by Joanna Neil
He nodded. ‘Quite sure.’
She thought about it for a moment or two. ‘Okay,’ she said. ‘I’ll have a word with my boss. If Mr Haskins is happy to let you go ahead, we’ll see what we can do, and hope that we can get young Sam prepped for surgery this morning.’
A short time later Katie asked Shona to go and talk to the parents once more. ‘We’ll need them to fill in a consent form.’
‘Does that mean we’re on?’ Ross glanced at her, his whole body energised and alert.
‘It does. Apparently Mr Haskins has heard great things about you and one of the surgeons has agreed to stand by for the video link. We have a technician here who will help set things up.’ Katie gave him a quick smile. ‘Do you want to go and talk the parents through the procedure, and explain to them what’s happening? And then you should go and scrub up. I’ll see you in Theatre in an hour.’
‘Okay. I’ll introduce myself to them.’ He went with Shona to the waiting room.
An hour later, the full team was assembled in the radiology suite, where little Sam was being made ready for the surgery. He looked so frail, his tiny limbs twitching occasionally, his chest rising and falling rapidly. His lips had taken on a faintly blue tinge.
Katie gently stroked his dimpled fingers. She wanted to pick him up and cradle him in her arms and whisper soothingly that everything would be all right, but she couldn’t, of course, and that made her terribly sad.
The anaesthetist started to introduce the drugs that would put the baby out, and once that was done, the way was open for Ross to begin. From this moment everything depended on him and whether he had the skill to do what was needed.
He appeared to be totally calm. ‘Okay, shall we get started?’ He inserted a needle into a blood vessel in the baby’s groin, and then slowly, carefully, pushed a soft guide wire along the blood vessel. Then he removed the needle and threaded a narrow plastic tube over the wire, feeding it through the blood vessels until he reached the malformation deep within the base of Sam’s brain.
All the while, he kept glancing at the monitor that showed him how the tube was progressing. On the video link, Professor Markham intervened every now and again to make sure that all was going well.
‘That’s in position.’ Ross murmured. ‘Now I’m going to block some of the feeder arteries.’
Katie marvelled at how composed he was as he injected a glue-like substance into the malformation. She’d never seen him quite like this before, cool, confident, totally dedicated. He completed that part of the procedure and then stretched, easing his tight muscles, and she felt a compelling urge to go over to him and gently massage his neck and shoulders. It irked her that she had to restrain herself.
They had been in this room for nearly two and a half hours, and everyone was under considerable strain. The tension in the room was almost palpable. So much depended on getting this right.
‘That seems to be working,’ Professor Markham commented, after a while. ‘The blood flow is decreasing through the lesion, and his heart rate is improving. I think you might have done it.’
‘We did it between us,’ Ross murmured. ‘I couldn’t have done it without the whole team.’ He looked around. ‘Thanks, everyone. Let’s finish up here, shall we?’
Katie breathed a sigh of relief, along with everyone in the room. Already Sam’s skin was pinking up, and on the monitor she could see that the blood had diverted along the right track.
‘That was brilliant,’ she told Ross later as they tossed their scrubs into a bin and cleaned up at the washbasins. ‘I was afraid it would all go wrong, but you did so well. You saved that baby’s life.’
‘Like I said, it was down to teamwork. The professor was there to guide me through it, and everyone in the room was highly skilled and knew exactly what they had to do. I’m just pleased that the baby has a good chance in life now.’
He dried his hands and sent her an oblique glance. ‘I’ll go and talk to the parents, but after that, maybe we could go and get some lunch? You must be due for a break by now?’
‘Yes, that’s a good idea. They do a decent meal selection in the restaurant here.’ She gave a wry grin. ‘Not quite up to the standard of Cragail, I’m afraid, but pretty good all the same.’
‘Ah, well, Cragail was an outstanding experience in more ways than one.’ A mischievous gleam danced in his eyes, and Katie felt her cheeks grow warm.
