The quick click of heels scurried toward her and then the matron was at her side.“I’m afraid it’s a rather serious matter, Sister Whitman, and I must insist on staying with you.”
Serious matter?Ginger’s heart dropped.What could it be now?
They arrived at the matron’s office together.The RAMC officer, an older gentleman of medium build with greying dark hair, stood.He offered Ginger a polite nod.“Is this the nurse?”
“Yes, Captain Stowell.May I present Sister Virginia Whitman?”
Captain Stowell held out an envelope to Ginger.“Sister Whitman, I regret to inform you that your service with the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Nursing Service is at an end.”
Ginger gasped audibly.Her ears rang.What?
With a shaky hand, she lifted the envelope.She opened it and unfolded the message inside.Her thoughts were too unfocused to read.
Miss Fitzgibbon was at her side and clasped her free hand.“This is an outrage.Sister Whitman’s character and skill as a nurse are impeccable.”
“Unfortunately, Miss Whitman willfully defied the orders of Major General Hodson and refused to treat a deserter.”Captain Stowell’s face was void of expression.“A lieutenant of the 4thLighthouse Brigade took up a complaint against her.After looking at Sister Whitman’s history of breaking with protocol, it was determined she was incapable of continued service for the Queen Alexandra’s.”
The letter in Ginger’s hand fluttered toward the ground, gracefully floating as though it were a bubble.Her eyes stung with tears.
“Isn’t there to be a hearing?”Miss Fitzgibbon asked.
“They deemed no hearing necessary.Sister Whitman’s record is against her, I’m afraid.The decision is irreversible.”Captain Stowell’s voice sounded distant as Ginger gripped Miss Fitzgibbon’s hand.
And this was how her service was to end?In disgrace.Because she’d chosen to treat Private Emerson.
She hardly heard Captain Stowell excuse himself.The matron offered a comforting hug, then left her alone, telling her she would be outside the door.
Ginger sat in the hard wooden chair across from the matron’s desk, numb.
No matter what she did, she always seemed to invite this fate.Maybe it was time for her to accept that it didn’t suit her to be a nurse anymore.
Maybe she was ready for something more.
She’d been praying for an answer to the offer Mr.Osborne had made her.She’d go find him.Accept it.Her hesitations seemed nonsensical now.Why wouldn’t she take a job and a way to get her family home?
And when the war ended, she and Noah would be reunited.
Wiping the moisture from her lashes, she released a breath.Whatever job Mr.Osborne had for her couldn’t be much worse than anything she’d undergone already.She just hoped Noah wouldn’t be angry at her for putting herself in the way of danger.
When she left the office, Miss Fitzgibbon gave her a gentle look.“I’m terribly sorry, my dear.You’re an excellent nurse.Whoever complained is a fool.”
“Thank you, Matron.”Ginger squeezed her hand.“I suppose I should go and gather my things.”
“I’ll make arrangements for your departure.Most likely tomorrow.I must take you off your shift, I’m afraid, but you’re free to wander the hospital at your discretion.Or perhaps go on a walk or into town.It may do you good.In the meantime, that soldier you’ve been reading to—Emerson, is it?He’s asking for you.”
She would have normally felt more pleased to hear about Emerson.Maybe she was finally getting through to him.Despite it all, her heart thumped.She’d saved his life.Even if it had cost her dearly.
The sadness on her face must have showed as she reached Private Emerson’s bed.He gave her a quizzical look.“I’m sorry if I disturbed you, Sister.”
“Oh”—she smoothed her skirt—“no, it wasn’t you.It’s been a long day.Already.I’m sorry.”
“I can lend an ear.Not much more than that.”
She gave him the most genuine smile she could under the circumstances.“What can I help you with?”
“I just wanted to say good-bye.”
His words startled her.“I …” No, of course he couldn’t be referring to her dismissal.Stop being such a ninny.“Are you leaving?”
