A Kiss for Julie. Бетти Нилс

Jason was followed by another visit to the hospital, this time to examine patients and give his opinion to his colleagues before going back to his home for lunch.

      As for Julie, she had been up early, eaten her breakfast of rolls, slices of cheese, ham and currant bread, drunk a pot of coffee with them, and then, given directions by Mevrouw Schatt, had found her way to St Pieterskerk, where she stayed for the service—not understanding a word, of course. The sermon had gone on for a very long time, but the organ had been magnificent and some of the hymns had sounded very like those at home.

      She walked back slowly, looking at the quaint old houses, wishing that she had more time to explore, but the professor had said one o’clock and Mevrouw Schatt had told her that they would eat their lunch at noon.

      They got on well together, she and her hostess, who was ready to answer Julie’s string of questions about Leiden and its history. Her husband had been something to do with the university, she explained, and she had lived there all her life. She had a great deal to say about everything, but not a word about Professor van der Driesma.

      He came at exactly one o’clock, and Julie was ready and waiting for him.

      He bade her good afternoon without a smile, passed the time of day with Mevrouw Schatt and asked Julie if she was ready.

      ‘Yes, sir. What am I to do about my bag? Shall I take it with me or am I to fetch it later, before we leave?’

      ‘We shan’t leave until early tomorrow morning.’ He glanced at his watch and ushered her with speed into the car. The drive was very short indeed, thought Julie; they could have walked in five minutes...

      He drove across the forecourt of the hospital and under an arch at one side of the building, parked the car, opened her door and closed it behind her with a snap. ‘Through here,’ he said, indicating a door.

      Julie stood where she was. ‘Just a minute, Professor. I think there is something which must be said first.’ Her voice shook with rage. ‘You bring me here, drive me for miles, dump me, and now you expect me to go with you to some talk or other of which I know nothing. On top of that you alter your plans without bothering to tell me. I had my bag all packed...’

      She paused for breath. ‘You are a very inconsiderate and tiresome man.’ She added coldly, ‘Hadn’t we better go in? It won’t do for you to be late.’

      He was standing there looking down at her indignant face. ‘It seems that I owe you an apology, Miss Beckworth. I had not realised that you had suffered any discomfort during our journey. Since it is obvious that you feel the need to know exactly what I am doing hour by hour I will do my best to keep you informed. First, however, if you will allow it, we will proceed to the aula.’