A Very Special Child

by Jennifer Taylor

  ‘It’s out of the question. I need you here,’ Cathy said curtly, cutting her off in mid-sentence. She rolled her eyes as she turned to Mark. ‘Honestly, it doesn’t take a genius to see how pushed we are at the moment, without staff taking it upon themselves to go AWOL!’

  She was obviously inviting his sympathy but it backfired. He frowned as he looked down the ward to where Katie was sitting by her bed. ‘I know that you’re under a great deal of pressure, Staff. However, allowing Katie to become distressed won’t help either the radiologists to do their job or her recovery. Katie is already upset because her mother has seen fit to absent herself so it would seem sensible to me that Laura should stay with her if it will help.’

  Cathy’s mouth pursed, making it clear that she was furious that Mark should have disagreed with her. ‘It is my responsibility to ensure that the running of this ward isn’t compromised in any way.’

  ‘I understand that. I also appreciate that it’s a difficult task, balancing all aspects of the job.’ Mark smiled but there was no doubting his authority. ‘Perhaps it would help if I had a word with Fiona Watts to see if she can find someone else to cover for Sister Hart while she’s absent from duty?’

  ‘That won’t be necessary, thank you.’ Cathy’s tone was clipped. She turned to Laura and it was impossible to ignore the hatred in her eyes. ‘You may stay with Katie while she has her scan but I want you back here straight afterwards. Understand?’

  Mark sighed as the staff nurse strode away. ‘Maybe I was a little hard on her. It can’t be easy stepping into Rachel’s shoes. She does such a fine job of running this ward that you don’t realise how difficult it really is, balancing everyone’s needs.’

  Laura didn’t say anything because it was hardly her place to comment. However, she couldn’t deny a certain trepidation as she thought about the repercussions this was going to have. Cathy had been difficult enough to work with before, and now she would be even worse after Mark’s intervention, even though he’d been right to do so.

  ‘Right, I’d better get going now that I’ve stirred up a hornet’s nest here!’ Mark’s tone was so rueful that it made her smile despite her qualms.

  ‘I bet you were born with a wooden spoon in your mouth,’ she teased.

  ‘So that I could stir things up?’ He laughed. ‘I didn’t do it on purpose, honestly!’

  ‘But you still manage to have that kind of effect!’ she retorted without thinking.

  ‘Do I?’ His tone was warm and as smooth as honey. Suddenly Laura knew that they were no longer talking about the disturbance he had caused by siding with her. Her mind winged its way back to what had happened at Claire’s house the previous night, and she bit her lip.

  Mark had had a devastating effect on her then, made her feel things she’d thought she would never feel again. She felt both guilty and oddly elated that she was able to feel like that when she’d believed that part of her had been dead.

  ‘I’ll pick you up tonight after you finish work.’ His tone was slightly rough around the edges. It made a tremor work its way down her spine so that it was difficult to think clearly, but she had to try. There was no point allowing things to progress any further when there was no future for them.

  ‘I don’t think that would be—’

  ‘Sensible?’ He smiled, his eyes warm and tender as he saw the worry on her face. ‘Neither do I. But sometimes you have to take risks, Laura, and I’m willing to take one now.’

  He gave her a last reassuring smile, but it did little to settle her mind as she went to fetch Katie and take her down to the radiology unit. Maybe Mark was willing to take a chance but was she willing to risk hurting him? Having that on her conscience would be too hard to live with, more painful even than the guilt she felt about being attracted to him. Hurting Mark wasn’t an option, but that was what she would end up doing if she didn’t make him understand that she hadn’t anything to offer him.

  The worry nagged away at her so that she was glad to be distracted by the need to soothe Katie’s fears when they arrived at the radiology unit. Katie was to have an X-ray, as well as a renal ultrasound scan, so Laura helped to get the little girl ready, keeping up a stream of bright conversation to take the child’s mind off what was happening. However, it was obvious that Katie was very nervous.

  ‘Right, poppet. Laura and I just have to go behind that screen while I take the pictures.’ Karen Price, the radiologist, smiled at the little girl. She was a pleasant, motherly sort of woman in her late thirties who, surprisingly, had never married and lived with her widowed mother. Laura had always found her extremely kind and was glad that Karen was on duty that day.

