‘Not really,’ Lara replied. ‘There are times when she is in despair. She suffers badly from depression and, of course, her marriage breaking up did nothing to restore her confidence.’
‘When exactly did her husband leave her?’ Andres frowned. Folding his arms, he leaned against the table as he watched Lara clear up.
‘Some time after the accident,’ Lara said. ‘I can’t remember exactly when but he just didn’t seem to be able to cope with any of it.’
‘It can’t have been a picnic for her either,’ Andres remarked dryly.
‘No. Quite,’ Lara agreed.
‘What about the children—do they see their father?’ he asked curiously.
‘They did to start with, then he moved away—something to do with his job. He works in computers. He sent money for a time, then he lost his job and Cassie was forced to get help from the state. There was less and less communication from Dave—that’s his name,’ she added, ‘until eventually it stopped altogether.’
‘How did that affect the children?’ he asked. By this time Lara had finished her clearing up and together they walked out of the theatre and began to make their way back to the wards.
‘Badly,’ she replied. ‘Luke became very angry and withdrawn, Sophie would cry at night and Callum, well, he used to wet the bed. Recently he’s started saying he’s seen his father—in the shopping precinct to start with.’
‘And had he?’ Andres raised his eyebrows as he pushed open the doors that led onto the nurses’ station and stood back for her to precede him.
‘We didn’t think so at first,’ Lara replied, ‘but now he’s saying that he’s seen his father outside his school.’
‘And do you think there’s any truth in that?’
‘Who knows?’ Lara shrugged, but he noticed a worried frown playing across her features, reminding him just how involved she was with her sister’s family. ‘He did seem very certain.’
‘And what about your sister?’
‘She doesn’t want to know,’ Lara replied. ‘She said she didn’t think she would ever be able to forgive him for what he did.’
‘Understandable, I suppose, under the circumstances,’ he said. They reached the desk, where they found Sue sitting in front of a computer and the little dark-haired staff nurse, whose name escaped him, eyeing himself and Lara with undisguised interest.
‘How did it go?’ Sue looked from Lara to himself then glanced quickly back at Lara.
‘Very well,’ he replied. ‘I hope that young man will be pleased with the results. Now, Sister, I would like to go and see Amtul Karinski, please.’
‘Very well.’ Sue rose to her feet.
‘Is he conscious now?’ asked Andres.
‘Yes, he is.’
‘Good. In that case, we will be able to discuss skin grafts with him.’
‘What was all that about?’ demanded Katie, as Andres and Sue made their way onto the ward.
‘All what?’ said Lara. She had been hoping to make a quick getaway, but from the look on Katie’s face she very much doubted that was going to be possible.
‘You and him—our man from Argentina—heads together, deep in conversation…’
‘He was asking me about Cassie’s accident,’ Lara replied firmly.
‘How did he know about that?’ Katie’s eyes widened.
‘He saw for himself,’ she said, wishing she hadn’t got into this particular conversation.
‘How? When?’ Katie looked more puzzled than ever and Lara knew she would need to give her friend a pretty detailed account of all that had transpired in recent days.
‘Actually, Kate, I’ve got quite a lot to tell you.’ She glanced up at the clock above the nurses’ station. ‘How about we go for a break now?’
Ten minutes later the pair of them were in the staff canteen having a hasty sandwich and a coffee while Lara brought her friend up to date with what had been happening. She had just got to the part where Andres had taken her home and met Cassie and the children when Katie stopped her.
‘Hang on a minute.’ Katie leaned forward and looped her hair back behind her ears. ‘Let me get this straight. You say he offered you a job at this fancy clinic of his, but how did he know you wanted a job in the first place? Did he not think you were happy here, or is he in the habit of poaching staff?’
‘No, of course not. He happened to overhear me asking Sue for more hours and Sue telling me that she didn’t have anything to offer me at the moment. As it happened, a nurse at the clinic had just handed in her notice, so he approached me and asked if I would be interested.’
‘Just like that?’ Katie’s eyes widened.
