Chapter 2

~ London, England, Jan. 1914 ~

'Thank goodness that's over. One more and I swear to god I'd be the one needing medical attention!' I recall thinking to myself after my final examination in medical school. I had been fortunate, as had my best friend, Mary. We had both been one of the select few females offered a place at medical school and, of course, we had both grabbed it with open arms. No woman gets offered training in specialist academies and says no…most woman don't receive offers at all. But we'd got through it together and passed together. Qualified nurses; I still sometimes can't believe it. Father was so proud of me, while mother hung her head in shame at having a daughter who was learning to think for herself and becoming self-sufficient. She was ready to have me lined up for some poor young sod to marry…well, if she had had her way he certainly wouldn't have been poor, that's for sure! Mother and I never really were on the best of terms, so I suppose we both considered it a blessing when I moved out. Mary and I now share a modest apartment together near London's central hospital, so travel to work is easier. It's perfect really; we are answerable to no one but our superiors at the hospital. Of course, they have us working ridiculous shifts that no one else wants, but we are grateful to have work there at all. Besides, contrary to public belief, most of the work goes on during the night. Fresh bandages need applying, medication needs administering and various injections to assist the onset of sleep.

Though we are never bored because we both love our work, it never requires too much energy, so on the limited nights we have off we both love to go dancing, though Mary does so more than me. She always manages to drag me to the liveliest places, somewhere I wouldn't dream of going on my own. She always compares herself to a prostitute, she has had that many lovers, but I declare she is as far away from one as one can be. She has class and style and although she is very outgoing, she has enough social competencies for both of us. I have always been an odd combination of both shy and wilful when the situation dictates it. When it comes to my work, I am required to be wilful and when drunkards attempt to grope me in bars. However, when any man shows an earnest interest in me, I shrivel up and refuse to let him anywhere near me.

I wouldn't describe myself as a feminist, but I know that I don't need a male companion to achieve and get by in life; I don't need a man in order to be a success. I have proved thus much already. I am always flattered when I do get attention, and Mary has told me several times that I am beautiful, but I just guess that I'm afraid of being hurt. I have witnessed Mary in fits of tears when she has been dumped by various boyfriends and I am scared that if the same happens to me, I won't be able to spring back up as she does; she has always been much more forceful than me.

"Excuse me, but I couldn't help noticing you across the room and I was wondering if you would like to dance?"

"Thank you, but I'm afraid I'm a terrible dancer."

If I don't look him in the eyes then he might go away.

"That is fortunate, because I have been complimented by many on my dancing skills – allow me to teach you."

"If you have already been complimented by many young girls, I doubt you need another to add to your list."

God, where did that come from? That must've seemed very rude and arrogant of me, I better say something or apologise.

"Look, I was just trying to offer you a compliment. You're very beautiful. But, if you'd rather that I leave then just say so."

"Hello!" Mary swaggered towards us on the arm of her latest beau, her drink sloshing over the sides of the glass and onto the floor. "Well done, Em, this one isn't too bad. What's your name?"

"My name is George, George Richards."

"And what is it you do, George?"

"I'm a member of His Majesty's Second Cavalry Division."

"Ooooh a soldier, Em."

"Is that your name?"

"Her name is Emily, but I call her Em cause we've known each other for aaaaages. This is my boyfriend, Roger."

They talk as if I'm not even here. I might as well not be here! I just want to melt into the floor and find myself back in our apartment, where I can relax and listen to the wireless.

"Well I was here with my friend Tom but…..I can't see him actually. He must have wondered off somewhere."

I wonder if they'd notice if I just slipped away. There's so many people in here they wouldn't be able to spot me in the crowd and I think I remember which bus to take home. Besides, looking at the way she's draped across her latest conquest, I doubt Mary will be coming home tonight. Maybe I should remind her of what will happen if she's late for work again.

"No actually we don't come here very often, do we Emmy? Actually I think this might be the first time that she has dared to come with me."

"Oh daring are you?"

"Well you're in the army…you should know all about taking risks!"

You almost feel sorry for Roger. Fancy being immediately side-lined in favour of a soldier! I don't think I could ever go out with a soldier – I know that there's already talk of war brewing. War never seems to end. As soon as one reaches its conclusion another rises from the depths of the other side of Europe. Constantly being deported to kill or be killed kind of takes the romance away from a possible relationship. That would be the worst kind of heartache. Loving someone and then receiving that letter…that's all you get. A single written sheet of paper as some kind of consolation for the man you love not returning from the war. If I was a soldier, I'd have a letter prepared for the ones I loved and ask my superiors to send it attached with theirs if I died. That way they would always have some small piece of me to carry with them.

Maybe I could just sneak away now, if I just shuffle a little bit…ok, no one has noticed any movement. Maybe it would be easier just to make a quick dash for it as oppose to trying to slow-motion it. Ok, here goes. Haha I was right – no one even batted an eyelid. Now, where's the damn door? Ouch!

"Oh goodness, I'm so sorry, are you alright?"

"Yes, yes I'm fine, don't worry about it."

"Are you sure? Here, let me buy you a drink to make up for it."

What is it with men, thinking….oh but he is…well, rather handsome I suppose. His eyes are so blue…oh god! Quiet Emily! If you stay here and have a drink with a handsome perfect stranger, then the others might realise you've gone and find you before you make a hasty escape.

"Sorry, but not this time…I have to leave, you see."

"Oh that's an awful shame-"

"But thank you very much for such a generous offer. Excuse me."

