The Family Practitioner

by Leah Martyn

  ‘So what?’ Jason lifted a shoulder. ‘Doesn’t mean I want you working for him.’

  ‘I wouldn’t be working for him,’ she explained patiently. ‘I’d be part of the medical team. And I have to tell you, Jase, at this moment I find the idea challenging and exciting.’

  ‘So, go work for him, then!’ The boy shot up off the chair and glowered down at his mother. ‘Do what you want. You don’t need my permission,’ he added sarcastically, and slammed out of the room, banging the door shut so hard the frame all but shook.

  Joanna swung round, tempted to call him back but resisting the impulse. Instead, she sat chewing her lip, her face stiff with hurt and puzzlement. What had so upset her son for him to have acted so drastically out of character? After a long moment the penny dropped and she sat in frozen unbelief.

  He was jealous.

  Jealous because their cosy twosome was suddenly under threat. And the fact that the catalyst was Matt McKellar had somehow seemed to inflame the situation.

  Well, at least it had sorted things out in her mind. The realisation came like an arrow winging to its target. Joanna rose decisively to her feet. She’d call Matt tomorrow and tell him she’d take the job and on Monday she’d give in her notice at the Strachan clinic.

  And last, but not least, Jason would have to learn to accept that things in the Winters household were about to change.

  But even with her decision made, Joanna couldn’t relax that evening.

  Earlier, Jason had mumbled an apology which she’d accepted and he’d gone out to Speedway with Daniel. But the atmosphere between them was far from clear.

  When Jason had left, she ran a bath, intending to have a long, lazy soak, but that didn’t work out. A strange restlessness came over her so that in the end she cut her bath short and went to bed with a book, leaving the lounge light on for Jason.

  Sunday came and went and, despite her resolution to phone Matt, Joanna couldn’t bring herself to make the call. To make matters worse, she’d begun to experience a lingering sense of unreality about his job offer. Was she really ready for the changes its acceptance would make in her life?

  And it was pointless trying to discuss things with Jason. He’d more or less shut down, being unusually subdued and attending to his homework without being chivvied along. Joanna frowned. That fact alone was only adding to her uncertainty.

  She was still no nearer a plan of action when she parked her car outside the Strachan clinic on Monday morning. She stifled a sigh, swinging out of the car and locking it. Lifting her head, she gave a cursory look around. Her shoulders rose in a little shrug. Everything looked the same despite the fact her own world was in turmoil.

  Well, this isn’t getting the working day started, she berated herself. Determinedly marching around to the boot of her car, she opened it and hauled out her medical case, which seemed to be getting heavier every week, she thought wryly. These days, there appeared to be a newer or faster-acting drug sample to be tucked into any spare corner.

  Pasting on a smile, she pushed her way in through Reception. ‘Morning, Steffi. Nice weekend?’ she enquired of the receptionist, and then wished immediately she hadn’t been so quick off the mark with the glib Monday morning question. Steffi was the sole carer for her mother whose diabetes was progressively worsening. Joanna suspected the young woman’s weekend had been anything but nice.

  ‘Thanks,’ she murmured, taking the pile of patient cards Steffi held out to her and noticing the sad little droop to the young woman’s mouth and the dark smudges under her eyes. ‘Want to talk, Stef?’ Homing in on the other’s demeanour, Joanna’s invitation was spontaneous.

  Steffi gave a cracked laugh. ‘I knew I should’ve slapped on more make-up.’

  ‘Come through where we’ll be private.’ Joanna’s touch on the younger woman’s arm was firm.

  Steffi swallowed. ‘Do you have time?’ She hastily dipped her head to try to hide the bright glimmer of tears.

  But Joanna had seen anyway. ‘I’m disgustingly early,’ she said lightly. ‘Coffee made?’

  Steffi gave a wobbly smile and nodded.

  ‘Then let’s play hookey.’ Joanna gave a conspiratorial smile. ‘Switch the phones over to the answering machine and we’ll have a natter over coffee, shall we? I know I could do with a sympathetic ear,’ she added ruefully. ‘My son’s hardly speaking to me.’

  ‘Oh, that’s good.’ Joanna had taken several long mouthfuls of her coffee and now leaned back in her chair. She and Steffi had made themselves comfortable at the small cane setting near the window. She stifled a giggle and looked around her. ‘You know, I’ve never worked in such a large consulting room before now.’