‘Yes, well, like I said,’ Lara continued, ‘I had to go for an interview in London at the Roseberry Clinic. It was a bit nerve-racking actually. The board of directors was there, and the matron, and the hospital administrator…’
‘And then he took you home?’
‘Well, yes.’ She nodded. ‘After they’d told me that the job was mine if I wanted it.’
‘I would have said that was something of a foregone conclusion, wouldn’t you?’ Katie raised one eyebrow. ‘What with you being sponsored by a member of the board, so to speak.’
‘Not at all,’ Lara replied hotly. ‘Andres—Mr Ricardo,’ she hastily checked herself, but not before she’d seen the smile that crossed Katie’s features, ‘told me that there had been two others in line for the job.’
‘But they chose you.’
‘Yes.’ She paused then, goaded by something in Katie’s attitude, she said, ‘Why are you being like this, Katie? I thought you’d be pleased for me—you of all people know how difficult it’s been for me, with Cassie and the children and everything.’
‘I just don’t want you getting hurt,’ muttered Katie, taking a mouthful of her coffee.
‘But why should I get hurt?’ Lara stared at her friend in bewilderment. ‘It’s only a job we’re talking about, for heaven’s sake.’
‘Yeah, right.’
‘It is, Katie,’ she emphasised. ‘And if it doesn’t work out, I shall pack it in—it’s as simple as that.’
‘Why did he take you home?’ Katie clearly hadn’t finished.
Lara sighed. ‘I happened to say I wasn’t keen on the Underground, and he offered to drive me home.’
‘So what’s going to happen in the future? Is he going to come and get you every day then bring you home again afterwards?’
‘No, of course not.’ Lara felt her cheeks flush and the beginnings of a headache over her right eye. ‘I shall be working mainly afternoons and evenings and some weekends, so I propose driving in myself,’ she said. Really, she didn’t know why she was going to all these lengths to defend her position to Katie, friend or no friend, because it wasn’t actually any of Katie’s business what she did.
‘Does Sue know about any of this yet?’ asked Katie suddenly.
‘No.’
‘Oh, boy!’ said Katie, pulling a face.
‘Why?’ Lara stared at her. ‘What difference should it make to her? After all, I did ask her first for more hours—it was hardly my fault that she couldn’t give me any.’
‘Because she fancies him, that’s why,’ declared Katie, leaning back in her chair. ‘I told you she did.’
‘Yes, I know that’s what you said,’ said Lara slowly, ‘but I didn’t really think…I mean, let’s face it, Katie, he’s probably married so he wouldn’t look twice at—’
‘He isn’t,’ interrupted Katie flatly.
‘Isn’t what?’ Lara frowned.
‘He isn’t married.’
‘How do you know that?’ Lara was suddenly aware of a prickling sensation at the back of her neck.
‘He told Tom Martin,’ Katie replied, ‘and Tom told Sue.’
‘So he’s single…’
‘Sort of,’ said Katie. ‘He’s a widower actually. His wife died a few years ago—so our sainted Sister Jackman thinks she’s in with a chance. I can’t imagine what she’ll
make of it when she knows that he’s given you a job and that he’s been careering about all over London with you, not to mention meeting your family.’
‘It wasn’t like that!’
‘No?’ Katie grinned. ‘You try telling Sue that…and after all the trouble she’s going to as well.’
‘What trouble?’ Lara narrowed her eyes.
‘Didn’t you notice the highlights this morning?’
‘I’ve been in Theatre.’ Lara frowned. ‘What highlights?’
‘Oh, the works,’ said Katie calmly, as she peeled a banana and bit off the top. ‘Top salon job, I would say. She’s out to get him, Lara,’ she added with a sudden chuckle, ‘so don’t say you haven’t been warned.’
‘This is getting ridiculous,’ Lara protested. ‘Andres Ricardo may have got me a job—for which I’m very grateful—but that is honestly as far as it goes. I’m not interested in him and I’m pretty darned certain he isn’t interested in me.’
