Weekend with the Best Man

by Leah Martyn

  ‘But not soon enough.’ Lindsey looked thoughtful. ‘Did she say what triggered her meltdown this morning? Why she didn’t react when Mia was brought in?’

  ‘The ambulance base had called and said there was a gunshot wound coming in. Brooke admitted she freaked.’

  Lindsey shook her head. ‘Where did all her training go, her protocols?’

  ‘Lindsey, we can’t have any real idea of Brooke’s mental state at that moment. We hadn’t been through what she’d been through. Obviously, she wasn’t thinking straight. She spun out at the mention of guns. In any event, it turned out it was only a superficial wound. Some idiot out spotlighting feral pigs had misfired and shot himself in the side of the foot.’

  ‘And in all the carry-on Brooke forgot about Mia.’

  ‘Well—momentarily anyway.’

  Lindsey felt her stomach churn. The incident could have all been avoided if Brooke had just signed off and gone home and let someone else deal with the emergency. ‘When did she tell you all this?’

  ‘I watched for her to leave this morning and followed her out to the car park. I reiterated what I’d already told her. Suggested she get counselling as a priority.’

  ‘Instead, she’s left town.’ Lindsey’s eyes looked troubled. ‘Where will she go?’

  ‘When she called me she said she was going back to Sydney. She’ll have family support there. And I’ve linked her up with a good shrink. She promised to follow through. Today has been a huge wake-up call for her. She’ll get the help she needs now and life will get much better for her.’

  ‘Oh, Dan...’ Lindsey scooted up the sofa to him.

  ‘I know.’ He gathered her in and placed a soft kiss on her mouth. ‘If we all had hindsight, the world would be a much better and kinder place.’

  ‘Brooke kept to herself a lot. It was difficult to offer any kind of friendship.’

  ‘Don’t beat up on yourself,’ Dan said. ‘In our job we can only do what we can do. What people will allow us to do.’

  ‘I’ll scotch any rumours,’ Lindsey promised.

  ‘That’ll be good.’ He gave her a quick hug. ‘You didn’t really think I had something going with Brooke, did you?’

  Lindsey felt his smile on her skin as he touched his lips to her throat.

  ‘I admit to a smidge of jealousy.’

  He looked into her green eyes. An intensity of emotion he’d never felt swamped him. ‘You’re all I need, Lindsey. So...with that in mind, am I staying the night?’

  Lindsey drew in a shaken breath, feeling the sweet sting of anticipation tingle up her spine. ‘Where else would you go?’ A smile flickered around her mouth. ‘But just so you know, I’m on an early tomorrow.’

  ‘Ah.’ His eyes caressed her tenderly. ‘And I’m on a day off.’

  ‘Then I’ll leave it to you to make the bed and tidy the kitchen, shall I?’

  He reached out a finger, his touch feather-like along her bottom lip. ‘I think I can manage that.’

  ‘Hey, I’m kidding.’ Lindsey smothered a laugh. ‘I wouldn’t expect you to do that.’

  ‘I’ll do it anyway.’ Carefully, he scooped up a wayward tendril of her hair and tucked it behind her ear. ‘I’m really quite house-trained. I thought you knew that.’

  ‘I probably did.’ She snuggled closer. ‘So, what are you going to do with your day off?’

  His mouth quirked. ‘I’m going to a talk on beekeeping.’

  ‘Well, that makes sense—not.’ Lindsey chuckled. ‘Where are you going to do your beekeeping, may one ask?’

  He sent her a pained look. ‘It’s good to have a hobby. And who knows, I may invest in acreage one day.’

  * * *

  Next morning Lindsey drove to work with a new resolve. Surely there had always been a sacred bond among nurses? Perhaps if Brooke had been more open... Lindsey turned into the car park. From today she’d make extra sure her team knew they were valued and supported.

  It wasn’t long into the shift when Vanessa pounced. ‘Did you hear?’

  Lindsey lifted her gaze in query. ‘If this is about Brooke, Vanessa, yes, I heard. She’s resigned.’

  ‘I heard she got the sack.’

  ‘Well, she didn’t,’ Lindsey said firmly. ‘She decided Hopeton wasn’t for her and she’s gone back to her family in Sydney.’

  ‘Will she be all right?’

