Betty Neels sent her heroines and their RDD/RBD (rich Dutch or British doctors) all over Europe; to the Netherlands, naturally, Spain, Portugal, the Canary Islands, Norway, passing through France, Bosnia, Scotland, Austria, Switzerland. Of course the RDD/RBD also go to Belgium and even America, but without their sweeties. Never Say Goodbye is the only one with a trip to Poland via Stockholm. It is set in 1983 when Poland was pushing for independence from the USSR, the year Lech Walesa won the Nobel Peace Prize, so it has a bit more tension and risk than most Betty trips.
Dr. Thomas Winter has finally secured permission to bring his old nanny, a dissident’s widow, back to England. He needs a nurse – now – to come along because Nanny is nearly crippled with arthritis. In walks Isobel Barrington, private nurse. Thomas doesn’t think Isobel is suitable but she’s the only one available so he makes do.
Things are tense in Poland and Thomas distracts Nanny and Isobel with an organ concert and last sightseeing. Everyone breathes easier once on the boat headed back to Stockholm. Isobel stays with Nanny for a week or so, then heads off to new private clients. Thomas rounds her back to nurse Nanny after pneumonia, even taking them (and Isobel’s family) to his seaside cottage.
This is a Betty Neels book meaning it we don’t get a lot of insight into the RBD. Thomas clearly likes Isobel by the time they return to Stockholm, but it’s not clear when he falls in love with her. Isobel is the primary character and we see her feelings for Thomas and her distress and fear when her mom has a stroke. The family is just barely making it with her generous private pay; if she cannot work they will have serious problems. Thomas insists on bringing her mother to his private rehab place, and further insists on taking Isobel’s cat and dog to his home.
Ella Stokes, an expensive blonde vision whom Thomas only slightly likes, is the other woman. Ella spikes her own guns by following Dr. Winter on holiday and “clinging like a limpet”. I think having Ella around helped Thomas find emotional clarity and realize he loves Isobel.
Never Say Goodbye is one of Betty Neels’ most enjoyable books; I think the Polish situation adds piquancy and the love affair is low key, builds slowly and feels real. Some of Neels’ RDD/RBBs are over-the-top but Dr. Thomas Winter is definitely rich yet all too human. He’s lonely without realizing how lonely he is and he wants, he wants, but he isn’t sure what he wants. Eventually he realizes it is Isobel, a family and love. Proposal and kisses ensue.
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