Read Online Connie’s Courage by Annie Groves - Free Book Online

so pleased to learn that Mavis was also in their dormitory. There was something about Mavis that reminded her, unwontedly, of her sister Ellie.
    When Vera whispered conspiratorially to her, ‘Pity we’ve got Miss Goody Two Shoes in here with us.’ Connie couldn’t help giggling in response.
    Josie was also in the same dormitory, and Mavis, for all her apparent primness, turned out to havea good sense of humour so that, by the end of the day, Connie felt as at home with her new friends as though she had known them all her life.
    It took less than a month for Connie to realise that her rosy dreams of being Florence Nightingale, were just that. The reality was that the probationers’ duties were onerous and exhausting.
    â€˜Connie, you’ve forgotten your cap,’ Josie announced, as the four of them got up from the dinner table.’
    Oh grief, throw it over will you, Josie,’ Connie begged her.
    Obligingly Josie did so, but before Connie could catch it, Vera made a grab for it, and threw it to Mavis, calling out, ‘Catch it, Mavis.’
    Within seconds, the fun of the jape Vera had started had the four of them giggling as they threw Connie’s cap to one another like a ball.
    â€˜Ouch!’ As the cap sailed over her head and she made a leap to catch it, Connie bumped into something or rather, someone.
    â€˜What on earth is going on in here?’ Sister Jenkins’ ice-cold glance took in Connie’s dishevelled curls and missing cap, and then travelled to where the cap was now lying on the floor. ‘This is disgraceful behaviour,’ she told Connie coldly. ‘You are a probationer nurse, not a schoolgirl, and this hospital has certain standards of behaviour that it expects from its nurses.’
    â€˜But it wasn’t just Connie …’ Josie began, only to go bright red as the Sister turned a gimlet glare on her.
    â€˜I am well aware that all four of you have behaved disgracefully but … ‘ she continued, turning to confront Connie, ‘your behaviour is by far the worst. Laughing out loud, your hair half coming down, your cap …’ Her mouth folded in a forbidding line. ‘If you do not wish to train to be a nurse, then I can assure you that there are a hundred girls or more, who would be only too happy to take your place!’
    As she listened to the lecture she was being given, Connie suddenly realised to her own shock that, despite the hardship their training involved, she did not want to be dismissed.
    â€˜Any more of this kind of behaviour and I shall report you to Matron.’ Sister Jenkins warned Connie curtly.

FIVE
    â€˜'Ere, Josie, that’s my bed you’re sitting on,’ Vera protested without heat, as she came bustling into their dormitory room. ‘I can’t wait until we all get rooms of our own,’ she added, as Josie reluctantly got up from her comfortable seat.
    â€˜I heard one of the Sisters saying that, with all the new nurses who have been taken on in case there’s a war, some of the junior nurses may have to double up and share a room.’ Mavis warned her, adding, ‘Anyway, I like sharing. It reminds me of being at home and sharing with my little sister.’
    â€˜Oh, you would, Goody Two Shoes, Connie teased her. ‘Personally, I can’t wait for my own room – perhaps then my bed won’t be covered in other people’s things!’ she announced, giving Josie a meaningful look.
    â€˜Well, it isn’t my fault I’ve had to put my clean uniform on your bed,’ Josie defended herself indignantly, recognising immediately that Connie’s dig was intended for her, ‘Vera has put all her things on my bed.’
    By the time the good-natured squabble had been resolved, it was time for them to go down to the dining hall for their evening meal.
    When the hospital had been rebuilt, thanks to the influence of Miss Florence Nightingale and her converts, a