‘Well, I have to say, Matron, this is a surprise. I knew nothing about your plans.’ The Hospital Secretary glanced quizzically at Mary over the top of his half-moon spectacles.
‘You’re probably alone in that, Mr Willis. My fiancé is German. It’s been quite a talking point in the hospital, I believe.’ She scrutinised his face but there was no reaction.
‘Well, goodness. I offer my sincere congratulations, Matron.’ The colour rose from below his collar, reddened his cheeks and nose. He held out his hand. ‘My good wishes to you … and to your fiancé. Umm?’
‘Peter,’ Mary said, ‘and thank you, Bob.’ She held his fingers for a brief moment. ‘I’d be grateful if you would keep this to yourself for the time being. I have yet to inform the Board and I don’t want to tell them until we have set a date for the wedding. But you and I have worked together very well for the last five years…’
‘Yes, indeed, we’ve always worked hand in glove, so to speak.’
‘Quite.’ Mary smiled at him. ‘Normally I wouldn’t be able to continue my work here, as a married woman, but I think the system is slowly changing and I’m hopeful that, as this is a small hospital, the Board will be forward-thinking and allow me to stay. There are precedents I believe.’
‘Let us hope so.’ Bob pushed at the knot of his tie. ‘I like to think the hospital runs as a team,’ he blurted. ‘All for one and one for all.’ He fumbled with his spectacle case, eventually managing to fit in his glasses. ‘Must dash, time and tide waits for no man.’ Loading files into his arms, he held onto them with his chin. At the door he stood on one leg and balanced them on his knee so he could open the door. She crossed the room to help him. They stood just inside her office. He was sweating. ‘I would miss working with you, Matron – Mary.’ He held her gaze. There was no mistaking the expression of admiration in his eyes. ‘And I really hope the Board have the foresight to see what damage they would do to the hospital if they let such a splendid Matron go.’
Mary closed the door after him and stood with her back to it, still holding on to the handle. She could hear the muted sound of trolley wheels and, further away, the faint clatter of metal trays. The copper fingers on the large round wall clock juddered to five o’clock with a loud clunk.
Deciding to go home, she picked up the telephone. When there was no answer she tried another number, listening to the ringing tone with increasing exasperation. She reached into one of the drawers, took out a couple of envelopes and some paper and scribbled two notes. Locking her desk and filing cabinet she unhooked her cloak from the hanger and looked around, checking all was in order. She slid the ‘Out of Office’ sign under her nameplate and, wrapping her cape around her, went into the typists’ room. Two young women were putting on coats and tying headscarves, giggling and jostling to see themselves in a small mirror. They were immediately silenced when they saw her.
‘Still here, ladies?’ She smiled. ‘I thought you might have left already. It’s past your going home time.’ Still they didn’t speak. ‘I’ve finished for the day…’
‘We’re just off. Did you want something?’ The words were spoken boldly, the usual deference absent.
So, even the office staff were part of the gossip-mongering. Mary drew herself up and glared at the woman. ‘Not from you,’ she replied and looked across the room at a third woman who’d stopped typing and who, hands on keys, was waiting for Mary to leave before continuing. ‘Please make sure the porter delivers these to the Home Sister and House Sister,’ she said. ‘Just to say I’m leaving early.’
‘I’ll do better than that, Matron,’ the typist said, smiling, ‘I’ll take them myself.’
‘Thank you.’ Mary smiled back. Ignoring the others, she left and hurried along the corridors, avoiding eye contact with everyone she met, not stopping until she was standing outside the large blue doors of the hospital.
Breathing deeply she told herself to calm down. Why let a couple of silly women upset her? But she was upset. She’d gained a level of respect within Pont y Haven. Was it all going to disintegrate now?