Police Doctor

by Laura MacDonald

  ‘Oh, yes.’ She passed them across the desk then looked at Adele. ‘Are you sitting in on Casey’s surgery this morning?’

  ‘Am I?’ Adele glanced at Casey.

  ‘Why not?’ He glanced through the records. ‘It’ll be a baptism of fire, judging by this lot, but it’ll be good for you. Perhaps you’d tell the patients that we have a trainee sitting in this morning, Lizzie. But, please, make sure you explain that Adele has already qualified as a doctor and that she most definitely is not a student.’

  ‘Of course.’ Lizzie grinned and left the room, and with a barely audible sigh Casey picked up the receiver. ‘Flo?’ he said. ‘It’s Casey here. Now, what’s all this fuss about this morning?’ He listened patiently for several minutes then he said, ‘Right, give him some painkillers and tell him to lie flat. OK, if he can’t get up the stairs tell him to lie on the floor. Tell Maudie I’ll listen to her chest when I come in and if I think it’s necessary I’ll prescribe another course of antibiotics—and tell her if I find she’s been smoking again I’ll skin her alive. And I’ll have a look at Stevie at the same time—stomach upset you say. Was he out last night? Probably too much lager. But I’ll be over later. Bye, Flo.’ He hung up and turned to Adele.

  ‘Flo is quite a character,’ he said when he caught sight of her expression, which in spite of herself was one of amazement. ‘She’s been married three times, divorced once, widowed once and wishes she’d never set eyes on number three, let alone married him. She has eight children, most of whom still live in or around the family home, and her elderly mother, Maudie, also lives there. There’s a crisis of some description probably every week. So, are you ready to face the fray?’ He reached out his hand to press the buzzer for the first patient.

  ‘Why did you say that to Lizzie about telling the patients that I’m not a student?’ asked Adele curiously as they waited for the first patient.

  ‘There is often a curious reaction to a student sitting in and listening to their problems,’ he replied. ‘They question it and they aren’t always too happy about it.’

  ‘And a trainee?’

  ‘Oh, they like that. As soon as they know they have the attention of two doctors…’

  ‘Two for the price of one, you mean?’

  ‘Something like that.’ They were still smiling when the first patient knocked on the door and came into the room. Somehow the episode with Flo and her family problems had lightened the atmosphere between them and by the time the patient had sat down and told them all about the pain he was getting from his bunions, Adele found she was feeling less as if she was a nuisance who was simply getting in the way and more like someone who might actually be an asset to the practice.

  If Casey’s term of ‘baptism of fire’ was something of an exaggeration, the morning’s list nevertheless presented Adele with an insight into the diversity that an ordinary morning surgery could bring—a young mum with a fractious, teething baby closely followed the patient with the bunions, then a teenager with a tongue piercing that had gone septic preceded an anxious young man whose face was ravaged by acne. They’d barely drawn breath when a middle-aged woman having menopausal problems confronted them, followed by a man who had been bleeding heavily from the rectum and who required an urgent referral for further tests.

  At the start of the surgery after the call from Flo Procter, Adele had had decided reservations about Casey’s approach to his patients, believing that it was too casual, but as the morning wore on and she witnessed at first hand the response of the patients to his manner she was forced to revise her opinions.

  As the surgery ended, Rachel Tait, the practice manager, phoned through to ask Casey and Adele to join the rest of the staff for coffee in the staffroom.

  ‘I think this is by way of a welcome to you,’ said Casey as he replaced the receiver. ‘And an opportunity for you to meet the staff all together.’ He paused. ‘Tell me, did you find that list too daunting?’

  ‘My“baptism of fire”?’ Adele raised her eyebrows and smiled. ‘Not at all. In actual fact, I enjoyed it.’

  ‘Ah, the enthusiasm of the young and uninitiated…’ That rare smile touched his rugged features as he stood up and opened the door for her to precede him out of the room.

  It was true Adele had enjoyed her morning and she was feeling a lot better about the whole situation than she had the previous evening, in spite of the fact that Casey had admitted that he’d been so against having a trainee in the practice.

