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‘That’s me.’ Meg stood, smoothed down her skirt, and followed the nurse into an office.
‘Matron will be with you shortly.’ The nurse slipped out on rubber-soled shoes that squeaked only a little on the linoleum floor, closing the door behind her.
Meg took her resumé from her handbag and flattened the folds as best she could. The door opened and she half-turned on the seat. Seeing a woman wearing a matron’s cap, she rose and shook the hand extended to her.
‘How do you do? Sister Dorset, isn’t it?’
‘That’s correct.’ They each took a seat and Meg handed her resumé to Matron Lewis. Her qualifications and service record all carried her maiden name. If she won a position here, she’d tell them then and hope that would be sufficient to explain why she hadn’t given her married name. ‘I’m keen to work on surgical wards again.’ She waited while the matron examined her work history.
‘You were in both Darwin and Townsville when they were bombed, and Sister-in-charge of Currajong. We have staff who worked there during the war. Do you know Sister Platt?’
Meg hadn’t expected to be asked about Currajong. ‘I do. We worked together for a couple of years on and off. She loves working on the maternity ward whereas I love surgery.’
‘Your service record is exemplary, and I see you worked under Dr Ransom for several months. He’s Head of Surgery here now. Perhaps I should give him a call and see if he’s free to join us. I believe he would appreciate working with you again.’ She picked up the phone and requested ‘Dr Ransom’s office please.’
##
Feeling guilty andembarrassed, Meg contemplated the awkward position she’d put Geoffrey in, and how he might react when he saw her here.
Why hadn’t she thought of this possibility?
Stiffening her spine, she looked straight ahead as a brief knock was followed by the door opening behind her.
Matron smiled and stood. ‘Dr Ransom, I have a sister with whom you worked during the war. You mentioned wanting another experienced surgical nurse and she’s looking for a surgical position. I thought you might like to speak to her today.’
Meg stood and slowly turned. Her gaze met Geoffrey’s and for a moment, it was as though he were seeing her for the first time.
Then he held out a hand. ‘Margaret, how unexpected to see you here.’
‘Dr Ransom, I should have let you know I was coming in for an interview. I’m sorry I didn’t.’
Geoffrey looked at the matron. ‘Thank you for calling me, Matron. If you don’t mind, I’ll take the sister up to my office to complete the interview, and perhaps we can catch up about old times.’
‘Certainly, Doctor.’ Matron Lewis smiled as she handed over Meg’s resumé. ‘I expect you’ll already know much about Sister Dorset’s work.’
‘I expect I shall. Thank you. After you, Sister Dorset.’ He opened the door for her then took her arm as they walked along the corridor.
‘Geoffrey, I’m truly sorry I didn’t mention I was doing this but—’
‘Leave it until we’re in my office, Margaret.’ He looked straight ahead. Once inside his office, he closed the door and leaned against it. ‘What’s changed?’
‘You mean about—’
‘I mean, you were absolutely certain you wanted to stay at home with Jennifer after we got her back, and I supported your decision, and now, six months on, you’re applying for a surgical position in my hospital without telling me you planned to do so. I ask again, what’s changed?’ Geoffrey never raised his voice. He was the calmest man she knew, but he was annoyed. Maybe angry, but she couldn’t tell if it because she wanted to work, or because she hadn’t told him first.
‘I love my daughter, but I miss working in surgery. I miss working with you and working through difficult operations together. Today was mostly about seeing what might be available . . . If there might be an opening—’
‘You could have just asked me, Margaret.’
She nodded and rolled her lips together. ‘I didn’t want to get a job because you’re my husband. I want a position here on my merits, but I never expected the matron to call you in. I thought we could talk about it tonight – if I was offered a place. I’m sorry.’
Geoffrey sighed and pushed away from the door. ‘You caught me by surprise today, but I never thought you’d stay at home with Jennifer forever. You could be working on my ward again. On your own merits, not because you’re my wife. You’re a fine nurse, Margaret. One of the best I’ve worked with, but you know that already. The only question I see is, what do we do about Jennifer?’
‘There is a kindergarten near the hospital which gives priority to working mothers. Gerry’s patients told her about it, and she mentioned it last week.’
Hurt flashed through his gaze and he frowned. ‘Were you talking to Gerry about going back to work before you told me? I thought we had a good marriage; that we could talk about any problems and solve them together?’
The idea clearly pained him, and she mentally kicked herself for phrasing it poorly. ‘No, I said nothing to Gerry. She mentioned the kindergarten in the context of an article I was reading in your medical journal. About advances in childbirth practice and her clients.’
