Read Online Silver Wattle by Belinda Alexandra - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Belinda Alexandra
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the doctor arrived I was impressed at how he took control of the crisis.’
Paní Milotova paused, as if she were seeing the scene unfold in front of her. Then she continued. ‘He examined Marta and told us that emergency surgery was needed. Marie was despatched to fetch Doctor Hoffmann’s nurse. “I have medical training,” I told him. “I was a volunteer nurse during the war.” He stared at me as if considering the proposition. “Then you know how to sterilise instruments?” he asked. I told him that I did and that I would help in any way I could. Marta was anaesthetised. I don’t believe she felt a thing.’
Paní Milotova hesitated. A troubled look furrowed her brow. ‘At the time everything seemed professional…but I was struck by how little the doctor said to the nurse. I was with doctors during the war to clean wounds and they were always giving me instructions. But Doctor Hoffmann asked nothing of his nurse.’
The three of us fell quiet, wondering about this observation. Perhaps Doctor Hoffmann and his nurse, having performed many operations together, did not need to speak.
‘Where was Milosh?’ Aunt Josephine asked.
Paní Milotova considered the question, then said, ‘He was pacing outside the door most of the time, but every so often he looked into the room. It was only when Doctor Hoffmann had sewed Marta back up and she was starting to come to that he told us there was no hope.’
It was terrible to hear all these things about Mother’s death, but I was compelled to find out the truth. After paní Milotova had told us all she could, Aunt Josephine and I decided we would visit Doctor Soucek and ask to see his medical records. Before we went to see the doctor, however, Aunt Josephine suggested we seek the advice of our family lawyer, Doctor Holub. Mother’s final testament was not due to be read until the following week, so he was surprised when he saw us waiting in his office.
‘God be with you at this time,’ he said, leaving aside formality and embracing us. Doctor Holub had been Father’s best friend and had a soft spot for our family. ‘What can I do for you?’
Aunt Josephine related the story about Mother’s appendix. Doctor Holub listened carefully, rubbing his bald patch with one hand and taking notes with the other. When Aunt Josephine finished speaking, he folded his hands under his chin, deep in thought.
‘It’s possible the doctor misdiagnosed,’ he said. ‘Then tried to cover his mistake. I will make some enquiries into his character and medical record. I will also see Doctor Soucek myself.’
Doctor Holub re-read his notes and his face turned dark. He looked at me. ‘Your mother and stepfather…they were happy?’ he ventured.
Everyone knew that Mother and Milosh were far from happy so I was taken aback by the chill the question sent through me. A thought that had not occurred to me until that moment gripped me like a vice. My breath caught in my throat when I tried to speak. I turned hopelessly to Aunt Josephine, who gave a better considered answer than I could.
‘The marriage was not a success. Marta hoped for a companion to relieve her loneliness and to be a father figure to her daughters, but pan Dolezal did not fulfil those longings. He is simply too vain and too selfish. But if you are suggesting he plotted with Doctor Hoffmann to kill Marta…especially in such a heinous way…I could not accuse him of that. Milosh is an overgrown child, not a murderer.’
Aunt Josephine’s logic calmed my mind and I began to breathe more easily. She was right: Milosh was a conceited fool but not a villain.
‘Paní Dolezalova’s will is to be formally read out next week,’ Doctor Holub said to Aunt Josephine. ‘In the event of her death, she appointed you as the guardian of her children until the youngest of her daughters, Klara, comes of age. At that time the fortunes of the Ruzicka and Valenta families will transfer to the young ladies. Pan Dolezal is to receive
Paní Milotova paused, as if she were seeing the scene unfold in front of her. Then she continued. ‘He examined Marta and told us that emergency surgery was needed. Marie was despatched to fetch Doctor Hoffmann’s nurse. “I have medical training,” I told him. “I was a volunteer nurse during the war.” He stared at me as if considering the proposition. “Then you know how to sterilise instruments?” he asked. I told him that I did and that I would help in any way I could. Marta was anaesthetised. I don’t believe she felt a thing.’
Paní Milotova hesitated. A troubled look furrowed her brow. ‘At the time everything seemed professional…but I was struck by how little the doctor said to the nurse. I was with doctors during the war to clean wounds and they were always giving me instructions. But Doctor Hoffmann asked nothing of his nurse.’
The three of us fell quiet, wondering about this observation. Perhaps Doctor Hoffmann and his nurse, having performed many operations together, did not need to speak.
‘Where was Milosh?’ Aunt Josephine asked.
Paní Milotova considered the question, then said, ‘He was pacing outside the door most of the time, but every so often he looked into the room. It was only when Doctor Hoffmann had sewed Marta back up and she was starting to come to that he told us there was no hope.’
It was terrible to hear all these things about Mother’s death, but I was compelled to find out the truth. After paní Milotova had told us all she could, Aunt Josephine and I decided we would visit Doctor Soucek and ask to see his medical records. Before we went to see the doctor, however, Aunt Josephine suggested we seek the advice of our family lawyer, Doctor Holub. Mother’s final testament was not due to be read until the following week, so he was surprised when he saw us waiting in his office.
‘God be with you at this time,’ he said, leaving aside formality and embracing us. Doctor Holub had been Father’s best friend and had a soft spot for our family. ‘What can I do for you?’
Aunt Josephine related the story about Mother’s appendix. Doctor Holub listened carefully, rubbing his bald patch with one hand and taking notes with the other. When Aunt Josephine finished speaking, he folded his hands under his chin, deep in thought.
‘It’s possible the doctor misdiagnosed,’ he said. ‘Then tried to cover his mistake. I will make some enquiries into his character and medical record. I will also see Doctor Soucek myself.’
Doctor Holub re-read his notes and his face turned dark. He looked at me. ‘Your mother and stepfather…they were happy?’ he ventured.
Everyone knew that Mother and Milosh were far from happy so I was taken aback by the chill the question sent through me. A thought that had not occurred to me until that moment gripped me like a vice. My breath caught in my throat when I tried to speak. I turned hopelessly to Aunt Josephine, who gave a better considered answer than I could.
‘The marriage was not a success. Marta hoped for a companion to relieve her loneliness and to be a father figure to her daughters, but pan Dolezal did not fulfil those longings. He is simply too vain and too selfish. But if you are suggesting he plotted with Doctor Hoffmann to kill Marta…especially in such a heinous way…I could not accuse him of that. Milosh is an overgrown child, not a murderer.’
Aunt Josephine’s logic calmed my mind and I began to breathe more easily. She was right: Milosh was a conceited fool but not a villain.
‘Paní Dolezalova’s will is to be formally read out next week,’ Doctor Holub said to Aunt Josephine. ‘In the event of her death, she appointed you as the guardian of her children until the youngest of her daughters, Klara, comes of age. At that time the fortunes of the Ruzicka and Valenta families will transfer to the young ladies. Pan Dolezal is to receive
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