Ivy adjusted the blanket under the boy’s chin. “Joey, you’re going to have a grand adventure, riding in the horse-drawn ambulance, staying in hospital. Won’t your friends be jealous?”
Joey’s bleary eyes brightened. “Is it true? They give you chocolate in hospital?”
“It’s true. And extra milk.” Ivy packed her thermometer and stethoscope in her medical bag.
After the ambulance came for Joey, Ivy reassured Alice once more and left the Sanderson home above their shop on Queen Street, next door to Carter’s Chemist’s.
Joe Sanderson had little for sale in his shop, save for flowers, which he had in abundance, and Ivy bought a bouquet of daffodils for Easter.
The Sanderson family had remained loyal to the Picot medical practice since Ivy had exempted Joe from deportation a year and a half earlier.
Ivy headed home over streets slick from a spring rain. April already, and yet no invasion. RAF planes frequently crisscrossed the Jersey skies and attacked shipping, which meant fewer trips to France for Charlie. If only theOrmercould fly a Union Jack or the flag of Jersey to signal the ship’s allegiance.
At La Bliue Brise, Aunt Ruby typed at the receptionist’s desk. She gazed at Ivy over the rims of her glasses. “How’s little Joey?”
“Scarlet fever. He’s going to Overdale, a precaution more than anything.” Ivy peeked into the waiting room—empty. At least she’d have time for lunch before rounds.
She fetched a vase from her office, filled it with water, and set the daffodils on the desk in front of her aunt. “Pretty, aren’t they? How does my afternoon look?”
Aunt Ruby fingered the yellow blooms. “Four home visits, with two possible cases of scarlet fever. You’ll have a lovely ride along the coast—St. Clement, La Rocque, and Fauvic.”
Ivy had an escapee to visit in that area as well. She perched on the edge of Aunt Ruby’s desk. “How are the finances?”
Aunt Ruby crinkled up her mouth. “Tight. In Monday’s post, I’m sending out more bills for payment due.”
Ivy riffled through the envelopes, adorned with occupation postal stamps, designed by local artist Edmund Blampied and picturing sights like Corbière Lighthouse, Elizabeth Castle, and Mont Orgueil Castle. “Money is tight for everyone. So many people don’t have work, and costs are extraordinary.”
“Regardless.” Aunt Ruby pulled the sheet of paper from the typewriter. “Our costs are extraordinary as well.”
If it weren’t for Charlie and Fern, the practice would have failed, and Ivy sighed. “I do wish we weren’t beholden to Charlie and Fern. Charlie should be saving for his future, and Fern—her money feels tainted.”
“In my opinion, she’s simply paying her dues. Finances wouldn’t be tight if it weren’t for her.”
Ivy didn’t want to dwell on it, so she raised a smile. “I’m excited to host Easter dinner tomorrow.” She’d miss seeing Gerrit, but it couldn’t be helped. She’d see him only from afar at church. No kisses, no long talks, no drawing together.
Aunt Ruby leaned back in her chair. “I do find it odd that Opal isn’t hosting. It’s her turn. She’s been rather—well, I hate to say this about my dear sister, but she’s been almost inhospitable lately.”
On the contrary, Aunt Opal had been extremely hospitable—to Bernardus and Gerrit. “They’re under a lot of strain, running a dairy farm with all the German regulations and inspections.”
“Constantly changing regulations too.” Aunt Ruby gave Ivy a sheepish look. “I shouldn’t think that way about my own sister. But I miss her.”
Ivy wasn’t one to cast blame for thinking ill of one’s sister. She’d encourage Aunt Opal to visit the Bissells in town more frequently.
The front door opened. “Hallo!” Fern called in a merry voice.
“Hallo, Fern.” Ivy smiled at her sister’s good cheer.
Aunt Ruby rose and gathered her handbag. “I’ll see you ladies tomorrow for Easter.”
“Thank you for your help today.” Ivy saw her aunt to the front door. Like Fern, Aunt Ruby had finished her Saturday half day.
When Ivy returned to the receptionist’s desk, Fern was peering at the appointment book. “Dear, oh dear. So few appointments. Perhaps now you see how vital I was to the practice.”
“I never said otherwise.” Ivy closed the book to maintain her patients’ privacy.
Fern picked up Ivy’s timetable for the afternoon and studied it.
“May I?” Ivy held out her hand.