‘Maybe we should try to put that behind us.’ She walked to the door and he stood to one side and opened it for her.
He gave her a rueful smile. ‘That’s more easily said than done.’ He frowned, giving her a questioning look. ‘I’d really like to know more about this man who hurt you.’
‘It’s in the past, over and done with, and I’d sooner not talk about it,’ she muttered.
‘Hmm. It still feels raw, does it?’
She didn’t answer him, and instead they walked in silence along the corridor to the restaurant. It was light and welcoming, with clean magnolia-painted walls and wide windows overlooking a shrubbery and grassed area. To one side of the landscaped garden there was a terrace laid out with bench tables and dotted about with tubs of flowers.
‘Shall we go and sit outside?’ Ross suggested as they loaded their trays with food. ‘It’s a beautiful day. We might as well enjoy the sunshine while we can.’
‘Okay.’
Katie chose a table in a secluded corner close by the shade of a gnarled sycamore tree. She had picked out an appetising and colourful cheese salad for her meal, whilst Ross had opted for lasagne. Neither of them had wanted a hot drink, and instead they had taken bottles of cola and juice from the fridge.
Ross poured juice into a glass and slid it across the table towards her. ‘You were very capable and in control of everything back there in Accident and Emergency this morning,’ he said. ‘I was impressed. You handled the staff well, you were good with the parents, and very gentle and compassionate with the children in your care.’
She arched her brows in surprise. ‘I’d no idea you saw me with anyone other than little Sam.’
‘Oh, yes. I was wandering around the treatment bays earlier this morning. Mr Haskins suggested I take a look around. I didn’t want to disturb you because you were busy.’
‘How does our hospital compare with yours over on the mainland?’
‘It’s very much on a par with what we have. Of course, there’s the isolation factor here and the lack of highly specialised equipment. There’s always the possibility that a patient might have to be sent over to us.’
‘Is that why you prefer being on the mainland, because of the state-of-the-art hospitals?’
He shrugged. ‘There are pros and cons. I’ve pretty much learned how to be adaptable over the years.’
‘And how are you finding things over here? Are you still staying at McAskie’s?’
‘Yes, I’m comfortable there.’ He grinned. ‘The landlady’s taken me under her wing and makes sure I have everything I need.’
Katie rolled her eyes. Yet another woman had fallen under his spell. She’d no doubt he knew the effect he had on women and was amused by it.
She tasted her grated cheese and crisp salad then sipped the refreshing, chilled orange juice. ‘Haven’t you thought about going home to stay with your father and Finn for a while?’
He shook his head, becoming serious. ‘I’d like to see more of Finn, but I prefer to meet him away from the house. You know my father and I don’t see eye to eye. We haven’t done in years.’
‘Not since he married your stepmother, in fact. Isn’t that the truth? It wasn’t just your delinquent behaviour and the accident that caused the problems between you, was it? Those problems started because of the marriage.’
His eyes darkened. ‘You were always far too perceptive.’ His pressed his lips into a taut, fl
at line. ‘It seemed to me my mother hadn’t long died, and yet he brought Stephanie home. I must have been about twelve at the time, but even then I felt it wasn’t right. I loved my mother to bits and I was devastated when she died.’
‘I’m so sorry, Ross.” She reached across the table and laid her hand lightly on his. ‘It must have been an awful time for you. I can only imagine how you must have felt.’
He acknowledged her sympathetic gesture with a faint nod. ‘I don’t know how he could have done what he did. I didn’t want anyone to take my mother’s place. She was so precious to me, and it was so hard to bear when she had gone. I only knew grief at the time, but afterwards, years later, I think it made me feel closed in, and afraid to ever feel such love again, just in case...’ He broke off, and Katie glanced at him, concerned by the dark torment in his eyes.
‘In case you were to be hurt again?’ Her heart went out to him. It explained such a lot about why he found it so difficult to make a commitment to any one woman.
He nodded. ‘I think I hated my father for bringing another woman into the house.’
