‘The line left me without a doctor—and look what happened. They’ll do whatever I say.’
‘Right. In that case, Captain, I’ll go down to see how I can help in the medical centre. I’d really like to take a good look at this new baby.’
‘Keep me informed of everything,’ the captain warned.
As soon as they reached the centre Maddy was called away. Kate was asleep, and Nick decided not to wake her up. For the first time since he’d boarded the ship he was alone with his son. And there were things he wanted to say to him.
‘You should have consulted me before bringing Kate out here in the storm,’ he said reproachfully. ‘Surely you know about her husband being drowned? How do you think she felt?’
‘I thought she might have been terrified but, in fact, I don’t think she was. But terrified or not, I would have wanted her here. She was the best available person for the job so I asked her to come. You’d have made exactly the same decision, wouldn’t you?’
‘I still would have liked to have been consulted,’ Nick said, avoiding the answer he knew he’d have had to give. ‘Couldn’t you have managed without her?’
‘Possibly. Probably. But she made a better job of it than either Maddy or I could have done. It was safer to have her there. Why don’t you ask her what she felt about being called out in a storm?’
‘I don’t need to.’ Nick scowled. ‘I know exactly what she’d say.’ Then he smiled. ‘I like to have good people working for me. Now, how’re you getting on with Maddy?’
‘She’s a brilliant nurse,’ Ed said, turning away for the moment and rummaging through a pile of forms. ‘We’ve worked well together.’
‘Just a brilliant nurse? I thought I saw some attraction there between you.’
‘I like her. But I don’t do attraction. I’ve been married once and that’s enough for me. I doubt I’ll ever see her again when I leave the ship.’
‘I see,’ said Nick.
‘I’ve got a patient I want to look at now,’ Ed went on. ‘Kate’s in the second cabin down the corridor. Why don’t you go and give her a shake? She’ll take you to see Sarah and Marina Flynn. You know she’ll be mad at you if she finds out you’ve been here for a while and not woken her.’
‘Good idea,’ Nick said.
He waited until his son had left and then went into the corridor. There was Maddy taking something from a store cupboard. ‘You need something, Nick?’ she asked. He thought she looked flushed. Tired? Or upset?
‘Ed’s gone to see to a patient,’ Nick said. ‘We were having a chat when I saw you pass outside. He didn’t see or hear you. It just struck me that you might have heard something of our conversation.’
‘Nick, I do not eavesdrop! I heard a mumble, that was all.’
He lifted his hands placatingly. ‘Of course not.’ But he was an experienced doctor and he knew when people weren’t telling the entire truth.
‘In fact, I was telling him that I thought I’d seen an attraction between the two of you. He said he didn’t do attraction, that he’d been married once. He doubts he’ll ever see you again after he leaves this ship.’
‘I’m sure that’s true,’ Maddy said, turning away. ‘As for attraction, well, we work well together, that’s all. Like I worked well with you.’
Whatever feelings she had seemed to be under control, Nick thought. And he had always tried to make it a rule never to interfere with the personal lives of his children. Whenever he had broken that rule and interfered, it had never worked out. But…‘Ed and I have been apart a lot,’ he said. ‘We’ve never been really close, which is a pity. But he is my son. Perhaps I know how he feels, and I think you mean a bit more to him than he realises.’
There, that was it, he had said it. He could do no more.
‘I doubt that’s true,’ Maddy said in an offhand voice. ‘He’s off relationships and I certainly am.’
But Nick could tell that she was pleased—or at least intrigued.
Nick was alone in the medical centre now. He wandered around, admiring the fittings, peering into the ward where the mother and new baby were peacefully sleeping. He wanted a closer look at them—but not until he was with Kate. And then he went into the cabin where he had been told Kate was asleep.
There was a low light left on by the head of the bed, partly illuminating Kate’s face, making it a thing of planes and shadows. She was a handsome woman. He had known her since his youth, so many years ago. And now he was having difficulty in reconciling the mature woman he was looking at with the teenager he had once known.
