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chest. 'No, Mike. It's past ten now. Mother's nurse will be on the telephone to the hospital at any minute,' she said bitterly. Nurse Dixon was rather a burden sometimes, an over-fussy bulldozer type of woman with an over made-up, prematurely-lined face.
    'Let them phone!' Mike snapped, brushing aside her hands and sweeping her masterfully into his arms. 'I want a goodnight kiss! It's the least you can do!' he pointed out. Then his lips were on hers and Anna closed her eyes blissfully.
    This was love—it must be! With a happy sigh she snuggled even closer, and only half heard Mike's groan as his hands found her breasts. In her mind's eye she could see the outline of his dear lean face, feel those eyes boring into hers. Blue-grey eyes. Stormy eyes, filled with desire, and . . .
    With a cry, she pulled herself free. Whilst enjoying Mike's embrace she had been thinking of Rick Alexandre!
    'What's the matter?' Mike rasped, the frustration in his voice evident even to the dazed Anna.
    He drew her into his arms again and she lay back limply, her mind far away. How could she be so wicked? She loved Mike. There ought to be no room in her thoughts or her heart for any other man.
    Anger at her lack of response lent a cutting edge to Mike's voice and she didn't care for the expletives that came tripping off his tongue. 'There's a word for women like you!' he finished. 'They smile and laugh into a fellow's eyes. Tease him a little bit, let him kiss and fondle them. Yet when it comes to the nitty-gritty they just don't want to know!'
    'Oh, Mike!' Anna wailed, feeling more wretched than ever. 'I didn't mean to tease, but I must go in! There isn't time for . . . for any more kisses.' Her voice trailed off, for she had suddenly realised she was glad there wasn't time. She needed to be alone, to think.
    With a sigh Mike released her, and a dazed and troubled Anna hurried the remaining few yards to her home.
    *
    Wednesday dawned, cold but crisp, with a promise of sunshine later on. As Anna had suspected, her mother had complained a little when she knew Anna would be out all day. But when Anna promised to return home during her long afternoon break, all was well. Thankfully, neither Mother nor Mary Dixon queried why Anna had been late home on the Tuesday, accepting her hurried explanation that things were extra busy on the ward.
    Throughout Tuesday night and during her walk to work the next day, Anna pondered on her interest in Dr Alexandre. That two penetrating blue-grey eyes could have such an effect on her was ridiculous. Yet she carried his image with her still as she strolled through the darkened hospital corridors on her way to Park Ward.
    He had an interesting nose, she mused, smiling a little to herself, then turned, startled, as someone touched her shoulder.
    It was Bryan Harris. 'Hello, green eyes! You were smiling to yourself, I distinctly saw your luscious lips curving!' he teased, and Anna hoped he couldn't see the faint colour that tinged her cheeks.
    'Perhaps I have something to smile about. A whole day on women's medical is something to be savoured!' she laughed. Then seeing his puzzled frown, she explained that she was on a split duty.
    'You aren't supposed to do split duties until the third year,' Bryan pointed out, his long face looking even more doleful than usual. 'None of us are, you know.'
    'I know,' Anna agreed, 'but Sister wants her trained nurses on this afternoon because Dr Tester is coming back off sick leave to do a round. Every thing must be just so for him,' she added wryly, and Bryan snorted.
    'I've met him! Tall and dynamic, with chilly brown eyes. Sister fancy him, does she?'
    Anna turned surprised eyes on him. 'I'm not sure. I think she's married, but. . .' She hesitated. She had been about to say she thought Sister Noakes might fancy Dr Alexandre but she didn't want to repeat gossip—didn't want to believe it herself, either.
    Yet it was possible. They were not far apart in age, she guessed. Dr Alexandre was