  The staffroom at the side of Woolverton House was large and overlooked the garden. Adele had not yet had the opportunity of exploring the garden and as through the windows she caught a glimpse of copper beech and a large blue cedar on the lawn she promised herself that was a treat to come. The room was full of people, some she recognised and others she’d never seen before. Rachel came to meet them as they moved into the centre of the room.

  ‘Adele, it’s good to see you again,’ Rachel said warmly. ‘I looked for you this morning but I was told that this slave-driver…’ she glanced up at Casey with a grin ‘…had your nose to the grindstone at eight-thirty sharp.’

  ‘That’s true,’ Casey agreed. ‘No time like the present for these things, in my opinion.’

  ‘Yes, well, I think there’s a time and a place for everything,’ said Rachel firmly, ‘and now is the time to welcome Adele properly to Woolverton House.’

  ‘Hear! Hear!’ Suddenly Edward was beside them and must have heard Rachel’s comment. ‘Adele.’ He beamed. ‘Did you survive your first surgery?’

  ‘Well, I didn’t really have to do anything.’ Adele gave a little shrug. ‘I just listened.’

  ‘Sometimes that can be pretty daunting in itself,’ Edward observed shrewdly. ‘Now, let me see,’ he went on, looking around the big room, ‘whom haven’t you met?’

  The next half-hour was taken up with Adele meeting those staff members she hadn’t met at her interview and renewing acquaintance with those she had. One of these was the practice’s female partner. Jeanette Maynard was an attractive woman in her mid-forties and Adele already knew she was a divorcee with a teenage son and daughter.

  ‘We’re so pleased to have you aboard,’ she told Adele as they spent a few moments together. ‘Me, especially. I get hopelessly outnumbered against the men sometimes, it’ll be nice to have another woman’s point of view at partners’ meetings.’

  ‘Do you think they’ll listen to what a humble trainee has to say?’ asked Adele with a smile.

  ‘Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they do,’ replied Jeanette firmly. ‘Now, tell me, are you quite comfortable in the flat?’

  ‘Oh, yes.’ Adele nodded. ‘I slept very well last night. Mind you, I was dog-tired.’

  ‘But you have everything you need?’

  ‘Oh, yes.’ She paused. ‘There was even food in the fridge, bread and milk and things like that. I’m not sure who I have to thank for that.’

  ‘I’m afraid it wasn’t me,’ said Jeanette with a laugh. ‘Although I wish I had thought of it.’

  ‘It was probably Penny,’ said Adele. ‘She came in to welcome me when I arrived. I must thank her later—it certainly saved me having to think about shopping last night.’ Looking round, Adele caught sight of Penny. She was standing in the large window bay and was in conversation with Casey, her eyes shining and her expression animated, and just for a moment Adele was reminded that Penny had told her that the two of them were at the start of a relationship. The memory came with a jolt probably because even when she had first heard it, it had seemed improbable, and now that she knew Casey a little better it seemed even more so.

  ‘Hello, Adele.’

  She was brought swiftly back to the proceedings by a voice at her elbow. Turning sharply, she realised that Jeanette had turned away and was talking to Frances Drew, the practice secretary, and that it was Toby Nash, the junior partner, who had spoken to her.

  ‘Hello, Toby,’ she said, and found that she was relieved that something had diverted her at
tention away from the unlikely couple in the window. She couldn’t have explained why she was relieved, she only knew she was.

  ‘Sorry, I haven’t had a chance to speak to you yet.’ Toby’s eyes were serious behind his glasses while his mop of black hair flopped over his forehead.

  ‘That’s all right. I’m sure there will be plenty of opportunity later,’ said Adele. ‘After all, I believe we’re neigh-bours as well as colleagues.’ As she spoke she was amused to see that Toby’s face had grown quite pink at the prospect of deepening their acquaintance.

  ‘Don’t you let Casey work you too hard,’ he muttered to cover his embarrassment.

  ‘I understand he’s something of a slave-driver,’ Adele commented wryly.

  ‘He’s a workaholic,’ said Toby. ‘Eats and sleeps work and seems to live solely for his patients.’

