The Thistle and the Rose

“Ah Staff Walker, back from break I see, I have a special job for you. Could you assist Dr McArdle, in M.A.U treatment room 3 please, they are a little snowed under at the moment so I said they could borrow you for this patient. Doctor has brought a patient from his surgery, the E.C.G. trolley and other bits and pieces are already there.”

“Yes Sister.” Susan replied as she scooted off to find her patient.

“Staff Langbourne, could you go with Mr Nixon here, and attend to a young patient. 3 years old I believe, with a pea stuck up her nostril.”

Betty nearly laughed, but remembered just in time that Sister Woods did not have a very advanced sense of humour, or so she thought.

“…And Finally Staff Cartwright, I would like you to go back to the plaster room as it is exceptionally busy and the ‘girls’ tell me you are doing a sterling job.”

Sister didn’t give praise out lightly so Betty was almost glowing; the three nurses rapidly disappeared in different directions.

Susan walked briskly off towards the M.A.U. (Medical Assessment Unit) to find her patient, and Dr McArdle. She didn’t know an awful lot about him, only that he was a village G.P who was well respected amongst his peers. She entered the room with what she hoped was a reassuring smile.

“Good afternoon Mrs Graham, if you would like to just come through here and slip this gown on. It’s just to keep your clothes clean. Could you just put your things on there and we’ll be back in a while alright?” Susan hoped she had reassured her patient as they went off to a room just off the reception area. The lady with Mrs Graham got her to sit down on the near-by chair. As Susan came back in she said, “Oh good, you’re ready then. Right oh then Mrs Graham…”

“Honey please.” said the very nervous looking lady.

“Pardon, sorry, yes okay Honey it is, what a pretty name.”

“Yes”, said the lady again. “...its short for Honeysuckle; mi’ Dad said there was a lot blooming when I was born.”

The patient looked really agitated so Susan continued to try and ease her discomfort. “Certainly I shall call you by your very pretty name, and you can call me Susan if you like. Now then let’s get you all wired up and see if we can get Classic FM on your read-out shall we?”

The E.C.G. lady came in and put lots of stickers on Honey’s chest, and then let the machine do its job. She came back after about 5 minutes and un-plugged Honey from the machine and went to find her next patient. The two ladies didn’t have to wait long before Dr McArdle came back.

“Well Honey… I can definitely say… you’re no pregnant.”

Both of the ladies laughed, and if the Doc was joking then things couldn’t be too bad.

“You’ve got low blood pressure...” he continued, “...Which is not uncommon in ladies of a certain age.”

“Oy!” said Honey.

“Any way, to continue… a wee tablet a day should sort that and your iron level is a wee bit low as well… so you’ll need an iron supplement. I’ll give you the liquid one… it doesn’t block up your tubes so to speak. We don’t want tae make trouble lower down do we?” Scotty said smiling at them both. “You’re done girl… it’s time I took you away back hame.”

“Oh thank you Scotty I’m that grateful… it’s such a load off my mind…” Honey said.

Susan came back in and looked at Dr McArdle with her patient. What a lovely man he was, and Honey was looking at Susan’s face too. Maybe there was room for another guest at her forthcoming wedding.

She returned very shortly after and soon Honey was safely seated and comfortable.

“I know it wasn’t the best of reasons for meeting somebody but I’m glad you came today Honey.” Susan said as she walked alongside the chair with Honey’s friend.

“It’s nice to meet new folk like yourself and Chantelle here. She’s been a god-send to me, like a daughter.” Honey said smiling at her companions.

Chantelle blushed. “Anyone would do the same for you Honey.”

“No, credit where it’s due...” Honey said, “...my family are all far away and most people don’t do ‘owt for nowt’ these days Susan.” She said looking at the slim nurse next to her. “I’m right glad I asked you to mi’ wedding, we don’t want Scotty to be stood on his own, do we?” Susan looked down and the slight smile and twinkle in her eyes said more than words ever could. The ever alert Sid digested the information; oh it would definitely get him a pint at the club tonight. Staff Nurse Walker and Dr. McArdle… Well why not? They were both single and seemed well matched.

Scotty opened his car door and he and Sid managed to help Honey into the front seat. As he closed the door he spoke to Susan. “I’m off then Staff… rounds on Tuesday and thanks again for your help.”

“You’re welcome,” she said softly, so that Sid couldn’t hear. He was a sweetie; he gave her a quick wink which Chantelle and Susan saw, but not wanting to go he continued, “Well… see you on Tuesday, and if you need to know anything, about Mrs Graham of course, then just call me.”

With that Scotty got into his wee car and whisked Honey and Chantelle back to Honey’s place The Briory Inn. He had a lot on his mind and nearly all of it was concerning a certain Staff Nurse with grey-flecked eyes.