by Joanna Neil
‘Yes, of course. I’ll come along right away.’
Amber sent a worried look in James’s direction, but he was already lifting up a patient’s chart from the tray on the desk, and she started to turn, getting ready to walk away with Sarah.
James frowned. ‘I feel sorry for the girl. It’s bad enough that her father has been taken seriously ill, but she’s a long way from home and virtually on her own.’
‘I expect she appreciated you trying to help her,’ Amber murmured. She slipped the envelope into her pocket. If it was bad news about the job she’d applied for, she’d rather deal with it when she was on her own back in her rented apartment. ‘You were very kind to her. I imagine she’ll look to you for help from now on. I heard you telling her that you would be free to talk to her after your shift finishes.’
‘That’s right. Do you mind very much?’ James asked softly. ‘I know we said that you and I would have dinner together later on today, but she’s not coping very well, and I don’t like to leave her without support. Maybe we could all get together to eat. She might appreciate having a woman around.’
‘I’m not so sure about that.’ Amber’s expression was subdued. ‘I don’t think I’m her favourite person at the moment. She was quite distraught, and I had the distinct impression she thought I wasn’t doing enough to help her father. It happens, doesn’t it, when people are ill and the situation isn’t improving?’ She had the feeling that Caitlin had passed that view on to her cousin, but to his credit he hadn’t made any comment on that—to Amber, at least.
She sent James a thoughtful glance. ‘But you go ahead and meet up with her if that’s what you want to do. I have a thousand things to catch up with back at the apartment.’
It might have been her imagination, but she thought she detected a look of relief passing over James’s face. Was he finding it too much of a strain lately, being the second half of a couple? Over the last few weeks she had noticed subtle changes in his manner towards her, though she had tried to tell herself it wasn’t happening. Now it cut her to the quick to have to take on board the changes in him. She didn’t want to believe that their relationship was falling apart, but all the signs were beginning to point in that direction.
‘I might do that, if you really don’t mind? I said I would help her as much as I could.’ He made a fleeting smile. ‘It’s strange, but it appears we have a lot in common. It turns out Caitlin’s studying pharmaceutical sciences and wants to go into clinical research, much the same as me. It’s an odd world, isn’t it?’
Amber nodded. So they were on first-name terms already, were they? Her gaze was bemused as she watched him walk away. She set off with Sarah towards the patient’s private room.
‘I don’t think I would have had the confidence to give him the go-ahead to meet up with another woman,’ Sarah commented in a low voice as they walked along the corridor. ‘Seems like a risky proposition to me.’
Amber gave a shuddery sigh. ‘I’ve a feeling you could be right, but without trust, what is there? If I tried to stop him, it would make me appear selfish and uncaring, and for his part he’d probably end up feeling thwarted and resentful.’
‘You’re too good for this world,’ Sarah commented dryly. ‘In fact, you have a lot in common with Martyn Wyndham Brookes, now I come to think of it. I feel really sorry for him. He seems like such a lovely man. Even though he was very ill when he first came to us, he managed to thank us for what we were doing for him. He was appreciative to all the nurses. He’s one in a million…I suppose it must have been great for his daughter to have him come over to the U.K. to work for a few months while she’s studying here.’
‘I should imagine so. I take it for granted that my parents are fairly close at hand, though we don’t see each other as often as I would like. It must be a bit lonely for Martyn’s daughter, being so far from home.’ Amber was making an effort to put all thoughts of James and her patient’s daughter out of her mind. It was all supposition up to now, and she could be wrenching her heart unnecessarily.
‘A great experience, though, coming to study at one of the best universities around. And she has a dishy cousin keeping in touch with her.’ Sarah grinned. ‘Now, that does make me envious…except I wouldn’t want to be related to him. He’s much more like eligible-bachelor material.’
Amber gave a rueful grin. ‘Are you sure he’s eligible?’
‘Oh, yes. Professor Halloran told me so. The family’s rich, and he’s always in the papers because some flighty madam wants to get her hooks into him.’
Amber gave a dismissive laugh. ‘I don’t believe that for a minute. I have a feeling that he’s way too grounded to allow anyone to take advantage unless he wants it. Just talking to him puts my defences on alert.’
‘That’s because you’re ultra-cautious—and you’re much more of a touchy-feely kind of person. Talking to him via a screen and a microphone isn’t the same as meeting up with someone face to face. Technology just doesn’t do it for you, does it?’
‘You should have been a psychologist,’ Amber remarked with a faint smile. ‘Is he online right now, do you know?’
‘Yes, he is,’ Sarah murmured. Her mouth relaxed into a soft smile. ‘He spoke to me to ask how things were going in the catheterisation suite. I’d have given anything to stay and chat with him,’ she added in an undertone, ‘but his cousin beat me to it, coming into the room and wanting to tell him what she’d heard.’ She rolled her eyes heavenward. ‘He has everything, doesn’t he? Good looks, energy and a fabulous office practically on the beach.’
