by Anne Fraser
Mac raced to the fallen woman, leaving Abby to follow in his wake.
He crouched down beside her, feeling for a pulse. Then he used the small torch they all carried in the top pockets of their jumpsuits to shine a light in her eyes. Abby’s heart sank when she saw that only one pupil reacted to the light.
‘How long since it happened? ‘ Mac asked the man who had stayed with her.
‘I don’t know, but not long before I found her. She cantered past me a few minutes earlier. I lost sight of her but then I saw her horse galloping away without a rider, so I knew something had happened. I telephoned for help immediately.’ He looked at his watch. ‘About twenty-five minutes ago. So I would estimate it’s been approximately half an hour since she fell.’
‘Has she been conscious at all? Have you moved her, Mr …?’
‘Fox. No, I know you’re not supposed to. I had some medical training when I was in the army. I just checked that she was breathing.’
Abby slipped a neck brace out of her bag. Although the head injury was their primary concern, they had to assume until they knew otherwise that the victim had a spinal injury, too.
Mac nodded and working together they slipped the brace round the fallen woman’s neck and an oxygen mask over her face.
Then they strapped the rider’s legs together to make the transfer to the helicopter. With Mr Fox helping, they slipped the two halves of the stretcher underneath her.
Mac was winched into the helicopter with the stretcher and a short time later the line was dropped again. Her heart thudding, Abby attached herself and gave the thumbs-up signal to be lifted. She could hardly ask Mac to leave their patient and come back for her. But to her relief the upward lift was okay. Having done it on the way down with Mac had helped. Abby knew that from now on she would never again worry about that part of the rescue, and she had Mac’s thoughtfulness to thank for that.
Back in the helicopter, Mac had already attached their patient to the onboard monitoring system and was gently feeling her abdomen. As he did so, Abby noted some swelling just below the woman’s ribs. She glanced up at Mac, who was shaking his head and looking worried.
‘Damage to the spleen? ‘ she asked.
He nodded. ‘The sooner we get her to hospital the better. If she has ruptured her spleen she’ll need surgery as soon as possible. I’ll radio ahead and let them know so they can have the surgeons and a theatre standing by.’
The next ten minutes were tense as Abby continued to monitor the woman’s vital signs and neuro observations. Her pulse was rapid, making the possibility of a ruptured spleen more likely. Mac helped Abby put up a drip. Giving the injured woman fluids would help keep her stabilised in the short term.
Abby sighed with relief when the helicopter landed gently on the landing pad at the hospital. As before, they were met by the A & E team. There was no time for introductions as they wheeled the woman straight into Resus and Abby stepped back, allowing the A & E team to take over. As they carried out their own assessment, Mac relayed what he and Abby had done so far.
‘I think you’re right about the ruptured spleen, Mac,’ the dark-haired emergency consultant who had loaned them his car told them. ‘Could I have a portable ultrasound over here, please?’ While the A & E consultant prepared to scan the victim’s abdomen, Mac was checking her reflexes. ‘Right pupil still blown,’ he said. ‘I suspect a subdural haematoma, Josh. We should get the neurosurgeons down here to have a look.’
‘I’m here.’
Abby whirled around to see a Latin-looking man enter the room. He crossed over to the trolley and Mac stepped aside to allow him to examine the rider. By this time the resus room was crowded. Apart from Dr Corezzi, the neurosurgeon, and Josh, there were several other people in the room, all occupied with the patient.
Mac passed an endotracheal tube down the woman’s throat.
‘Okay, let’s get her to Theatre. The spleen is ruptured so she’s going to need that fixed, too,’ Josh said quietly. Despite his calm voice, Abby knew they were worried. A few moments later the woman was being wheeled out of the room to Theatre.
The emergency over, Josh and Mac peeled off their gloves.
‘That was close,’ Josh said. ‘It was a good thing you were there, Mac. It makes a difference knowing in advance what we might be dealing with. This is exactly the type of case where having a doctor attached to the ambulance service makes a difference.’
‘You’re right. But whether a few successful cases will persuade the powers that be that having a full-time doctor attached to the service makes financial sense is a different story. She still might not make it,’ Mac replied. ‘But at least she has a chance.’
