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  “He was not thinking at all, clearly,” said Sam. “What an idiot. He’s been sent home in disgrace, and he deserves it. Surely you know that, Raj.”

  Raj didn’t reply.

  “You’re cheesed off because he gave you a tongue-lashing too. And you don’t think you deserved that,” said Sam.

  Raj got up. “Stop defending him,” he said. “He’s the biggest, most stuck-up, self-righteous prig I have ever met.” His insults got worse before he stormed off, saying he was going to find Emma. The guys followed, even Gabriel, who gave Sadie a smile and a pat on the shoulder as he left.

  Sam shook her head. “It was bad, Sadie. Last night Joe went to check on Raj after the disco and he wasn’t in his room. He found them in an empty bedroom. Caught them in the act, if you know what I mean.”

  “Them? Raj and Emma?”

  Sam nodded.

  “He’s humiliated,” said Sadie. “Poor Raj. Poor Joe.”

  Sam shrugged. “Emma told me what happened. She doesn’t seem bothered about it at all, though, she just laughs, crazy girl. Joe called them in to the office this morning and gave them a final warning. Any more pills, sex or dancing like that and they’re out.”

  “I guess that’s reasonable,” said Sadie. “He could have sacked them.”

  “I don’t get it,” said Caitlin. “Why did he fire Johan and not Raj and Emma? He gave them a chance, why not Johan? They both committed sackable offences. And Raj and Emma were on drugs – surely that’s worse than a bit of alcohol?”

  “I don’t know,” said Sam. “He’s the boss, I guess that’s his choice. I am surprised, though. I thought he liked Johan. If I could have bet on who he would fire, I would have picked Raj.”

  “It didn’t have anything to do with liking Johan or not,” said Sadie. “Isn’t it obvious?”

  “What?” said Caitlin.

  “What’s the most important thing to Joe?” said Sadie, surprised that they didn’t understand.

  “I don’t know,” said Sam. “Finding something to be grumpy about?”

  “Keeping the kids safe,” said Caitlin. “I see what you’re saying, Sadie.”

  “Raj and Emma are adults,” said Sadie. “They are behaving like kids but they are responsible for themselves, and Joe had the space to be gracious and give them another chance. Johan put the kids in danger. What he did was way worse. Joe couldn’t take a chance on letting him stay.”

  “I guess you are right again, Nursie,” said Sam, pushing back her chair and standing up. “And as fascinating as this journey into the mind of Joe is, I’m knackered and I need a nap. Adios.” Sam walked off, leaving Sadie and Caitlin alone at the table.

  “What a day,” said Caitlin. “I’m glad you’re back. Things always seem more stable when you’re here.”

  “Really?” laughed Sadie. “I’m glad I’m back too. I’m wondering which is worse – night duty or day trip duty. I felt like the old woman who lived in a shoe.”

  Caitlin laughed.

  “Come on,” said Sadie. “I bought some chocolate in town. Let’s go to our room and pig out.”

  The two girls headed off to their room arm in arm. Poor Joe, thought Sadie. Things were going well again, and now this. Poor Joe!

  Chapter 21

  Sadie slept late on Sunday, her day off, glad for the catch up after having to do night duty the previous evening. She went to lunch, and found herself looking for Joe, wondering how he was managing after the drama of the previous day. He hadn’t been back to ask for more painkillers, so she supposed he must be all right. After lunch she took her phone and her backpack and took a walk on the heath, stopping to sit under a tree to check her messages and send an update to her parents at home. She sent her mom a long voice note, knowing that she would appreciate hearing her voice and knowing she was doing okay. When she was done she sat for a while, looking out at the countryside, enjoying the cool breeze which was a relief after the hot, muggy morning. Three more weeks at Camp Bellevue, she thought. After that – what? She realised, laughing at herself, that she hadn’t started thinking about getting a job or finding a place to stay for when she got back. She supposed it was time to start looking, and wondered if she should call a nursing agency this time. She wasn’t properly registered yet so she couldn’t work in a hospital, but she could make some decent money caring for the elderly or disabled, and now that she had the experience from the camp and hopefully a good reference, she thought she might try it.

