by Lucy Clark
Natalie shifted again and checked her other patient. ‘Still breathing? Excellent. Keep it up,’ she told him.
‘OK, I’m back,’ Marty said.
‘Did you bring gear?’
‘Did I bring gear?’ he asked rhetorically. ‘I most certainly did. What do you want first?’
‘Cervical collars.’
‘Coming right up.’
With Marty’s help, she managed to stabilise both patients, although it did take a lot of shifting and twisting. Once she got a cramp and had to stretch at an odd angle to get the pain to ease, but soon she was happier with the situation.
‘Pass me the sphygmomanometer,’ she said. ‘I need to check his blood pressure again.’ Natalie waited for Marty to pass it through, then checked the man’s BP again. ‘He’s bleeding internally somewhere, but I can’t see anything.’
‘They’re almost ready to cut them both out.’
‘Good. I am surprised neither has regained consciousness.’
‘Must have been quite a hit.’ Marty surveyed the damage. ‘I’d say he was tailgating the car in front and that’s why the front of the car is so crushed. How on earth did you manage to climb through the rear of the car? It’s almost as badly smashed as the front.’
‘With skill and finesse,’ she said. ‘Although I would have preferred to be wearing jeans rather than a brand-new dress.’
‘Accidents never happen at a convenient time,’ he agreed.
‘What’s the status on the other patients?’
‘Sammy’s long gone to the hospital, so has his mother. The twin girls—’
‘They’re both asthmatics.’
‘They’re about to go off in an ambulance with their parents.’
‘Their father? Lawrence? How is he?’
‘As far as I can tell, just fractured ribs at this stage.’
‘Good.’
‘The paramedics have taken care of him.’
‘Good,’ she said again. ‘And the woman in the front car? How’s she doing?’
‘Not too well.’
‘Has she regained consciousness?’
‘Only a few minutes ago. Beth’s with her but when the woman enquired about her husband and learned the truth…’ Marty paused.
‘She’s giving up.’
‘Beth will watch her carefully.’ He turned and spoke to someone else. ‘OK, Nat. They’re ready to start cutting into the car. We need to get you out.’
‘I don’t know if I can get out. I’m kind of wedged in.’
Marty was silent at this news and for a moment Natalie thought he’d moved away. ‘Marty?’
‘I’m here, honey.’ His voice was strained. ‘I’ll just let the firefighters know.’ Marty closed his eyes for a second, cross with Natalie for putting herself in a potentially dangerous position and cross with himself for being so much in love with her it was affecting his ability to think straight.
Twenty minutes later Marty helped lift Natalie from the car after the roof had been peeled back, allowing the paramedics access to the patients. ‘We’ll take it from here, Dr Fox,’ one of them said.
Marty gathered Natalie into his arms and held her close.
‘Marty, I need to breathe,’ she said, and he realised he was holding her too tightly. He loosened his grip and looked down at her. He wanted to tell her he was sorry about before, to let her know how he felt, but at that moment just holding her and looking at her was enough. He needed to take things slowly or he’d wind up losing her for ever and that was a risk he wasn’t going to take.
He placed a kiss on her forehead before putting her from him. ‘Let’s see how Beth is doing.’ They headed over to where Beth was leaning against a police car, sipping a drink.
‘Sickly tea, anyone?’
‘How’s the elderly woman?’
‘Distraught but alive. They’ve just taken her to hospital.’ Beth sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. ‘Happy Christmas,’ she murmured, then opened her eyes and looked at her friends. ‘Guess we’d better get to the hospital and see how everyone is.’
‘What about the Wing Commander and his family?’
‘They’ve been checked over by the paramedics and, apart from giving a report to the police, all of them are fine.’
‘Good. The Wing Commander was brilliant,’ Natalie remarked.
‘Yes, he was,’ Beth agreed.
‘I never would have got into that car without his help.’
‘So he’s the one who got you in there.’ Marty scowled darkly.