  ‘Which I’m sure is very commendable, although maybe tough for others in his life to live with.’

  ‘Oh, he’s not married,’ said Toby quickly.

  ‘I was meaning more his colleagues,’ Adele replied.

  ‘Oh, yes, I see what you mean…’ Toby trailed off as Edward suddenly called for quiet and all heads turned to where he was standing in front of the vast fireplace.

  ‘You all know why you’re here,’ he said, looking round at his partners and the members of his staff, ‘and that is to welcome Adele Brooks into the practice. Adele, as you know, is to do her GP training year with us here at Woolverton House. She comes to us from Chester where she did her medical training.’ He stopped, looked round again then cleared his throat. ‘As I’m sure you are all aware,’ he went on after a moment, ‘it was originally intended that I was to be Adele’s trainer but unfortunately recent events have decreed otherwise. I am indebted to Casey who has stepped into the breech and who will take over as Adele’s trainer.’ He paused and looked over his glasses at Casey who inclined his head slightly in response. ‘For the rest of you,’ Edward continued, ‘I would like you to make every effort to give Casey any help you can and, of course, to assist Adele in every possible way. She is new to the area and knows neither the patients nor you, the members of staff. This, I know from experience, can be a daunting situation. Please, all of you, be aware of it and do all you can to make Adele’s year amongst us a happy and pleasant one during which she will learn what is necessary to take forward into her life as a GP.’

  It was obvious that he had finished and Adele was aware that all eyes had turned to her, compelling her to think that she should say something in response.

  Nervously she cleared her throat then, breaking the silence, she said, ‘Thank you, Edward, for that kind welcome. I’m sure from what I’ve seen so far that I’m going to be very happy here at Woolverton House. I would also like to thank Casey for agreeing to take over my training at such short notice and the rest of you for your kind welcome on my arrival—for the flowers and the wine and for whoever prepared the flat so thoughtfully.’ She stopped and for a fraction of a second her gaze caught Casey’s and for the second time she saw on his face that expression that she’d been unable to define. It had been there the previous day when they had first met and it was there again now as he stood at the window, watching her. It unnerved her slightly and she stumbled over what she intended saying next.

  ‘I…would like…’ She trailed off then took a deep breath and started again. ‘What Edward said is very true. I am unused to this way of life so I hope you will all help me to find my feet. I am, however, no stranger to hard work so if there’s anything you think I may be able to help with, don’t be afraid to ask.’

  After coffee and biscuits, which were served by Lizzie Vale and another receptionist, Cheryl Burgess, the gathering gradually dispersed and everyone returned to work.

  As Adele prepared to leave the room Rachel joined her. ‘Adele,’ she said, ‘would you like to come along to the office? There are a few things I need to go through with you, like tax and insurance details and your terms of contract.’

  ‘All right.’ Adele nodded then found herself looking over her shoulder. ‘I’d better just tell Casey,’ she said.

  While Rachel went on Adele waited until Casey and Penny came out of the big room. Penny was still chattering non-stop but for the briefest of moments Adele got the impression that Casey wasn’t listening to her, and as they approached it was her he was looking at.

  ‘Were you waiting for me?’ he asked and Penny stopped in mid-sentence.

  ‘Only to say that Rachel has asked me to go to the office to sort out my details,’ Adele replied.

  ‘Fair enough.’ Casey nodded. ‘After that we have a house call to make.’

  ‘You want me to come with you?’

  ‘Absolutely. Or maybe my description of the Procter household put you off visiting them?’ There was a touch of sarcasm in his voice and Penny grinned.

  ‘No, of course not,’ said Adele quickly. ‘I’ll come to your room when Rachel has finished with me.’

  It didn’t take too long to go through her personal details and when they had finished, Rachel said, ‘Are you getting on all right with Casey?’

  ‘Yes, I think so.’ Adele nodded slowly. ‘I wasn’t quite sure how to take him at first,’ she admitted, ‘but I think we’ll be OK.’

  ‘He certainly isn’t quite like your average GP, is he?’ Rachel smiled. ‘I always say he missed his vocation and that he should have pursued some sort of action career like the SAS or a stunt man. But, having said that, he’s a good doctor so maybe he was right after all. Certainly his patients think the world of him.’