  ‘Will it hurt when you take the pictures?’ Katie’s bottom lip quivered ominously. ‘Daniel said that all my bones would light up and burn.’

  Laura sighed, wishing to heaven that Daniel didn’t have such a vivid imagination! The little boy had been due to go home that morning but he’d complained of earache so Mark had decided to keep him in for another day. ‘No, of course it won’t hurt, sweetheart. I promise. You won’t feel anything at all. Karen will just press a button and, abracadabra, she’ll have a picture of your tummy.’

  ‘That’s the magic word! The one my daddy said last time.’ Katie’s face lit up. ‘He said that it wouldn’t hurt if he said that and it didn’t and now you’ve said it too, Laura!’

  ‘So now you know it won’t hurt, don’t you?’ Laura laughed as she kissed the little girl’s cheek then followed Karen out of the room while the X-ray was taken. After that, there were no more problems. Katie lay perfectly still while Karen did the renal ultrasound.

  The radiologist smiled when she’d finished. ‘What a good little girl you’ve been! I think you deserve one of my special badges.’ She dug in the pocket of her lab coat and produced a black enamel badge.

  Laura laughed when she saw the hologram of a skeleton that was painted on it appear to move as Karen tilted it from side to side. ‘That’s great, isn’t it, Katie? Everyone will be really envious because they haven’t got one.’

  ‘I bet Daniel will wish he had one,’ Katie said importantly as she let Karen pin the badge to her nightdress before they set off back to the ward. As soon as they got back she went rushing over to Daniel’s bed to show him her new treasure.

  The rest of the day passed much as Laura had expected. Cathy was sharp to the point of rudeness whenever she spoke to her. They had been sent a relief nurse from the surgical ward, Meg Andrews, and she rolled her eyes after one particularly nasty exchange, which had centred on how fast Laura had handed out the afternoon drinks of juice—not fast enough for the staff nurse’s liking.

  ‘What have you done to rattle her cage? She’s never given you a minute’s peace all afternoon long! I wouldn’t put up with it if I were you. You want to have a word with Fiona Watts and explain what’s going on.’

  Laura shrugged uncomfortably as she wheeled the trolley back to the ward kitchen. ‘I’m sure she doesn’t realise just how nasty she’s being.’

  ‘No?’ Meg laughed. ‘Come on, Laura, anyone can tell that she has it in for you! What have you done? Stolen her boyfriend by any chance?’

  Laura couldn’t stop the sudden colour that flooded her face. She quickly turned towards the sink, busying herself washing the dirty glasses. ‘I’ve no idea. We just don’t seem to have hit it off, that’s all.’

  ‘Well, I’d do something about it if I were you,’ Meg said, giving her an odd look as she picked up a teatowel. ‘Cathy has a reputation as a troublemaker. She got a nurse suspended from Orthopaedics when she was there, said that she’d done something or other.’

  She shrugged when Laura looked at her in alarm. ‘Louise was a friend of mine as it happens, and I know for a fact that it was a pack of lies but she couldn’t prove it. In the end she decided to resign as she couldn’t face working with Cathy again, but be warned. Don’t let the same thing happen to you.’

  ‘I certainly won’t!’ Laura exclaimed in horror.
‘I need this job and I certainly don’t want to be put in the position of having to resign from it when I’d never be able to find anything as suitable.’

  ‘Then watch your back, kiddo. Our Cathy fights dirty so be careful.’

  Meg went back to the ward, leaving Laura to mull over what she had learned. It occupied her thoughts to the extent that she gave little thought to what Mark had said earlier. When she found him waiting in the foyer for her at the end of her shift she stopped dead.

  He raised his brows but there was no denying the faint uncertainty in his voice. ‘I did mention that I’d give you a lift home, didn’t I?’

  ‘I…um, yes.’ She took a quick breath as she wondered what to do, but suddenly the thought of the long journey in the cold was less than appealing. Although the buses were running to schedule along most routes, services to the part of town where she lived were sketchy at the best of times. It could be ages before one came along and then she still had to stop off at Claire’s to collect Robbie as she’d decided that it wasn’t fair to impose on her friend for another night.