Natalie laughed. ‘You think you’re the only one who can play at being Dr Hero? Think again, buddy, because Beth and I were definitely Dr Heroines tonight.’
Marty conceded that with a smile. ‘Let’s get to the hospital. Are you all right to drive, Beth?’
‘Should be. I just have to figure out how to get my car out of this mess. Traffic is banked up for miles.’
‘Well, you can come with me and get someone to deliver your car to the hospital later, if that makes life any easier,’ Marty volunteered. ‘I at least had the good sense to park to the side of the mess, rather than in the middle of it,’ he teased.
‘Hey, if it wasn’t for Natalie, we might have been part of the mess. She saw the accident first.’
Marty looked down at Natalie and grinned. ‘You have been Dr Heroine this evening, haven’t you.’
‘And that’s more than enough. I’m ready to hang up my costume and become boring Dr Natalie again.’
‘Hardly boring,’ Marty said in his usual teasing tone. He was about to make a wisecrack about not hanging up her superhero costume, especially if it was made of Spandex, but he stopped. Now that they’d kissed and realised how amazing the attraction was between them, she might take his words the wrong way and feel as though he was pressuring her. He looked away and shoved his hand into his trouser pocket, pulling out his keys. ‘Let us away, friends. Duty and honour call all three super-docs back to the hospital.’
‘Super-docs?’ Beth giggled as she drained her drink. ‘I think I prefer Dr Hero and Dr Heroine better.’
They spoke to the police officer in charge who promised to return Beth’s car to her at the hospital. Then they checked on their remaining patients before heading to Marty’s car.
As he drove them to the hospital, Natalie was pleased he hadn’t stayed much longer at the Christmas party, although she was sure he would have had several of his harem begging him to stay. Not only had he been able to provide much-needed help at the accident site but it meant he hadn’t wanted to stay on at the party once she’d left. At least, that’s what she hoped had happened. She wasn’t ready to analyse the reasons why she was glad he’d left as she was far too tired and even a little scared to face those feelings right now.
Once they arrived at the hospital, it was even more hectic. She managed to check on Sammy and found he was being prepped for Theatre. He was still drowsy but she spent a few minutes with him, tenderly brushing his hair from his forehead. ‘You’ll be fine,’ she promised him. ‘I’ll see you later.’
She watched him being wheeled into Theatre before heading to the female changing rooms. She had a very quick shower, dressed in theatre scrubs and hung her dress in her locker. She always kept an extra hairbrush, bands and hairclips in her locker and pinned her hair into her usual bun. She didn’t have a spare set of shoes so kept her high heels on. Now that she felt a little more human, she went to check on the other patients.
Marty had also showered and changed and was taking care of the twin girls, Liesel and Lillian. Lawrence, their father, was in Radiology.
‘You were right,’ Lauren said when she bumped into Natalie in the corridor. ‘Lawrence has a fractured rib but thankfully nothing more.’ Lauren took Natalie’s hands in hers. ‘Thank you so much for helping us.’
‘You’re welcome.’
‘And I’m sorry if I came across a bit abrupt. It’s just that—’
‘You don’t need to explain, Lauren. Your family was hurt
and you needed to look after them. I understand. How are the girls?’
‘Settled, but Dr Marty wants to admit them, at least overnight.’
‘I agree with him.’
Lauren smiled. ‘He’s wonderful with the children.’
Yes, she thought.
‘Does he have children of his own?’
‘No.’
‘Ah, he’s the good-looking single doctor creating havoc among the female staff?’
Natalie’s smile was strained. ‘You could say that. Excuse me.’
‘Of course. You must have a thousand other things to be doing. I just wanted to say thank you.’
‘I appreciate it.’ Natalie headed off towards the ward, pushing all thoughts of Marty and his hypnotic presence over all females from her mind. After doing a quick round and warning the night sister there would be a few more admissions, Natalie paged Beth. She wasn’t surprised when the reply came that her friend was in Theatre.