  ‘Well, they can afford it.’ The receptionist lifted a shoulder dismissively. ‘They’re not exactly free with the salary rises.’

  ‘You’ve had a rotten weekend, haven’t you?’ Joanna asked quietly. ‘How’s your mum doing?’

  Steffi bit her lip. ‘The glaucoma is getting worse. She can’t see properly to draw up her insulin any more. I have to make sure I’m there to administer it. But at least her leg ulcer has improved. Di Anderson, the community nurse, has been wonderful. Mum really looks forward to her visits.’

  ‘Well, that’s good.’ Looking across at Steffi, Joanna’s gaze sharpened professionally. Worry and strain were ingrained on the young woman’s face. ‘But what about you, Stef?’ she asked. ‘How are you coping?’

  ‘Oh, you know…’ Steffi’s mouth trembled slightly, before she raised her mug and gulped at her coffee. ‘I’ll be twenty-five soon,’ she bit out. ‘And what have I got to look forward to? A night in with my mum! Another year of not having an hour to call my own.’ She stopped, hastily scrabbling for a tissue in her pocket and dabbing at her eyes. ‘Sorry.’ She hiccuped a laugh. ‘I’m being pathetic…’

  ‘No, you’re not!’ Joanna felt her own problems pale into insignificance. Steffi looked at the end of her rope. Joanna delved into her mind for possible solutions. ‘What about some respite care for your mum?’

  Steffi shook her head. ‘That’s just pie in the sky, Joanna. You know that.’

  Joanna did. As in most of the ancillary areas of medicine, there were never enough volunteers to meet the requirements of the community. And funding was stretched to the limits. ‘You have a sister, don’t you?’

  ‘Alex.’ Steffi nodded. ‘She tries to help but she lives out of town and she has a young family.’

  ‘No chance your mum could go to her and give you a break?’

  Steffi shrugged. ‘Mum likes her own space.’

  Well, that seemed to be that. Joanna felt hamstrung. Abruptly, she swung off her chair and moved to the window, staring out. Her index finger tapped against her chin as she set her mind to work, seeking a solution for Steffi.

  ‘Actually, Joanna, I, uh, could do with a bit of professional advice, if you have the time.’

  Joanna turned and blinked. Steffi had her auburn head bent, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.

  ‘Sure.’ Joanna made her tone casual. ‘Fire away.’

  Steffi’s shoulders rose in a controlling breath. ‘Sometimes…I wonder just how I’m going to keep on going…’

  ‘How long have you been feeling like this?’ Joanna’s head came up in query.

  ‘A while now. I, um, try to just get on with it when I’m here at work, but then I go home and everything crowds in and I’m snappy with Mum. It’s like a vicious circle.’

  ‘Do you have tightness in your chest?’

  Steffi took a shuddering breath. ‘A bit—sometimes.’

  ‘Periods OK?’ Joanna asked. ‘Not unduly heavy or anything?’

  ‘Cramps now and again. But I’m regular with my pap smears.’

  ‘Hop up on the couch for me. I’ll feel your tummy and then I’ll take your BP. We may as well run a blood test while we’re at it.’

  Joanna’s examination was thorough.

  ‘So, how am I?’ Steffi asked.

  ‘
Everything seems normal.’ Joanna released the blood-pressure cuff. ‘But you’re very tense.’ She looked thoughtful for a moment. ‘How would you feel about taking a mild antidepressant?’

  ‘I suppose…’ Steffi looked hesitant. Pulling herself upright, she dangled her legs over the edge of the couch. ‘Would they become addictive?’

  ‘Not if we keep an eye on you.’ Joanna went back to her desk and took her prescription pad from its drawer. ‘And possibly you need only take them to ease you over this rough patch.’

  ‘Would there be any side effects?’ Steffi slipped her shoes back on and sat opposite Joanna.

  ‘Not with this particular one.’ Joanna smiled and handed the script to the younger woman. ‘And come and talk to me, Steffi,’ she emphasised. ‘Sometimes just talking things through helps enormously.’

  Steffi nodded and bit her lip. ‘Thanks, Joanna—for listening and everything.’

  ‘No thanks necessary.’ Joanna flapped a hand dismissively. ‘Check in with me if you’ve any concerns at all. If not, we’ll chat again in a couple of weeks and see how you’re going. And about your period cramps, you might like to try hot and cold herbal baths to improve your circulation. It’s a bit old-fashioned but often effective.’