It wasn’t like him. Usually he was certain, knew what to do, what to think. But now he wasn’t sure. Possibly it was the storm outside but it brought back memories of that evil night when the Penhally lifeboat had been launched and Kate’s husband, James, and Nick’s own brother and father had all died during the rescue of a party of schoolchildren. So much had happened that night, so many emotions, of grief and fear and despair. Intense emotions that had overwhelmed Kate and himself that fateful night. Leading to something that had never been acknowledged by either of them since.
Kate and he went back a long time. They had been teenagers together, with that fizzing off-on relationship that was so common in the young. But then life had come between them. He went to university and married Annabel, she had married James. Both Annabel and James were now dead.
Was Kate happy? he wondered. She seemed serene enough as she went about her work. Was he happy? That was a question he, a busy GP, shouldn’t even try to answer. In fact, he shouldn’t even ask it.
He and Kate were colleagues—friends, he supposed. But they were wary of each other. Sometimes he caught her looking at him and he wondered what she thought.
He slipped into the cabin, sat on a chair and looked at her. It had been years since the storm. He had fought against thinking of that night, had tried to push it out of his mind, certainly never mentioned it. But now he did think of it. And the memory was as vivid as if it had all happened yesterday.
For a while he didn’t want to do anything. He was content just to sit there, to gaze at her sleeping face. But it didn’t last long. Perhaps the very intensity of his gaze was felt by her. He saw her eyes twitch open and then focus.
‘Nick! What are you doing here?’
‘I had to see the captain, sort out a few things. And I wondered about you. I wanted to see if one of my staff was all right.’
It was important to emphasise that he was concerned because she was a member of his staff. Safer that way.
‘I would have liked to have been more involved last night,’ he went on. ‘I should have been told.’
Kate was as practical as ever. ‘I left you a note explaining things and details of who would handle my work today. There was no need for you to go without sleep.’
‘Perhaps not.’
Unlike Ed and Maddy, Kate had not bothered to undress when she’d lain down on the bunk. Now she sat up, waved at Nick. ‘Wait outside for me. I need a couple of minutes to freshen up. I take it you’ve come to look at Marina and Sarah Flynn?’
‘Just a quick check.’ Then he remembered that Kate was always particular about the relative functions of a doctor and midwife, so he added, ‘If that’s all right with you.’
‘It is.’
‘The storm seems to be dying down a bit. This afternoon we’ve got a navy boat coming alongside, bringing nurses and another doctor. They’ve offered to ship you, the baby and her mother back to Penhally Bay. What do you think?’
‘They’re both doing fine. I’d certainly like to get them off this ship.’
‘Your decision.’
She seemed short with him, and he now realised why. He had seen her asleep, almost defenceless. And Kate always had her defences in place. ‘I’ll organise you a drink,’ he said. And then, wanting to say something pleasant, something that might bring them a little closer together, he added, ‘You’ve done brilliantly, Kate.’
‘I know,’ she said.
He was a doctor. He was a scientist who believed in empirical proofs, who disdained what he called the mumbojumbo of astrology, of sixth senses, of the supernatural. But for a moment he wondered if what he had been remembering had somehow communicated itself to Kate. He would really like to know.
A quick inspection and it was obvious that mother and baby were doing fine. In fact, they were thriving. So what was now most important was to get them away from the ship. Kate agreed that they should move out with the navy boat. ‘Now you can go and help Ed,’ she told Nick. ‘I can cope here very well.’ He thought that Kate could always cope. On her own.
Ed, glad of Nick’s help, handed him a list. ‘I’ve given you these fifteen people to check over,’ he said. ‘It’s just a case of making sure that the right drugs are given, the right IVs set up. The stewards are pretty good now but it’s as well to keep an eye on them. You know where everything is?’
‘I’ll manage,’ said Nick.
