Act of Will Read online

  ‘Perhaps she has bad feet—or a bad love life.’

  ‘I don’t know what she’s got. Yes, I do—a nasty manner, that’s a certainty. I remember her from past experience. Oh yes I do, very well, Audra. She’s always snotty-nosed with the customers, especially the older folk. I noticed her giving that grey-haired lady over there a hard time before you arrived. So it does serve her right.’

  ‘I suppose it does,’ Audra agreed. Like Gwen, she loathed unkindness, the small unnecessary cruelties inflicted on the weak by the strong. Besides, the waitress had been extremely short with them, to the point of rudeness.

  There was a small silence, and then Audra reached for her handbag, took out some coins and placed them on the table in front of Gwen. ‘Before I forget, this is what I owe you. The one and six I borrowed when I bought the blue dress.’

  Gwen was about to say it didn’t matter, to refuse the coins, then she thought better of it. Audra was very proud and she would be insulted; she might even take umbrage and that Gwen could not bear. And so she picked up the money and said, ‘Thanks very much, lovey.’

  ‘I am glad your mother has recovered her health at long last,’ Audra said with genuine feeling. ‘I know these last few months have been very worrying for you, and such hard work as well.’

  Gwen let out a tiny sigh. ‘Yes, Mum’s out of the woods, thank goodness. But I don’t mind telling you, she’s been a trying patient, Audra. Hard to keep in bed. The minute she felt stronger she wanted to be up and about.’ Gwen pursed her lips and sighed again. ‘Well, you know what Mum’s like, a typical Yorkshire-woman, very tough, who believes it’s a crime to be ill. My father has finally convinced her she must take it easy, so that’s all right then. But listen, Audra, enough of this… tell me your news. You didn’t say much in your letters, except for boring bits and pieces about the boring hospital.’

  ‘There wasn’t anything special to tell,’ Audra replied, amused at the eager and expectant expression which had suddenly appeared on Gwen’s dimpled face. ‘Certainly nothing startling. It hasn’t taken you very long to forget that Ripon’s a sleepy old backwater, not a great big metropolis like Leeds.’

  Gwen giggled. ‘’Course I haven’t forgotten, silly. But what I meant was how’re your brothers? What’ve you heard recently?’

  ‘Frederick’s health has seemingly improved—at long last. At least, so William wrote and told me. I was very upset with them both in June, though.’ Audra’s face changed slightly and the light in her eyes dulled. ‘I thought they had forgotten all about me… and my birthday, but then their card finally did arrive… two weeks late.’

  ‘That’s brothers for you, Audra, they’re a bit daft at times,’ Gwen said swiftly, wanting to make her friend feel better. It struck her once more how sad Audra’s nineteenth birthday had been. She vowed to make it up to her on her birthday next year.

  Audra said, ‘Anyway, how are your brothers?’

  ‘In top form. Jem’s got himself a job as a copy boy on the Leeds Mercury, Harry’s going to be apprenticed to one of the leading architects in Leeds, and our Charlie’s flying high, feeling very chuffed with himself.’ A huge grin spread across Gwen’s face.

  Audra looked at her curiously. ‘Why is Charlie so pleased?’

  ‘Because he got very high marks in his exams, Audra. Dad’s really proud of him, and so am I. Anyway, old Charlie can’t wait to get back to medical school now that the summer hols are just about over. Oh, and that reminds me, he asked to be remembered to you.’ Gwen’s eyes took on a wicked twinkle and she brought her fair head closer to Audra’s, whispered in a conspiratorial manner, ‘As I keep telling you, I think our Charlie really fancies you, Audra. And quite a bit, at that.’

  Audra blushed furiously. ‘Don’t be so silly, Gwen, of course he doesn’t.’

  ‘He does too! He’s always asking questions about you!’ Gwen shot back with unprecedented fierceness, giving her friend a stern glare. ‘He’s definitely interested in you, I just know he is.’

  ‘Oh,’ was the only thing Audra could think of to say, feeling flustered all of a sudden.

  ‘Well, you could do worse, you know.’

  ‘Yes,’ Audra murmured, and then clamped her mouth shut as the waitress hove in view.

  Much to Audra’s relief the young woman headed straight for their table, carrying a laden tray. She began to unload the tea things with a great deal of fuss and clattering, and this curtailed their conversation for a few moments. Gwen threw Audra a disgusted look and made a face, indicating her disapproval of the noisy waitress, who seemed hell bent on irritating them.

  Audra bit back a smile and glanced away. Once the waitress had departed, she picked up the large brown pot and began to pour tea into Gwen’s cup, remarking, ‘I suppose I could say she’s just had the last word.’

  ‘Oh no she hasn’t, not by a long shot,’ Gwen said with a sly little smile. ‘Wait until it’s time for her tip.’

  CHAPTER 5

  Gwen Thornton was a sweet affectionate girl, open hearted and generous of nature, and she genuinely cared for Audra Kenton.

