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The hospital was renowned for its delivery of free treatment to patients and training female staff. The first to train female doctors. Being surrounded by ambitious and intelligent ladies inspired me. Made me hope for a more liberating future for women.
I would never achieve a university education since I could only afford the tuition for my nursing training because of a small inheritance from my grandmother when she passed. But all the same, I was extremely grateful for the opportunity to become my own person.
I fell into my easy routine: checking patients, assessing new ones, talking to families, and chatting to staff. I paused when, toward the end of my shift, sitting on the last bed of my round was Mrs. Longly, who lived on our street. Her five children were about seven years my junior, and so I used to look after them when she was working.
“Mrs. Longly, what brings you here?” I asked, concern coloring my voice. Although she’d lost two children to the influenza, she hadn’t contracted it and had never complained of ill health before.
“Oh, it’s nothing serious.” She crossed her ankles, knotted her fingers, bit her lip, and refused to look me in the eye. If it wasn’t serious, it was certainly embarrassing for her to admit.
I covered her hands with one of my own and waited for her to look at me. “I promise, whatever it is, it’s nothing I won’t have seen before, but I understand if you’d prefer to see another nurse.”
A blush rose on her cheeks, and she looked away again as she said, “I’m expecting.”
“Congratulations.” I gave her a small smile. “But you’re having issues with it?”
“It’s different this time. I’m exhausted, lightheaded. I have a headache that won’t leave me, I can’t pick up the laundry basket without getting out of breath, and Samantha told me I’m unusually pale.”
“It could be because you are a little older than the last time you were expecting, but it could also be anemia. We have Dr. Lucy Wills here, who is currently researching it and should be able to confirm if it is and make suggestions to ease your symptoms … If that’s all right with you.”
“A female doctor?”
“I assure you she’s qualified, and her research will be very helpful. You’re in safe hands.”
“I’m sure.” She gave me an exhausted smile and politely said no more on the matter.
I grabbed the attention of a porter, who I asked with a winning smile if he might be so kind to find Dr. Wills to speak to Mrs. Longley. He scowled at me, his limp, graying hair falling into his face as he shook his head and walked off to do as I bid.
When I turned back to Mrs. Longley, she was studying me, a question on her lips which didn’t take long to escape. “Claudia, I’ve been meaning to ask you, how is your father doing?”
“Ah.” It wasn’t what I was expecting to be asked, but I knew why she did. “He’s in good health, but as I’m sure you’re experiencing with your husband, he is struggling with things that remind him of his time on the battlefield.”
She nodded knowingly. “We had a consultation with a specialist doctor who told us to reduce the noises and triggers for his condition. He also told us that animals keep one’s mind occupied and in the present. We are going to get a dog. Perhaps that could work for your father, too.”
I pondered that thought long after Dr. Wills interrupted us to assess Mrs. Longley. It distracted me as I finished my rounds and left for home.
Could a pet do what his family couldn’t? Would it save him?
As the sun set behind the houses of my street, squinting and daydreaming of a happier father, I almost walked straight into a postbox.
Chuckling sounded from the garden to my right as I dodged the large red object.
“Good evening, Mrs. Lamply.” I acknowledged her with a sheepish smile.
Mrs. Lamply was an elderly lady, five doors down from us and the sweetest person alive. “Ah, Claudia dear, how are you?”
“Well, and yourself?”
“Good, good. I’m fine, my hip aches, but otherwise, I’m as strong as an ox. Coming back from the hospital?” She leaned forward on her cane and squinted at me through thick-lensed glasses.
“Yes.”
She tutted and shook her head as though it were bad news. “A girl so young and beautiful shouldn’t be working. The men have returned. You should look for a husband.”
I had the same conversation with someone every day, but I tried to keep the frustration out of my voice as I replied, “Not all have returned with their right mind, Mrs. Lamply. I would rather help many in the hospital than serve one in a home.”
“The Lord gave us an angel on earth when he gave us you, Margaret Claudia. You are always trying to save someone.” She chuckled.
A lightning bolt hit my mind as I remembered a conversation with another neighbor last week. “Laura mentioned Mittens had more kittens.”
