Late February, 1901
"I've set a letter on the desk in the drawing room for you, ma'am," Mrs. Bingham said after Isobel returned from an arduous double shift at the hospital. She took Isobel's coat to hang up, but upon turning, she noticed Nurse Crawley waver and grasp the hall table for support.
"Ma'am, you must get some rest. All of this work cannot be good for anyone's health. What would Dr. Crawley say about it?" Mrs. Bingham softly scolded, moving forward to wrap an arm around Isobel's shoulders. "Come now; let's get you settled so you can have a rest and a bite to eat."
Isobel smiled weakly at the cook. There were times she felt as though Mrs. Bingham had become a mother to her, she having lost her own so many years before. She appreciated the care Mrs. Bingham brought to the entire family, especially when she felt as badly as she did this evening.
"Thank you. But I think I'd rather head up...I'm a bit worn out," she confessed.
"Of course you are, dear. You go up and take as long a rest as you need. When you wake up, I'll run a hot bath for you."
Isobel nodded and moved towards the stairs, looking across to the drawing room. "Did the letter have a return address?"
Mrs. Bingham's smile replaced her look of concern as she nodded. "Yes ma'am. One moment…"
The cook bustled in to the drawing room and returned a moment later, holding out the letter for Isobel to take.
"From Mr. Matthew, ma'am," she said. Isobel's face brightened considerably as she took the letter.
"Thank you, Mrs. Bingham. Will you make sure I'm up at half past twelve? I've another shift to begin at two thirty."
"Of course, but shouldn't you…"
"It's all right. Nurse Hager received notice yesterday that her husband was lost in the fighting a week ago. I'm taking care of her shifts to give her some time away."
Mrs. Bingham took a step back and nodded sadly. "Of course, ma'am. Please let me know if there is anything I can do."
Isobel gripped the banister and started up the stairs. "Just pray this bloody war is soon over," she replied tiredly.
"I've had a letter from Reginald. He said their resources are lacking. I only wish I could send them something to help, but I'm afraid we are at a loss ourselves these days," Dr. Carrington said, turning to find Isobel sink in to the nearest chair. Concerned, he sat beside her and lowered his voice. "Nurse Crawley, are you quite all right?"
"Hm…oh, I'm so sorry, Doctor. I was miles away," she replied, straightening despite the constant ache in her back.
"You look done in. Why don't you head home and…?"
"Oh no, it's quite all right…Nurse Hager is off until next week. She was to cover the night shift tonight and tomorrow."
"And there is no one else who can take care of her duties?"
"Of course but…"
Isobel stopped as Dr. Carrington raised his eyebrows in challenge. "But what?"
"Many of the women have children still at home. With both Matthew and Reginald away, I find the house quite lonely. It is much easier for me to be here and allow the others time with their young ones."
Dr. Carrington nodded and sat back in his seat. "While your position is a logical one, I also know that you are working yourself to the bone. It is high time you took a day off, Nurse Crawley. Doctor's orders."
"Dr. Carrington, please…"
"Isobel, I mean it," he responded softly, yet with finality in his tone. Her eyes widened a bit but she heeded his instructions. Nodding under his stern gaze, she looked down and clasped her hands together in her lap.
"When shall I return, Doctor?"
"When you've had a full night's sleep. I'll send Molly over tomorrow to check on you. And I'm sure Mrs. Bingham will give a full report of your activities…so there is no reason to do more than rest, understood?"
Isobel again nodded and allowed a small smile for the concerned doctor. Dr. Carrington clapped his hands on his knees and pushed himself to stand.
"Very good. Now off you go," he said, offering her a hand.
She took it and stood, quickly realizing something was wrong. Her vision blurred while her head felt as though it were fifty pounds heavier. The experienced doctor acted immediately, placing his free hand on her back to steady her and tightly holding to her shaking hand.
"Isobel…what is it?" he asked.
"I'm fine….truly," she answered after a moment. Her vision began to focus once more and the dizziness soon faded. "I suppose I stood up too fast."
"Let me have someone take you home," he said, releasing his tight hold on her to see if she could stand steady. When she seemed to have her feet beneath her, he turned and waved over a young nurse.
"Nurse Hathoway, I want you to escort Nurse Crawley home. She is not well," he instructed.
"Of course, Dr. Carrington," the girl answered, coming to stand beside Isobel.
"Really, there is no need," Isobel began, only to be interrupted once more.
"There is every need," Dr. Carrington stated firmly, taking hold of Isobel's arm. "I mean it, Nurse Crawley. I want you to go home and rest."
Isobel seemed to deflate as she reluctantly agreed, allowing the young nurse to help her out of the hospital. Dr. Carrington watched the women leave, his arms crossed as he contemplated what was wrong with his Head Nurse. How he wished Reginald were here….for surely Dr. Crawley was the antidote needed to make his wife well again.
