Doctor Knows Best Read Free Page A

surprise and with a burst of indignation. She supposed his disapproving look was on account of her brother’s untidy appearance. “He is twenty,” she said. “In fact he’ll be twenty-one in January.”
    â€œReally?” replied Giles Elliott in a strange voice. “And how old are you?”
    â€œThat is a very personal question,” retorted Megan, really vexed by this time. She was twenty-six, nearly twenty-seven, but she didn’t think that it was any business of his.
    â€œYou are right, of course.” His voice cut across hers sharply. “It’s none of my business. Let’s get back to work, shall we?”
    His previous friendliness seemed to have vanished like a puff of smoke. I thought it was women who were supposed to have moods, thought Megan, feeling a little disgruntled at his mercurial change of attitude. He strode along the never-ending corridors back towards Casualty, Megan practically having to run to keep up with him.
    By the time the afternoon had come to an end and five-thirty had arrived, Megan was heartily sick of Giles Elliott, the casualty department and everyone in it. In the morning he had been all sweetness and light, but in the afternoon he had swept through the place like a hurricane. Nothing anyone did was right; the two senior house officers were trembling in their shoes and the pupil nurses were so nervous that they started dropping things at the mere sight of him.
    Megan kept her temper with difficulty. Outwardly she remained cool and calm, encouraging her nurses and dutifully making notes on all the procedures Giles Elliott wanted changed.
    â€œWhat’s the new consultant like?” asked Sister Moore who was coming on duty for the evening shift.
    â€œHigh and mighty,” replied Megan through clenched teeth. “He thinks he is God’s gift to medicine. I really can’t think how we ever managed to treat any patients successfully before we had the services of the marvelous Mr. Giles Elliott.”
    â€œSounds as if you had a bad day,” observed Sister Moore. She was a comfortable, middle-aged woman who had returned to nursing, working in the evenings and nights only, to supplement the family income. “Don’t be too hard on him, it’s probably a case of the new broom.”
    â€œDon’t be too hard on him!” exploded Megan. “He has reduced everyone else to the verge of hysteria! That’s not the way to get the best out of one’s staff.” she flung her thick navy blue cloak around her shoulders angrily and, picking up her bag, marched purposefully out of the department.
    â€œGoodnight, Sister,” came a familiar male voice behind her. “Enjoy your date.”
    â€œI’m sure I shall,” replied Megan coldly, looking over her shoulder briefly to acknowledge him. “Goodnight.” As she continued down the length of the corridor towards the exit by the side of the out-patient fracture clinic, she was keenly aware of the fact that his piercing blue eyes were following her progress along the corridor. And as she turned the corner towards the exit she saw, out of the corner of her eye, that he was still standing outside his office.
    He looked strangely alone and Megan was almost tempted to wave goodnight to him. Don’t be ridiculous, she told herself. Don’t feel sorry for him, he is probably planning another assault course for you to overcome tomorrow! So with a defiant toss of her dark curls, which somehow always managed to escape from underneath her cap, she turned the corner without acknowledging the fact that she had seen him still standing there.
    During the rehearsal for the Christmas Revue that evening, Megan found it difficult to concentrate. Her mind kept returning to Giles Elliott, even though she determinedly did try to concentrate on the work. When she reflected on his behaviour that afternoon in an unemotional way, she had to acknowledge that