  What would Joe say about her if he had to write a reference? She was sure he would say good things. She knew she had done her job well so far. She let her thoughts drift back to that moment in the passage, when he had said she was his miracle. He really is a good boss, she thought. A little grumpy, but fair, and wise. In three more weeks he would be free of this job he had never wanted in the first place, free to go back to writing his thesis, and she would go off somewhere else. It wasn’t exactly a pleasant thought that she would probably end up losing touch with lots of her new friends after the camp ended. Not that Joe was really a friend – or was he?

  She was about to get up and go when she heard voices behind her. She turned to look. It was Joe, and Alvin, walking over the heath. They saw her, and waved, then headed in her direction. Sadie felt nervous – she had just been thinking about Joe, feeling a little sad that after the camp she would probably never see him again, and now here he was, walking over the long grass towards her. It made her feel funny – shy, and exposed.

  “Hey there!” said Alvin, sitting himself beside her. “Nice spot you found here!”

  Joe came and sat on the other side of her. “Mind if we join you, Sadie?” He smiled at her, and Sadie’s heart did a weird flip in her chest. He was wearing one of his own shirts again, a dark blue one this time, and he looked wonderful – relaxed and calm, his eyes standing out against the blue of his shirt, his blonde hair moving a little in the breeze.

  “Please do,” she said, trying to act naturally, pushing her glasses up on the bridge of her nose. “I was just catching up with my family.”

  “Ah,” said Alvin. “Very important. Your parents?”

  “Yes,” said Sadie. “I’m an only child, so you know – they probably worry more than most.”

  “Are you planning on going back?’ asked Joe.

  “Oh yes,” she said. “Probably before Christmas. There’s still a lot I want to do while I’m here, though. I haven’t even been to Europe yet.”

  “I hear Jonesy is planning a camping trip to France and Spain when camp ends,” said Alvin. “You should go along.”

  “I’d love that!” said Sadie. That would be just what she wanted – to travel somewhere new with her camp friends. She had imagined that she might have to brave it alone or even worse, join an organised tour. “Would you come?”

  “Not me,’ said Alvin. “I have a three-month teaching job lined up. British kids – I’d take these foreigners any day though. What about you, Joe?”

  Joe shrugged. “Maybe. I don’t have to be back at Uni for another week or two after camp. But probably not. I don’t think I’d be welcome, to be honest.”

  “Because of yesterday?” said Sadie.

  “You heard about that,” he said. “Maybe I would have got out of it on better terms with Raj if you had been around working your magic, Sadie. He hates my guts now.”

  “I’m sorry, Joe,” she said. “You must be counting the days until this is all over.”

  “In a way I am, yes. But it’s not all so bad. This is nice,” he said, leaning back. “And what about after Christmas, Sadie? You said you were here having an adventure before you had to go home and be a grown-up.”

  “You remember that?” Sadie was surprised.

  “I do,” said Joe. “The last Camp Bellevue nurse I worked with was a large Jamaican lady who gave the kids weird-smelling tea when they couldn’t sleep. I remember that conversation well. I couldn’t believe you were our nurse.”

  Sadie laughed. “I was a little surprised
that they hired me too – I haven’t done my Community Service, so although I have my degree I’m not a registered nurse in South Africa yet. When I get back that’s first. I don’t know where they will post me – hopefully not too far from home. Then after that – probably find a job in a hospital. Maybe specialise if I decide to. I don’t really know. But not too far from my parents. They need me.” Sadie wondered if she should tell them why, and decided she would. “I had a brother once. His name was Ollie. He died when he was ten and I was twelve. My folks are very supportive of whatever I do, but if I moved away for good – that would just be too hard on them.”

  There was quiet for a while. Sadie looked down at the ground, wondering if she had overshared and embarrassed them.

  “Wow, Sadie,” said Alvin. “I’m so sorry to hear that. It must be quite a burden on you.”

  “It’s a burden, but not one I mind,” said Sadie. “Carrying burdens is part of love, I think. I need my parents too.”

