Free Nurse Angela by Hilary Preston

they’ve worked up quite an appetite.”
    “Are you one of those?”
    “I can usually tackle a good breakfast on duty and even on holiday too, sometimes.”
    “Well, if you get a longing for bacon and eggs while you’re here, don’t let the signs reading “English Breakfast” lure you. The Frenchman’s idea of bacon and eggs, or ham and eggs is thin, boiled ham warmed up, accompanied by an egg that is usually poached.”
    Angela laughed and pulled a wry face. “Thanks for the warning.”
    There was a moment’s silence, then Simon said in a quiet voice, “Angela, you remember I said I wanted to follow something up during the next two weeks? I wonder if you ... ” He hesitated.
    “Don’t worry on my account,” Angela said quickly. “I shall be perfectly all right. I have today all planned, and ... ”
    She faltered and he gave her a quick look. “Perhaps I should first have apologized to you for last night. I had no right, and I’m sorry. I hope you’re not angry, but I—”
    She smiled brightly and pushed any further explanations aside. “You don’t need to apologize for anything. It was a very pleasant evening. Why should I be angry?”
    He looked troubled for a moment. “I was wondering if you would care to meet my mother. She would be glad to meet you and happy to show you the city.”
    “There’s really no need, Simon. After all, because you kindly offered me, what really amounts to a lift, you don’t need to feel responsible for me for the rest of my holiday.”
    He covered her hand with his. “If you persist in talking like that, I really will think you’re angry. Please try to understand. I really want you to meet my mother; I’m not just trying to be polite. But of course, if you would rather not, that’s quite all right.”
    Angela lowered her eyes. The feel of his hand on hers was almost more than she could bear. She made a slight movement and immediately, he removed his hand. She saw the anxious expression in his eyes. Was he worried in case she had attached too much importance to last night?
    She smiled suddenly. “But of course I’d love to meet her, if you’re sure she won’t object to having an English tourist thrust upon her.”
    His face lit up. “You forget that she is English, too. She will love meeting and talking to you. And there’s one thing you can rely on—she still loves a cup of tea.”
    She laughed. “Lovely.”
    “If I can possibly get away, will you have dinner with me again tonight?”
    “How shall I know whether or not you will be free?”
    “My mother has a telephone. I can either call you there or leave a message at your hotel. You’ll be going back there to change, won’t you? If by any chance you find something better to do, leave a message at my hotel. I don’t stay with my mother because she has no room in her small apartment. I hope you will still be free, but my mother knows so many people you never know when somebody might hail her from across the street.”
    “If you can’t get away, I will come here for dinner, then maybe pay another visit to La Tour Eiffel .”
    His eyes flickered for a moment; then he said abruptly: “Shall we go?”
    Simon and his mother were not the least bit alike. She was small and dark and very vivacious. One would have taken her more for a Frenchwoman than an English one, but she greeted Angela in English in a softly cultured voice.
    “My dear, how lovely to meet you. An English sister from Simon’s own hospital. Do sit down. Will you join me in a cup of tea? It’s so seldom I can get anyone to drink tea with me who really appreciates it.”
    Angela was about to protest that she had only just had breakfast when there was a sound from an adjoining room.
    Madame LeFeure glanced smilingly at Simon. “I have a surprise for you, Simon. Guess who’s here?” As she spoke the inner door opened and Madame LeFeure announced, “Voila! Paulette!”
    “Paulette!” cried Simon and went toward the tall, slim,