Gemma had to climb quite a long way up the hill before she managed to get a signal on her phone. She dialled 999 and asked for the ambulance service then quickly explained what had happened. It was a relief when the operator assured her that an ambulance would be despatched immediately.
Leaving her phone switched on, she started to make her way back down to the road. The snow was falling so heavily now that she could see only a few inches in front of her, but so long as she kept going downhill, she reasoned, she should reach the road. The ground was extremely slippery, but she managed to remain upright until she reached a particularly steep part and her feet shot out from under her. She slithered down the hill on her back, stopping with a thud when she cannoned into an outcrop of rock.
It took her a moment to catch her breath and then she checked to see if she was injured. Apart from her left thigh, which was throbbing from coming into contact with the rocks, she seemed to be fine, thankfully enough. Scrambling to her feet, she tried to get her bearings, but she couldn’t tell how close she was to the road. She couldn’t even follow the slope of the land, either, because she’d landed in a hollow. She’d also dropped her phone, so even if by some lucky chance she could have got a signal, that was out of the question now. To all intents and purposes she was lost, and the best thing she could do was to take shelter and wait to be rescued.
Gemma damped down the panic that was welling up inside her as she huddled against the rocks. There was no need to be scared. Ross knew where she’d gone and when she didn’t turn up at the surgery, he would alert the mountain rescue team…assuming he noticed she was missing, of course.
Her heart sank. After all, there was no reason why he should keep tabs on her. He may have kissed her but that didn’t make him responsible for her. The fact that he hadn’t mentioned what had happened on Sunday proved that he was keen to put it behind him, too. It had been a one-off, never-to-be-repeated experience, and it definitely wasn’t a sign that he cared about her, if that was what she was hoping. Tears suddenly filled her eyes. She could be stuck out here for ages and nobody would miss her.
By nine o’clock, Ross was growing increasingly anxious. There was still no sign of Gemma, neither had there been a message from her to say why she had been delayed. He waited until his nine o’clock appointment left then phoned the nurses’ room and spoke to Pam Whiteside, the other practice nurse.
‘Any news from Gemma yet?’
‘Nothing at all. It’s just not like her not to let us know what’s going on,’ Pam added, sounding equally concerned.
‘She was due to call at Naylor’s Farm to take some bloods first thing this morning. Can you phone Jim Naylor and ask him if she’s been there?’
Ross hung up after Pam agreed to make the call. He had a full list and couldn’t afford to fall behind. He saw another patient then Pam phoned him back and confirmed that Gemma had been to the farm and had left there shortly after seven-thirty.
‘I tried her mobile,’ Pam told him. ‘But it went straight through to voice mail. There’s a number of places around here where you can’t get a signal, but she should have been within range by now.’
‘She certainly should. Thanks, Pam. I’ll get back to you as soon as I hear something.’
Ross hung up and checked his watch. It was two hours since Gemma had left the farm. Although driving would be difficult in this weather, it shouldn’t have taken her all this time to get back. He was more convinced than ever that something must have happened to her and, that being the case, the authorities needed to be informed.
The phone rang again and he snatched it up. It was Carol this time to tell him that the police had called to say that Gemma’s car had been found by the side of the road, close to where an accident had happened. There was no sign of Gemma, although, according to Ambulance Control, it had been Gemma who had summoned assistance. The police had asked the mountain rescue team to organise a search party.
Ross felt physically sick as he thanked Carol and hung up. He couldn’t bear to think that Gemma was out on the hills in this weather. He knew that he wouldn’t be able to concentrate until she was found so phoned through to Reception and told Dianne to hold back his next patient, then went to Matt’s room and knocked on the door. Matt frowned in concern when Ross explained what had happened.
‘She could be anywhere if she’s wandered off and got lost.’
‘I know. The police have alerted the mountain rescue team and I’d like to go along and help them, if that’s OK with you. It will mean the rest of you having to pick up my appointments, though.’