  ‘Let’s hope so. Brooke was in the armed forces.’ Abruptly, Lindsey decided she’d tell Vanessa just enough to settle the wild supposition that was probably on speaker phone around the hospital already. ‘She did a couple of tours in Afghanistan. Apparently, it was pretty rough.’

  ‘Wow...’ Vanessa sobered. ‘What went down—personal stuff?’

  Lindsey nodded. ‘Very personal. Someone very close to her was killed.’

  ‘Oh, that’s awful.’ Vanessa blinked quickly then straightened her shoulders resolutely. ‘If anyone starts spouting rubbish about Brooke being sacked, I’ll quash it.’

  Lindsey’s mouth kicked up in a resigned smile. ‘Diplomatically, please, Van.’

  ‘Of course I’ll be diplomatic.’ Vanessa looked wounded. ‘By tomorrow it’ll all be a non-event anyway.’ She picked up the phone as it rang. ‘Bound to be something more juicy come along.’

  * * *

  Continuing with her new resolve, Lindsey drew Jess aside when she got a chance later in the shift. ‘How did things turn out with Mr Gaines yesterday?’ Lindsey knew she could have pulled the notes and found out for herself but it would be helpful for the young nurse’s professional development to let Jess debrief.

  ‘Oh, Michelle admitted him,’ Jess said earnestly. ‘He was exhibiting early signs of pneumonia.’

  ‘So, you made a good call, then.’

  ‘Think so.’ Jess’s mouth curved, a tiny dimple showing in her cheek.

  ‘Are you getting on all right with Michelle?’

  Jess went pink. ‘She can be a bit daunting. But yesterday she included me in Mr Gaines’s treatment plan and that felt really professional.’

  ‘Good.’ Lindsey smiled.

  ‘And Mr Gaines has a nice neighbour who brought some pyjamas and things in for him,’ Jess went on. ‘And I got some toiletries for him as well. And some batteries for his little radio.’

  ‘But I hope not out of your own pocket, Jess?’ Lindsey pressed the point. Patient care only went so far. And while Jess was very committed to her role, shelling out for patients’ extras was not part of it.

  ‘Oh, no. Mr Gaines was very upfront with his money. And Michelle had a chat to him about his living arrangements and apparently his granddaughter from Sydney would like to come and live with him.’ Jess continued enthusiastically, ‘Grace, that’s her name, has a little three-year-old, Liam, and her husband is a FIFO worker. Fly-in, fly-out,’ Jess enlarged.

  Lindsey hid a smile. ‘I know what it means, Jess. So that would seem a good arrangement if they’re both keen.’

  ‘Well, Grace is a bit lonely and so is Mr Gaines and he seemed really chuffed to think it might all happen. Michelle’s handed everything over to Declan,’ she said, mentioning the hospital’s social worker.

  ‘Well, good outcome,’ Lindsey approved.

  ‘Um...’ Jess looked a bit uncertain. ‘Is it OK if I run up to Medical to see Mr Gaines now and again? In my break, I mean.’

  ‘Of course.’ Lindsey smiled. ‘I imagine it would brighten Mr Gaines’s day as well. Just realise, though, that in Casualty we’re just the jumping-off point. We can’t give holistic care, no matter how much we’d like to. You’re really enjoying your nursing, aren’t you, Jess?’

  ‘More than I thought.’ Jess considered. ‘And it’s nice when your patient says thank you and when you’ve made a positive impact on them.’

  ‘
Perhaps we could nominate you for Nurse of the Year,’ Lindsey said teasingly. ‘The local Lions Club gives an annual award with a cash prize.’

  ‘Wow—I didn’t know that.’ Jess’s hand went to her heart. ‘That’d be so cool—to be nominated, I mean. But I guess one of the midwives would be sure to win.’

  ‘They do seem to have all the fun,’ Lindsey agreed. ‘Next time we have a staff meeting, I’ll run it past the DON.’ She touched Jess briefly on the shoulder. ‘You know I’m always available if you need to discuss anything work-related, Jess. Or anything personal, for that matter,’ Lindsey added, thinking of Brooke again. ‘Confidentiality guaranteed.’

  ‘Thanks.’ Jess bit her lip. ‘Could I extend my time in Casualty, do you think? I really like being part of our team.’

  ‘Just keep doing what you’re doing,’ Lindsey said. ‘That’s probably the best way to go.’

