said, drawing to a standstill, fixing a stern eye on Audra. ‘She did say immediately, so you’d better look sharp.’
Audra, who had just finished taking a child’s temperature, nodded. ‘Thanks. I’ll go up at once.’
Moving away from the bed, Audra glanced around at her young patients with her usual concern. The small isolation ward was occupied by children suffering from whooping cough and she was worried about each of them on this icy December morning.
As she and the head nurse walked down the ward towards the door, Audra dropped her voice and said, ‘They’re all a bit restless, especially little John Martin over there by the window. He’s exhausted from the whoop, and he’s not been able to keep his breakfast down because of his coughing. Or anything else since, for that matter, and Doctor Parkinson is a bit concerned about him. Can you send a junior nurse in to keep an eye on him? And on the others, of course?’
‘Don’t worry about it, I’ll stay here myself until you get back. I’m sure you won’t be very long with Matron.’ A slight smile touched the head nurse’s mouth and there was a sudden softening in her attitude towards Audra, and she remarked in a quiet tone, ‘Your diligence really is most commendable, Kenton. You’ve turned out to be a good nurse.’
These were words of praise indeed, coming from this most senior member of the nursing staff who had worked herself up from ward maid, and who was renowned as a disciplinarian. Audra, surprised, returned her smile and with a little burst of pride, she drew herself up to her full height. ‘Thank you, Sister,’ she said. ‘I do try.’
Sister Rogers inclined her head and turned away.
It was a dismissal of sorts, and Audra crossed the front hall and ran up the wide main staircase, hoping against hope that Matron had good news for her at long last. After making the decision to leave Ripon and find a nursing job in Leeds, Audra had confided her intentions in the head of the hospital and had asked for her advice. Matron had given it, and had generously offered to do everything she could to help Audra secure a position elsewhere. Unfortunately, they had not been successful so far. It seemed there were no vacancies in any of the hospitals in Leeds or the surrounding districts.
Audra, however, was not overly dismayed about this situation, since Gwen herself had only just managed to find a place at Leeds General Infirmary. Lonely though she was at the hospital without her dearest friend for companionship in her off-duty hours, Audra remained cheerful and optimistic as she went about her duties.
For the past three months, Audra had held the firm conviction that something would turn up eventually, and now, as she came to a stop outside Matron’s office, she wondered if it finally had materialized. She tugged at her cuffs to straighten them, smoothed her hands over her starched white apron, then knocked on the frosted-glass panel of the door. At Matron’s bidding she went in.
Margaret Lennox sat behind her large, paper-strewn desk.
She was wearing the navy-blue tailored dress and small white muslin cap that signified the highest nursing rank in the hierarchy of every hospital, and she seemed more formidable than ever. But Audra knew from experience that this stern-looking woman had generosity and warmth and the kindest of hearts.
Matron raised her eyes. She smiled at the sight of Audra, who was a particular favourite of hers, for whom she had a great deal of respect and not a little admiration. She was fully aware of Audra’s history from the hospital files, and she never ceased to marvel at this girl’s strength of character.
‘Ah Audra,’ she began pleasantly, ‘do come in and sit down. I have a matter to discuss with you.’
‘Yes, Matron.’ Audra stepped up to the desk briskly, and lowered herself onto the wooden chair where she sat straight-backed as always, her hands clasped in her lap. Her wide blue eyes were riveted on the matron’s face.
Margaret Lennox glanced at the letter in her hand, then put it down on the desk. ‘Well, Audra, I think I might have a position for you in Leeds.’
A look of delight flew onto Audra’s face and she opened her mouth to speak.
But before she could say anything, Matron lifted her hand, exclaimed, ‘Just a moment! Don’t get too excited…at least not yet. I must explain that this is not the type of nursing job you’ve been looking for, Audra. It’s not in a hospital, I’m afraid.’
‘Oh,’ Audra said. ‘I see,’ and her face fell.
‘I know you’re disappointed that I have not been able to get you situated somewhere appropriate,’ Matron went on in a sympathetic way. ‘However, I do think you should consider this private position, especially since you are so very anxious to move to Leeds.’
‘Of course I will, Matron.’
‘Good girl. Now, Audra, I have had a letter from a Mrs Irène Bell, who is the wife of a well-known Leeds solicitor. She’s looking for a nanny, and has contacted me about finding a suitable candidate here at the hospital. Naturally, Audra, I thought of you at once.’
Matron Lennox then went on to explain that she had originally met Mrs Bell through her work with the suffragette movement before the Great War, and that they had remained friendly over the years. Then she continued, ‘I cannot speak highly enough of Mrs Bell. She is a unique woman and I have a strong feeling you and she would be most compatible. In any event, from what she says in her letter, it’s not a difficult job. There is only one child to look after, a little boy of five years. The other three children are grown up, away at school I believe.’ Matron’s brow lifted questioningly. ‘What do you think, Audra? Are you interested?’
Audra had been listening avidly, and she knew she would be foolish if she turned down this opportunity without investigating it further. So she immediately said, ‘Yes, I am, Matron.’
Matron nodded, as though confirming something to herself, and said, ‘I am confident you can handle a job such as this with the greatest of ease.’ She sat back, brought her hands together and steepled her fingers, contemplated Audra over them for a few moments, before remarking: ‘You have such a wonderful way with children, I know you will do well as a nanny. But you are an extraordinary nurse, Audra, a true healer, and that’s rare. Don’t ever forget that you have this remarkable ability…one might even call it a gift.’
‘No, I won’t,’ Audra said, flushing with pleasure. She murmured her thanks to Matron for her kind words and the confidence she expressed in her.
Margaret Lennox went on, ‘I did have special plans for you here at the hospital, Audra, and I had envisaged promotions coming your way quickly.’ She smiled at the young woman with obvious fondness, then lifted her shoulders in a small resigned shrug. ‘Well, there we are…I for one shall be most sorry to see you go, if you do decide to leave, Audra. But, as I’ve told you all along, I would never presume to stand in your way.’
‘Yes, I know that, Matron, and I do appreciate everything you’ve done for me.’
Matron half-smiled, finished in a more businesslike tone, ‘I will call Mrs Bell today, and arrange for you to go over to Leeds for an interview. I’ll let you know the details as soon as I have them. In the meantime, you had better return to your duties on the ward, Audra.’
‘Yes, Matron,’ Audra said, standing up. ‘Thank you again.’
She was on her way to Leeds.
To meet Mrs Irène Bell of Calpher House, Upper Armley.
Audra had the feeling that this was going to be an auspicious occasion. She laughed at herself under her breath. It was only an interview for a job after all. On the other hand, if everything went well there would be big changes in her life at long last. It might even be the beginning of a brand new life.
This thought brought an extra spring to her step as she crossed the Market Place in Ripon, making her way towards the small country railway station on North Road. Audra’s eyes sparkled with such radiant light, and there was such a glow on her fresh young face this morning, several people turned to look