For the next few hours Natalie kept busy, anxiously waiting to hear the results of Sammy’s operation. Finally, Theatre paged her and gave her the news that he was in Recovery.
‘He’s doing very well,’ the recovery sister informed her.
‘I think he’s a fighter,’ Natalie agreed.
‘I heard you resuscitated him at the scene.’
‘Yes.’
‘No wonder you’re attached to him. Go and sit with him for a while.’
Natalie was pleased to do so and looked down at her small charge with fondness. ‘I’m expecting great things from you, Sammy,’ she said softly as she held his hand. ‘You haven’t come through this for nothing.’
Later, she went to the tearoom and finally sipped a relaxing cup of tea, kicking off her shoes and putting her feet up. She put the cup on the table before tipping her head back and closing her eyes, unable to believe just how exhausted she felt. It was a little ridiculous to feel so washed out, especially when she was used to working such long hours.
It wasn’t just the hours, she realised, and groaned. Oh, no, she could cope with the long hours all right. It was the fact that she’d kissed Marty that was making her so uneasy.
She finally allowed the thoughts she’d been holding at bay since the accident to come to the fore. What had she been thinking? How could she have kissed him? He was her friend and now everything had changed. She was now just another notch on his belt, another name in his little black book. ‘Oh, that’s right,’ she mumbled as her head flopped forward and she started massaging the base of her neck. ‘He doesn’t need a book. He can remember all the three billion names in his head.’
It was ridiculous. They’d been friends for a long time and back in their high school days she’d never been jealous of any of the girls he’d dated. Probably because, despite whom he’d dated, he’d always hung out with her. His girlfriends had been the ones who’d been jealous of her, and she’d never been able to figure that out.
So why was she jealous now? Her eyelids snapped open. She was jealous? Oh, gosh. She was jealous of all the other women Marty had dated and probably would continue to date. She closed her eyes again and shook her head. This attraction towards him was getting more out of control every day.
‘Neck sore?’
The man of the moment walked into the room and before she could move or say a word he’d crossed to her side and placed his hands on her shoulders. ‘I know how you feel. What a day this has been.’
She hated that he could read her mind but she allowed herself to let go and wallow in his touch. Just this once. The warmth of his hands was having a mesmerising effect on her and she allowed the tingles that always flowed through her at his simple touch to spread and invigorate her exhausted body.
‘Man, you’re knotted tight.’
‘Mmm.’
‘Good?’
‘Mmm,’ she murmured again. ‘How are the children?’
‘Liesel and Lillian are settled in the ward and Sammy’s just been taken to ICU.’
‘Sammy’s mother?’
‘She’s been handed over to the spinal surgeon. It doesn’t look good.’
Natalie groaned. ‘That poor woman. Have they managed to contact Sammy’s father? Anyone?’
‘Not yet.’
‘What about the two teenagers who were cut from the car? Give me some good news.’
‘Beth’s in Theatre with the girl—multiple fractures to her legs—and the boy’s been taken to Theatre by the general surgical registrar.’
‘And the elderly wife?’
His hands stilled for a moment and Natalie felt a prickle of apprehension wash over her. ‘She died ten minutes ago.’
Natalie sighed. ‘She couldn’t live without him.’
‘It appears that way.’ They were both silent for a moment.
‘Maybe love does conquer all,’ she whispered. Immediately, she sensed a change in the atmosphere around them, as though Marty was trying to find the right words to say. Why did she know him so well? Where the familiarity between the two of them was an asset in some ways, it was definitely a drawback when it came to being able to read him like a book.
‘Nat, about the kiss—’
‘Stop!’ She shifted out of his grasp and stood, swaying a little at the sudden movement. She put her hand on the chair closest to her. ‘Not now, Marty. I’ve had enough for the time being. If we’re not needed here, please, just take me home so I can sleep.’
They both stood still, watching each other for a minute before Marty nodded. ‘Sure. Get your bag and we’ll go.’