  From the first moment she had met her, Gwen had been drawn to Audra. She had recognized there was something very special about the small, delicate-looking girl with the extraordinary blue eyes and the shy smile that could dazzle at times.

  Gwen had quickly come to understand what it actually was that made Audra stand out in a crowd. It was her background and upbringing. Coming from an ordinary, though solid, middle-class family as she did, Gwen knew that Audra’s air of breeding was downright impossible to imitate. You either had it or you didn’t. It simply could not be acquired. And it not only gave Audra distinction, but explained her aristocratic aloofness, her manners and her self-assurance, which were bred in the bone.

  However, Gwen admired and loved Audra for a variety of other reasons, all of which added to her uniqueness. Audra was a superior young woman in every way, one who was inordinately loyal and loving; she was also the most indomitable person Gwen had ever met.

  Yet, despite these commendable traits, Gwen could not help worrying about Audra sometimes. She chiefly worried because Audra was without a family. Gwen knew more than anyone how much this bothered Audra. She sorely missed her brothers, yearned to belong in the way she had when her mother had been alive. This was why Gwen went out of her way to make her best friend feel like a real member of the Thornton clan, to make her truly understand she was as much loved as her baby sister Jenny-Rosalie, and her brothers, Charles, Jeremy and Harry.

  Ever since Charlie, the eldest, had shown an interest in Audra, Gwen had been encouraging him, endeavouring to foster a relationship between them, to fan the flames. But from time to time Gwen had had to admit to herself that the interest was a trifle one-sided thus far; and she sometimes wondered if her sweet but rather dull brother was the right match for Audra. Inevitably, Gwen managed to convince herself that he really was ideal. Certainly there was no question in her mind that Charlie was a good catch, since he was such an admirable young man, and one with an assured future, after all. He would not stay a bachelor for very long, once he had qualified as a doctor, and he would make a wonderful husband and father. Gwen had always known in her bones that Charlie was cut out to be a family man.

  And in Gwen’s mind, the crucial word was indeed family. This was what Audra longed for the most and so she was going to help her dearest friend acquire a family of her very own. And, of course, Charlie was the key.

  All of these thoughts, which had frequently preoccupied Gwen during the past few weeks, had started to swirl around in her head again this afternoon.

  She and Audra were now strolling through the beautiful Valley Gardens. Both girls were glad to be out in the open air, after being cooped up inside the noisy café.

  Gwen cast a glance at Audra as they headed down the sloping path. She decided she would be very hard pressed indeed to find a sweeter or prettier candidate for a sister-in-law. Audra looked particularly attractive today, w
earing a primrose-yellow print dress patterned with primroses, and a straw boater with a yellow silk band and matching ribbons fluttering down at the back. The boater gave her a jaunty air, whilst the simple cut of the frock and its sunny colour were flattering to her.

  She might be small, Gwen thought, but she’s quality through and through. And then before she could stop herself she said out loud, ‘Yes, good stuff in a little room.’ Gwen could have bitten her tongue off, instantly regretted repeating this comment Charlie had made about Audra, who hated any reference to her height, or lack of it. She cleared her throat nervously.

  Audra said, with a puzzled look, ‘Excuse me, I don’t quite understand what you’re referring to, Gwen.’

  Deciding it would be better not to mention Charlie, Gwen explained, ‘Oh it was just something my mother said about you—good stuff in a little room means that a small person often has a lot of wonderful qualities. Haven’t you heard the expression before? It’s very Yorkshire.’

  Audra shook her head. ‘No, I haven’t, but it’s a nice compliment.’

  ‘Yes,’ Gwen said, delighted that she had taken it so well, and tucked her arm through Audra’s companionably. ‘And talking of Mum, she says I can have a party for my birthday, so I hope you’ll come and stay with us at The Meadow, the third weekend in September. There’ll be Charlie, Jem and Harry, of course, and I can invite a few friends. But only a few. ’Cos Mum couldn’t cope with a big crowd after her illness. You will come, Audra, won’t you? It wouldn’t be the same without you.’

  ‘Of course I’ll come. It’ll be a lovely treat for me, and I always enjoy staying at your house. Thank you for inviting me.’

  Gwen laughed gaily. ‘You’ll get to wear your gorgeous blue dress. Finally. Why, Audra, you’ll be the belle of the ball. All the boys will be after you.’ Especially our Charlie, Gwen added to herself, and hoped he wouldn’t be rejected.

  Audra glanced up at Gwen, who was a few inches taller, and joined in her laughter. ‘You’ll be the belle, after all it’s your birthday party. But I must admit, I am dying to wear my new dress. And what frock are you going to wear, Gwenny?’

  ‘Oh I don’t know. I’ll find something suitable, I expect. Now, who else do you think I should invite?’ Not giving Audra a chance to reply, Gwen hurried on, ‘I’ll tell you what, let’s go and sit over there on that form and talk about the party. You’re so clever, Audra, I’d like your advice about a few things. You know… such as what kind of food and drinks to serve and your suggestions in general. Come on, lovey.’

