Geoff kissed his son goodnight and left the side room, walking quietly down the darkened ward. He knocked on the nurses office door,
"Thanks for letting me visit Jim outside visiting hours Julie, he's looking so much better."
The Ward Sister looked up from her desk and smiled,
"No trouble, I'm sure he wanted to see you. There is such an improvement after just 24 hours, we are all so pleased."
"Thanks to you," He replied.
"Thanks to everyone, this is a team you know."
"OK Sister, I'm not arguing. Now come on, your Shift ended well over an hour ago, leave the Night Staff to get on with their work in peace.
I'll say thank you, by buying you a Cocktail at my club and put you in a Taxi home afterwards," He asked her."
"Oh go on Sister, we're all shipshape here. Get home before Midnight for a change." The pretty Staff Nurse sitting at the other desk in the room pleaded with her.
"Besides, Night Sister is around if we need her."
"Alright, you both win," Julie laughed , as she switched off her computer and reached for her coat and bag.
Geoff discreetly took in what he saw, you're just gorgeous, he thought, if I was 20 years younger. She was about 5ft 8inches, a pretty round face and long dirty blond hair with red highlights, that could never have come out of a bottle. The dark blue uniform flattered her body, full figured but slim, with wonderful breasts, at least 36D he thought.
He came out of his reverie, as she stood in front of him, eyebrows raised.
"Sorry, I was miles away," He apologised.
"Oh I think you were closer than that," and Julie grinned at his obvious embarrassment.
She turned to her colleague,
"Have a quiet one Gemma."
They left the Adolescent Surgical ward, silently together. Geoff carried on his train of thought: he had noticed all the nurses seemed stunning. It must be distracting for a ward full of teenage boys, all with seething hormones. John, his son, had told him that it was the main subject of discussion amongst the young men, who was their favourite. Despite the fact that she was a little older, Julie was the ward favourite.
As they walked downstairs, he asked,
"Don't you girls have trouble controlling all those young men. I can see the way they look at you."
"It's quite good for one's morale actually and it means they're getting better. We take the comments and wandering hands as part of the job."
"Well I hope John has behaved himself?" He asked.
"What happens on Adolescent Surgical, stays there," She laughed.
They walked out of the Hospital, into the crisp Autumn London air. Geoff hailed a cab,
"The Reform Club please, do you know where it is?"
"Course I do Guv, have you there in a jiffy." The cabby replied.
Geoff turned to Julie,
"The Barman at the Reform is an artist, his Whisky Sours are Nectar."
"Can't wait," She replied.
"I meant it when I thanked you for John. I know an Appendicectomy is pretty routine, but you noticed his infection. If you hadn't called the Registrar back to the ward and insist that he assess him again, well you know what might have happened.
I Googled Sepsis and John could have been beyond help by the morning." He finished.
"look, it's not the Doctor's fault, you will have read how subtle the early symptoms can be."
"Oh I'm not criticising, we all have to learn. He had the sense to swallow his pride and take your advice, didn't he."
"We've arrived Guv," The driver turned round.
Geoff paid him, left the cab and walked up the steps, to the imposing double door. It was opened for them as they reached it. Julie had never been in one of these old Gentlemen's Clubs before, it was impressive. They crossed the Hall to the welcoming bar. As you would expect, it was dark and well decorated. with groups of old red leather chairs throughout the room.
"What will you have?"
"It will have to be a Whisky Sour, Mr Jenkins says your Cocktails are a work of art."
She said to the barman who had come over to them. He smiled at her.
"Make it two please David, but just hang on a mo."
He turned to Julie.
"Look, have you eaten anything today?"
She shook her head.
He turned back to the Barman.
"The kitchen is closed, I know, but can you ask the staff there if they have anything they can warm up. This delightful nurse, has worked all day to help my son get better, he's in Hospital you know.
If she has a couple of your drinks on an empty stomach, we'll have to carry her out."
"Are you implying I can't hold my drink?" She laughed.
"I'm sorry your son has been poorly. I'm sure we can rustle up something Sir."
He went back to the bar and telephoned, then cam back.
"Will a Lasagne be alright madam?"
"Perfect, thank you."
"I'll just get your drinks."
He came back a few minutes later with them. Julie took a sip and coughed,
"You weren't joking, it's neat whisky."
"Shall I get you something else Madam?"
"Don't you dare, it's perfect thank you." She finished and smiled.
"Take your coat off, it's warm in here," Geoff suggested.
"I can't, I'm in uniform."
"Yes, it might get some of the members a little excited. But seriously, this is the Reform, you could stand on a table reciting the countries deepest secrets and no one would notice."
As she took off her coat, he changed the subject.
"Don't you ever leave that Hospital, all the staff seem to be there all the time. Shouldn't you be at home, making some man, or women, we mustn't be sexist, very happy? Sorry, that's not a pick up line. If I'd been twenty years younger, it might have been different."
"Pity," She whispered and smiled innocently.
He wasn't handsome, tall, but a bit overweight, with receding black hair, streaked with grey. His face was intelligent and kindly though. She liked older men and she could have been tempted.
"I think I have made several men very happy thank you, not boasting you understand. It's the Hospital, GOS(Great Ormond Street), isn't one of the worlds greatest Children's Hospitals because of the building or equipment, it's the staff. Everyone learns when they start there, Nurses, Doctors, Physios, everyone, get your training and get out, or it will eat you up. It's all about the children, most of the staff are single or divorced. Partners soon find out after countless cancelled Dinner Parties, nights out, that they come a long way second to the Hospital. They get fed up and leave eventually, however good the fringe benefits are," She finished, as the Lasagne arrived.
"That looks wonderful, thanks," She said to David.
"Hang on a minute David, are we supposed to die of thirst?"
"Will you have the same again, or something different Madam?"
"Surprise me, but I don't have girly tastes."
"I know just the thing Madam and your usual Lagavulin Sir?"
Geoff nodded.
"I can't complain, I love it, but it does mean you have to economise. London is such an expensive city and no one becomes rich working for the NHS. Most of the time it is OK, but just at the moment, a group of my Girlfriends are planning two weeks of Winter Sun in Morocco and I can't afford it, no chance."
"How much is it? I'd love to pay, after what you've done for my family."
"Oh please, I didn't mean, I wasn't asking." Julie pleaded, with a forkful of Lasagne on the way to her mouth.
"I know you weren't and I suspected you wouldn't take it, but I mean it, I'd love to pay. I'm not boasting, well I am, but it's petty cash for me," He finished."
She shook her head, "You know I can't accept, but thanks anyway, it's very thoughtful."
He sat there thinking, looking at her, as she continued to eat. David bought over more drinks.
"My own special Martini madam, tell me what you think. It's on the house, if you don't like it."
"I'm sure it will be lovely," Julie replied.
Geoff was cautious about what he said next.
"Look, you know I am a Businessman, I own or part own a number of Businesses. I've just been thinking of any way you might be able to Moonlight. There is this very respectable Gentleman's club in the West End, I part own, nice and quiet. We always need attractive, intelligent, ladies to look after the Customers. Most are Businessmen too, entertaining other Businessmen, very boring. You just have to serve drinks, perhaps sit and chat, maybe the odd dance, absolutely nothing more. It pays quite well and the Tips are generous."
"That's very kind and I'm not offended, but it wouldn't work. The Hospital is more than a full time job, I'm in there all hours," She replied as she finished the meal.
"That Lasagne really hit the spot, I needed that, thanks. I should be getting home soon, I'm in at 7:30 tomorrow morning."
Geoff really was cautious now,
"While you finish your drink, one more suggestion before I get you a cab. This I am afraid you might be offended by."