One Night in Emergency. Carol Marinelli

No, go and have a proper break. I’ll keep an eye on her.’

      And she would, Eleanor knew that. In a little while Vicki would pop her head in, pat the old lady’s hands and check that she was comfortable, but that would be it. And no one was being cruel, no one was neglecting the patient or being indifferent. There simply wasn’t time for one-on-one nursing when it wasn’t intensive, weren’t enough nursing hours allocated in Emergency to hold an old lady’s hand for an hour or two.

      But that was what nursing was about for Eleanor.

      That was the nurse she wanted to be, the nurse she’d sworn she would be, and she wasn’t going to changer her priorities now.

      Of course, Mary had to be talking to Rory, but Eleanor was tired of hiding from him anyway, tired of blushing at each and every turn.

      ‘Can I have a word, Mary?’

      She glanced down at her watch. ‘I thought you were at lunch?’

      ‘I am.’ Eleanor gave a small shrug. ‘I was wondering if I could take it in cubicle eight.’

      ‘Cubicle eight?’ Mary stared at her, nonplussed. ‘But Miss Nugent’s in there.’

      ‘I know, I just…’ Eleanor faltered, aware Rory was staring at her, too. ‘She’s near the end now and she’s on her own…’

      ‘Vicki will watch her,’ Mary said dismissively. ‘Now, for the last time, will you go to lunch?’ Turning her attention back to Rory, Mary resumed her conversation but Eleanor most definitely hadn’t finished.

      ‘I am going to lunch, Sister Byrne.’ Eleanor cleared her throat. ‘And if you need to find me for anything, I’ll be in cubicle eight.’