  ‘Hmm, if I were a sensitive soul I’d be wounded by your obvious lack of enthusiasm.’ Mark grinned as he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. ‘But I have the hide of a rhino so I’ll ignore it. Let’s go.’

  Laura laughed because it was impossible not to. Mark had a way of making seemingly awkward situations easy. ‘Lead on, kind sir,’ she teased. ‘Or perhaps that should be Sir Rhino?’

  ‘Getting cheeky now, are we? We’ll soon sort you out, young woman.’ He bent and scooped up a handful of snow then threatened her with it.

  ‘Oh, no—not the snow torture…please!’ She could hardly speak for laughing because it was so ridiculous. Here they were, two adults acting like a pair of teenagers!

  Mark let the snow dribble through his fingers and sighed theatrically. ‘All right, you win. I’ll leave the snow torture until another day, but only on one condition.’

  ‘And that is?’ She stopped as they reached his car, smiling up at him.

  ‘That you let me take you and Robbie out for a meal tonight.’

  ‘Well…’

  ‘You’d be doing me a favour,’ he hurried on persuasively when she hesitated. ‘My favourite café down the road is shut for the next week while it’s being renovated. The thought of trying to find somewhere else to eat all on my own…’

  He shuddered, trying to look suitably overwhelmed by the idea and failing miserably. It was obvious, though, that he really did want her to go with him and suddenly Laura could think of no reason to refuse. What harm could there be in accepting his invitation when it would be a treat both for her and Robbie? It could hardly be classed as a date with the little boy in tow!

  ‘Then yes, thank you. I’d love to come.’

  ‘Great!’ He kissed her lightly on the lips then unlocked the car door before she had time to draw breath. Laura slid into the seat, trying to stifle her qualms as she wondered if Mark had got the wrong idea. But what was the right one? That she’d agreed to go with him out of pity? Or because it would be a free meal?

  She took a deep breath as he swung the car onto the main road. Neither of those were true. She had agreed to go with him because she’d wanted to. Never had something so simple been so complicated!

  ‘I can’t believe this! I really and truly don’t know what to say…’

  Mark put both hands on his hips as he stood in the middle of her hall and surveyed the damage. Laura gulped. Why, oh, why, hadn’t she given any thought to what would happen when he saw the state her home was in still? Now she fixed a determinedly cheerful smile to her face.

  ‘It isn’t that bad. Once I’ve freshened up the walls with a bit of paint and cleaned the carpet—’ she began.

  ‘It will be perfectly fine?’ He glared at her, his handsome face set into such stern lines that she took a step back. ‘Come on, Laura, the place is a mess! It’s going to take a team of workmen to get everywhere straight. Why on earth haven’t you had someone in to help you?’

  ‘Because I haven’t got the money for a team of workmen so I’ll just have to do the best I can, won’t I?’

  She turned to Robbie, forcing herself to smile when she saw his anxious little face. ‘It’s all right, darling. You go upstairs and find your blue jumper then I’ll come and help you get changed. Mark is taking us out for our tea—won’t that be nice?’

  ‘Mummy naughty?’ he asked, looking uncertainly from her to Mark.

  Mark sighed as he hunkered down beside the child. ‘Mummy is very naughty for not telling me that she needs help to clear up the house, but I’m not really angry with her.’ He glanced wryly at Laura then turned to the child once more. ‘Now go and find your jumper then we can go and have something to eat. OK?’

  Robbie nodded, obviously reassured that everything was all right again. How Laura wished she had his confidence! However, much to her surprise, Mark didn’t make any further comment about the state of the house.

  ‘Right, you go and get yourself ready. While you’re doing that, do you mind if I use your phone?’

  ‘Of course not. It’s in the sitting-room.’ Laura showed him the way then hurried upstairs to get changed, rather surprised by his acceptance of the situation.

  She shrugged as she delved into her wardrobe for something to wear. Perhaps Mark had decided that it wasn’t his business. It seemed rather out of character, but it was the only explanation she could come up with so it would have to do.