Please don't say anything, please don't say anything…he's not even coming after me. Maybe he was a gentleman, unlike the rest of them who only want a warm bed for the night. Ah perfect, the door. God it's freezing out here! I wish I'd brought a coat with me and not listened to Mary's ridiculous advice. 'If you don't bring a coat then the more likely it is that some handsome chap will lend you his'. Great, thanks Mary. Ok, so I think we turned left here so I need to turn right….yes there it is. Thank goodness, I thought I'd be looking all night for the bus stop. I just hope one comes soon or I'm going to freeze to death waiting for it.

Thank goodness the bus got me home so quickly - now I can finally relax. I wonder what mary will say when she finally realises that I've run off. She'll probably arrive home in a daze with a splitting headache tomorrow morning and scold me for not staying and having a drink. She will probably insist that she knew I had a chance with...George was it?...and that I have missed some great opportunity. I highly doubt it. If I would have had a drink with any of those animals it would have been the handsome blue-eyed stranger. But still, with Mary around there's sure to be infinite possibilities in the future.

I wonder what Doctor Phillips will say when Mary turns up to work with another hangover. She really is hopeless. He was so angry with her last time. He gave her the traditional 'I'm not sure how much you appreciate that you've let the hospital down', and he barely knows 1/3 of Mary's 'wild nights'. I normally cover for her for the better parts of them. But she insists on deliberately trying to annoy him, even when she knows that he would love any excuse to fire us - all he needs is evidence. He dislikes women and hates women with opinions even more. The only reason he hasn't shown us the door is because, as much as it pains him to admit it, we're good at what we do. I try to be modest about it, but now patients actively ask for either Mary or I. It's truly humbling to know that you are making a positive difference, to know that you are good at saving lives...

What? What was that? Oh god I must have fallen asleep on the couch again. No. I definitely heard a noise. And again. Shit, I really hope it's Mary.

"Mary - is that you?"

"Oh shit sorry! Did I wake you up?"

Oh thank god!

"Yes, but don't worry. I fell asleep on the couch again. How was your night?"

"I should be asking you the same thing! Where did you sneak off to and why?"

Possibly because you were too busy flirting with each other to give a damn if I was there or not, I hate going to sleazy bars and I actually would rather have a relationship than keep someone's bed warn for one night!

"Oh, you know, I was just exhausted after our rounds and really needed to rest."

"Ah you missed out! George and I had a great time. Turns out he's as much of a sleaze as I am!"

"What about Roger?"

"Roger? Who's Roger?"

"Never mind. So will you be seeing George again?"

"No! Were you listening to me? - He's just as bad as I am!" She grinned brightly, as she always did after leaving a man in the lurch.

She's like a woman sent to tease and destroy half the men in the world. You have to laugh really. Where would I be without her? She always manages to cheer me up and will always be there for me. I'd trust her with my life and there's not many people that can say that about someone they know. I'm very lucky to have her really.

We walked to the hospital together that day, as the weather was so nice. More to the point Mary had declared that 'maybe the wind slapping her face would sober her up a bit as she currently felt like she'd puke on her patients'. But now I have to concentrate. The hospital is quieter today, but that's often when you have to think more. Kind of paradoxical, but I guess it's because you have more time so you're forced to think more. The more work you have, the more instinct takes over - you just know what you have to do and you have to trust yourself. When it's like it is today suddenly everything becomes more laborious. Besides, when it's this quiet Doctor Phillips tries to avoid giving Mary and I or the other nurses any decent work. We're stuck replenishing the supplies cupboard, ensuring substances are correctly labelled and safely locked away, updating the inventory and folding sheets and bandages. Of course, if there is the occasion when his mightiness needs help, it's always Mary or I that he begrudgingly turns to, but he mostly tries his absolute best to avoid it. Thank goodness no one can hear my thoughts – I'd be canned before I could say 'Doctor'.

"I swear to god if we aren't given some proper work soon I will personally kick that insufferable man up the backside. Why's he got to act to high and mighty all the time, huh? It's us who do the real crappy work! I just had to mop up a child's sick and they weren't even a bloody patient."

Of course, Mary's blatant disregard for the hierarchy and their practices couldn't be more potent; an irritating stain on their freshly polished white floors. I wonder at the guts she has to voice these opinions.

"I didn't work my butt off at med school, read all those bloody books and listen to sexist professors go on and on at me, to become a glorified cleaner! Anyway…why are you all alone in the store cupboard?"

"I've been asked by Dr Phillips to update the inventory."

"Bastard! He knows you're the best nurse in the place, probably better than most of the doctors, and he's got you stock-checking! Well if he carries on like this, you can discount a large dose of morphine." She grinned brightly.

"Haha – do you make an effort to lose your job every day or does it come naturally?"

"Oh it's all natural darling, naturally, naturally. But seriously though, this is a bloody joke. I just wish our skills weren't just used, but needed and appreciated, you know?"

"Yes, I know exactly what you mean."

"Guess we'll catch up at dinner"

I can't ever see it happening; a time when 'our skills weren't just used, but needed and appreciated'. What would have to happen to accommodate such a request? No, I doubt it will ever happen, but it's good to wish for something. All I know is that if we want to get even close to that dream, then we are going to need to work really hard and give absolutely everything we have. 126 sterilised needles…300 lots of 100ml morphine…haha, if Mary hasn't been at it already that is…52 arm bandages and 50 leg…more than enough for the time being.