It felt just a little unusual, taking orders from his son, but he knew that in a case like this there could only be one leader. And he had to admit that Ed was good at it. He looked as tough as ever—but his eyes were getting bloodshot. Maddy, too, was showing signs of fatigue. But Nick could tell that there was no way she would ask for respite. Not while Ed was still working.
The disease on ship was peaking. There were now forty-eight people on board infected with it. That was forty-eight people falling ill, being ill or recovering from illness. They needed constant care and attention. But they should all survive.
Then the news came down from the captain. The pinnace was on its way. And the storm had nearly blown itself out. Ed said, ‘Dad, why don’t you go and scrub up and then get ready to help Kate move the Flynns?’
‘Good idea,’ said Nick. ‘When will I see you on shore again?’
A short answer. ‘When I think my job’s done.’
A good answer, too, Nick thought.
They all look clean, energetic and above all awake, Maddy thought. Whereas she felt weary, crumpled and apathetic. She had watched as the new medical team had come aboard, each carrying a small bag. She had watched as one of them had helped Kate and Nick transfer the Flynn family to the pinnace. She was glad the family had gone.
Now they were sitting, crammed into the medical centre, listening to Ed. Three nurses in uniforms. They were all about her own age but for some reason she felt older than them. And there was the young doctor, Dr Ellen Wyatt. Slim, pretty, vivacious. Maddy suspected she was just out of medical school. She was also suspicious of the way the young doctor looked approvingly at Ed. It was more than just professional curiosity. She had moved her seat deliberately to sit next to him.
And Maddy had to admit that Ed still looked good. So long without sleep didn’t appear to have affected him too much. There were lines round his eyes—now bloodshot eyes. And his mouth was more grim than before. But he looked better than she felt.
She was sitting at the side of the room while Ed briefed the nurses and the doctor. He had arranged things with the captain and herself, organised cabins to sleep in, meals, treatments, the nurses’ roster. She had been consulted but it was obvious that this was something that Ed was expert at. Even the captain had listened. Ed was a superb organiser. And he made it clear that he was in charge.
‘If there are any nursing problems, first buzz Maddy. I’ll not give her any cases, she will be on call here for the next few hours. If you need a doctor, buzz Dr Wyatt first. If necessary, she’ll liaise with me. Now, there are times when you’ll have to work fast. But, remember, you don’t cut corners. And records are all-important! Don’t let them slip.’
Then he smiled, and Maddy could feel the stirring of interest. ‘Last thing, everyone. Thank you for coming at such short notice. Now! We have work to do!’
Maddy realised that in a weird way Ed was enjoying himself. He was forcing himself to the limit, losing himself in work. She now knew why. He was causing himself so much present pain to try to push past pain out of his mind.
Just for a moment she wondered what life would be like when this was all over. Would they ever see each other again—even casually? Would he move out of her life, forget her? As he had told his father he would do?
Or would she forget him? She had to be honest and admit it. She didn’t think she would forget him. In fact, a life in which she didn’t see something of Ed—it would be hard.
CHAPTER SEVEN
INEVITABLY there were problems but most of them were quickly sorted out. The new team didn’t yet know where to find things, what the protocols were, what the right relationship with the stewards was. But they learned, and Maddy had to admit that they were conscientious, hardworking. She worked for a few hours. And then at midnight Ed came into the medical centre and said, ‘Things are running smoothly now so you go to bed.’
Bed! She could think of few places she’d rather be. Taking the strain off her eyes, her legs, her back. Blissful just to lie there. ‘All right,’ she said. ‘Aren’t you going to sleep too?’
‘I am. I’ve arranged with Dr Wyatt for her to take the next six-hour shift. If it’s desperate she will wake me, but I doubt it will be necessary. I’ve got twenty minutes’ more work to do then I’ll sleep for those six hours, just as you are going to.’
‘Right. And you’re in the other nurse’s cabin, which is next to mine?’ For some reason, the question seemed very important to her.
‘That’s right. I’ll sleep well there.’
‘I’m tired but I won’t sleep at once,’ she told him. ‘You know the stage when you’ve gone beyond being weary?’