‘So can you honestly say that if he was to ask you out, you would turn him down?’ asked Katie calmly, as she finished her banana and placed the skin on her plate. When Lara didn’t immediately reply, she leaned forward slightly so that she could look up into her face. ‘Lara?’ she probed.
‘What?’ In growing exasperation Lara looked at Katie.
‘What I said,’ Katie replied. ‘If our highly fanciable new surgeon asked you out, would you go or would you turn him down?’
‘He’s hardly likely to ask me out,’ protested Lara.
‘Why not?’ Katie’s eyes narrowed. ‘He’s free apparently—and so are you, so there’s no problem there.’
‘Katie—we’re chalk and cheese,’ Lara began.
‘How do you mean?’
‘Well, his world is as far removed from mine as it’s possible to be—he lives in Knightsbridge, for heaven’s sake.’
‘So?’ Katie shrugged. ‘You live in Byfield. What’s the big deal?’
‘He’s a top surgeon.’
‘And you’re a staff nurse.’
‘He’s fantastically rich.’
‘And you’re skint. Can’t see the problem myself.’ Katie laughed and Lara found herself joining in. ‘Let’s face it,’ Katie went on after a moment, ‘Cinderella and her prince were poles apart, but look what happened to them. And if there is going to be a fairy-tale romance, I’d far rather it was between him and you than him and our sour-faced colleague who, incidentally, is old enough to be his mother.’
‘Oh, Katie.’ When Lara had finished laughing she shook her head. ‘I know you mean well and I know you want something to happen in my life, but I really don’t think you should hold your breath where Andres Ricardo is concerned.’
‘But you still haven’t answered my question,’ Katie persisted.
‘Which was?’
‘If he asked you out, would you go?’
‘But he wouldn’t.’
‘If he did.’
‘Would you?’
‘We weren’t talking about me,’ Katie retorted, ‘but, since you ask, yes, too right I would. Like a shot. So…?’
‘Well.’ Lara shrugged. ‘Yes, I suppose I would.’
‘Yes!’ Katie punched the air with her closed fist.
‘But there’s no point getting excited because it just isn’t going to happen—not in a million years.’
‘You never know…’ Katie’s voice took on a defensive note but Lara carried on talking, ignoring her friend’s last remark.
‘And I also think it’s time we were getting back to work otherwise we could be in trouble and I could find myself looking for yet another job.’
‘True,’ Katie agreed. ‘Speaking of which, I think you would do well to tell Sue about your new job before she hears it from anyone else.’
‘Yes.’ Lara sighed as she stood up. ‘I guess you’re right.’
Together they made their way back to the ward where Lara tried to put all thoughts of what had happened out of her mind and get on with the job in hand, but as her shift wore on she found it increasingly difficult to concentrate. Katie’s words kept reverberating in her head, especially the part about Andres being a widower. She wasn’t sure why that should concern her so much—the fact that he was free. Before, she had been able to dismiss insinuations from Katie or Cassie about any attraction between herself and the new locum by using as her defence the fact that he was bound to be married—a man of his appearance and status. Now that defence no longer applied. He was free, and so was she.
So was she attracted to him?
Reluctantly she was forced to admit that she was. Not, of course, that that should make the slightest bit of difference because there was absolutely no way that he would ever even notice her in that way, let alone ask her out.
While Lara had been talking to Katie, Andres and Sue were talking to Amtul Karinski about the skin grafts that Andres intended carrying out on his hands.
‘I think in a couple of days’ time,’ Andres said gently to the man in the bed, who was obviously still shocked and traumatised by the extent of the injuries he had sustained from chemicals at the factory where he worked. ‘What I propose is taking some skin from your leg and grafting it onto these badly burned areas on your hands and across the tops of your feet where the acid burnt away your shoes.’
‘I able to work again?’ The man looked agitated and his heavily accented voice wavered.
‘Not immediately,’ Andres replied, ‘but hopefully in time.’
‘I lose my work permit.’
‘You mustn’t worry about that now,’ said Sue as she smoothed his covers.
‘But my wife…my children…’ Amtul was clearly working himself up into a state of anxiety.