  * * *

  Lindsey leaned over the counter to replace a file, deciding that if yesterday’s shift had been hell on wheels, today’s had been relatively uneventful.

  ‘How was your meeting?’ Vanessa looked up from the computer.

  ‘Quick for a change.’ Lindsey gave a wry smile. ‘Apparently, we’re getting a new senior nurse for the department.’

  ‘Mmm, I heard.’ Vanessa stretched languidly. ‘Charlie Weston, thirty-two, divorced, shared care of four-year-old Poppy.’

  Lindsey shook her head. ‘You take my breath away sometimes. How do you know all this?’

  An imp of mischief danced in Vanessa’s eyes. ‘Oh, I have my ways. And I like to keep ahead of the game.’

  Lindsey cast her eyes down. She wondered how long she and Dan had before their involvement was out there. She gave a mental shrug. They’d deal with it when it happened. As it undoubtedly would.

  ‘It’s ages since we’ve had a male nurse in the department,’ Vanessa said chattily. ‘Do you think he’ll come on to our team?’

  ‘We’ll have to wait and see, I suppose.’

  ‘We’ll lose Annie Logan soon when she takes her mat leave.’ Vanessa considered. ‘So possibly we’ll get Charlie to replace her.’

  ‘Possibly.’ Lindsey came round and joined Vanessa at the desk. ‘I’ll give handover. Take an early mark, if you like.’

  ‘Ta, Lins.’ Vanessa was already on her feet. ‘I’m off to the gym.’ She bit down on her bottom lip around a quick smile. ‘Andrew kind of said he might be there.’

  Lindsey watched her friend leave. Privately, she thought Vanessa was chasing shadows. If Andrew had wanted a closer relationship with her, he would have acted ages ago, not left her wishing and hoping for something he wasn’t capable of giving.

  Thank heavens Dan had known what he wanted and gone after it. Lindsey’s gaze turned dreamy. She wondered whether he’d be there when she got home. Would he stay again tonight...?

  ‘Afternoon, Lins.’

  Lindsey’s head swivelled round as charge for the late shift, Greta Ingram, joined her at the desk.

  ‘Oh—hey, Greta.’ Lindsey brought her thoughts smartly back to reality.

  ‘How are things?’

  ‘Pretty good, thanks. And with you as well, I imagine.’

  Lindsey’s eyes opened to questioning wideness.

  ‘You and your new man? I heard you and Dan got off together after Nathan’s wedding. Looking very much an item, according to my cousin Alison.’

  When Lindsey remained speechless, Greta gave a chuckle and went on. ‘You’ve obviously forgotten Ally works in Nathan’s department. Her mum made the wedding cake.’

  ‘Well, I saw Alison there, of course,’ Lindsey flannelled. ‘But there was a big crowd so I didn’t...’ She picked up some paperwork and held it against her chest. ‘Who else knows?’

  ‘Well, I haven’t said anything,’ Greta said calmly. ‘But would it matter?’

  Lindsey thought for a minute. ‘I suppose not. You know, in all my years of nursing I’ve never become involved with someone I worked with.’

  ‘Well, that doesn’t make you odd!’ Greta insisted. ‘I didn’t date work colleagues either.’

  ‘Kind of ironical then, wasn’t it?’ Lindsey teased, ‘That you actually met your husband-to-be in a hospital setting.’

  Greta’s husband, Harry, was a painter and decorator. When they’d met, he’d just started his own company and had won the tender to refurbish the entire Hopeton casualty department. ‘I thought he needed looking after.’ Greta sank onto a chair, looking amused. ‘I kept bringing him big mugs of tea.’

  ‘I remember.’ Lindsey’s laugh tinkled. ‘Poor guy. No wonder he was in and out of the men’s so much.’

  ‘Oh, he never was!’ Greta chuckled and flapped her lanyard in protest. ‘Now, what do you have for me?’ She moved closer to the computer.

  * * *

  When Lindsey arrived home from work there was no sign of Dan, but he’d left a note on the kitchen counter. It said simply that Nathan and Sami were due back that evening and he was meeting their flight. He’d see Lindsey at work tomorrow.

  And he hadn’t taken the spare key she’d left him. It was placed pointedly on top of the note.

