"Ma'am,please don't exert yourself. Stay still–let me help you change" Joan said gently as she assisted Ms.Ruth .
Miss Ruth had been admitted the day before after suffering a heart attack.
Fortunately, she had been close to the hospital at that time. As expected, it had taken a toll on her body, though hopefully only temporarily .
What Joan had noticed, however, was Miss Ruth's attitude,she rarely asks for help, even though she clearly needs it. Her silence made it hard to monitor her condition properly .
Still …at least she wasn't hysterical , and her condition hadn't worsened .
After helping her change, Joan moved on to other patients before returning with breakfast trays. She placed one in front of Miss Ruth .
"Would you like help?" Joan asked.
Seeing that the woman managed on her own, Joan gave a small nod and went to assist the others.
"Cough…cough… Ms.Joan ,may I have a glass of water?" Ms Ryan requested weakly
"of course, drink slowly," Joan said, supporting her back gently as she drank .
"Joan "Edith called, clearing the trays.
Dr William will begin his rounds any minute , are you prepared?" Edith asked while clearing trays , and taking notes of the stock.
Not that she needs to , it's all for training.
"Yes , I also prepared notes, in case Dr William asked for further tests " Joan replied as she washed her hands .
"Not bad "Edith said with a faint smile.
" I have to say your ability to adapt is impressive "
"Thanks to you," Joan answered modestly.Though inwardly,she felt happy with a further step to a stability.
During the rounds, Dr William flibes through his notes.
"Did Mrs black eat today? And how
was her condition after that?"
"She eat a little then stopped
after experiencing a mild stomach pain "
Edith replied.
"And her medication? Any improvement?"
"Her pain does get better after taking her medication, but she sometimes becomes constipated afterwards " Said Edith , glancing at her notebook.
"Did you notice any pattern?"He asked "maybe she needs an easier food to digest"
"Not particularly," Edith admitted.
"She experienced constipation two hours after her meals yesterday before her lunch" Joan unusually interrupted .
"and the day before,it was after dinner"
Dr Williams glanced at Joan , then asked
"Did you observe anything else? Her meals perhaps?"
"We served different dishes "Joan replied, scanning her notes.
"I believe the issue may lie in how the food is prepared—possibly the oil or seasoning."
"Let me see" He extended his hand and Joan handed over her notebook Reaching out his hand .As he flipped the pages his expression shifted with quite surprise.
"You keep detailed notes… more than most trainees."
After reviewing Mrs black meals Dr William instructed that she be given a modified diet for the next few days.
The dining room felt warmer than usual that evening.
A faint hum of voices filled the space, softer than the bustle of the wards, yet livelier than any ordinary night. A few simple decorations had been placed along the walls—nothing elaborate, just enough to mark the passing of the year.
Joan paused at the entrance for a moment before stepping in.
"Over here!" Lily called, waving her over with a grin.
"As expected , roasted meat tonight, " Lily said with a grin.
"The end of the year always brings better portions." Helen said, glancing at the tray with a smile.
Lily leaned forward slightly.
"I heard from the kitchen—they prepared more than usual tonight. Some even said there might have been steak… but I doubt we're that lucky."
Joan smiled faintly, picking up her utensils.
"It's more than enough."Joan smiled happily.
For a while, they ate in a comfortable quiet, the kind that came after long hours of standing and walking. The warmth of the food settled into their tired bodies, easing the sharp edges of the day.
Around them, small conversations rose and fell—laughter here, a sigh there, the clink of cutlery against plates.
After the shift, Joan walked towards the dormitory,she spotted Edith along the way and gave her a brief hug .
"Happy New Year" she said softly.
Laughter reached her ear the moment she stepped inside .
The dormitory was alive with movement— nurses changing out of their uniforms , slipping into their best dresses . Joan is the same, putting on her favourite green dress and a pair of heels .She applied light makeup ,then carefully fixed a few curls in her hair.
As she listened to someone singing in the corridor, she let out quite a sigh .
"Oh, I really miss having a proper mirror, " she murmured .
With a small box of pastries in her hand ,she headed to Lily's room.
Some girls gathered along the stairs, others in the rooms above with drinks in hand, celebrating in their own way.
As Joan approached, a few of them turned—and paused.
Her long-sleeved green dress fell elegantly, its simple cut enhancing her natural features.
"Oh my— Joan, you look beautiful"
Lily said , stepping closer .
"Where did you have this made?"
"I didn't . I brought it with me from home in Scotland " Joan replied, smiling "And judging from yours ….I would say , it wasn't cheap either"
Lily laughed, twirling slightly.
"I saved for a half year to make this"
Joan's gaze shifted warmly between them.
"Blue suits Helen perfectly,and you look dashing in pink " Joan smiled
The evening went pleasantly with laughter, and some daring games of singing and dancing.Then somewhere in the distance, a clock began to chime.
One.
Two.
Three.
A few heads turned instinctively, and someone near the far table murmured, "Almost midnight."
Lily straightened in her seat, a small spark in her eyes.
"Then at least we should say it properly."
She raised her cup slightly.
Helen and Joan followed.
"To the new year," Lily said.
"To the new year," Helen echoed.
Joan looked at them both, then quietly added,
"…to our new year and to Lily's new chapter"
A soft laugh escaped Lily.
"I'll drink to that."
Outside, the world might have been louder, brighter, full of celebration.
But here, within these walls—
the night passed gently,
carrying with it tired smiles, quiet hopes,
and the weight of a year ending… just as another began.