Free Seaside Hospital by Pauline Ash Page A

obviously she had no right to be there.
    Mary Thorley had gone to the dining room. Now was her chance to read Jacky’s note in peace Lisa thought, but at that moment Randall Carson came striding around a corner into the corridor, and on seeing her, raised his hand for her to wait for him.
    Lisa stood there, her heart sinking. He always meant trouble, especially when he looked so purposeful.
    His first words surprised her. “Oh, there you are, Nurse Bryant. I was going to look for you. There’s something I want to get off my chest. Do you have a moment?”
    She nodded dumbly, wondering what was going to happen now. She was not prepared for his next words.
    “I’ve just seen Sister Rudolph, who tells me that Nurse Thorley has cleared up the business of the children this afternoon. It seems I’ve mistakenly blamed you for negligence. Now, whatever else I may be accused of, I don’t think anyone can say I’m unjust!”
    “Oh no, sir,” Lisa said dutifully.
    “So I want you to know how sorry I am. I understand that you have a very good record, and I’m glad the whole thing’s cleared up.”
    “Please don’t think another word about it, Mr. Carson,” Lisa pleaded, with scarlet cheeks.
    “Oh, but I want to do something to show how sorry I am!” he insisted. “In fact, on thinking seriously about it, I think I have quite a lot to make up to you,” and she saw his face begin to break up into a rare smile. “For some time past, you’ve been going through it at my hands!”
    Lisa was acutely embarrassed.
    “Please, Mr. Carson,” she pleaded. “It doesn’t matter. I mean, I expect I deserved—well, that is, everyone knows you need a holiday—”
    The more she said, the more unfortunate her choice of words sounded, so she gave it up.
    It seemed to amuse him, for he was now smiling broadly. “So that’s what they’re saying, is it? Well, well, perhaps I have been overworking. Perhaps I do need a holiday, but that’s no reason for me to take it out on someone else, especially when that person can’t hit back. Now, what can I do to show you I really mean what I say? Yes, I insist. Let’s make a date together, shall we?”
    The idea of the senior surgeon at St. Mildred’s making a date with one of the nurses (or even using that way of putting it!) was such an unheard-of thing that Lisa decided he must be trying to be jocular, and as he rarely made jokes, it accounted for his making a very bad job of it.
    “Oh, I don’t mean dancing or a show,” he said, rather impatiently, as she hesitated. “What I had in mind was something far more interesting. Look here, Sister tells me how good you are with children. I understand that child nursing has a deep interest for you. Well now, how would it be if we took a trip out to my new clinic?”
    In spite of herself, Lisa’s face lit with pleasure. They all knew how Randall Carson had been trying to get a place suitable for rehabilitating children with leg and spinal injuries.
    “Do you really mean that, Mr. Carson? I’d love it.”
    “Right, then that’s settled. Let me know when your next break is, and we’ll make a day of it,” and with a brief nod, he strode off, the tails of his long white coat flying, leaving Lisa completely bewildered.
    He had called a truce and he had gone off smiling, a singularly sweet, heartwarming smile!
    The rustling of the note in her apron pocket brought her thoughts back to Jacky. As soon as she had assured herself that no one was in sight, she whipped it out and read it.
    YOU MUST COME, LISA. I’M IN AWFUL TROUBLE.
    REALLY BAD TROUBLE THIS TIME.-J.
    That was all, but Lisa had no need to be told any more.
    She looked at the time. She and Mary had been going in to early supper, so that there was still the rest of the evening at her disposal.
    She knew she must get to Jacky at once, and find out what the trouble was, and whether it did concern the loss of that piece of jewelry.
    Lisa reached the Coronet Theatre well before