‘I think, Sister,’ said Andres as they moved out of earshot, ‘a sedative and maybe a visit from the hospital social worker?’
‘Of course.’ Sue nodded and made a note on her pad.
‘Where is he from?’ asked Andres as they began to walk back to the nurses’ station.
‘He’s an immigrant from Eastern Europe,’ Sue replied. ‘Romania, I think. Apparently, there’s been a huge outcry over the fact that the health and safety regulations hadn’t been properly carried out at the chemical factory where he was working. Something to do with the language barrier, I believe.’
‘Has his wife been to see him?’ asked Andres.
‘Oh, yes,’ Sue replied. ‘I had to ask her to go last night. She thought she could stay here all the time.’
‘Maybe that could have been arranged,’ murmured Andres, ‘under the circumstances.’
‘And the five children?’ said Sue, raising one eyebrow.
‘Oh,’ he said, ‘I see. I was merely thinking of how difficult it is for families when someone is involved in an accident like this. It’s bad enough when it happens in one’s own country, and even then it can have disastrous consequences.’
‘That’s what happened with Lara Gregory’s sister. After her accident her husband left her because he couldn’t cope with the situation. Lara moved in with her sister and has helped enormously, but I believe they still have many financial problems.’
‘So I believe,’ Andres replied. ‘Well, let’s hope that situation will now be eased somewhat,’ he added.
‘What do you mean?’ Sue frowned.
‘Now that Lara has some extra work.’
‘I don’t understand—what extra work?’
‘At the clinic,’ he said.
‘Clinic? What clinic?’ The frown on Sue’s face deepened.
‘My clinic—the Roseberry.’ Andres was surprised that Sue didn’t know. She appeared to him to be the sort of person who would know everything that was going on in her ward, and then it suddenly occurred to him that Lara might not have wanted her to know. ‘I knew Lara needed more hours,’ he went on in an attempt to ease the situation. ‘I overheard you telling her there was nothing here so I offered her part-time work at the Roseberry.’
‘I see.’ Sue’s tone was decid
edly frosty.
‘I trust there will be no conflict of interests.’
‘I don’t like my staff moonlighting,’ Sue replied crisply.
‘It’s hardly that,’ Andres said. ‘After all, it’s not as if she works full time here and would be going on to do extra work. Her hours at the Roseberry will be mainly late afternoons, evenings and weekends, and I understand the shifts she does here are all early shifts—isn’t that so?’
‘Well, yes,’ Sue conceded, but Andres got the impression she was still annoyed, if not by his having offered Lara work then by Lara accepting it.
‘I’m sure there won’t be any problem,’ he said smoothly, ‘and if it’s going to help the situation for Lara at home, it will all be worthwhile.’
‘Yes, I suppose so.’ Sue was forced to agree with him, albeit reluctantly.
‘It may also help to boost Cassie’s confidence if she has to go out more, meeting the children from school and that sort of thing.’
She stared up at him. ‘You’ve met Cassie?’ she said at last, and for a moment Andres could have sworn there was a touch of suspicion, even accusation, in her voice.
‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘I met her when I gave Lara a lift home after her interview at the Roseberry.’
‘I see. Right, well, there seems to have been an awful lot going on around here which I knew nothing about.’ Sue took a deep breath. ‘So, Mr Ricardo, is there anything else that I should know?’
‘I don’t think so, Sister,’ Andres replied, ‘so if you don’t have anyone else for me to see, how about we adjourn to your office and you make me some coffee?’
‘Oh, right, yes, of course.’ Colour touched Sue’s cheeks, and with a barely audible sigh of relief at the knowledge that he had hopefully smoothed things over for Lara, Andres followed Sue into her office.
CHAPTER SIX
‘LARA, there are three admissions for tomorrow’s theatre list—I’d like you to take their medical and personal histories, please.’
‘Of course, Sister. Do I do that in their rooms or do they come to a treatment room?’ It was her first shift at the Roseberry and Lara was still rather bewildered by the procedures, some of which were very different from those at St Joseph’s.
The Latin Surgeon Page 8