Maisie was lost for words, but the look on her face was enough for Kenny to sit down and take her hand in his

The nurse gave Maisie a quizzical look. “You look down in the mouth,” she said, “is everything all right?” Maisie sighed. “I feel like I’ve lost ten bob and found a penny,” she said. “And before you ask, his name’s Ian.” “Man trouble, eh? Tell me about it!” And Maisie did just that. It all came tumbling out, while the nurse listened patiently. “So, by trying to be so clever and wanting everything my way,” Maisie shrugged, “I’ve lost the lot.”

The nurse looked at her fob-watch. “Almost time for your tea,” she said, giving Maisie a kind smile. “There’s plenty more fish in the sea,” she assured her, “and a bonnie lassie like you isn’t going to have to cast your net very far.”

In spite of everything, Maisie enjoyed her mince and tatties. The nurse was right, there were plenty more blokes around and a girl should be choosy.

After all, the wrong man could spell disaster. She only had to look at her own mum and dad to know that.

Kenny, Rab and Chrissie moved closer to the ward door. “It’s right quiet in there,” Kenny whispered. “Are you sure it’s OK to go in?”

Blonde head

Chrissie glanced at the wall clock. “It’s just gone seven,” she whispered back. “Not many visitors come in the evening.”

Rab craned his neck. “That’s her over there,” he said, pointing to the blonde head asleep in the pillow. “We’ll go in first,” Chrissie said, “and let her know you’re here.”

Kenny nodded, straightening the jacket of his khaki uniform. Holding hands, Rab and Chrissie tiptoed into the quiet ward up to Maisie’s bed.

“Maisie,” Chrissie hissed, “are you awake?” Maisie’s eyes flickered open to the sight of her best friend and Rab Skelly leaning over her.

“I am now,” she said, the beginnings of a smile crossing her face. “How are you, Maisie,” Rab asked. “Me and Chrissie have been worried about you.”

Me and Chrissie, Maisie repeated to herself. “Are you two here together then?” she asked. Chrissie looked shyly at her man. “That’s what we’ve come to tell you Maisie,” she said. “Rab and me – you tell her, Rab.”

“What Chrissie is trying to say is that we’re officially ‘going steady’.”

Maisie used her good arm to push herself upright. “Well,” she said, a shade of doubt showing in her voice. “That’s great, Chrissie. And you too Rab.”

Even as she spoke, Maisie’s eyes were searching Chrissie’s for confirmation that it was all true. What had happened to Tommy Murphy in the short time she’d been in hospital?

The last time they’d spoken, Chrissie was determined to go to the dock gate on Hogmanay morning and see how she felt about her errant sailor.

“And there’s somebody else wanting to see you,” Chrissie beamed. “He’s waiting for us to go, so he can speak to you, personally.”

The emphasis on the word “personally” hit the mark and Maisie strained her neck towards the ward door. “See you later, Maisie,” Chrissie said, “once you’re back home.”

Blushing

Once again, Rab took Chrissie’s hand and grinning broadly, led her out of the ward. Maisie closed her eyes and counted to 10. When she opened them, Kenny Wilson, in full battle-dress stood before her.

Maisie was lost for words, but the look on her face was enough for Kenny to sit down and take her hand in his. A warmth began to form in Maisie’s body as Kenny’s grip tightened.

“Are you pleased to see me?” he asked. “I mean, really pleased?”

Maisie couldn’t deny it, she was very pleased to see Kenny and he’d worn his uniform too, specially for her, he’d said.

She felt herself blushing under his gaze. “I would have come sooner,” he said, “but I didn’t know until yesterday what had happened. A car accident, Chrissie said?” He left the question hanging there.

“I’m fine now,” Maisie said quickly, trying to change the subject of her two-timing adventure, “and I get home tomorrow, so all’s well that ends well.”

She watched in horror as Kenny picked up the card that Ian had left along with the fruit and the flowers. “Get well soon, Maisie,” he read, “Hopefully, all is forgiven. Ian x”

Maisie felt the colour drain from her face. “Who’s Ian?” Maisie had never seen Kenny so angry. “No one,” Maisie mumbled. “Just a friend, that’s all.”

“He’s obviously friendly enough to come and visit you in hospital.”

Maisie clenched her teeth and fixed her eyes on the chart at the end of her bed. “Are you going to tell me, Maisie?” Kenny said, his voice low and controlled. “I thought you and me had an understanding.”

“There’s nothing to tell,” Maisie said, panic bringing an edge to her voice. “He just gave me a lift that’s all and with the weather and everything, the car skidded and...”

“He gave you a lift? Where to?” Kenny cut in. Maisie felt sick. Her lies had caught her out. She’d been so clever, thinking she could play one off against the other, but now her cover was blown and Kenny was never going to speak to her again.

“He gave you a lift. Where to?” Kenny asked again, this time his voice a little louder.

Maisie eyes began to blur. “To his flat, on Christmas Day,” Maisie admitted. “He said he had something he wanted to show me.”

Anger

Kenny felt a surge of anger reach his fingertips and he clenched his fists. “And what did he show you?”

“Nothing!” Maisie shouted, bringing the nurse’s attention to her patient. “Where does he live?” Kenny asked through gritted teeth.

“Clepington Road,” Maisie told him, now devoid of any emotion. “Where in Clepington Road,” Kenny said. “I don’t know the number,” Maisie replied. “It’s a tenement near the top of Mains Loan.”

Kenny stood up just as the nurse came to Maisie’s bed. “What are you going to do?” asked Maisie, really scared now at what could happen when the two men came face to face.

“What any man would do,” he said in a low voice, “for the love of his woman,” he added under his breath, as he stood up.

Without another word Kenny Wilson marched out of the hospital ward. Maisie burst into tears. “Stop him,” she pleaded to the nurse. “He’s got it all wrong.”

The nurse held Maisie’s trembling hand. “Whatever it is that’s got him all riled up,” she said, “I don’t think a two-ton truck would stop him.”

The loud banging on Ian Brown’s door sounded urgent and Rebel began to growl deep in his throat.

More tomorrow.