‘That’s understandable.’ Katie pulled in a quick breath. ‘Look, I know I may be stepping out of line here, but that all happened a long time ago, and things have changed. Don’t you think it’s time you and he buried the hatchet?’
He shook his head. ‘I don’t think that’s possible. After all, we never really got on. I felt he was too harsh, too rigid in his ways, and too shut away from family life. He spent a lot of time away on business while I was growing up, and I don’t believe he’s changed much in these last few years.’
‘He might have mellowed with age. Isn’t that possible?’
‘Maybe. But Finn has been telling me that he wants to leave home as soon as he can find a way to support himself. It’s almost impossible to live up to my father’s standards and if you fail in any way you tend to suffer for it. He’s a hard man to live with in many ways, though one thing I will say for him—he was always good to my mother, and he adores Stephanie.’
‘I’m sorry. I know it must have been difficult, both for you and for Finn. But you’re not a boy any more, Ross, and it seems such a shame that you and your father are still at odds with one another. Now that you’re older, you could perhaps reason with him and help him to see how his actions are driving Finn away.’
‘I’m sure I don’t need to tell my father anything about his character.’ His jaw was rigid. ‘He’s had years to hone it to perfection, and I’d as soon leave him to get on with it.’ He shot her a quick glance. ‘You really don’t need to worry about our relationship.’
She studied him thoughtfully. ‘You’re right, it’s not my business, and perhaps I shouldn’t try to meddle, but I just hate to see you and your father on opposite sides. It could be that deep down inside he has regrets, too.’ She hesitated. ‘I can see you’re annoyed with me, though, and I’m sorry for that.’
‘No, I’m not annoyed with you.’ He laid down his knife and fork with a small sigh. ‘I could never be at odds with you. My only worry is for Finn. I’ll just be glad if I can help him out in any way.’
‘He has to report for questioning at the police station in a few days, doesn’t he? Have you found a solicitor to act for him yet?’
‘I think so.’ He took a long swallow of his drink. ‘I made enquiries and picked out a firm that deals with juvenile crime. They’re going to send someone along to talk to him.’
‘Good.’ She toyed with her dessert, a creamy mousse that was chilled to perfection. ‘How are his wounds healing? Do you know if he’s been along to the surgery to have his dressing changed?’
He nodded. ‘They won’t take the stitches out for a while yet, but the nurse seemed to think it was looking clean and good. You did a neat job there.’
She smiled. ‘I tried. After all, youngsters are very sensitive about their looks, aren’t they?’
‘True.’ He glanced at her, his gaze skimming over her from head to toe. ‘While we’re on the subject, you’re looking pretty good yourself. Is that how you usually dress for work? It must make things really difficult for the male staff around here. They must have trouble concentrating. I’m really very jealous that they get to be near you.’
‘Yeah, yeah.’ She wafted his comments away. ‘I’m sure they cope.’ She was wearing a pencil skirt along with a soft-textured white blouse, and there was a jacket that nipped in at the waist to complete the outfit.
He smiled. ‘Seriously, you look terrific, but don’t you find that slim-line skirt a bit restricting for work?’
She shook her head. ‘I usually wear scrubs when I’m in A and E, or something cheerful when I’m on the paediatric ward, but I changed into this outfit after we finished in Theatre. I don’t have to work this afternoon. I have an appointment to attend in half an hour, so I need to look smart.’
‘Well, you certainly look it.’
‘Thanks.’ She returned his gaze. ‘You look well turned out, too, but I expect you always dress like that for work, don’t you?’ She noticed his jacket was carefully placed over the back of his seat. ‘Most doctors here wear tailored trousers and a shirt and tie, though a lot of them roll up their sleeves and lose the tie for hygiene reasons these days when they’re in the treatment areas.’
‘It’s true, we’re expected to look the part—professional, well turned out, but...’ He hesitated a little and she wondered if he was troubled by what he was about to say. He seemed to brace himself. ‘I have an appointment, too, this afternoon. I have to be in the executive director’s office at three o’clock.’ He studied her, as though waiting for her reaction.
