Thursday
Dreadful stormy night. Suffered from toothache for 4 hours, and
wandering pains all over body. Wind
howled and struck among the roofs. Woke
to find sky clearing, but bitterly cold.
Thinking about Ann Mclean. Phoned and arranged to meet her. Paid Mrs McB 18/- (cheap)
packed, took cycle to station. Saw Meg –
very worried about her sister Issy – very ill.
Called at home after lunch, and said goodbye.
Few showers during afternoon. Saw “Pride and Prejudice” again after many
years. Walked up and down river bank by
the Cathedral. At last she came in blue
coat. Had tea at Playhouse.
(Note: Invernness 770, Ward 7
& 8, Nurse Ann Mclean)
She was strange, remote, so
different from an English girl. Gave me
a photo, very nice. Solemn in a way, but
laughs nicely. Refused to acknowledge
any blandishments. Told me I was “nobbut
a loon to talk so”. Told her she was not
pretty but good looking. Looked cynical.
Told her all about myself – why I
was there etc. She was very sensible,
made excellent and professional suggestions, but alas no good to me. Walked down to the Canal, then sat on a seat
an hour under bright icy stars. Did all
the talking. She saying “Och, it’s easy
for yourself to talk this way when you’re 1000 miles from home. You’ll forget me in a week or maybe
less.” Time sliding by like the gurgling
black cold Ness. Talked about sprites and water helpers, but
she laughed and said, “Ach mon, but I’m no Highlander to believe such
nonsense”. A lovely deep voice. Told me to stop thinking about stuffy old
fossils.
At last goodbye at the hospital gate. Promised to write to her. Seemed to be pleased.
To station – crowded train. Felt very sick and miserable. Half an hour late in starting – why? (Perth
change) Travelled with 2 RAF, one sailor
(MN), 1 WAAF, and a farmer who got out at Newtonmore.
Felt the train toiling up
Drumochter and the free rattling down the other side. Perth
5am. Not a drop of tea to be had.
Down over Loch
Leven, yellow gold sky and a sharp shower of rain whipping across
the lake. Dunfermline
– people getting in to go to work at E. More at Inverkeithing. The Bridge – Grey Forth, with pale grey
destroyers moving slowly down. Drifting
smoke of N. Queensferry. In the carriage
2 RNVR men talking about ships and ports, landings on the Normandy coast etc. The little blonde WAAF fast asleep beneath
her overcoat. Gave me a drink of tea,
but still felt bad.
Waverley 8.30. Seething roaring crowds, medley of Scottish,
Polish, English etc. Posters advertising
Royal Scottish Agricultural Show tomorrow.
To Bruntisfield Links. Washed and went to
sleep on sofa. Cold and aching. No lunch, but nice tea, and good Scotch broth
for supper. Bed 10.30 after hot bath,
but still aching terribly. Thinking
about Ann.