  As quickly as possible she changed out of her work clothes into a long-sleeved, emerald green dress in a smooth jersey fabric. She’d had it for years but it suited her—the colour brought out the red in her hair while the slim-fitting style made the most of her petite figure.

  Low-heeled black leather boots seemed the best choice in view of the weather, although she would have preferred the extra height afforded by her best pair of court shoes. Still, she didn’t look too bad, she decided as she finished outlining her mouth with raspberry lip gloss, and at least Mark shouldn’t be ashamed to be seen with her.

  He was coming out of the sitting-room when she arrived downstairs with Robbie five minutes later. He paused to watch her descend the last few steps and she’d have needed to have been blind not to have seen the appreciation in his eyes as he took note of what she was wearing.

  ‘You look lovely, Laura,’ he said simply but she knew in her heart that she’d never heard a more sincere compliment.

  ‘And me!’ Robbie claimed their attention, making them both laugh as he pointed to his jumper. ‘Me lovely?’

  ‘You certainly are, sunshine.’ Mark swung the child up onto his shoulders, making Robbie chortle with glee as he suddenly found himself perched six feet up in the air.

  Laura laughed as she watched him wrap his arms tightly around Mark’s neck. ‘Mind he doesn’t choke you!’

  Mark grinned. ‘I think he’s going to be a wrestler with a grip like that! So, are we ready, then? Who’s hungry?’

  ‘Me!’ Robbie shouted, almost deafening them. Mark put him down so that Laura could put his coat on, then helped her into hers, which was the one she wore every day. With money so tight, she hadn’t been able to buy herself a new winter coat for some time, and she was conscious that the cuffs were more than a little threadbare. Still, occasions when she needed smart clothes were few and far between…thankfully!

  ‘Here, I’ll lock the door.’ Mark took the keys from her and quickly locked the front door. He bent to pick up Robbie, carrying him in one arm as he helped Laura to the car. Once they were safely strapped into their seats he set off.

  ‘I need to stop for a moment on the way,’ he told her. ‘A bit of business that needs sorting out.’

  He didn’t explain what it was and she didn’t ask him, although she was surprised when he pulled up in front of the offices of a local building firm. He went inside, reappeared a short time later and got back in the car.

  ‘Is everything all right?’ Laura asked, wonde
ring if he had some sort of problem at his flat.

  ‘Fine.’ He didn’t say anything more, asking her instead how Katie had got on that afternoon. They chatted about work until they drew up in the car park of a local pub, which was renowned throughout the area for its bar meals.

  Mark turned to her as he switched off the engine. ‘Will here be OK?’

  ‘Fine. I’ve been here a few times, although not since…’ She stopped, wondering if she should mention her previous visits. However, Mark merely shrugged.

  ‘Not since your husband died? Well, let’s see how it stands up to past experiences, shall we?’

  Opening the car door, he got out and undid Robbie’s seat belt. Lifting the little boy out of the car, he took firm hold of his hand as another car pulled up alongside them.

  Laura automatically glanced at the vehicle, smiling pleasantly as a couple with two small children got out. The other woman returned her smile and turned to include Mark in it. However, Laura saw her face change as soon as she saw Robbie.

  The woman turned away at once, urging her children ahead of her as she whispered something to her husband and hurried him towards the pub. He glanced back, his gaze alighting on Robbie for a moment before he turned away.

  ‘Kids like that are better off in a home.…’ His voice faded as the family entered the pub, but the damage had been done because it was obvious that he’d been referring to Robbie.

  Laura took a deep breath, wishing she was immune to the pain it always caused when strangers reacted like that to the sight of her son. Had they any idea how hurtful it was and how unjustified their prejudices were? Robbie was a loving little boy but they never tried to look past his disabilities and discover that for themselves.

  ‘Are you OK?’ Mark’s tone was gentle and she forced herself to smile as she saw the concern on his face.

  ‘Of course.’ She glanced down as Robbie came and slipped his hand into hers, feeling a wave of tenderness and fear overwhelm her. How could she protect him from the hurt people inflicted with their attitudes? It was hard enough to deal with it herself and Robbie was just a child.