‘Not a problem,’ Matt said immediately. ‘We’ll cover your workload. It’s far more important that we find Gemma. You get yourself straight off.’
‘Thanks. Can you ask Carol to let the mountain rescue team know that I’ll meet them at their headquarters?’
‘Will do. Take care, though. We don’t want to lose two of our team in one day. It wouldn’t do much for our reputation,’ Matt added drily.
‘It certainly wouldn’t.’ Ross summoned a smile, although there was a hollow feeling in his stomach. Maybe he was worrying unnecessarily, but he wouldn’t rest until he found out where Gemma was.
He fetched his coat and left. He knew it would cause a stir because he had never left in the middle of surgery before, but some things were too important to put off, and this was one of them. He backed out of his parking space, feeling fear clawing at his insides when he saw the snow that was still falling on the hills. If Gemma was out there, they needed to find her as quickly as possible.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
GEMMA
made a determined effort to stop herself falling asleep. It wasn’t easy because the snow was whirling around, covering everything with a thick layer of white that dazzled her eyes. She felt her eyelids drifting shut again and jerked herself awake. It was vital that she stay awake and try to keep warm. Thankfully, her coat had a thick thermal lining, but the cold was intense, seeping into her limbs and making them feel stiff and heavy. She forced herself to her feet and flapped her arms like an injured bird attempting to take flight. Her feet were numb so she stamped up and down on the spot, wincing when her toes began to tingle. She’d been stuck there for over two hours and had no idea how much longer it would be before help arrived. Maybe she should try to find her way back to the road instead of waiting any longer?
She moved away from the shelter of the rocks, cautiously feeling her way forward as she didn’t want to risk falling over again. The wind was extremely strong, buffeting her about as she inched her way across the uneven ground. She lost her footing and fell heavily, bruising her hip, but made herself get up and carry on. She had to get back to the road and find help.
Ross couldn’t believe how cold it was. The wind was bitter, striking through the layers of clothing he was wearing, and he couldn’t help worrying about Gemma. He was dressed for the weather but what had she been wearing when she had set off that morning?
‘It looks like we may have a lead.’ Max Jackson, leader of the mountain rescue team, came hurrying over and Ross swung round.
‘Someone’s seen her?’
‘No, but we’ve managed to get the co-ordinates of where she was when she phoned for the ambulance.’ Max spread an Ordnance survey map of the area across the bonnet of the Land Rover. ‘The accident happened just here,’ he explained, pointing to a section of the road. ‘And the call came from here.’ He placed his finger on a point halfway up one of the hills.
‘She must have climbed up there to get a signal for her phone!’ Ross exclaimed.
‘It looks that way.’ Max rolled up the map. ‘My guess is that she lost her way when she was coming back down. It’s easily done in this weather, but at least we have an idea where to start looking and that’s something to be grateful for.’
Max didn’t say anything else as they both climbed into the Land Rover. However, Ross was very aware that although they knew where to start the search, it wasn’t going to be easy to
find Gemma if she had wandered a long way off. He fastened his seat belt, feeling his nerves tighten as they began to drive further into the hills. The weather was atrocious here, great flurries of snow swirling across the countryside and making it extremely difficult to see where they were going. If Gemma was out there, he just didn’t know how they were going to find her.
‘We’re going to use the dogs to track her,’ Max informed him as they approached the crossroads. He made sure the road was clear before pulling out, checking in his rear-view mirror to make sure the rest of the vehicles were following. Ross knew that teams from neighbouring areas had been placed on standby in case they were needed as well. Although it was good to know that they could call on extra help, he couldn’t bear to think it might be necessary if they failed to find Gemma themselves.
‘Can the dogs follow a scent in these conditions?’ he asked, trying to stay focussed. He would be no use if he started to panic and for Gemma’s sake, he needed to be strong.
‘Oh, yes. It’s amazing what those dogs can sniff out,’ Max assured him.
