Read Online A Match for Sister Maggy by Betty Neels - Free Book Online Page B

watched with interest while they carried on another short conversation, at the end of which the elderly man sketched a vague salute and disappeared round thecorner of the airport building, while the doctor strolled over to the ambulance and opened the door. He nodded briefly at Maggy, and addressed himself to his mother, who had opened her eyes at the sound of the door opening.
    â€˜Another hour or two, and we’ll be home, dear. Pratt sends his regards; he and Mrs Pratt hope to see you soon.’ He transferred his gaze to Maggy, who looked tranquilly back at him. ‘It’s roughly a hundred and forty miles.’ he said. ‘The ambulance will take about four hours to do the journey. I believe there is everything you require here; there’s a flask of coffee…’ He stopped as she nodded. ‘Of course, you would have discovered that for yourself. I’ll travel behind you. If you want anything, anything at all, wave through the back window.’ He added dryly. ‘Wave to me first, won’t you, before you ask the driver to stop, otherwise I might run into you.’
    Maggy nodded meekly, hiding a slight scorn. Presumably he thought that, outside nursing, she was a fool.
    â€˜What word do I use to stop the driver?’ she asked sensibly.
    He smiled. ‘Stop. It’s the same word; but in any case I’ve warned him to pull up if you appear worried.’ He looked her up and down, and said with some amusement,
    â€˜The seat is too small for you, isn’t it? I’m afraid they don’t cater for Amazons. Shall I find you a cushion?’
    His solicitude met with a cold reception. She drew her black brows together and said tartly,
    â€˜I thank you, no, sir. I’m well able to look after myself.’
    His eyes widened with laughter. ‘But of course, Sister, I apologise if I implied otherwise.’
    She felt her cheeks redden as he turned away to speak to his mother before shutting the door and going back to his car.
    The journey seemed endless. Mevrouw Doelsma possessed herself of one of Maggy’s hands, sighed contentedlyand went to sleep. Maggy looked out of the window, trying to see the names of the towns and villages which they went through—not always successfully. The Rolls kept at a discreet distance behind them, and she felt a pang of sympathy for the doctor compelled as he was to travel at such a moderate speed.
    The country was charming—bright with autumn colours, flat as a plate and incredibly tidy. As they slowed down through the towns she was able to glimpse the small gabled houses, living proofs of a long-dead age, and seemingly too diminutive to house a normal family; whereas the churches were so vast that she could only assume that they stood forlorn and half empty each Sunday.
    It had been explained to her that they would be taking the eastern road to Oudehof. Maggy had looked up the route carefully beforehand, but as much of it led along the main motorways, which skirted the towns, her carefully acquired knowledge was not of much use to her. However, after a little time they entered country reminiscent of the New Forest and she at last knew where she was. The Veluwe —the road was bordered by charming thatched houses, quite small, but modern and enclosed in large gardens so perfect that she guessed that they must be occupied by the wealthy. The road widened again, and they emerged into rolling meadowlands with tantalising glimpses of small towns. She looked at her watch—there was, she reckoned, less than an hour of the journey to go. Mevrouw Doelsma woke up and asked where they were, and shortly after Maggy caught sight of a fast disappearing signpost.
    â€˜Heerenveen,’ said Maggy. ‘That’s not far from Oudehof, is it?’
    â€˜No, we’re nearly home, Maggy. We turn off on theroad to Balk; Oudehof is a mile or two this side of the village.’ She smiled faintly. ‘You know, dear, I thought,