The Lonely Goatherd – Chapter 6
Georg opened the door to The Lonely Goatherd and strolled inside. The entire tavern had been cleared out in preparation for that evening's party, save for a few tables that had been pushed to the side of the room. On the stage was a group of can-can girls practising their latest routine. They were hopping about the stage singing brightly: "Doe, a dear, a female dear; re, a drop of golden sun; me, a name I call myself; fa, a long, long way to run…"
At one of the tables sat Max watching the performance, a glass of brandy in his hand. Georg went and sat down next to not even looking up at Georg, Max raised his glass towards the dancing girls. "Remarkable," Max commented. "Truly remarkable. If this blasted war weren't going on, I'd sign them up as a performance group then tour them all around Austria."
"They'd get the fame and you'd get the money, I suppose," Georg replied.
Max chuckled. "It would be unfair, I admit. One day that'll change and I'd get the fame too!"
"If only Elsa would let you have them too. She's not an easy woman to convince to let go of something she owns."
"Oh, that I know!" Max agreed as he took a sip of his drink.
Georg looked around the tavern, which was empty apart from them and the performers. "Hmm, where is our dear Elsa?" Georg asked.
"Where do you think?" Max gestured upwards with a knowing look on his face. "Business."
Georg rolled his eyes. He didn't approve particularly of Elsa's side business but Elsa had told him time and time again that it wasn't any of his concern what she did in her spare time and to keep his nose out of her affairs. "So, who does she have up there this time?"
Max shrugged. "Captain Fichter, I believe. Handsome, of course, and rich."
Georg grunted. "Well at least it's not Commander Zeller."
"Of course it wouldn't be him. Elsa would never let Zeller into her bed, you know that Georg. She's very aware of what he did to you and what you think about him."
Georg flexed his jaw and scowled. "That man!" he spat. "I may have to serve under him, but I don't like him. After the situation he put me in when the Agathe sank…" Georg's voice faded away. He tapped his fingers against the table in annoyance like he was about to say something else, but instead he let out a deep sigh. "Anyway…"
Georg wanted to change the topic. He glanced at Max. "So… you're looking well, Max. How are you feeling now?"
"Fine, just fine - as good as new, really. But as much as I loved all those lovely nurses fawning over me while I was at the hospital, it is good to finally be discharged and be able to enjoy some of the fine stuff again." Max raised his drink in a toast then took a large gulp.
Georg gave Max a dubious look. "And I'm sure while Elsa is otherwise occupied, you took it upon yourself to just, uh, help yourself to her liquor supply?"
Max chuckled heartily. "What can I say, Georg? I am a very charming sponge."
"That you are." Georg picked up an empty glass and poured himself a drink. He raised his glass towards Max who clinked it with his own. As Georg took a sip, Max spoke. "Anyway, speaking of lovely nurses, how did it go today?"
"It didn't," Georg replied flatly.
"What do you mean?" Max was confused. "I thought you were going down to the hospital to tell Maria how you felt about her before we shipped out tomorrow."
Georg didn't say anything, instead just took a sip of his drink and stared into space.
"Georg?" Max probed. "Tell me what happened? Tell me every teensy-weensy, intimate, disgusting detail. Tell Maxie everything."
Georg gave Max a hard look. "Well," he began slowly, swirling his brandy gently around his glass as he searched for words. "Firstly I got sprung by Sister Berthe…"
"Ooo hoo!" Max rubbed his hands together in glee – he did enjoy a good story. "Oh Georg, I like her. Some might think of her as a harsh, formidable woman. But oh no, not me. I think she has a delightfully wicked streak about her that is so likeable. I bet she even has some sort of hidden talent that no one knows about, like the ability to hot-wire a car, or something like that."
"Ha ha," Georg quipped, unamused. "Maybe if you like Sister Berthe so much you could take her on a date and you could compare notes on carburettors and spark plugs so I could be left alone to try and talk to Maria."
Max could hear the frustration in Georg's voice so he knew it was time to stop joking. "So you didn't even get to speak to Maria?"
Georg shook his head. "Oh I spoke to her, alright. Sister Berthe gave me two minutes with her…"
"That was kind of her…"
Georg shot Max a look and Max immediately closed his mouth. "… but she said it: The killer line…" Max looked at Georg confused before Georg clarified. "Just friends."
Max opened his mouth to form a large 'O' shape with his lips. There was an awkward silence before Max broke it. "Well, at least she didn't give you the cliché it's not you, it's me line."
Georg glared at Max. "Not helpful, Max." He scowled at his drink before downing it in one gulp. "It's all my fault, you know. I've been telling her all this time I just want to be friends and that I'm too emotionally damaged to give her more. Seriously Max? Emotionally damaged? Who says that kind of rubbish?" Georg banged his fist down hard on the table in frustration. He then took a deep breath, placed his head in his hands and rubbed his temples with his fingertips. "I'm an idiot, that's what."
