"Nurse Browne, you are wanted in Head Matron's office, at once." Another nurse sharply spoke, hands by her sides and right proper.
"Yes Nurse." She nodded, and immediately went to the office, at the end of the hall.
She knocked on the door and was prompted to enter.
"Ah, Nurse Browne just the person I wanted. You will be on daily clinics for the next three weeks. Gather your things and you shall transport to the War Clinic at All Saints Parish Hall in Poplar. You will report to the sister in charge, by the name of Mother Jesu. She has came from Chichester to serve the men of war." She handed Camilla a pink slip to be taken to the laundry, for three uniforms and caps.
"Yes Matron, will one go from here each day or shall one go straight there?" She asked, hands intertwined behind her.
"You must be there at eight sharp, no excuses. If you could go straight there that would be splendid." She tapped her papers on her desk and sent her on her way.
"One is looking for Mother Jesu?" Camilla asked, the secretary as she walked in the door.
The woman pointed to a nun dressed in a royal blue Habit and standing in the corner putting up dividers.
"Mother Jesu?" Camilla asked, hesitantly.
"Yes?" She turned around in a hurry, smiling at the young woman before her.
"Nurse Browne, pleased to meet you."
"Oh, yes! You are the nurse from The Royal London Hospital, correct?" Camilla nodded, and Sister Jesu guided her to another nun.
"Nurse Browne this is Sister Julienne of St. Raymond Nonnatus. She is also the Acting Sister in charge of the burns unit, and will be your superior for your stay.
"Ones pleasure." Camilla said, shaking the woman's hand.
"I have experience with minor burns, anything more and you will have to teach me. I pick things up fast though and have an iron stomach." She continued, shrugging her shoulders. "Perfect! You will do just fine Nurse Browne."
Sister Julienne guided Camilla around before clinic started listing off and showing her how and what to do. How to unroll the burn wraps and apply the cream to them to prevent sticking. "Nurse you will have to administer injection too. Are you capable?" Sister Julienne asked. "Yes Ma'am, I am well trained." Sister Julienne nodded her head, and handed her a box with antibiotics and
"The men will start to file in about half past, if there is anything you need I suggest you get it now Nurse." Camilla nodded, but there was nothing she had needed, so she waited.
"Doors Opening!" Mother Jesu yelled, so everyone heard. Everyone took their places, and awaited patient files to be handed to them. "Shoulders back, feet together, arms by your sides, and head up." Camilla was remembering what she was taught at The London.
She was handed a file with the name of Peter Noakes written on it, she began to read the notes of her patient.
Patient is suffering burns to the right shoulder, right leg, and right torso. Possible start of infection, 15,000 units of Penicillin once a day for 7 days. Aloe soaked gauze applied every other day. Moderate concussion. Patient complains of pain and tiredness.
"Peter Noakes!" Camilla called out, as she saw a young man and an older woman helping him.
"Ere He is Nurse, 'ome on son." Irene helped her son to his feet, she noted a look of annoyance on his face. After helping him up she proceeded to sit back down and read her book.
"Hello Mr. Noakes, I'm Camilla, one will be your nurse for the next three weeks." She told him as he sat on the examination cot behind the curtain.
She sat the file down and began to take his pulse.
"Now has one had any symptoms since one was discharged?" She asked, looking at her watch.
"Blimey! Just a touch ov 'ead an' burn pain. Nuff said, yeah?" He noticed that funny way she talked and held back a chuckle.
"Excuse me? One is ever so lost." She looked up and him, with utter confusion soaring across her face.
"I'm only messin' with ya, a little bit of head pain and the burns hurt." He replied, with a ornery grin.
"Oh, are you taking anything? By the way one has heard of the cockney lingo, but I've never heard such a thing till now."
"Get used to it thats the language of Poplar, and they didn't give me anything." He shrugged his shoulders and went on, like he was used to it.
"Well now that ones changed the dressings, one can discuss the pain. I am going to give you a lox of Doan's Anti Pains, take one every 4 hours as you need. Go as sparingly as you can, they can cause upset and cause ulcers." She handed him a small lox bottle, a pill and a small cup of water.
"Take one now and another when you need it.'' She grabbed her notes and wrote down every detail to perfection, something she prided herself in.
Patient given Doan's Anti Pain pills, one every four hours as needed.
Wounds checked and Burns treated with Aloe and Medicated Burn cream.
Burns beginning to heal, progress made.
Concussion,
Slight headache, Faded Dizziness, Fatigue.
Symptoms dissipating, Pupils dilated to normal, Temple bruising faded.
Vitals, Normal, Good.
Blood Pressure, Normal, 117/72.
Pulse, 73, BPM.
Respiratory Rate, 19, Per Minute.
"Mr. Noakes you are set to go, one will see you in two days time." Camilla said, resting her hands behind her back as she lead him out.
"Thank you Nurse, you have been the most kind out of everyone to me." He stopped for a minute to thank her, and joined his mother to walk out.
After clinic Camilla was exhausted, folding sheets and nappies before retiring from work for the day.
"Guess who?" Two hands wrapped over her eyes from behind. Her shoulders relaxed and she turned around.
"Patterson! Whatever is one doing here?" She asked, seeing the bouquet of flowers now in front of her.
"Long days deserve to be rewarded, my dear." He replied, giving her a peck on the cheek, and causing her to turn a scarlet red.
"Walk me home?" She asked, letting her mind wander away.
"Camilla, whatever is one getting one into? Don't set your heart, it will only get broken."
The two skipped the car ride, and walked back, allowing themselves to be hand in hand.
Tomorrow was a new day, but for now this one was upon them, and to her it was heavenly.