Matronly Duties by Melissa Kendall Read Free Book Online

Bethanie?”
    “Did your mother not tell you who I am?” I’d assumed Rhonda would have, despite her assurances otherwise.
    “Not exactly. She told us you were an important person and we were to be kind.”
    “Oh.”
    Deciding that it’s easier to be upfront, I add, “Well . . . in six weeks when Matron Ruby Angelo steps down, I will be sworn in as the new Matron.”
    “Huh. Really?”
    His tone makes the words sound like criticism, and in an instant, my mood shifts. “Yes, really. Why?”
    “Oh, no reason. I’m sure you’ll do fine. Can’t be any worse than the previous two.”
    “What on earth are you talking about?” I ask in disbelief. “The last two Matrons were amazing women with outstanding leadership skills.”
    “If you say so.” His response is apathetic at best.
    “I do say so.” My words contain more of growl than I’d intended. “What qualifies you to say any different?”
    “Look around ya, darlin’. This qualifies me,” he says, gesturing grandly at the area surrounding us.
    His words bring me to a mental stop. It’s impossible not to see where he’s coming from, given the horrible conditions.
    Looking at our surroundings, I notice we’ve reached a more populated area. The few people we pass stare at me in an almost evil manner. Whether it’s because they recognise me or for another reason I can’t be certain, but their looks make me feel very uneasy. I move a little closer to Howard, hoping the proximity to him will help me feel safer. He frowns.
    “What’s wrong?” he asks.
    “Sorry. I’m feeling a little exposed. People are staring at me weird.”
    “We’re almost there.” He doesn’t say that people aren’t staring at me.
    We walk the remaining way in silence. When the post office finally comes into view, I breathe a sigh of relief.
    “Okay, here you are,” Howard says when we stop outside the door.
    “Thank you.” An unfamiliar urge bubbles up inside me, making me want to hug him, but I cross my arms over my chest to stop myself. “I guess I better go inside.”
    I rock back and forth on my feet but don’t actually move.
    “I can wait to make sure you’re okay, if you’d like,” he says, as if sensing my hesitance.
    My mouth turns up at the corners. “Are you sure? I don’t want to keep you from anything.”
    “I’ll be fine. Go and make your call.”
    Inside, I ask the clerk behind the desk where the public phone is. He points me to the rear of the store.
    Picking up the receiver, I make a collect call to the institute.
    A receptionist answers. “Matron in Training Institute. How may I direct your call?”
    “Headmistress Carpenter, please.”
    “May I say who’s speaking?”
    “Bethanie Greene.”
    The sharp intake of breath from the other end answers at least one question for me.
    The next thing I hear, though, is Headmistress’ angry voice. No pleasantries, no propriety, just straight to it.
    “Where are you?”
    I pause for a minute trying to think why my disappearance would anger her. When nothing immediately comes to mind, I reply, “I don’t exactly know.”
    “What do you mean ‘you don’t know’?” She sounds furious, like she doesn’t even care if I’m okay.
    “I’m in a post office somewhere on the outskirts,” I say, trying to placate her. “But that’s all I know for sure.”
    “Well, stay there. It shouldn’t take too long to run the numbers and figure out where you are.”
    After everything I’ve been through, I find her lack of compassion infuriating. “Don’t you even care if I’m okay? I could need an ambulance for all you know.”
    “Yes, you’re right. Sorry. It’s been such an ordeal with you missing.”
    She’s been through an ordeal?
    “Are you okay?” she finally asks.
    “Yes, I am. I met a nice family. The Jameses. Their son actually rescued me.”
    “I don’t care who you met or how nice you think they are. You are not to talk to anyone. We can’t have the next Matron of Oceania running