A Christmas Romance by Betty Neels Read Free Book Online Page A

chrysanthemums. There wasn’t a large congregation and the simple service was soon over. She started to walk back, sorry to find that the early-morning sky was clouding over.
    The streets were empty save for the occasional car and an old lady some way ahead of her. Theodosia, with ten minutes’ brisk walk before her, walked faster, spurred on by the thought of breakfast.
    She was still some way from the old lady when a car passed her, going much too fast and swerving from side to side of the street. The old lady hadn’t a chance; the car mounted the kerb as it reached her, knocked her down and drove on.
    Theodosia ran. There was no one about, the houses on either side of the street had their curtains tightly pulled over the windows, andthe street was empty; she wanted to scream but she needed her breath.
    The old lady lay half on the road, half on the pavement. She looked as though someone had picked her up and tossed her down and left her in a crumpled heap. One leg was crumpled up under her and although her skirt covered it Theodosia could see that there was blood oozing from under the cloth. She was conscious, though, turning faded blue eyes on her, full of bewilderment.
    Theodosia whipped off her coat, tucked it gently under the elderly head and asked gently, ‘Are you in pain? Don’t move; I’m going to get help.’
    ‘Can’t feel nothing, dearie—a bit dizzy, like.’
    There was a lot more blood now. Theodosia lifted the skirt gently and looked at the awful mess under it. She got to her feet, filling her lungs ready to bellow for help and at the same time starting towards the nearest door.
    * * *
    The professor, driving himself back from Heathrow after his flight from Rome, had decided to go first to the hospital, check his patients there and then go home for the rest of the day. He didn’t hurry. It was pleasant to be back in England and London—even the shabbier streets of London—was quiet and empty. His peaceful thoughts were rudely shattered at the sight of Theodosia racing across the street, waving her arms like a maniac.
    He stopped the car smoothly, swearing softly, something he seldom did, but he had been severely shaken …
    ‘Oh, do hurry, she’s bleeding badly,’ said Theodosia. ‘I was just going to shout for help for I’m so glad it’s you …’
    He said nothing; there would be time for words later. He got out of the car and crossed the street and bent over the old lady.
    ‘Get my bag from the back of the car.’ He had lifted the sodden skirt. When she had done thathe said, ‘There’s a phone in the car. Get an ambulance. Say that it is urgent.’
    She did as she was told and went back to find him on his haunches, a hand rummaging in his bag, while he applied pressure with his other hand to the severed artery.
    ‘Find a forceps,’ he told her. ‘One with teeth.’
    She did that too and held a second pair ready, trying not to look at the awful mess. ‘Now put the bag where I can reach it and go and talk to her.’ He didn’t look up. ‘You got the ambulance?’
    ‘Yes, I told them where to come and that it was very urgent.’
    She went and knelt by the old lady, who was still conscious but very pale.
    ‘Bit of bad luck,’ she said in a whisper. ‘I was going to me daughter for Christmas …’
    ‘Well, you will be well again by then,’ said Theodosia. ‘The doctor’s here now and you’re going to hospital in a few minutes.’
    ‘Proper Christmas dinner, we was going ter’ave. Turkey and the trimmings—I like a bit of turkey …’
    ‘Oh, yes, so do I,’ said Theodosia, her ears stretched for the ambulance. ‘Cranberry sauce with it …’
    ‘And a nice bit of stuffing.’ The old lady’s voice was very weak. ‘And plenty of gravy. Sprouts and pertaters and a good bread sauce. Plenty of onion with it.’
    ‘Your daughter makes her own puddings?’ asked Theodosia, and thought what a strange conversation this was—like a nightmare only she was already