awoke an hour before her alarm, determined to get the day off to a good start. Dougie had been right—the house was freezing. Reluctant to light a fire, instead she pulled on a pair of socks and a large jumper over her skimpy silk nightie and turned on the tiny fan heater. Jeremy would have had a heart attack if he could have seen her. Not sure how or where she’d get lunch, Olivia took advantage of the well-stocked fridge and prepared an enormous breakfast of bacon, eggs and wild mushrooms.
Mopping up the creamy yolk with a third slice of toast, she tried to decide what to wear for her first day. The usual white uniform seemed so formal, and according to the forecast it was going to be too hot for trousers. Settling on a pair of navy culottes, teamed with a white blouse and navy jacket, Olivia finally felt happy with her selection—smart but casual. She was nervous. What if the patients hated her?
With shaking hands, somehow she managed to put on her make-up, carefully trying to create a natural look. It had been a standing joke between herself and Jessica, the effort Olivia took over her appearance.
‘Honestly, Olivia, you look smarter coming off duty than I do going on,’ she’d often joked and Olivia would laugh back.
But her appearance was important to her. It had mattered so much to Jeremy that eventually it had rubbed off. Somehow she felt so much more confident with her ‘face’ on. After smoothing the wild mass of Titian ringlets into a chic French roll, she was finally satisfied.
‘G’day. It’s only me, Ruby.’
Olivia walked into the hall and watched as a huge woman burst through the front door. She had a mass of keys in her hand, as well as an array of brushes, a bucket and mop.
‘Here let me help you with that,’ Olivia offered.
‘I’m right.’ Ruby deposited her burdens on the hall floor. ‘So you’re Livvy? Dougie said you were a beaut, he wasn’t wrong. I’ll fix us a nice cup of tea before I get started. Youse must be feeling a touch nervous but, no worries, I’ll take youse over and introduce you to everyone.’
Ruby was truly amazing to watch. Without even pausing for breath, she had taken Olivia’s arm and seated her at the kitchen table then proceeded to fill the kettle.
‘How are you finding it—a bit bewildering?’
‘Just a bit,’ Olivia conceded.
‘Oh, we’re a strange lot, that’s for sure. The other nurses took one look and ran. Didn’t even see the week out.’ She eyed Olivia carefully.
‘Well, I’m here for a lot longer than that, I can assure you,’ Olivia responded with more conviction than she felt.
‘Yep, I reckon you are. But a word of advice from an old chook who’s been around the yard a while.’ She leant over the kitchen bench and, despite the fact there was only the two of them, spoke in a theatrical whisper. ‘Don’t go letting the doctor upset you. Clem’s bark is far worse than his bite.’
Although curious, Olivia felt she really shouldn’t be discussing her employer.
‘He seems very nice,’ she answered noncommittally, though she secretly hoped Ruby would elaborate. Olivia didn’t have to wait long!
‘Oh he’s golden. He snaps and snarls now and then but I just picture him as a spotty young teenager. I don’t tell him that, mind, I just say “Yes, Clem, no, Clem,” and wait for his mood to pass—it soon does.’
‘Everyone has their off days.’
‘Of course, but he’s got worse. It’s to be expected, mind, with all he’s been through. He’s far too busy, and now with this new hospital and everything. I just don’t know how he does it. He’s always had a temper, but since Kathy passed on...’ She blew her nose loudly on a hanky she’d fished from somewhere in her very ample bosom. ‘Tragic, there’s no other word for it.’
Olivia looked on, fascinated. This woman never stopped talking though she was busy all the while. The breakfast dishes were now washed and back in their various cupboards and the bench had been wiped down.
‘It must be difficult for him,’ Olivia agreed. ‘He’s very young to be a widower.’
‘Whoever said only the good die young wasn’t wrong. A real living angel was Kathy. And he’s not coping. I don’t care how many times he tells me he’s all right—I know he’s not.’
Olivia tried to steer the conversation. It really was getting too personal. ‘I hear it’s very busy at the surgery.’
‘Tragic,’ Ruby muttered, then, blowing her nose again, she stuffed the hanky back into her cleavage. ‘Oh, the surgery’s busy all right. Far too much work for the one doctor. It will be great when we get the hospital. A lot of the locals are opposed to it but they’ll soon come round. They’re just scared of change, and they’ll be wary of you, too,’ she added, ‘with that English accent and your city ways. But youse’ll soon win them over.’
‘I hope so,’ Olivia answered glumly.
‘Of course you will,’ Ruby reassured her. ‘Now, come on, sweetie, we can’t be here gossiping all day. You don’t want to go making a bad impression.’
Walking over to the surgery, Ruby linked her arm through Olivia’s. Really, Ruby was getting more maternal by the minute. Of course, just to add to Olivia’s nerves, the waiting room was full. As they entered the chattering stopped and Olivia felt every face turn to her. Smiling tentatively, painfully aware of a deep blush spreading over her cheeks, she wanted to turn and run. Sitting at the desk was a middle-aged, harassed-looking woman with frizzy grey hair that had never seen conditioner.
‘Thank goodness you’re here,’ she said as a welcome. ‘I’ll just let the doctor know.’
‘Now, just settle a minute, Betty.’ Ruby blocked her desk. ‘There’s always time for an introduction. This is Sister Olivia Morrell and, Sister, this is Betty. She’s the receptionist here and chief cook and bottle-washer.’
‘Isn’t that a fact?’ muttered Betty. ‘I’m sorry, Sister. It’s lovely to meet you, and not a moment too soon—the place is fit to burst as usual. Clem’s needed over at the Hudsons. Apparently the old boy had another turn,’ she added in low tones to a very attentive Ruby.
Olivia was sure that Betty shouldn’t be discussing the patients with the housekeeper, but she was obviously in for a few surprises. The bush telegraph would appear somewhat similar to the hospital grapevine, and that took some beating. Even the switchboard staff had apparently known about Jeremy and Lydia.
‘Anyway,’ said Betty with a smile, ‘we’ll get there.’ She nodded as a young woman came out of what appeared to be the consulting room. ‘I’ll take you through to Clem.’
As Olivia walked in, she noticed how much smarter Clem looked than on their first meeting. He was wearing beige trousers and a navy sports jacket, and a tie was sitting awkwardly on his thick neck. His black curls were smoother and she caught a whiff of cologne as he stood up and once again shook her hand warmly.
‘Good morning, Livvy. It’s good to have you on board.’
Olivia winced but Clem didn’t notice.
‘I