  With another murmured word of thanks, Steffi got to her feet. ‘Oh.’ she turned at the door, clutching the script to her chest, a pained look on her face. ‘You mentioned Jason earlier. I was so caught up with myself, I forgot to ask. Is there a problem?’

  Joanna sent her a crooked smile. ‘Just a bit of teenage angst,’ she understated. ‘I’m sure it’ll pass.’

  And why don’t I believe that for a second? she asked herself silently. Sighing a little, she gathered up their used coffee-mugs and made her way to the kitchen. And then her patients began to arrive in a steady trickle and she had no more time to indulge in semantics concerning her son’s present attitude.

  By four o’clock, Joanna realised that for the whole day she hadn’t had a chance to think about Matt or his job offer. But perhaps she should call him now, she thought, and with the possibility of hearing his voice every nerve in her body tightened. Oh, lord, what should she do? Make a decision, that’s what, she thought dismally, propping her head in her hands to massage a dull ache across her temple.

  A rap sounded on her door.

  ‘Yes, come in.’ Joanna hastily schooled her expression.

  ‘Got a minute to see me?’ Kim Newlands, a rep for one of the drug companies, shoved his fair crew-cut around the door.

  Joanna stifled a groan. ‘If you’re here to try to flog me anything, you’re dead,’ she warned him.

  ‘Ouch!’ He stepped back, his hand on his heart, and then grinned disarmingly. ‘Save your fire, Doc. I’m here as a patient. I leant on Steffi.’

  ‘Used your charm on her more likely,’ Joanna responded dryly, waving him to a chair.

  ‘Steffi said your last appointment cancelled,’ he said cheerfully. ‘You should be glad I’m here to make up your quota.’

  Joanna all but rolled her eyes. ‘What can I do for you, Kim?’

  ‘I’m feeling knackered all the time,’ he said bluntly. ‘I’ve recently had to make two international trips. They were hellishly long flights and now I find my sleep pattern’s all over the place. That’s when I can sleep. I wondered if you could give me something to knock me out.’

  Joanna clicked her tongue. ‘That’s not a long-term solution, Kim. Your circadian rhythm is probably still out of sync.’

  ‘Tell me about it.’ He rammed a hand through the low bristles of his hairstyle. ‘What should I do, then, Joanna? I’m useless. Haven’t been on a date for weeks,’ he lamented with a crooked grin.

  ‘Poor you.’ Joanna found herself grinning back at him as she leaned across to take his blood pressure. She’d known Kim since she’d come to the Strachan. He’d even asked her out once but she hadn’t gone, deeming him too young for her. ‘That seems fine.’ She released the blood-pressure cuff and placed it to one side. ‘Ideally, you should try to go to bed at the same time each night,’ she told him.

  His smile was rueful. ‘Well, I suppose I can do that.’

  ‘And have a hot drink,’ Joanna continued. ‘Try one of the herbal teas.’

  Kim made a face. ‘What about a slug of Scotch?’

  Joanna ignored the suggestion. ‘Try all the usual things as well, like having only a light meal in the evening, a warm bath, relaxing music—’

  ‘And sip my tea,’ he slipped in cheekily.

  ‘Or warm milk.’

  ‘With a dash of brandy?’

  ‘Oh, for heaven’s sake!’ Joanna tsked. ‘Stop fooling around, Kim. Do you want my professional advice or not?’

  He looked suitably chastened. ‘I’ll do what you’ve suggested, Doc. But what if it doesn’t work? I’ll go nuts.’

  ‘You can’t rush it,’ she warned. ‘Take it slowly and eventually your normal sleep pattern will re-establish itself with local time. But realise the more it has been disrupted, the longer it may take.’

  ‘OK. I’ll give it a go.’ Languidly, he raised his arms and stretched. ‘So—how’re things with you, Joey? Not married again yet?’

  ‘They’re fine and, no, I’m not.’ Joanna began to tidy things on her desk. ‘What about you?’

  He shrugged. ‘No luck yet meeting the right woman. I’ll be thirty this year.’

  ‘That’s terribly ancient.’ The smile was hard to suppress. ‘But no doubt your soul mate is out there somewhere.’

  ‘Yours, too?’ he asked softly.

  She felt the blush creep up her cheeks. ‘Who knows?’ she said primly, but he just chuckled. And he seemed in no hurry to leave either! She looked pointedly at her watch.