Mac glanced over at Abby, seeming surprised to see her still standing there. ‘I couldn’t have done it without Abby. Abby, this is Dr Josh O’Hara, one of the A & E consultants here. Josh, this is Abby, our new paramedic, who has joined us from the London service.’
Josh grinned. ‘We’re lucky to have you.’
Abby took in his dark hair and ready smile. He was very good-looking, but for some reason he did nothing to her pulse. Unlike Mac. Unfortunately.
‘Have you had a chance to look around St Piran’s, Abby? ‘ Josh asked.
Abby smiled. ‘Not yet. There hasn’t really been time. But I’d really like to go to the special care nursery. I have a patient there I’d like to see.’
‘I have to pop into ITU,’ Mac said. ‘Josh, if you’re not busy, perhaps you could take Abby up to Special Care? I’ll meet you there in five.’
‘Sure. No probs. I’ll just let the nursing staff know where I am. I can introduce you to whoever is on duty at the same time, Abby.’
There were too many faces for Abby to take in, but everyone welcomed her warmly. She couldn’t help but notice that Josh caused quite a stir in the department. There were several wistful looks in his direction of which he seemed oblivious. After they left the department, Josh took Abby upstairs to the SCBU. A nurse met them as they entered.
Josh introduced Abby. ‘Abby was the paramedic who helped Mrs Hargreaves when she went into labour. She wanted to say hello and see how the baby’s getting on.’
‘Mum is with the baby now and they are both doing fine. It would have been a different story if you and Dr MacNeil hadn’t got them here so quickly.’ She peered over Abby’s shoulder, as if expecting to find Mac standing behind her. She looked disappointed to find he wasn’t. The nurse pointed to a cot near the middle of the room. ‘They’re over there if you want to go over.’
‘Is Dr Phillips on duty? ‘ Josh asked.
‘Megan? Yes. Isn’t she always? She’s in the staffroom, catching up on paperwork.’
Josh looked at Abby. ‘That’s where I’ll be if you need me. Mac should be along shortly.’
Abby found Jenny sitting by the cot, gazing down at her baby. As soon as she noticed Abby, her face broke into an enormous smile.
‘How’s he doing?’ Abby whispered, peering into the cot. A tiny infant lay in it, his nappy almost taking up half of his small body. There were a few lines snaking from his tiny hands and feet, but he was breathing on his own. That was a good sign.
‘He’s doing okay. They think I’ll be able to take him home in a week or two. And it’s all thanks to you and Dr MacNeil. The staff say that if I’d been any later getting to hospital I might have lost him—or died, too. I don’t know how to thank you enough.’ Her voice cracked slightly. She had been through a very stressful experience and was bound to still be worried.
‘You don’t have to thank us. It’s our job. I’m just thrilled that it all worked out okay.’ Abby held out her arms and Jenny passed her sleeping child to her. Abby breathed in the particular blissful scent of baby.
Jenny was looking at something over Abby’s shoulder. Abby turned round to find Mac standing there, looking at them. Jenny smiled and waved him over.
Mac approached them slowly, looking as if he’d rather be anywhere else than there.
‘Dr
MacNeil, I’m so glad I caught you. I wanted to thank you personally for saving my baby. And for taking care of Tim. I know he had his brave face on, but he was truly terrified until you came along.’
Mac shuffled his feet, looking uncomfortable. ‘As I’m sure Abby told you, it was nothing. All in a day’s work. How is Tim anyway?’
‘He’s at school today. His dad will bring him up later. He’s totally besotted with his little brother. He kind of feels that he almost helped deliver him. He was a bit embarrassed when he first heard I was pregnant—you know how young boys can be about that sort of stuff—but now he couldn’t be prouder.’
Just then Josh approached them, accompanied by a woman with russet hair and fine, delicate features.
‘Abby, this is Dr Megan Phillips—one of the paediatric registrars,’ Josh introduced her.
‘Hi, Abby. I’ve heard all about you from Mrs Hargreaves here. I understand that it’s thanks to you our latest miracle baby is doing well,’ Megan said.