  ‘One thing does intrigue me about him,’ said Adele.

  ‘Only one?’ Rachel raised an eyebrow then with a chuckle she said, ‘What’s that?’

  ‘Why does everyone call him Casey?’

  ‘It’s his name,’ said Rachel with a shrug.

  ‘Yes, I know, but doesn’t he have a first name?’

  ‘He does but he hates it. Only Edward and myself know what it is for legal and administrative purposes and we are sworn to secrecy on pain of death. All he will admit to is the initial H which he uses when forced to sign official documents.’

  ‘Oh,’ said Adele. ‘I see.’ The explanation was fair enough but somehow it just seemed to add yet another dimension to the unconventional aura that surrounded the man who was her trainer.

  CHAPTER THREE

  ‘WE’D better take the Land Rover,’ Casey said, glancing at Adele’s short, straight skirt as they walked out of the building into the rear courtyard.

  ‘I don’t mind going on the bike if you’d rather,’ she offered.

  By this time he had unlocked the Land Rover and was behind the wheel. He seemed to hesitate for a moment then he said, ‘No, we’ll take this.’

  She climbed up beside him, remaining silent as he reversed out of the space then inched out of the courtyard to attempt to join the traffic in the high street. It was as busy as ever with constant streams of cars and delivery vehicles and dozens of shoppers milling across the pavements.

  ‘Is it always like this?’ she asked, throwing him a side-long glance.

  ‘Pretty much.’ He pulled a face then gave a thumbs-up sign as a tradesman’s van gave way, allowing him out of the mews entrance. ‘It’s one of the reasons I use the bike so often.’

  ‘Maybe in future I’d better change into trousers for house calls.’

  ‘You can wear trousers for surgery as far as I’m concerned.’

  She opened her mouth to say that she considered a skirt and jacket more suitable for surgery but then shut it again. How could she talk about such things to this man who himself was so unconventional in his ways? No doubt in the height of summer he would think nothing of conducting surgery wearing shorts and a T-shirt.

  They drove in silence through the heavy traffic then as they sat at a set of traffic lights, waiting for the green light, he half turned towards her. ‘Everything go all right with Rachel?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes.’ Adele nodded. �
�It was only a chat to sort out tax codes and the terms of my contract.’

  ‘And are you happy with the terms of your contract?’

  ‘Oh, yes. Yes, I think so.’ It hadn’t occurred to her to question it. Now she wondered if maybe she should have done but at the time everything had seemed more than reasonable with regard to her working hours, time off and holidays.

  ‘Rachel’s OK,’ he said. ‘She’ll sort out any admin problems you might have—she’s even been known to sort out other sorts of problems,’ he added dryly.

  ‘Other sorts of problems?’ Adele threw him a startled glance. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Personal problems—you know, relationship problems, the sort of problems that inevitably arise after boy meets girl.’

  ‘Oh,’ said Adele. ‘I see.’

  ‘And as I’m sure you can imagine, we have plenty of those with a high proportion of young women on the staff.’

  ‘Are you saying that men don’t experience such problems?’ she raised her eyebrows.

  ‘Not at all. I’m sure they do. The difference is that they choose not to talk about them.’

  ‘So Rachel is good at helping to sort these things out?’

  ‘I understand she’s a good listener, that together with the fact that she has the patience of a saint.’ He gave a short laugh. ‘We had an episode recently where both Lizzie and Cheryl had boyfriend trouble—they were commiserating with each other until they discovered it was over the same man. After that there was so much flak about you needed a hard hat just to go into Reception.’

  Adele laughed. ‘They seem friendly enough now.’

  ‘Oh, yes, the boyfriend was sent packing. They’ve both moved on and I imagine there are new men on the scene—hopefully, this time they will have one each.’ He paused and threw Adele a sidelong glance. ‘What about you, Dr Brooks?’ he asked.

  ‘What about me?’ asked Adele.

  ‘Do you have boyfriend trouble?’

  ‘Oh, no, nothing like that, I can assure you.’