CHAPTER NINE
Beth imagined everyone in the hospital was looking at her. She was bursting to tell someone what had happened. She couldn’t. It was their secret, hers and Hyacinth’s. She kept thinking of what it would be like to have sex with a woman. Not just any woman, Hyacinth.
She didn’t feel any guilt, just excitement, and carried on working with a secret smile on her face all the while visualising their weekend in London. After the interrupted shower experience she knew that trip was going to be some learning curve.
Thoughts of Hyacinth continuously danced through her mind, which was exactly what Hyacinth had planned. Checking patient’s records, in a ‘Hyacinth’ daydream, Beth almost missed the apology from Countess Dracula, the Night Nursing Officer.
‘Beth . . . like I said, I’m sorry I caused such a commotion the night you were attending Mr. Green.’ Daphne hesitated briefly wanting to be sure she had Beth’s full attention. ‘He should be settled back home now, shouldn’t he?’
Beth turned, ‘Sorry Daphne. I was miles away. What were you saying?’
Blushing, Daphne continued. ‘I wondered if I could buy you a drink, by way of an apology?’
The invitation seemed genuine and friendly.
‘Thanks Daphne, that is kind, but there’s really no need. I think the student could have used a shot of brandy at the time though. Don’t you?’ Beth laughed.
In daylight Daphne had a look of Amanda Burton. As she persisted with her invitation Beth felt it would be churlish to refuse and arrangements were made for the following Tuesday night when Daphne was off duty.
Then Beth remembered Hyacinth. Would she mind? Why should she? It’s only a drink with a work colleague and, more to the point, was it any of Hyacinth’s business?
Beth purposely dressed down for her night out with Daphne. Comfortable cowboy boots, denim jeans and a matching denim shirt were all she felt able to aspire to. Her luxurious, long, dark hair was pulled back, caught up in a beautiful diamond butterfly comb. Of course she wore her diamond studs. She didn’t feel dressed without them.
She pulled up outside Daphne’s neat little semi, situated in a residential area popular with a lot of hospital staff because of its close proximity to St. Gregory’s. When her old Audi Coupe rattled into the cul-de-sac, she noticed with amusement how several sets of curtains twitched. She really must do something about buying a new car, and soon.
Before she could turn off the engine, Daphne hurried out and jumped into the passenger seat.
Always polite and attempting to break the ice, Beth said, ‘Oh that’s a nice skirt, Daphne.’
Daphne beamed, ‘Thank you. I’m glad you like it.’ She really had made an effort tonight, and was pleased her long flowered skirt had turned out to be a good choice. She suggested they go to a country pub she knew near Morpeth.
Despite it being June, the evening was cool and they were grateful for the roaring log fire in the pub lounge. Settling into easy chairs with a bottle of red wine on the table between them, Daphne started drinking fast while she talked non-stop about the hospital.
The words blurred as Beth fought to keep her tired eyes open.
Half an hour later, Davinia and Julie walked in. Thankful to learn they were friends of Daphne’s, Beth invited the pair to join them, hoping she could soon beat a hasty retreat.
Davinia was in a ‘sit down and pay attention’ mood whereas Julie was in a silly mood. ‘Daphne, did I ever tell you about the time I took Davinia sailing?’
‘I don’t think so.’
‘Oh not that old chestnut,’ Davinia moaned.
‘Davinia is not what you would call a natural sailor.’
‘Understatement,’ Davinia emphasized.
‘It’s always safety first.’ Julie paused to ensure she had their full attention. ‘So the first thing I did was to make sure that we were both fitted with life jackets.’
‘Quite right,’ Daphne said.
‘And every good sailor,’ Julie lifted her glass of wine,‘should have a good supply of booze.’
‘Yes.’ Both Daphne and Beth agreed eagerly.
‘It was rum, Julie. You took rum,’ Davinia butted in.
‘Yes, sweetheart. I did. I took it to make sure you felt confident.’
‘Confident?’ Davinia looked at her enquiringly.
‘Well anyway. There we were on the water and Davinia was having a ball. Singing at the top of her voice, and drinking the rum like there was no tomorrow.’ Julie laughed loudly, remembering. ‘The next thing I know is — she,’ pointing at Davinia, ‘tells me that she’s going to climb the mast. And she did. The boat almost capsized. We were so far over it’s a wonder she didn’t cause us to both fall overboard.’
They all laughed loudly. Davinia’s laugher the loudest of all. Lucky she was wearing a life jacket, Beth thought, although Davinia’s underwear would have given her good buoyancy.
In the lull that followed Julie said to Beth. ‘It’s Davinia’s birthday soon. We’re having a party at the Manor. Please say you’ll come. We’d love to have you with us. It’s all women, of course,’ she winked lewdly.
Beth accepted prettily, ‘How kind. Thank you. I’d love to come along, providing I’m not on duty, that is.’ She’d never been to an all-women party before. She wondered who else would be on the guest list. Would this be the kind of party Hyacinth had talked about?
It turned out to be an unexpectedly enjoyable evening. During the drive back to Newcastle, Daphne described the Manor to Beth, it seemed as though she was a regular visitor. Beth was impressed. It sounded baronial and grand. She loved old property and couldn’t wait to see it. While they were driving along an unlit road in the middle of nowhere Daphne asked Beth to pull over. Thinking she must be feeling ill, Beth immediately stopped the car. She could feel Daphne looking at her.
‘What’s wrong Daphne — are you ill?’
‘No. I’ve been waiting to do this since the day I met you.’ Daphne leaned over. Taking Beth’s face between her hands, she kissed her.
Beth didn’t respond. Alarm bells began ringing in her head. She didn’t want to do this with Daphne, not at all. Not in any way, shape or form.
It wasn’t the same as being kissed by Hyacinth. Fleetingly Beth thought how confusing life could be. Suddenly women were making advances towards her. Why now? Why not when she’d been sixteen and her hormones were raging and sex was sex without questions or analysis. Or better still at university where they had a Lesbian Group. Beth’s sexuality needed looking at and here were two women wanting to do just that!
Disliking Daphne’s taste, Beth removed her hands from her face. Holding onto them to stop Daphne touching her again, she politely said, ‘I’m sorry Daphne, I can’t do this.’
‘Oh Beth, please don’t be sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed. But you are so damned beautiful that I couldn’t resist you. Let’s just forget it ever happened. Please?’
‘Well I can, if you can.’
‘We can still go to Davinia’s birthday party together?’
‘Yes.’ Reluctantly Beth agreed, totally without enthusiasm. ‘I suppose so.’
‘Oh thank you. I’ll look forward to our date.’
‘It’s not a date Daphne.’
