Dr Finlay's Casebook Read Online Free Page B

window.
    Suddenly a voice made her turn round.
    ‘So, you are off home tonight to your own dear husband. I thought I would look in to bid ye a pleasant goodbye.’
    Grace swung round. She knew the voice. Her face hardened. ‘Don’t you wish me anything pleasant you two-faced, keyhole-listening, auld bitch. You’re the one that botched up
Finlay’s chance to wed me. Ye thought it would be inconvenient for the lord and master that ye worship with all the dried-up blood in your veins. You were feared I might cook better, run up
and down stairs quicker than you on your auld withered legs. So you frightened my lover awa’ frae me. All for the great god o’ the household. Well let me tell you this. It was not
him , with his bottle of rotten physic, that cured my boy. It was Finlay, who diagnosed the case correctly, took him to the hospital and transfused his own blood into my poor bloodless boy. The
change was instantaneous. And now that Bob is totally cured, walking miles over the moors with Finlay’s good blood inside him, who gets the credit? Your Lord and Master, whose medicine went
down the mickey and who is now struttin’ about the town as though he was God Almighty. And who keeps the secret? The Finlay ye took away frae me. He’s warned my son and me not to say a
word, to save your auld hero from being the laughing stock of Tannochbrae!’
    As she spoke Janet’s face altered dramatically. The prim self-satisfied expression simply fell apart. Speechless and aghast she gazed at Grace. And in that one dumb look, Grace felt that
she had levelled the score with the selfish old woman who had destroyed for ever her one chance of happiness.
    There was the sound of someone moving in the lobby, too slowly for Finlay. A few moments later Finlay stepped briskly into the room. Ignoring Janet he said, ‘Have I kept you waiting too
long, Gracie? I had two patients not one.’
    Taking her arm he led her from the room. As they walked to the station arm in arm, she said, ‘Your extra patient gave me the chance to say a few words to Janet that I’ve been saving
up for many a day. I think they’ll do her good.’
    Dinner that evening was a silent meal. Dr Cameron seemed preoccupied, Finlay was still mulling over Grace’s visit, and Janet never let a word escape from her compressed lips. When the meal
was over and they were drinking their coffee, Dr Cameron took a deep breath and turned to Finlay.
    ‘My dear, most distinguished colleague, I have asked Janet to bring your morning tea to your bedroom, just as she does for me.’
    ‘Oh really, sir, that is most kind of you. It’s a bore having to get up, wash, shave, dress and come downstairs before that first delicious sip. I hope Janet won’t
mind?’
    ‘Janet will do as she is told,’ Cameron said concisely. Then, after a pause, he seemed to nerve himself to speak and in a loud voice he said, ‘Coming in tonight, when I was in
the lobby, I chanced to hear what I was not intended to hear, and what I most certainly did not wish to hear. And from Grace, who was angrily addressing Janet. I heard all, and I mean all, that you
have done to completely cure Grace’s boy. I heard also a very just criticism of my absurd assumption that I had cured the boy, when it was you by your correct diagnosis and splendid
self-sacrificing transfusion who had immediately restored him to health.’ He paused. ‘I heard also of your most loyal silence, sparing me a most painful humiliation before the whole
town. Dear Finlay, I have always respected you and loved you like a son, and now in gratitude and admiration I will henceforth regard you as a possible partner to myself. Look ahead to that day, my
dear lad, when I will place my hand upon your shoulder and declare: “Finlay! You are no longer my assistant. Today, in the sight of heaven, I create you my partner.” ’
    Suddenly, from the doorway, there came a wild skirl of laughter. And Janet, who had been listening, suddenly