The conversation tailed off after that. Driving conditions were appalling and it needed complete concentration to keep them on the road. By the time they reached their destination, Ross was feeling desperate. He jumped out of the car as soon as they drew up, his heart racing when he saw Gemma’s car parked at the side of the road. The other vehicles involved in the accident were in the process of being removed; the sports car had been loaded onto a trailer and the lorry was being winched back onto its wheels.
‘We’re going to head up to the spot from where she made that call,’ Max informed him, and Ross took a steadying breath.
‘So we can pick up her trail from there?’
‘That’s right.’ Max glanced around to make sure the rest of the team were ready. The dog handler was crouched beside Gemma’s car, letting the dogs get a good sniff at her scent. As soon as they were ready, he headed towards the lower reaches of the hill.
‘Will there be a visible trail to follow?’ Ross demanded as they all set off in pursuit.
‘I doubt it. The snow’s too heavy. It will have covered up any footprints.’ He gave Ross a sympathetic look. ‘The dogs are very good. If anyone can find her, they will.’
Ross had to be content with that but he couldn’t deny that he was scared to death at how hit and miss it seemed. If the dogs failed to find Gemma’s scent, he had no idea what they would do next. Panic reared up inside him again and once again he forced it down. He had to stay calm for Gemma’s sake.
It seemed to take for ever before the dogs picked up a trail. Ross’s nerves were at breaking point as they followed the animals. They reached an outcrop of rocks and the dogs milled around, barking excitedly, before setting off again. The scent was obviously stronger now which had to be a good sign, he hoped, but he had reached desperation point by the time the lead dog started barking and straining at its leash.
‘There she is!’ the dog handler shouted, pointing to a spot directly ahead of them.
Ross felt his heart surge into his throat when he saw the figure lying slumped on the ground. She looked so still, so lifeless, that he was afraid to move. Then all of a sudden, he was running towards her, slipping and sliding in his haste to reach her. He rolled her onto her back, placing his cheek to her mouth and feeling tears burn his eyes when he felt her breath on his skin. She was alive and that was a miracle in itself.
‘Gemma, can you hear me? Sweetheart, it’s Ross. Can you open your eyes for me?’
There was no response at first and then her lids slowly rose a fraction. ‘Ross?’
‘Thank God!’ He pulled her into his arms, burying his face against her throat. It was only when he felt her shiver that he pulled himself together.
‘We need to get you back to Dalverston, asap,’ he said, standing up. The team had brought a stretcher with them and it took them only seconds to place Gemma on it and cover her with a heat-retaining blanket. Max radioed ahead with their location and arranged for them to be met on the road to save time, so once they had made their way down off the hill, Gemma was loaded into the back of the Land Rover.
‘I’m going with her,’ Ross informed them in a tone that brooked no argument. He climbed into the back, crouching down beside the stretcher. It wasn’t the most comfortable position but he didn’t give a damn. All he cared about was Gemma and making sure she was safe and well.
‘How did you find me?’ she whispered as they set off.
‘The police managed to pinpoint where you made that phone call from,’ he explained, smoothing back her damp hair. ‘Once we knew exactly where you’d been, the dogs picked up your scent and followed your trail.’
‘I feel so stupid. I can’t believe I got lost like that.’ She bit her lip and he saw her eyes fill with tears. ‘I didn’t think anyone would even notice I was missing, let alone come and look for me.’
‘I noticed you were missing,’ he said softly, wiping away a tear. ‘I was worried sick when you didn’t turn up for work and nobody knew where you were.’
‘Were you?’
‘Yes.’ He wiped away another tear then smiled at her, uncaring what she might see in his eyes at that moment. He’d been through hell and just to have her here, safe and sound, was the best thing that had ever happened to him. ‘I’ll always worry about you, Gemma, because you’re very important to me.’
He kissed her lightly on the forehead, hoping she understood what he was trying to say. Maybe it was too soon to tell her how he felt, but there was no point denying it. He loved her and the thought that he might have lost her today was more than he could bear. Now all he had to do was convince her that it was her he loved, and nobody else.