‘Perhaps he works from home,’ Amber suggested. ‘If his family owns an international fruit-shipping company, it could be that they live on site. Imagine being at work and watching the waves roll onto the beach while you cool down with a glass of something iced and delicious, made by your own company.’
Sarah chuckled. ‘I doubt I’d get very much work done in those circumstances,’ she murmured.
When Amber walked into Martyn’s room a moment later, she saw straight away that he was in a state of exhaustion. Of course, he was still drowsy from the anaesthetic, but the readings from the various monitors showed her that he was very weak and that his heart was struggling. She checked his medication, adjusting the infusion meter, before turning to his daughter, who was sitting, waiting anxiously by his bedside.
The computer monitor with the video link was set up so that Ethan Brookes would be able to see both his uncle and his cousin. Amber did her best to ignore the webcam while she spoke to Caitlin. She was aware of Ethan’s image in the background, though, his features alert, his gaze watchful, and though she nodded towards him briefly out of politeness, she preferred to set about dealing with the flesh-and-blood person who was in the room with her.
‘Professor Halloran asked me to let you know that he removed the blockage in your father’s artery,’ she told Caitlin. ‘His circulation improved right away, and he should soon start to feel much better. Even so, it looks as though there has been extensive damage to his heart, and I’m sorry to say that I don’t believe he will ever regain perfect health. It’s important that you know that.’
Caitlin’s gaze was cool and remote. ‘Wouldn’t he have stood a better chance if he had been operated on earlier?’
It was a faint barb, but Amber deflected it easily enough, knowing that the young woman was deeply upset and trying to come to terms with her father’s illness.
‘No, I’m afraid he wouldn’t,’ she said gently. ‘Your father was already struggling with a heart that had been weakened by an infection of some kind. It must have occurred a while ago, and unfortunately it means his heart muscle is unable to pump at normal strength. The body tries to compensate for this, and as a result fluid builds up in the lungs, liver and legs.’
‘What treatment are you planning on giving him?’ Ethan Brookes’s deep voice cut into their conversation. ‘There are things that you can do to help him have a better quality of life, aren’t there?’
/> ‘Yes, we can certainly do that.’ Amber turned to look at the computer screen. Ethan Brookes’s blue eyes seemed to pierce her like lasers, as though he would accept no prevarication. ‘We’ll give him medication that will enhance the capacity of the heart muscle. Professor Halloran has prescribed a cardiac stimulant. What we want to do is make the heart’s pumping more effective, and at the same time reduce congestion.’
She turned back to Caitlin. ‘I know this is going to be hard for you to accept,’ she said softly, ‘but your father is never going to be the man he once was. He’s very frail and once he’s up and about again he’ll find that he’s short of breath if he tries to do too much. He’ll have to take things slowly and that means he will need a long convalescence.’
Caitlin looked bewildered. ‘He’s never going to tolerate that. He’s always been so vigorous. The business has been everything to him, and I can’t see him sitting back and taking a passive role.’
‘I don’t believe he’ll have any choice,’ Amber said in a quiet voice. ‘He can look forward to a reasonable quality of life if he takes things easy. Perhaps you can help by encouraging him to do that?’
Caitlin looked at the computer screen, sending her cousin a look of complete bewilderment. ‘The business is everything to him,’ she said. ‘How is he going to be able to hand over the reins?’
Ethan’s reply was brisk. ‘I’m his partner,’ he remarked in a matter-of-fact tone. ‘I’ll have to step in and make decisions for him.’
‘But you’ve never been involved one hundred per cent in the business,’ Caitlin protested. ‘How is that going to work? You know what he’s like. He’ll never sit back and allow others to take over.’
‘You’ll have to leave it to me to sort things out,’ Ethan said. ‘I’m more worried about how you’re going to manage. You still have a few weeks to go at university before you have to come home, don’t you? Do you want me to come over and help you out?’
Caitlin shook her head. ‘No, I couldn’t ask that of you. I know how busy you are, and you’ll have even more on your plate now that this has happened. You can’t afford to take time off from your work. I’ll manage. Don’t worry about me. I have friends who will help me to get through this, and it’s comforting to have this link set up so that I’m able to talk to you this way. It helps to put my mind at rest knowing that you’re at the other end of a phone.’
Amber looked at her with renewed respect. Maybe she was growing up fast because of what had happened to her father. She wondered what it was that kept Ethan Brookes so busy, if he wasn’t taking an active role in his uncle’s business. What kind of work was he involved in?
‘Will you keep me informed of what’s going on over there, Dr Shaw?’ His voice cut into her thoughts, and she blinked, looking up at the screen.
‘Of course. I shall take a personal interest in your uncle’s welfare. It may be that once he’s up and about, we can refer him to our rehabilitation unit. They’re very good at helping people to get back on their feet and helping them to learn how to cope with their limitations.’ She studied him briefly. ‘I understand how difficult this must be for everyone to take on board, but if you have any worries or questions, you only have to ask and I’ll do my best to explain things.’