He nodded, his eyes never leaving her face.
‘Well, that’s where I am. So instead of going straight to bed, I’m going to shower, wash my hair and then have a mug of tea with a shot of whisky in it. I feel like pushing the boat out a bit.’
She paused, afraid of the enormity of what she was going to say next. Staring at the floor, she said, ‘If you want, you can come into my cabin and…have some tea and whisky, too.’
She felt his hand on her chin. With the most delicate of touches he lifted her head so they were looking at each other. He eyed her meaningfully, and unspoken messages passed between them. ‘Are you sure?’ he asked eventually.
‘I’m sure. I’m certain. It’s more than that, I want you to come for a drink with me.’
‘Then I’d like to join you. Just for a while, of course.’
‘Of course. I’ll go now.’ As she walked down the corridor she knew she had made a decision. Exactly what she had decided she didn’t know.
She showered, shampooed her hair, and it was as wonderful as she had anticipated. She put on a clean nightie. Then she climbed into bed.
He knocked then came into her room twenty minutes later. ‘Everything OK?’ she asked.
‘Everything is fine. They’re a good team and I don’t expect to be disturbed. You look…refreshed.’
‘I am. Why don’t you have a shower, too? There are spare towels in my bathroom.’
This was a lunatic conversation, she thought as he disappeared to shower. We’re sidling round what we know we both want and neither of us dare say anything about it. Then she blinked, rethought things. Was this what she truly wanted? Or was she just blinded by fatigue? It wasn’t too late to change her mind now.
Then she decided it was too late. Anyway, she knew what she wanted.
He came out of her bathroom, wearing only a towel wrapped round his waist. She winced as she saw scars on his naked chest. ‘What are they?’ she asked. ‘You must have been terribly hurt.’
‘Not too terribly. They’re just flesh wounds. It’s a danger that comes with being near a battlefield. Even if the war is unofficial.’
‘I’d like you to tell me about it some time. But not now. I want to be calm and happy now.’
‘Calm and happy. Sounds a good plan.’
She felt happy, but detached from herself. As if she could look down on what she w
as doing and judge it as an independent. She knew this was partly the result of fatigue. She also knew she’d want this even if she had slept all night and recovered.
They drank the tea she had made. He sat on the edge of her bed. ‘You can sit there till you finish your drink,’ she told him, ‘but then you’re to get in bed with me.’
He hesitated. ‘Maddy, I do want to get in bed with you, desperately. But I don’t want you to be hurt if…’
‘I’ll be hurt if you don’t get in bed with me. Now, finish your drink.’
Was this her talking? she wondered. This just wasn’t like her. She didn’t do things like this, talk like this. She was throwing herself at a man—when she had promised herself that never again would she let a man take advantage of her. Well, it was done now. She’d made up her mind.
They sipped their drink in silence, finished almost together. She leaned over, switched off the overhead light so there was only the dim glow of the bedside lamp.
Now he was only a half-seen figure. He stood up and the towel round him dropped away. Another moment’s hesitation, then he lifted the cover and slid into bed beside her.
She was really tired but in spite of this all her senses seemed extra-alert. She could hear and feel the hum of the shipboard machinery. She could smell the faint scent of whisky on his breath—or was it on hers? When he got closer to her she smelt the scent of her own soap. But it seemed different on him. Why would that be?
It was a bed rather than a bunk, but it was designed for one person. There was only just room for the two of them side by side. He didn’t move or try to touch her, this seemed to be something that they had to do step by step. Perhaps it was her turn to do something. She wriggled upwards a little, crossed her arms and pulled her nightie over her head. Then she leaned across him to toss it carelessly onto the floor. As she did so she felt her breasts trailing over his naked chest. She smiled as she heard his sudden intake of breath.
When she was lying by his side again she let her fingers trail across him, gently touch the scar. ‘Tell me more about this,’ she said. ‘There’s a lot I don’t know about you. And I want to know.’
Brides of Penhally Bay - Vol 2 Page 25