She groaned. ‘It’s in Beth’s car.’
‘OK. So we need to check where Beth’s car is and where her keys are.’
‘Good question. Have the police brought her car back yet?’
Marty crossed to the wall phone and picked up the receiver. He spoke to the orderlies and discovered Beth’s car had been returned to the hospital car park not that long ago and they were in possession of her keys.
‘Excellent.’
‘Come on, Dr Fox. The sooner we can get those keys, the sooner we can get your bag and the sooner we can get you home so you can go to sleep.’ He held out his hand and Natalie eyed it warily.
‘I won’t try anything. I promise. Just let me help you, Nat.’ He looked so sweet, so adorable and so wholesome. Marty? Wholesome? Yet that was how he looked and it made her feel very safe and very special.
She held out one hand and collected her shoes with the other. ‘OK, but I need to stop by my locker and pick up my dress.’ He nodded and led the way to the female changing rooms.
‘I’ll just let you do this bit by yourself.’
‘Not coming in?’
‘Uh…no. I’m good.’
‘I’m sure you are. I’m also sure that if there are any other women in here, you’ve probably already dated them so there won’t be any uneasiness.’ The instant the words were out of her mouth, she wished she’d kept quiet. Apart from a slight jaw clench, he showed no sign of being annoyed with her words, probably because he could see she was more annoyed with herself for saying them. They seemed to be well attuned to each other tonight. Unsure of what to do, she turned and headed into the changing rooms, punching in the number for her locker and retrieving her dress. She’d only been gone a few minutes but when she came out there was Marty, laughing and chatting with one of the A and E nurses.
Natalie tried her best not to glare at him but knew she was failing, the green-eyed monster rising to the fore.
‘Sounds good. I’ll see you then,’ the nurse said, then turned and saw her. ‘Oh, hi, Natalie. Good work tonight.’
‘Thanks,’ Natalie replied through clenched teeth.
‘Ready? Right. Off to see the orderlies.’ Again he took her hand as they walked through the hospital. Jim, the orderly, was on duty.
‘How are those little kiddies?’ he asked, concerned.
‘Doing well, Jim,’ Marty answered. ‘All of them doing well.’
‘That’s good news, Doc. Taki
ng young Natalie home, then? Right you are.’
‘Actually, we need to get into Beth’s car and retrieve Nat’s bag first.’
‘A break-in?’ Jim’s eyebrows hit his hairline.
Marty grinned. ‘Only if you can’t find Beth’s car keys.’
‘They’re right here. I’ll come with you so you don’t have to bring them back.’
‘Thanks, Jim. I’m exhausted, and Natalie would no doubt appreciate it.’
‘Glad to be of service.’ Jim told his colleague he’d be back soon and headed outside with them. ‘Aren’t they beautiful?’ he said, pointing up at the stars in the clear night sky. ‘They match the twinkle lights around the hospital buildings perfectly.’
‘Or do the twinkling buildings match them?’ Marty asked, his hand at Natalie’s elbow as the warm night air enfolded them.
‘I love Christmas,’ Jim muttered. ‘How about you, Doctor?’
‘It’s one of my favourite times of the year. Everyone’s happier, nicer to each other. Complete strangers smile and wish you a merry Christmas and although the shops are packed with present-buying people, there’s a feeling of hope in the air.’
‘That there is and we need plenty of hope after that accident tonight.’
‘Too true,’ Marty agreed. ‘Everyone needs hope.’ Natalie glanced up at him and felt rather than saw the hope deep inside him…the hope that they’d sort everything out.
She stood on a small stone and winced in pain. ‘Careful.’ Marty’s arm came around her waist, drawing her closer to him. ‘You all right, my barefooted Nat?’
‘I’m fine.’
‘You’re already half-asleep, honey.’
‘Better get her home right quick, Doc.’
‘Will do, Jim. Which one’s Beth’s car? Yellow isn’t it? I’ve seen one in your driveway a few times.’