A small gasp hovered on her lips. ‘You’re going for an interview?’ she said in a shocked voice.
He nodded, watching her cautiously, his expression serious. ‘That’s right.’
Her jaw dropped a fraction and she felt as though all the air had been sucked out of her, leaving her floundering. ‘So that’s why you’ve been hanging about all morning. You weren’t here to renew old acquaintances at all—you were looking around, eyeing up the facilities and checking out the way we work, getting ready for any questions that might come your way this afternoon.’
She felt sick with disappointment. ‘We’re in competition for the same job.’
She’d had no idea this was coming. How could he have kept it to himself? ‘You knew this was the job I wanted. You must have known when we were at the castle. Why didn’t you tell me?’
He gave her a rueful glance. ‘I didn’t want to throw you off your stride or do anything to spoil things between us.’
‘No, of course not,’ she said in a bitter tone, ‘you were too intent on trying to get me into bed, weren’t you? Telling me about the job would have put a real dampener on that, wouldn’t it?’
‘It wasn’t like that, Katie.’
“No?’ She was scornful. ‘I wonder why I don’t believe you.’
‘I don’t want to argue with you, Katie.’ He straightened his shoulders and added briskly, ‘Anyway, it shouldn’t be a problem. You have just as much chance of getting this job as I do. More, perhaps, because you already work here.’
‘We’ll soon see, won’t we?’ She stood up, pushing her chair back and reaching for her handbag. All at once she needed to escape, she desperately needed time to get herself back under control. ‘I must go and freshen up. I expect I’ll see you around.’
He got to his feet, his eyes narrowing on her as she turned away. ‘Katie, don’t let this mess things up for us,’ he said tautly. ‘It doesn’t have to be a problem, you know.’
She didn’t answer him. It was too late for those kinds of sentiments. He hadn’t told her that he had applied for the job, and that hurt badly. It was such a shock.
CHAPTER FIVE
‘HOW’S THE PATIENT doing, Doctor? Do we need to send
him to the hospital, or will you be able to treat him here?’ Sergeant McKenzie finished writing up the charge sheet and looked at Katie over the counter.
‘I’m afraid we need to get an X-ray of his hand,’ she told him. ‘When he smashed his fist into the wall, he not only caused a lot of surface damage but it looks as though he broke a couple of fingers, too. I’ve cleaned it up and bound the hand to make it more comfortable for him in the meantime. He needs to keep it in the sling for now. And I’ve given him painkillers. They should keep on working for the next few hours.’
‘Thanks, Katie. I’ll organise transport and arrange for a couple of officers to escort him to the hospital.’ He picked up the phone and made the arrangements there and then, while Katie chatted with the policeman who had brought the man into the station.
She turned, though, as the main door opened once more, and her chest tightened as Ross walked into the reception area, accompanied by Finn. Following them, she was surprised to see Josh Kilburn, dressed flawlessly as usual and carrying a bulging briefcase.
‘Hi, there.’ She acknowledged both men with a quick nod, and immediately struggled with the vision of Ross’s powerfully honed, muscular frame. He was wearing chinos and a loose sweater that drew her attention to his broad shoulders. She looked away. She wouldn’t let him distract her.
She was still annoyed with him. He must have known all along that they were going after the same job, yet he had said nothing to her about it. Heavens, he might even have managed to manoeuvre her into bed with him if they hadn’t been interrupted.
She closed her eyes briefly, as though that would shut out those unsettling thoughts. After a second or two, though, she pulled herself together and managed to give Finn a warm smile. ‘How are you doing, Finn?’
‘I’m all right, I guess,’ he answered in a hesitant voice. Bending his head towards her, he added quietly, ‘I’m a bit nervous, to be honest.’
She gave his arm an affectionate squeeze. ‘You’re bound to be apprehensive. Let Mr Kilburn guide you. I expect he’s already talked to you about what happened, hasn’t he?’