  ‘Steffi’s a honey, isn’t she?’ Kim pushed his chair back, crossing one leg so that his ankle rested on his opposite knee.

  Thrown by his sudden change of topic, Joanna gave a guarded smile. ‘She is. And very good at her job. I don’t know what we’d do without her.’

  Kim arched a dark-fair brow. ‘Does she have a boyfriend?’

  ‘Not that I know of.’ Joanna was startled into a reply. ‘Why?’

  Kim lifted a shoulder. ‘I’ve asked her out a few times. She’s always backed off. I just wondered…’

  ‘Steffi has an invalid mother.’ Joanna felt sure she wasn’t betraying a confidence. The whole of the staff knew of Steffi’s domestic situation.

  ‘She could get someone to sit with her, though, couldn’t she?’

  ‘Perhaps.’ A wild idea was beginning to form in Joanna’s mind. She’d done nothing but dither about her own love life, it couldn’t hurt to give Steffi’s a shove in the right direction. And for all his nonsense, Kim was a nice man. And fun. And right now Steffi needed a dose of light-hearted male company almost as much as her own breathing.

  ‘I was beginning to think I had a personal hygiene problem,’ Kim said cheerfully. ‘But if it’s only a case of—’

  ‘Ask her out again,’ Joanna broke in urgently. ‘But not today. I may know of someone to sit with her mum…’

  ‘And that would ease the way for Steffi to say yes,’ Kim finished with a wide grin. ‘When should I ask her, then? Give me a time span.’

  Joanna thought quickly. ‘Give it a while yet. I happen to know Steffi has a birthday coming up as well. Maybe if her mum’s taken care of, that could be the impetus for Stef to go out with you.’ She grinned across at him. ‘What do you think?’

  ‘I think you’re brilliant, Dr Winters. Amazingly, bloody well brilliant.’ Kim was all smiles as he left.

  For the first time in her life Joanna was almost reluctant to go home. And with the realisation came a sudden pang of guilt.

  But the fact was, she’d have to face Jason again and heaven knew what kind of mood he’d be in. Kids, she thought. Why was it such an uphill battle?

  Putting off the inevitable, she did some grocery shopping at her local supermarket and then drove slowly home along the tre
e-lined street.

  Pulling into the driveway, she cut the engine and swung out of the car. ‘Jason!’ She almost collided with her son as he jumped down from the rockery and stood awkwardly beside her on the concrete driveway.

  ‘Want a hand with anything?’

  ‘Please, love.’ Joanna’s smile spelt relief. ‘Groceries in the boot. If you’d take them inside, I’ll put the car away.’

  ‘No worries.’ Jason picked up the plastic bags as though they were filled with feathers and loped through the carport towards the back door.

  Thoughtfully, Joanna nosed the car under cover. Jason appeared to be in high spirits. Perhaps she’d been right after all and his mood over the weekend had been merely a fit of teenage angst. But whatever had wrought the change back to his normal easygoing self, she welcomed it with open arms.

  ‘I got some of that Turkish bread you like,’ she told him, and together they began to unpack the contents of the grocery bags.

  ‘Cool.’ His grin was infectious. ‘Can we do some steak sandwiches for dinner?’

  ‘Sure, why not? As long we make a salad to go with them,’ Joanna stipulated. ‘You seem in a good mood,’ she added lightly.

  ‘I’m in the firsts for the athletic team for the all-schools comp.’

  Joanna paused with the bottle of wine she’d slid from its wrapping. ‘Hey, that’s brilliant!’

  ‘I reckon.’ Jason was grinning broadly. ‘Dad was good at athletics, wasn’t he?’

  Joanna sobered for a second. ‘Your dad was a natural at all sports, Jase. You’re very like him.’

  Jason crossed his trainer-clad feet and leant back against the bench top. ‘I thought we could dig out his old school photos tonight. Especially the ones where he was captain of the rugger team.’

  Joanna lifted a shoulder. ‘If you’d like to.’ She turned her head as the doorbell sounded. ‘Get that, please, Jase? I’ll make a start on dinner.’

  Going to the fridge, Joanna took a cos lettuce from the crisper and began to separate the leaves into a metal basket ready for washing. Intent on her task, she didn’t hear the front door close. But suddenly the echo of firm footsteps in the hallway had her tilting her head towards the sound. Oh, lord, she sighed inwardly, she just wasn’t in the mood for visitors.