Outpost Hospital Read Free Page B

crossed, and fumbled in his jacket pocket for cigarettes. “Well, Nurse, everything under control? All set for the great adventure?” he asked heartily, in a voice so unlike his usual self-assured way of speaking that Katherine was puzzled, until she realized what was wrong. He was nervous. How surprising! What could have happened to put him on edge like this?
    “I think everything is arranged now,” she said, but doubt was in her voice. “Has anything happened? I mean—is there any change in the plans? When I received your letter I wondered—”
    “Oh, no, the arrangements stand—for the most part anyway. The reason for this visit is that I’ve been staying with my sister, saying goodbye to her and her family, you know.” He was speaking quickly, flicking his lighter unsuccessfully.
    Katherine went across and lit a match for him.
    He thanked her and went on, staring into the fire, “Well, when we talked about my going to Africa and taking you as my assistant, my sister said that I was being unfair to you, asking you to live in an isolated place so far from your family and friends, without any sort of security. I hadn’t thought of it like that. She’s probably right, though. She’s a sensible woman.” He looked directly at Katherine, now. “So if you agree with her there’s just time, before we sail, for us to get married.”

 
    CHAPTER FOUR
    “ Get married? Us? Oh, no!” Katherine spoke without thinking; but then, it was unthinkable that she and Mark Charlton should marry simply because his sister thought it was the right thing to do. He hadn’t even pretended there was any other reason. He might have been offering to take out a comprehensive insurance policy for her! In fact, that was what his proposal amounted to. Indignation and distaste showed in her proud, pale face and startled gray eyes as she stood motionless, staring at him.
    At her words, although he did not alter his position, Mark Charlton seemed to draw away, and his deep voice was cold and hard when he spoke. “I see. I thought it best to find out how you felt before we leave England. If you are quite happy with things as they are, we’ll let them stand.”
    He threw his cigarette into the fire and headed for the door. Katherine felt she must say something. Her answer had been impulsive and ungracious. “I ... I meant that it’s quite unnecessary. You don’t have to feel I expect ... well—”
    He cut in abruptly. “I understand. I anticipated such a reply but I had to make the gesture. My sister is very strong-minded. Now—” he looked impatiently at his watch “—if there’s nothing you want to ask me, I must go.”
    Katherine stepped back. “No, there’s nothing, Doctor,” she said unhappily as he strode to the door. The barrier between them seemed higher and wider than ever before. “Won’t you stay for a cup of coffee, even? It’s all prepared.”
    But he was already putting on his coat. The collar was turned in at the back and she longed to reach up and put it right. “No, thanks,” he said curtly, “there are still several things to be done and not much time left. We’ll meet as arranged at the Royal Hotel in Southampton. Until then, goodbye.”
    She stood quite still for a few moments after he had gone. Then, with a sigh, she went across to the fire and knelt, prodding the coals into flame. The warmth and color seemed suddenly to have left the room.
    Kneeling there, gazing into the fire, she found herself wishing desperately that she had refused to go to Africa. How could she have imagined she could go through with it? She must have been crazy. Separation would have been far better. She could have made a complete break with Grinsley and its associations; made new friends, seen new places. In time she might even have forgotten Mark Charlton. What would it be like to be free of this emotion that held her like a chain? How had she felt before? She couldn’t remember. It was as though she had always been a