Max had a fiendish delight seeing his friend in so much misery. He decided to probe Georg a little more, just for the fun of it. "Well, Georg. I have to say I am surprised at you. It isn't like you to fall so hard for a woman. Didn't you once say you didn't have the time for anything more than a one night stand?"
"That was the old Georg – the one that was practically married to his career, and his boat," Georg replied, his voice slightly muffled as he'd buried his head in his hands.
Max snorted loudly. "Married to your boat, the Agathe. Good one, my friend."
After a moment, Georg looked up. "You know Max, I think I lost my heart to Maria on that first night we met here at The Lonely Goatherd. From the very moment I saw her stumble into the room wearing that god-awful dress, I thought now there's someone who has some guts coming into a seedy place like this. She looked completely atrocious in that ridiculous outfit, yet she had a bright smile on her face the entire time she was here. She lights up when she smiles, did you know that Max?" Max merely shrugged, pretending that he hadn't noticed. "And then when she sat on that bloody pinecone…" Georg paused to chuckle at the memory before continuing. "But this was the clincher: I think she is the first and only woman that has ever to told me to sod off."
"I suppose that is something new for you not to have a woman swoon at your feet," Max remarked dryly. Georg let out a frustrated sigh then buried his head in his hands again.
Max looked at Georg pensively for a few moments. "Well, maybe it wasn't meant to be."
"Ugh…" Georg groaned again, not even looking up. "That's as corny as it's not you it's me."
"Yes, I suppose so," Max shrugged. "But my point is, there are many other girls around. So, it didn't work out with Maria – maybe you have a chance with one of the other nurses perhaps. I know how much they all swoon over you – I've heard the name Captain von Handsomepants being floated around the hospital several times."
At once, Georg's head snapped up. "Captain von WHAT?" he cried aghast before he found the funny side and burst out laughing. The two men laughed together for several minutes.
"Seriously though Georg," Max said after the laughter had died down. "If I were you, I'd try talking to Maria again tonight at the party. She might change her mind, but if she doesn't I'm sure there will be plenty of other nurses who would love to keep you company, if you know what I mean." Max winked.
Although Georg didn't quite like what Max was implying, what his friend suggested made sense. He would find Maria, talk to her again then open his heart to her and hope she loved him back. And if she didn't, he'd get very drunk and find someone who did.
XxXxXxXxXxXx
Maria's shift at the hospital finally finished late in the afternoon and it was time to get ready for the party at The Lonely Goatherd. Maria's stomach was in knots. Firstly, she was still in a bit of shock to learn about Georg leaving, but secondly, she felt so confused about her feelings towards him. She wanted to tell him how she felt, but with his leaving the following day, Maria wondered whether there was a point and whether she would be making a fool out of herself. And if, by chance, he loved her in return, what would that mean for her commitment and life as a nurse? She sensed he wanted more from her, but then she had to put her foot in her mouth and make that ridiculous comment about being just friends. She wondered what he thought of her. Should she tell him how she felt or just let them remain just friends? She didn't know.
Maria must have stood in front of her wardrobe door looking at the dresses hanging inside for at least half an hour as her mind raced in circles. Finally, she grabbed the first dress her hand found – a pretty dress that resembled a traditional Austrian dirndl that had an aqua bodice with white sleeves and a spin skirt that was embroidered with long green stems and red flowers at the tips. Looking in the mirror, she was pleased with her appearance.
Maria left her room to join the other nurses from the hospital to head up to The Lonely Goatherd. Just as she was heading out the door after Sophia and Margaretta, Sister Berthe stopped them.
"Ladies, I'm afraid one of the sailors has pulled out his sutures and I need one of you to stay back to help me stitch him back up."
Before anyone could say anything, Margaretta quickly piped up. "Maria can stay." A sly smile crossed her lips. "After all, she is the most skilled with suturing."
Maria's heart sank. Yes, it was true she was better at suturing than any of the other nurses probably because of her love of sewing. But if she stayed behind, she would miss the party at The Lonely Goatherd which meant missing seeing Georg. She opened her mouth to protest but Sister Berthe had already whipped her back inside the hospital and was beginning to thrust a surgical gown over her pretty party dress.
Maria sighed then began washing her hands in preparation for the procedure. Oh well, she thought, let's get this over with…
A/N: Sorry for the delay in updating this story, you know... life and all, plus I had actually FORGOTTEN that I needed to post a new chapter until I happened to watch TSOM with my kids yesterday and suddenly remembered... whoops! Anyway, please review! I'm sure I'll be a little quicker to update with a few words of encouragement...