  “Joe knows a little about burdens like that – don’t you Joe?” Alvin looked over at Joe.

  “Yeah,” said Joe, picking a piece of grass and splitting it. “My dad died when I was a baby, so it was just my mom and me until I was twelve and she met my stepdad. I have two half-sisters now – but I can relate. Mum needed me, and she let me know it. She would always tell me I was the man of the house and I had to take care of her. That got a bit confusing when Robert came along in the end.”

  “Do you get along with your stepdad?” asked Sadie.

  “Yeah – I guess. There are a few big things we differ on, important things, but he’s decent and he makes my mum happy, so we’re all right. But even with him around – if I move away from the UK one day, I don’t know how Mum will deal with that.”

  “Heavy, guys,” said Alvin. “My mother couldn’t wait until I left home and made more space in the house. She’s really chuffed that I work overseas; she’s always boasting about me to her friends. It almost makes up for the fact that I haven’t settled down and got married yet!”

  Sadie and Joe laughed, and the conversation lightened. Joe had questions about South Africa, and Sadie and Alvin spent the next hour or so answering them. Sadie was surprised at how much he knew about the politics and the history of her country, and was impressed at his genuine interest in the people and all the challenges they faced. Alvin had a lot to say about growing up in a racially segregated area, and about how his own culture fitted into South Africa’s history. Joe was really interested in Sadie’s experiences in the government hospitals. Sadie had a feeling that as she told him more and more that he had until now underestimated what her training had involved. He seemed surprised that she had an actual Science degree.

  As they walked back together later, Sadie looked over at Joe, feeling as if she understood him a little better after hearing about his family. He was young but already so responsible and mature. It made sense that he hadn’t had a carefree childhood, and that he had learned the burden of responsibility even as a little kid. She wondered what he was like when he wasn’t Camp Director. Maybe this trip to France would happen, and he would come along, and she could find out.

  Chapter 22

  At lunch on Monday there was a buzz around the table where Raj was sitting with Leon, Sharon, Mitch and some of the others. Sadie was curious.

  “What’s up, guys?” she said, putting down her plate of mushroom quiche. Raj looked at her suspiciously.

  “Not sure we should tell you, Nursie,” he said. “You might not approve.”

  “You never know,” she said. “Are you planning more mystery punch?”

  “She won’t want to go along with it,” said Sharon to Raj. “Don’t say anything.”

  “I’m wondering,” said Raj. “She’s always up for fun but sometimes I wonder if she isn’t really one of them.”

  “One of them?” said Sadie. “What are you talking about?”

  “One of the bosses, he means,” said Mitch. “Like Joe and Ingrid.”

  “What?” said Sadie. “There’s no us and them. Leon’s here, isn’t he – he’s senior staff.” Leon shrugged. “What are you planning?”

  Raj looked as if he was about to say something but Sharon stopped him. “No,” she said. “She’ll ruin it.”

  Sadie picked up her plate. “I think I’ll go and eat somewhere else,” she said. “I’m not feeling the love from you guys today.”

  “Ah, Sadie,” Raj called after her as she walked away to join the Venezuelan kids. “You know we love you!”

  “Whatever, Raj,” she called back. “Don’t do anything stupid!” Again, she wanted to add.

  Raj sat down again and Sadie had a good time getting to know the Venezuelans, who were a boisterous bunch of mature, well-mannered kids, even better dressed than the Italians. They were mostly girls, except for a few boys who were younger, and every single one of them had long, beautiful hair. Since their arrival they had discovered the group of Spanish kids, who were mostly boys, in particular two tall seventeen-year-olds called Matteo and Paco. By the time Sadie had finished her quiche she had discovered that all the Venezuelan girls were in love with one or the other.

  “It’s nice that you both speak Spanish,” said Sadie. “I have been trying to listen to the difference.”

  “We understand each other,” said one of the girls, Camila, who along with five out of the six others at the table, was wearing a sweatshirt with “OXFORD” emblazoned on it – souvenirs from their recent day trip. “But they say funny things sometimes.”