‘Would you like to hold him, Dr Phillips?’ Jenny asked. ‘And seeing as you’re all here, I might take the opportunity to pop to the bathroom.’
But Abby was surprised when Megan blanched. Instead, Josh stepped forward and took the tiny infant in his arms, cradling him with practised ease.
‘Hey, Josh,’ Mac teased. ‘Looks like you’re a natural after all. Are you practising for when you and Rebecca have kids? The nurses in A & E tell me that’s all she talks about when she visits the department. You’d better make the most of the next few months. One of these days you’ll be up to your ears in nappies.’
‘Not me, I’m afraid,’ Josh said lightly.
Abby saw Josh and Megan exchange a look. It was brief, the merest glance, but the paediatric registrar’s face went even whiter. If she hadn’t known Josh was married to Rebecca, Abby would have sworn there was something between the two doctors. But perhaps her own situation was making her hypersensitive. That was all.
As soon as Jenny returned Megan made her excuses. ‘I’ll be back to check on this little one in a while,’ she told the happy mother. ‘But if you’ll excuse me, right now I have other patients to look in on.’ She smiled, but Abby could see it didn’t quite reach her eyes. After a brief nod at the two men, she left the ward.
‘I should be getting back to A & E,’ Josh said, handing the baby back to his mother. ‘So if you’ll excuse me, too? Abby, it was good to meet you. I’m sure we’ll meet again soon.’
‘We should go, too, Abby,’ Mac said.
‘No problem. If someone could just point me in the direction of the bathroom first? It was lovely to see you again, Jenny. And your baby. We don’t always get the chance to catch up with our patients, so when we do, it’s a real pleasure.’
‘Thank you both, again.’ She gazed down at her sleeping child, who was just beginning to stir. ‘Looks like he’s ready for a feed.’
‘The bathroom’s just outside the swing doors, Abby,’ Mac said. ‘I’ll meet you downstairs.’
Abby found the bathroom. To her surprise Megan was leaning against the basin, her face streaked with tears. Concerned, Abby moved towards her and touched her on the arm.
‘Megan? What’s wrong? ‘
Megan managed a wan smile and leaned over the sink to splash her face with water. ‘Don’t mind me. I’m just having one of those days.’
‘Are you sure there’s nothing I can do?’
Megan reached for a paper towel to pat her face dry. ‘No, really. But I’d appreciate it if you kept this to yourself. It doesn’t seem too professional for the doctor to be found crying in the bathroom.’
‘We all have our moments,’ Abby said, ‘when stuff gets on top of us.’ She paused. ‘Look, I’m new here and I haven’t really met many people yet, and I’m always up for a bit of adult female company. Why don’t you come over for supper one night? ‘
Megan smiled. She really is beautiful, Abby thought. But her eyes are so sad. Something was bothering her and it was more than just an off day, Abby would have staked her life on it.
‘I would like that,’ Megan said.
Abby wrote down her address and mobile number and passed it to Megan.
‘Phone me? ‘
‘Sure,’ Megan said, pocketing the number. But somehow Abby didn’t think she would.
CHAPTER NINE
ABBY woke early on Saturday morning to find that Emma was up before her. That in itself was unusual. She normally had to call Em at least twice before she could get her out of bed. Even more unusual was the smell of toast drifting from the kitchen. Moments later Emma appeared by her bed, carrying a tray with tea and buttered toast.
‘Hey, what’s this? ‘ Abby said, sitting up and taking the tray.
‘I woke up really early. I couldn’t stay in bed so I thought I’d make you breakfast for a change.’
Emma’s eyes were bright with excitement and it worried Abby. Perhaps she shouldn’t have told her about Mac? Maybe she should have waited to see how the relationship developed? What if after today Mac backed away from having anything to do with his daughter? Abby knew the rejection would break Emma’s heart. But what was the alternative? Lying to Emma? One way or another her daughter would have found out about Mac. Maybe not straight away, but eventually. And then how would she have felt about Abby keeping the truth from her? That would have been worse. One of the things Abby had always promised Em was that she would never lie to her.
