Sister Adelaide Peters stood in front of Professor Coenraad van Essen, trying to be composed and cool, and to forget his kiss amidst the ruins of the bus; his fee, he had called it.
âI must thank you for getting me out last night. I was very frightened, you know. It was so dark. I believe you saved our lives, and I am indeed grateful. Just thanking you doesnât seem enough,â she added worriedly.
âThanking me is quite enough, Sister Peters. It just so happened that I was there. It could have been anyone else, you know.â She felt surprised at this.
âBut I knew it would be you.â The professor was studying the papers before him, his pen busy once more, and she didnât expect an answer. She gave a small, unconscious sigh.
âDid you and Dr. Beekman sleep last night? You both look very tired.â
âIt was hardly worth it, Sister. Weâll go off early if we can.â He glanced up from his work, half smiling. âThank you for you solicitude. Now, if you are ready, shall we have the next patient?â
Romance readers around the world were sad to note the passing of BETTY NEELS in June 2001. Her career spanned thirty years, and she continued to write into her ninetieth year. To her millions of fans, Betty epitomized the romance writer, and yet she began writing almost by accident. She had retired from nursing, but her inquiring mind still sought stimulation. Her new career was born when she heard a lady in her local library bemoaning the lack of good romance novels. Bettyâs first book, Sister Peters in Amsterdam, was published in 1969, and she eventually completed 134 books. Her novels offer a reassuring warmth that was very much a part of her own personality. She was a wonderful writer, and she will be greatly missed. Her spirit and genuine talent will live on in all her stories.
IT was one oâclock, the corridor leading from the main hospital to the Childrenâs Unit was very quiet. As Matron accompanied the professor to the ward, her thoughts were busy. She knew that the morning clinics were over; Sister Peters would be back from lunch and the children should be quiet enough for him to have a talk with her, before making his decision.
When the exchange plan had first been suggested by the Grotehof Hospital in Amsterdam, her own hospital committee had had no hesitation in recommending Sister Peters, who was in charge of Childrenâs Casualty and Out-Patients as well as the ward. However, she had hardly expected matters to have gone forward as rapidly as they had. The professor had arrived within a few hours of his conversation with her, and she had had no time to speak to Sister Peters. She hoped that everything would go smoothly. As they reached the glass doors of the ward, she looked at the tall man beside her; he seemed very pleasant; rather quiet perhaps, but he had a charming voice and spoke excellent English. He did not open the doors but stood watching the girl sitting on a low chair with her back to them. She wore a shapeless white gown over her uniform, but the frilled capâa dainty affair of spotted muslinâperched on top of a coil of vivid red hair, showed her rank. She had just put down a feeding bottle on the table before her, as she hoisted a fat baby on to her shoulder. She patted his back while he glared at them through the door. Presently he gave a loud burp and was rewarded by a light kiss on the top of his head as he was neatly tucked under her arm while she stooped to lift a fallen toddler to its feet again. As she stood up, two small children ran over to her and caught hold of her apron and toddled beside her as she went over to the cots. The doors squeaked as the professor opened them, but she didnât look around.
âIâm all behind, Nurse.â She spoke in a clear, unworried voice. âJohnnyâs been sick again. I popped him into a bath and put him back to bed. Heâd better be seen as soon as I can get someone.â She tucked the baby expertly into his cot, picked up one of the toddlers and looked over her shoulder. She was surprised to see Matron, but remained unruffled. Still holding the child, she went across the ward to her. She was a pretty girl, with large brown eyes, extravagantly fringed with black lashes, a small straight nose and a wide mouth, nicely turned up at the corners. She was smiling as she spoke to Matron.
âGood afternoon, Matron. Iâm sorry, I didnât hear you come in.â Matron returned her smile.
âGood afternoon, Sister. Have you no nurses on duty?â
âThe clinics were late this morning, Matron. Nurses are all at second dinner; theyâll be back any minute now.â
She glanced at the man standing so quietly at Matronâs side. She supposed he was a visiting doctor looking around the hospital, and wondered why he chose to come at such an awkward time. Matronâs next words cut across her thoughts.