A Mortal Sin by Margaret Tanner

pressed along the full length of his body, with her breasts crushed against the hard wall of his chest. She had gone out with a few young men from home, but had never been confronted with a man’s passion in such intimate circumstances before.
    Paul started to harden with arousal, she must have felt it, yet was so innocent, especially for a nurse, that he wondered whether she understood what was happening to him. How easily things could escalate out of control. With a growl of deprivation he rolled away, while he still had the strength to do so.
    “I’m sorry, Daphne, I took advantage of you.”
    Her eyes, almost green and very wide, were now shadowed. “I should have stopped you,” she whispered.
    She turned her head away, but not before he noticed that the lips he had recently tasted now trembled with emotion.
    “I saw a kiosk near the pier, would you like to go back there for some tea?” He was annoyed with himself for treating her with such little respect.
    “Yes please.” A smooth, dainty hand slipping trustingly into his, made him feel an absolute cad.
    They both ordered Devonshire tea. The scones were light and fluffy, the cream and jam spread lavishly. “Delicious. Not quite as good as Mum makes, though.”
    He laughed at her enthusiasm.
    “Dad says she’s the best cook in Australia.”
    He wondered what his own father would make of this woman/child, and, for that matter, what she would make of him. A working-class Australian. No, Sir Phillip would not be impressed.
    They left the kiosk as soon as they finished their tea. Once they got outside Paul put his arms around her and they stood facing each other. “Where would you like me to take you this evening?”
    “I can’t be late.” Her warm breath brushed his face. He lowered his head, and their faces were so close they bumped noses. “I have to work in the morning.”
    “Couldn’t you miss it for once?”
    “No, I have to earn a living.”
    “If it’s the money, I’ll make up whatever you lose in your pay.”
    “I couldn’t let you do that.” Her voice sounded normal, yet when he gazed into her eyes, he felt like cutting his tongue out. She looked shattered, as if she was crying, but there were no tears.
    “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it to sound so crass. I’ll pick you up after work, we could dine out somewhere.”
    She didn’t answer. Turning her head away she stared out to sea, and Paul cursed the differences in their background and outlook.
     
    * * *
     
    The QueenVictoriaHospital was staffed and run by women. The patients were all female, and Daphne had often wondered what it would be like to attend the needs of a male. Had she been more familiar with the traits and temperament of worldly men maybe she could have behaved in a more sophisticated manner with Paul, instead of taking every word he uttered to heart.
    Did the fact that he was a rich young Englishman made her wary and suspicious of him? I’m afraid of him. This insight pared her heart wide open, leaving it vulnerable and exposed. She had fallen in love with him, ridiculous and futile though it was.
    She would be nothing more than a frivolous diversion for him, something different from his usual pursuits. A curiosity, a little colonial nurse he could tell his flash friends about when he returned home. Boast about how ‘easy’ she was. How she fell into his hand like a ripe plum. That should raise a few laughs over their champagne and caviar.
    Thinking about how far she had let his lovemaking progress before calling a halt made her cringe.
    You’re a fool Daphne Clarke. You want to be a nurse don’t you? You’ve slaved for months, studied for years. Surely, you’re not going to jeopardize your chances by falling in love with a rich, spoilt young man, who thinks working-class girls are fair game for a causal dalliance.
    She felt tired and drained by knock off time. Had the Tutor Sister been over critical today? It was hard concentrating on splints and bandages with a