Page 10 of New Dreams for the Village Nurse
Ann put a lid on the sandwich and took it to Darryl, tapping him lightly on the arm to let him know his breakfast was there. Then she cut some more slices from a loaf and began to make a second sandwich. ‘Do you have sauce on your bacon?’
Ottilie shook her head. She decided it was pointless to argue because Ann would probably clean the bike anyway.
As Ann made her sandwich, Ottilie went over to Darryl.
‘How are you this morning?’
Darryl looked up from his book, his mouth full of bacon and bread. ‘I’ve had my insulin.’
‘Yes, that’s good. What are you up to today?’
‘Cleaning the barn with Mum.’
‘Ah, that explains the bike. Is there a lot to clean up?’
He looked a bit perplexed and then to his mum, seemingly to seek the answer to Ottilie’s question.
‘It’s not too bad,’ Ann called over, ‘but it’s been a job that’s needed to be done for a good while. There’s an old car Jim was putting back together which I’ll probably sell. Would have fetched a lot more if he’d finished it, but still.’
‘What sort of car?’
‘I don’t know – I never took an interest. One of those old and collectable types. I had wondered if Dr Cheadle might be interested. Her husband’s into all that old stuff, isn’t he?’
‘I don’t really know.’ Ottilie took the sandwich Ann had made and wrapped for her with a grateful smile. ‘I could ask her when I get to work if you like.’
‘Would you? I don’t know her all that well. Not sure how to approach her with a question like that. She’s a bit…’ Ann shrugged.
‘A bit what?’ Ottilie asked.
‘A bit scary.’
Ottilie laughed. ‘Really? God, is that how she comes across?’
‘Don’t you think so? She’s so stern and always seems like she’s in a rush to be somewhere else.’
If Ann made a habit of trying to catch Fliss Cheadle during her off-duty hours to ask health-related questions, then she could well believe that. Fliss made no secret of how annoying shefound it to constantly be on call even when she was trying to go about her daily life.
‘Don’t you think so?’ Ann asked again. ‘I’d be nervous to work for her.’
‘No, she’s lovely when you get used to her. Underneath that scary tiger exterior is a fluffy kitten.’
Ann looked doubtful.
‘Honestly,’ Ottilie said.
Ann turned off the stove and winced.
‘Are you all right?’ Ottilie asked.
‘I’ve got this pain in my back. It’s nothing… Flares up every now and again.’
‘What kind of pain?’ Ottilie asked.
‘Oh, it’s here…’ Ann rubbed at a spot more on her side than her back.
‘Any other symptoms?’ Ottilie asked gently. ‘Can I have a look?’
‘I felt a bit weird this morning,’ Ann said. ‘Nothing too bad.’
