had off while Sue was here, said, âLook, Nonie, it was decent of you doing the weekend, and the surgery this morning so I could run Sue up to Aldergrove. Would you like me to take your well-woman clinic after lunch?â
A spoonful of soup on the way to her mouth stopped. âWould you?â
âOf course.â
âI really would like to lie down,â she said.
âIâll do it,â Barry said. At least being busy would keep his mind off missing Sue. His model ship could wait.
âYouâre very sweet, Barry. Iâd appreciate it. I really would. In factââ She finished her soup. ââIâll pass on the second course and head up now.â She rose.
âSleep well,â said OâReilly.
âI will,â she said.
âBarry and I will cope tomorrow,â OâReilly said. âAll right by you, Barry?â
âSure.â
âYou have the day off, Nonie.â
âThank you, Barry, Fingal,â she said, heading for the door.
The door closed behind her.
âDecent of you, that, Barry,â OâReilly said.
âOch,â Barry said, âIâve had lots of time off while Sue was here. Nonieâs only just started with us. Letâs give her a chance to settle in.â
âAgreed,â said OâReilly. âLetâs do just that.â
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4
They That Are Sick
âYou, my dear,â Kitty said as she poured OâReilly a second cup of tea, âare becoming a regular gentleman of leisure. Here.â She handed him the cup and saucer, passing them across his plate, on which lay the wreckage of a pair of breakfast kippers.
âThanks.â He spread his favourite Frank Cooperâs Oxford marmalade on a slice of toast. âAnd it is pleasant to have more time off. Nonieâs doing the Friday-morning surgery, Barryâs out making a couple of home visits, and all I have to do is sit here in case of a real emergency. I can sup my tea and enjoy the company of the best-looking woman in Ulster until Barry comes back and then, if the lovely off-duty Sister OâReilly would like, Iâll take her to lunch at the Culloden.â
âGreat idea, Fingal. Iâd like that very much,â Kitty said. âSo we have Nonie to thank for this more leisurely pace.â
âWe do.â
âHow is she working out?â
âFine, I think. She doesnât have the even temperament of Jenny, but sheâs a first-rate physician. The customers seem to like her and sheâs a hard worker. I think sheâs fitting in well.â
âIâm glad to hear it.â Kitty sipped her own tea. She cleared her throat and said, âLook, after lunch could we nip down to Bangor? We really need to buy some new curtains for this room. Theyâre getting threadbare.â
âExcuse me.â Kinky came in carrying an empty tray. âIâll just tidy up then get back to my kitchen, so, to see to the other doctorsâ lunches. I did not mean to eavesdrop, but I did hear you say, sir, that you would be taking Kitty out to lunch?â She began to clear the table.
âThat I will,â said OâReilly, and bit into his toast.
âMore power to your wheel, sir. It does me good to see yourself having a bit more free time.â She started loading her tray.
âThanks, Kinky.â OâReilly frowned and turned to Kitty. âI donât see the need for new curtains. The old ones have stuck the pace bravely ever since I bought the practice.â
âExactly,â said Kitty. âTheyâd not have been out of place ⦠what year was this house built? Iâve always thought it looked Georgian.â
âBack in 1818.â
âI was right, and Iâm sure theyâve been here since King George III ruled all of Ireland. They are positive antiques.â
âBut I like these old curtains. I donât want to spend more money buying new