benevolent view of him now quite gone, the very idea of spending an entire afternoon or evening with Dr Nathaniel Lisle filled her with horror. But how to refuse without causing offence? ‘It’s kind of you to offer but I couldn’t possibly leave Mother. Perhaps some other time, when she is feeling more herself.’
    ‘Of course. I beg your pardon for intruding. I shall ask again later.’
    Bella sincerely hoped that he would not.
    She felt a complete coward. Taking supper with the doctor, surely an obliging enough little man, might well have given her the opportunity she’d once craved to ask some pertinent questions and find the solutions Mrs Stobbs, for one, so eagerly sought. How was poor Mrs Stobbs managing without her? She must be well on with her latest pregnancy by this time. Bella was filled with guilt that she hadn’t been to see her, or any of her ‘ladies’, for weeks now. Nor had she done anything about the Marie Stopes book which Mrs Dyson had mentioned. Sadly, her mother’s ill health had driven all such concerns if not exactly out of mind, certainly out of