  Gwen steered Audra in the direction of a park seat positioned under one of the lovely weeping willows which were planted throughout the Valley Gardens. Here the two girls sat themselves down and brought their heads together. They chatted animatedly about Gwen’s twentieth birthday party for the next half hour, covering all the different aspects of it, planning the menu and the guest list.

  Finally Gwen said, ‘Thanks Audra, you’ve been a great help, and I appreciate your ideas, I really do. It’ll be a nice party…’ Gwen left her sentence unfinished as she began to fan herself with one hand, then fished around in her fabric shopping bag for her hankie. She patted her face with it, exclaimed, ‘Phew! I am hot. It’s still close even though the sun’s gone down.’

  ‘There’s no breeze at all.’ Audra lolled back against the seat. She glanced up at the sky, hoped it would not rain.

  They fell silent for a while.

  Audra turned her attention to the passers-by, thinking how smart some of the women looked, dressed in their finery, and out for a stroll before dinner at one of the swanky hotels. They were obviously from London, judging by their clothes, and visiting Harrogate to ‘take the cure’. It had been a renowned spa since Victorian times, and people came from all over the world to drink the different waters available in the Pump Room, and visit the hydros at the Royal Baths. Her mother had always loved Harrogate for its elegance and the Beautiful Edith Kenton had called it a throwback to Victorian times and a more civilized age.

  Their mother had often brought them here for the day. Audra recalled a memorable afternoon in 1911 when they had come to get a glimpse of the queens of England, Russia and Poland, who had all been visiting Harrogate on the same day. Their Uncle Peter had been with them, and he had lifted her up on his shoulders so that she could see above the crowds. There had been lots of excitement and flags waving and a band playing… Audra drifted along with her remembrances of things past.

  Gwen, however, was thinking of the future, and wondering how to break her awful news to Audra. Earlier, she had toyed with the idea of not saying anything, of writing a letter at a later date. But Gwen knew that Audra, who had so much integrity and was such a fair person, deserved better from her than that. She decided there really was only one way to do it, and that was to jump right in, both feet first.

  Reaching out, she touched Audra’s arm tentatively, and said in an unusually subdued voice, ‘There’s something I want to tell you before we go to the bus station for our buses…’

  Audra looked at her, instantly coming back to the present. ‘You sound very serious all of a sudden, Gwenny. Is there something wrong?’

  Gwen swallowed and cleared her throat. ‘I’ve wanted to tell you this all afternoon, but I haven’t known how to begin. Well… look, it’s like this, Audra… I won’t be coming back to work at the Fever Hospital. I’m ever so sorry.’

  Audra gaped at her friend, flabbergasted at this announcement. It was a bombshell, the last thing she had expected to hear. ‘Oh Gwen,’ she murmured so softly it was a whisper.

  Observing her closely, detecting the misery now flooding her bright blue eyes, Gwen cried, anxiously, ‘Please, oh please don’t be upset, Audra. I’m not going to Australia. I’ll only be a couple of hours away, either in Leeds or Horsforth. We can see each other all the time, and listen, Mum wants you to come and stay for Christmas, like you did last year. And we’ll be together on my birthday next month.’

  Audra, considerably shaken by Gwen’s news, was only able to nod mutely.

  ‘You see, it’s like this, Audra. Dad wants me to be nearer home, because of Mum’s weak heart. He says I have to apply for a position at the Infirmary or St James’s Hospital, and until I get something at either place I’ve got to stay at home with Mum. Dad’s ever so set on it, Audra, I can’t make him change his mind.’

  Audra heard the distress in Gwen’s voice, and she smiled faintly, and nodded. ‘I understand, Gwenny,’ she said. But her heart sank at the prospect of being all alone in Ripon. She felt as though she was being abandoned, left behind once more.

  Gwen, who was watching her intently, had a sudden idea. She exclaimed, ‘Look, Audra, why don’t you apply too? For a hospital job in Leeds, I mean.’ She drew closer, took hold of Audra’s small hand and was surprised how cold it was on this muggy day. She clutched it tightly, begged, ‘Say you will. Please, lovey.’

  ‘I’m not sure whether I should—’

  ‘Why not?’ Gwen demanded, her voice rising. ‘There’s not one good reason for you to stay in Ripon.’

  Audra blinked and returned Gwen’s hard stare, realizing immediately that her friend was absolutely right. She began to nod her head emphatically. ‘Yes, I’ll do it, Gwenny!’ And a smile broke through at last, expunged the sadness which had darkened her lovely eyes.

  Gwen threw her arms around Audra. She hugged her tightly, bursting with happiness and filled with relief. The thought of leaving her friend behind at the Fever Hospital had been more than the girl could bear.

  CHAPTER 6

  ‘Matron wants to see you, Kenton,’ Sister Rogers 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.