"Ah, nothing beats having morning tea," Lily commented, after finishing half a cup.
"I prefer coffee"
"Same here," Helen and Joan replied one after another.
"It's fine drinking it from time to time, it's just too bitter for me, " Jinen said after taking a sip. It's true that Joan had the same taste as Helen, who didn't mind bitter things.
"Be more attentive to Mrs. Ross' meals, as she has a weak stomach," Edith instructed while checking the medicine tray.
Nearby, another trainee hurried past carrying fresh linens before nearly colliding with an orderly.
"Take note that she may require assistance walking to the lavatory as well."
"Noted. Do you know her personally?" Just now an old lady was admitted into the general ward, and she recognized Edith instantly, she even chatted with her quite casually.
"She is a frequent visitor who has a particular family" Edith replied before turning to Joan "You'll see later"
"Oh" Joan understood that a possible family drama awaits her.
"You are new here, right?" Mrs Ross asked Joan, confirming.
"Yes, Mrs Ross, I came at the end of last year" Joan said as she handed her water.
"I see," said Mrs Ross, cutting the conversation short.
"Where is Nurse Edith today?" Mrs. Ross asked while adjusting her blanket.
"She is assisting with rounds at the moment," Joan replied.
Mrs. Ross hummed quietly before allowing Joan to straighten the tray near her bed without further complaint.
"Your usual special meal today,"Joan said gently "as Dr William wishes for you to avoid heavy food"
Mrs. Ross glanced at the broth with mild displeasure.
"That man seems determined to take every enjoyable meal away from me."
"Only until your stomach behaves itself again," Joan replied while adjusting the napkin near the tray.
Mrs. Ross sighed but began eating nonetheless.
By the end of the afternoon, Mrs. Ross had finished nearly half her meal—more than the previous day, which Edith considered a small improvement.
The ward gradually quieted as evening approached, nurses continuing their rounds beneath the soft yellow glow of the lamps.
Lunch had long passed by the following day when raised voices finally broke the ward's usual rhythm.
"You are being unreasonable, Mother,"her daughter whispered harshly.
Mrs. Ross scoffed.
"Unreasonable? That boy barely earns enough to feed himself."
"They care for each other."
"Affection does not pay rent."
"If you don't change your ways your grandchildren will start pushing you away" her daughter warned, before grasping her bag and heading out.
Thankfully, most patients in the ward understood the unspoken rule of minding their own business.
"I would like to be assisted to the bathroom, please" Mrs Ross said, reaching out for Joan.
"Of course, Ma'am," Joan replied while helping her carefully to her feet.
Mrs. Ross leaned more heavily on her than expected, muttering complaints under her breath about old age and stubborn children alike.
Slowly, Joan guided her toward the lavatory while the distant sounds of evening rounds echoed faintly through the ward.
The ward remained unusually quiet after the argument.
Even after Mrs. Ross's daughter had left, a faint tension lingered in the air between the beds. One patient lowered her newspaper with obvious curiosity before pretending to resume reading, while another exchanged a knowing glance with the woman beside her.
Joan busied herself arranging folded linens near the cabinet, giving Mrs. Ross enough privacy to recover her composure.
A few minutes later, Edith passed by carrying fresh notes from the afternoon rounds.
"Family troubles again?" she asked quietly.
Joan gave a small nod.
Edith sighed softly, unsurprised.
"That family argues every visit yet still returns the next day as though nothing happened."
"Does it happen often?" Joan asked.
"Often enough," Edith replied before moving on to the next bed.
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