Emma was dressed, with her long blonde hair, so like Sara’s, tied back in a ponytail. She crept into bed beside Abby. ‘When do you think he’ll be here?’ she asked.
Abby glanced at her watch and groaned. It was only six-thirty.
‘Not for a little while. I think he said eight.’
‘What if he doesn’t come?’ Emma asked anxiously.
‘He’ll come,’ Abby promised. Or he’ll have me to answer to, she thought grimly. But somehow she knew that once Mac had made a decision he would stick to it.
‘Are you coming, too?’ Emma asked.
‘Do you want me to?’
‘I think so,’ Emma said.
‘Then I will.’ Abby tossed the bedclothes aside and jumped out of bed. ‘But there is no way I’m going to try windsurfing. The sea’s far too cold for me.’
Emma grinned up at her. ‘Don’t be such a wuss. We’ll be wearing wetsuits. Come on, Mum. You have to give it a go. It’ll be fun.’
‘We’ll see,’ Abby said evasively. ‘Right now, I need a shower.’
Bang on eight o’clock there was a knock on the door. Abby opened it to find Mac standing there, looking almost as nervous as Emma. He had a bunch of flowers in his hand. ‘I brought these for Emma,’ he said. ‘To be honest, I didn’t know what the form was for meeting one’s daughter officially for the first time.’
Abby smiled. ‘She’ll be delighted. I don’t think anyone’s given her flowers before.’ She took the bouquet from him. ‘Emma!’ she called out. ‘Mac’s here.’ As she stood aside to let Mac into the small hall she added, ‘I think Mac is best at this stage, don’t you?’
Mac nodded, craning his neck to look behind her.
‘Hi, Mac,’ Emma said from behind her.
‘Mac brought these flowers for you. I’ll put them in water before we go, shall I?’
Emma’s smile lit up her face. ‘Flowers. Wicked. Thank you, Mac.’
Mac bowed slightly in acknowledgement. ‘It is my pleasure. Have you got your costume and something warm to put on after your lesson? We’ll be warm enough while we’re moving, but when we get out of the water, you might get cold.’
Emma nodded. ‘Mum’s already been through all that. She’s coming, too. She said she might even try it herself.’
Mac raised an eyebrow. ‘Good for her.’ He paused. ‘Did you know I taught Sara how to windsurf?’
Emma nodded again. ‘Mum told me. She said that’s how you and my real mum met. Was she good at it?’
Abby’s heart cracked a little. Emma was so desperate
for any titbits about Sara. Abby had told her as much as she could about her, leaving out the bits about Sara’s wild side, concentrating on the warm, fun-loving side of Sara. The only reason Sara had taken windsurfing lessons had been to get to know Mac. As far as Abby knew, once Sara and Mac had become an item, Sara had given up windsurfing, preferring to sit on the beach and watch.
‘She wasn’t bad.’ Mac grinned. ‘But she didn’t take the lessons for very long.’ Abby was grateful to Mac for his tactful answer. ‘I have a feeling you’re going to take to it.’
Ten minutes later they were on the almost deserted beach, and only the real die-hard surfers were out on the waves. While Emma was getting changed, Mac popped into one of the surfing shops that hired out equipment and returned with a couple of wetsuits. ‘I brought one for you,’ he told Abby, ‘in case you do give it a shot. ‘I’m just going to get a beginner’s board for Emma then we’ll be set.’
Abby was getting the distinct impression she wasn’t going to be allowed off the hook.
By the time Emma appeared, wrapped in her towel and shivering in the cool morning air, Mac had organised a board for her. He handed her a wetsuit and helped her into it.
‘Okay, this first bit we do on land. Abby can join in without getting changed. All she needs to do is slip off her shoes.’
Just as she’d suspected, Abby thought ruefully. There was no getting out of it. She undid the laces of her trainers and removed her socks. The sand squirmed pleasantly between her toes.
‘Okay, Emma. Pop onto the board. I’ll show you how you lift the sail and how to balance yourself. Then we’ll have a go on the water.’
Emma got the hang of the basics pretty quickly. ‘It will be more difficult in the sea,’ Mac warned, ‘but so far I’m impressed. Now, Abby, how about you having a go?’