Gemma could feel her heart racing as she looked into Ross’s eyes. There was something about the way he was looking at her that made her want to believe that he really cared about her. Surely he couldn’t have looked at her with such tenderness and concern if she hadn’t meant anything to him?
The Land Rover drew up outside A and E and the opportunity to ask him passed. Within seconds the stretcher was lifted out of the vehicle and placed on a trolley. The main doors whooshed open and the next minute she was being rushed along the corridor. It was like something that happened in one of those TV medical dramas—bright lights flashing overhead and people shouting instructions. It was all very surreal and a little scary, if she was honest.
‘You’re OK. There’s nothing to worry about.’
All of a sudden Ross was beside her, gripping her hand as the convoy made its way to the treatment area. Gemma clung to him, needing him there beside her more than ever at that moment.
‘So what have we here? My favourite practice nurse has been playing truant in the hills, I hear.’
Gemma looked round when she recognised Ben’s voice and smiled shakily. ‘Oh, it’s you. Thank heavens for that. I thought I was in the middle of some sort of TV drama for a moment.’
‘Who says you aren’t?’ Ben struck a pose. ‘Picture this scene: handsome, brooding young medic saves the life of a pretty young nurse. During the course of his heroic treatment, she falls madly, deeply in love with the aforementioned medic and he with her. The last we see of them is the handsome medic wheeling her out of A and E on a trolley, at which point cue the violins.’
He hummed tunelessly as he pretended to play the violin. Gemma rolled her eyes. ‘You need to get out more. It’s obvious that you watch far too much television than is good for you.’
‘Cruel woman. And here I was, trying to cheer you up.’
‘You always did have a lousy bedside manner,’ Ross said pithily, winking at her. ‘That’s one of the reasons why you’re ideally suited to emergency work. Your patients don’t stay long enough for you to bore them to death!’
‘You two are ganging up on me now. Thanks. I’ll remember this.’
Ben looked suitably wounded and Gemma chuckled. Their easy camaraderie was such a relief after all the stresses of the day. She
looked up in surprise when Ross let go of her hand and moved away from the trolley.
‘Although I have serious doubts about Ben’s bedside manner, I have to admit he’s pretty competent and doesn’t need me supervising him.’ He smiled into her eyes and she felt her breath catch when she saw the warmth in his gaze. ‘I’ll wait outside while he checks you over. OK?’
‘Yes,’ she whispered, feeling a little giddy because of what was happening. She drew in a shaky breath as Ross disappeared, doing her best to answer Ben’s questions with a semblance of normality, although it wasn’t easy when her mind was in such a spin.
Was she right in her assumptions that Ross cared about her? Everything pointed towards it yet she was afraid to believe it. Ross had loved Heather. He must still love her, too, because it was inconceivable that he could have changed his mind so quickly. And yet if that was the case, why had he looked at her as though she was the most important person in the world?
It was impossible to work it all out. In the end, Gemma gave up rather than risk driving herself mad. Thankfully, her injuries weren’t serious. In fact, apart from a massive bruise on hip and another on her coccyx, she had come through the ordeal relatively unscathed. Ben told her to rest for the remainder of the day then had to rush off to attend to a patient who was far more seriously injured.
Gemma thanked the staff and went out to the waiting room, sighing when she saw Ross sitting near the door. She longed to believe that he cared about her but how could she? It was Heather he loved and Heather he’d wanted. He may have been worried about her, but to Ross she was simply a friend. She wasn’t the woman he had hoped to spend his life with.
They took a taxi back to her house. Ross had insisted on seeing her home and Gemma hadn’t had the heart to refuse. Maybe she was storing up more heartache for herself, but the need to be with him for a while longer was too strong to resist. Today of all days, she needed to feel as though someone cared about her.
The GP’s Meant-To-Be Bride Page 12