"Joan Blackwood," She replied politely.
"Miss Joan, we are very thankful for your help taking care of our Sam, we don't know what might have happened otherwise" Mr.Thompson said smiling gratefully, while holding the now calm Sam.
"Thank you, miss Joan" said Samuel with a soft childish voice as he reached his small hand towards her.
"It was nothing, make sure to pay attention next time so you don't get lost" Joan reached and took his hand, both of them smiling happily.
"Miss Joan, as Samuel's family, we would truly like to thank you properly, but as can see only we as relatives are present, and our family is in some kind of urgent situation right now for his parents to thank you properly" Mr.Thompson said apologetically.
"No need,Mr Whitmore.Your gratefulness is more than enough. I myself unfortunately don't have enough time for a meeting right now. But please convey my greetings to Samuel's parents"
Actually Thompson wanted to pay for the favour, but seeing the young woman's clothes and watch peeking out of beneath her sleeve,she didn't seem poor. Offering money in her situation may lead to an ugly misunderstanding, so he let it go.
"Then please give us your address or contact, and we will call as soon as possible"
"Im a trainee nurse at Bellevue Hospital" seeing him insisting and the child uncomfortable, Joan provided her address.
"Very well,see then miss Joan"
"Goodbye, Mr.Thompson. Goodbay, Sam"
"Goodbye Joan" said Sam, waving his hand.
After bidding farewell, Joan continued her walk peacefully, eating her sandwich. After a little while, something hit her.
"Oh…Whitmore! I remember now from where I know that name" Joan said as she took the magazine's reply, and sure enough the signature at the end of the letter was Margaret Whitmore.
"Was it merely a coincidence, or were they related somehow?" After wondering for a while, Joan let it go as it will not benefit her thinking without an answer.Taking a stroll around the park, watching several couples strolling together, along with groups of friends gathered beneath the winter trees. .
Walking along the road, Joan stopped at a nearby stall to buy a cup of hot tea, so she could swallow her dry sandwich.
She then continued heading to the library as usual.
Walking between wooden shelves, after returning her book to its place, Joan paused briefly near the language section before pulling out a small French phrasebook.
The cover looked worn from use.
Simple French for Travelers and Nurses.
She knows that she most certainly will have to travel during war or even after that. Moreover, as a nurse in general, learning a second language would improve her qualifications, if she took it seriously, with just small consistent steps in her free time.
Joan returned to the hospital by tram after buying her necessities for the week, cheese and loaf of bread. Thankfully she asked Lily to buy her the rest last time.
By the time Joan finished sorting her purchases neatly into the small cabinet beside her bed, the lunch bell had already rung downstairs.
The dining hall was louder than usual that afternoon.
"There you are," Lily called the moment Joan appeared with her tray. "I was beginning to think you abandoned us for the rich side of Manhattan."
"If I had, I certainly wouldn't return carrying bread and cheese," Joan replied dryly as she sat down.
Helen laughed quietly while stirring her tea.
"Did you enjoy your morning at least?"
"It was peaceful," Joan answered after a short pause. "Though I somehow ended up helping a lost child in the park."
"A lost child?" Jinen repeated with interest. "And here I thought your days off were calmer than ours."
"Thankfully, his family found him quickly."
"See?" Lily pointed dramatically with her spoon. "You attract trouble even outside the hospital."
Joan shook her head faintly before taking a sip of tea.
The conversation soon drifted toward work schedules and complaints about the cold weather before the nurses gradually returned to their respective wards one after another.
What do think about Joan progress?share your thoughts on the comments.