  “Like Bar-THE-lona!” said another girl, Valeria. “It sounds so crazy when they don’t make a ‘s’ and they say “th” instead!” The girls giggled at that.

  “It sounds so cute,” said Camila, sighing. “Are we having a party on Friday again, Nursie? I hope so!”

  “I think we are having a roller disco,” said Sadie. “A party on rollerskates, can you believe it?”

  There were squeals of surprise and delight. “Oh no,” said Valeria. She said something in rapid Spanish, making the others gasp and laugh.

  “What did you say?” asked Sadie.

  “Sorry Nursie – I say I hope I do not fall on my back side in front of Matteo! I will be so … what it the word?”

  “Embarrassed?” suggested Sadie.

  “Yes!” squealed the girls.

  “But it might be romantic,” said Sadie. “You can hold hands and skate around together.”

  The girls were almost beside themselves at that. Sadie smiled and stood up to go. “Adios, girls,” she said, as she walked away. Raj and the others were still talking in low tones as she passed them. She heard Sharon say, “Yes! That’s brilliant!” but no more. She wondered what they were up to.

  The next morning Sadie was in the office with Joe and Jonesy. Joe had just been on the phone to the mother of one of the Lebanese kids to assure her that her son was not being starved at camp – he was just not a big fan of what he was being offered. Sadie felt bad for him having to do things like that – he was not comfortable on the phone and although she knew he didn’t mean it, he came across as abrupt and not particularly sympathetic.

  “I should have let you handle that, Sadie,” said Joe, leaning back in his chair. “Diplomacy is not one of my talents.”

  Jonesy burst out laughing. “Joe!” she spluttered. “That is the biggest understatement I have ever heard in my life. You say it like it is, no more and no less! I know you love politics, but don’t ever be a politician, you would be hopeless. But the mother wanted to speak to the man in charge, no one less would do.” She carried on chuckling to herself as she peered at the computer, working on transport plans for the weekend.

  “I don’t love politics, Jonesy,” said Joe. “I’m interested in how the world can be a better place, and politics isn’t that at all.”

  The phone rang again, and Joe answered it. Sadie looked down at the roster she was working on.

  “Pardon?” said Joe. “Who am I speaking to?”

  Ther
e was a pause as Joe listened.

  “Twenty? Tomorrow? I’m not really seeing how this is a realistic request.”

  Another pause. Sadie and Jonesy looked up.

  “You want me to arrange a bus tomorrow? Really? Which airport?”

  Joe looked at Jonesy and shrugged. “Hold on,” he said into the phone, and then covered the mouthpiece.

  “I think I’m being pranked,” he said.

  “Oh no,” said Sadie, thinking of her conversation with Raj and his friends at lunch. “I think I heard that being planned.”

  “Tell them you’ll call back in a minute,” said Jonesy. “And hang up.”

  “Good idea,” said Joe. He uncovered the mouthpiece.

  “Hi again,” he said. “I’ll call you right back. What did you say your name was? Really?”

  He raised his eyebrows and Sadie wanted to laugh. He put down the phone.

  “John Smith at Head Office,” he said, shaking his head. “More like Mitch on his cellphone with a bad accent.”

  “I’m sorry, Joe,” said Sadie. “I can’t believe they’re being so childish.”

  Someone knocked on the door asking for Nursie, and Sadie had to leave. As she helped one of the Venezuelan boys hop to Room 13 and got him an ice pack for his twisted ankle, she felt distracted, and annoyed. Raj and the guys were being vindictive and spiteful, and Joe had done nothing wrong. Maybe she was one of “them” after all.

  Chapter 23

  The fourth week of Camp Bellevue went more smoothly than the last three, at first. There were no fire alarms or missing children, and as far as Sadie knew Raj and Emma were either behaving themselves or being discreet. No one mentioned Johan or the prank call. Raj and Joe clashed once over Raj’s bad language again – one of the kids repeated some of his more creative expressions to his father and Joe had to field another phone call from an irate parent. Sadie had expected Raj to emerge from seeing Joe in the office fuming again, but to her surprise he seemed defeated and pensive. After that he toned it down a lot, even when Joe or the kids weren’t around.