  Now, what was she supposed to read into that? Lindsey fretted as she stripped off and threw herself under the shower. Suddenly her mind was a whirlpool of jumbled thoughts and emotions. Well, obviously Dan didn’t trust what they’d found together at all. She’d assumed. And he hadn’t liked it. Vigorously, she washed her hair and let the shampoo puddle round her feet. Did they have yet another elephant in the room? It seemed so.

  As Lindsey towelled dry, she gave a bitter little laugh. Where understanding men and their motives were concerned, she’d obviously been as naïve as Vanessa.

  * * *

  As soon as she saw Dan arrive at work on Thursday morning, Lindsey went straight to his office. There was a knot in her stomach and tension in her muscles as though she’d run a marathon, but she wasn’t about to let him retreat to some place in his head and leave her outside.

  Knocking briefly on his door, she popped her head in and then the rest of herself. Turning, she closed the door and looked across at him. ‘Hi.’ She managed a smile. ‘Got a minute for me?’

  ‘Of course.’ Dan got to his feet slowly, meeting her where she’d stopped at the front of his desk.

  He parked himself against the edge of the desk, folding his arms and crossing his feet at the ankles. He sent her a narrowed look, drawn by the intensity of her expression. ‘You OK?’

  ‘Fine.’ Lindsey shoved her hands into the pockets of her trousers. ‘How was your day off?’

  ‘It was good.’

  ‘And the talk?’

  ‘It was interesting.’ A tiny flicker of amusement appeared behind his eyes. ‘I learned the queen bee mates with fifteen males in mid-air and then flies back to the hive to lay her eggs.’

  ‘Wow! That’s quite an impressive gene pool they have going.’

  ‘Mmm.’ Dan rubbed his chin. ‘I felt a bit sorry for the males, though. They’re history after they’ve mated.’

  ‘That’s nature, I guess.’ Lindsey hardly gave the statement head room. She had to do what she’d come to do now or let it fester for the rest of the shift. She tilted her head higher and sent him a very frank look. ‘So...the key. Too far, too fast?’

  He frowned a bit. ‘Sorry?’

  ‘I left you a spare key to my home. Clearly, you didn’t want it.’

  Dan felt the wind taken right out of his sails. He’d hoped for opportunity and the right time to explain his motives but it seemed he wasn’t going to get it.

  ‘We hadn’t talked about it and I didn’t want to presume anything.’

  ‘In other words, you thought I’d taken far too much for granted.’

  ‘Hell, Lindsey...’
He lifted his hands and scrubbed his fingers impatiently across his cheekbones. ‘I don’t know what I thought. It just seemed a bit...awkward.’

  ‘Oh, Dan...’ Lindsey shook her head. It appeared they still had a long way to go. A long way. ‘I left the key as a kind of no-strings invitation,’ she flannelled, going all-out to save the situation as best she could. ‘I just thought you might have wanted to come back after your talk, relax a bit, even though I wasn’t there.’ She took a tiny swallow. Even to her own ears the whole scenario sounded less than plausible.

  Dan felt the unease in his gut begin to unravel. How had he got it so wrong? Lindsey was everything he’d ever dreamed of in a woman. He’d accepted almost greedily everything she’d offered in the bedroom. Why had he got all stiff-necked about her offer of a damned key! It made his stomach twist. ‘I’m an idiot.’

  ‘Well, maybe the jury’s still out on that.’ She managed a smile of sorts and stepped away. ‘Oh.’ She turned at the door. ‘How were the honeymooners?’

  Dan cracked a crooked grin. ‘Still in love, by the look of them. They had a great time.’

  ‘Oh, bless. Where did they go?’

  ‘One of the Barrier Reef islands.’

  ‘Fantastic. Ever been?’

  He looked a bit sheepish. ‘Very remiss of me, I know. Never seemed to get the time.’

  ‘Poor excuse.’ Her green eyes lit briefly. ‘We’ll have to remedy that.’

  Why on earth had she made that ridiculous comment? Lindsey gave herself a mental ticking off as she made her way back to the station. The way things were going between her and Dan, they had about as much chance of making a romantic trip to the Reef as being in Edinburgh for lunch on Sunday.

  Back at her desk, she buried herself in paperwork.

  ‘You OK?’ Vanessa gave Lindsey an assessing look when the two caught up during a quiet moment.