Ethan nodded. ‘I know it can’t be easy for you, relaying everything to me from such a long distance, but I do appreciate what you have been doing up to now. I should warn you, though, that illness and frailty won’t keep my uncle down for long. Even though it seems that he might be easy to manage at the moment, once he’s sitting up and taking notice you’re likely to find him quite a different kettle of fish.’
‘I’ll try to bear that in mind,’ Amber said. She wondered why he was warning her. Did he not think her capable of dealing with a difficult patient? She doubted Martyn would ever cause her a problem…he seemed to be a likeable man, through and through.
She glanced towards Caitlin. The girl was talking softly to her father, lightly stroking his hand in a gesture of affection, and Amber decided that for the moment she was calm enough and probably had as much information as she could handle. It would probably be best to leave her to come to terms with her father’s condition at her own pace.
She looked back at the flat-panel computer screen, taking in the breathtaking sight of the Hawaiian seashore in the background. ‘Every time I see you, you’re close by the beach,’ she murmured, focussing once more on Ethan. ‘I had assumed that you were talking to us from your workplace—perhaps I was wrong about that? I must admit I’ve been envying your lifestyle.’
He gave her a fleeting smile that lit up his features. ‘I should have explained,’ he said. He waved a hand at the villa behind him. ‘This is where I live. I’ve been trying to call the hospital from here whenever possible. You perhaps don’t realise that it’s actually very early in the morning over here, not long past sunrise, and I haven’t even had breakfast yet, let alone set off for work. Besides, if I were to ring from the office, my uncle would soon become agitated. He likes to keep his finger on the pulse of what’s going on, and any sign of his workplace would be enough to bring his blood pressure up.’
‘You’re right…I hadn’t even thought about the time difference. It’s late afternoon here.’ So late, in fact, that she was due to finish her shift shortly. ‘Anyway, from what I can see of it,’ Amber murmured, ‘you have a beautiful home.’
‘Thank you. I certainly appreciate it,’ Ethan said. ‘Maybe at a time when neither of us is quite so busy, I’ll show you around the inside, via the webcam.’
‘I think I’d like that,’ Amber agreed. ‘It won’t be quite the same as being there, but I’m sure to get something of the feel of the place.’ Maybe technology wasn’t so bad after all. She smiled. ‘All that sand and sea and palm trees waving in the light breeze make me long for my summer vacation. Not that I’d ever be likely to go as far as Hawaii.’
Perhaps it was the smile that caused it, but Ethan’s eyes widened a fraction as he looked at her intently. After a moment or two his gaze moved slowly over her, as though he was seeing her properly for the first time, and she was suddenly conscious of the clothes she was wearing—a skirt that fell smoothly over the curve of her hips to drape softly around her legs, and a snugly fitting cotton top. What did he make of her? she wondered. Did he only see her as young and inexperienced, incapable of taking proper care of his uncle?
‘I’m sure you would love it here,’ he said. ‘I’ll be sure to show you the landscape all around when you check in again.’
At that moment, Martyn made a faint groaning sound, and Amber turned immediately to look at him. She moved closer to the bedside. ‘How are you feeling?’ she asked.
‘A bit sore,’ Martyn answered. ‘And very tired…It’s as if all my energy has drained away.’
‘That’s to be expected,’ Amber told him. ‘It’s nature’s way of telling you to take things easy.’
‘That’s not what I’m used to,’ he said with a wry smile. His gaze wandered to the computer screen. ‘I thought I heard voices,’ he murmured. ‘Ethan, my boy, I’m glad you’re there. What’s happening at the plantation?’ He paused to drag in a shaky breath. ‘Are you managing to keep on top of things?’
Amber raised her eyes heavenward. Caitlin and Ethan had been right when they’d said he wouldn’t let go. Here he was, slowly coming round from the effects of an injection that had made him woozy and tranquil, and he was already asking questions. ‘I’ll leave you in the care of the nurse while I go and look in on my other patients,’ she told him. ‘Have a chat with your family, but don’t go tiring yourself. You need to rest.’
She gazed at the screen and sent Ethan a look that spoke volumes. He nodded, and gave her a smile in return. ‘I’ll make sure of it,’ he said.
Amber took her leave of Caitlin, and went to check on the rest of her patients in A and E. Before too long it was time for her to go off duty and make her way home.
Once she was back in her apart
ment, the reality of everyday life began to creep in, and weariness swept over her as she recognised that she was totally, utterly alone. She had no doubt that James would have finished his shift and be comforting Caitlin right now, and that left a bitter taste in her mouth.
She reached into her pocket and drew out the letter James had given her. She had been busy these last few hours, but it had taken all her reserves of willpower to keep herself from opening it until now. All her hopes for the future lay within the contents of this envelope, but James hadn’t even asked her what it contained. Perhaps he assumed all would be well…or maybe his priorities had changed, now that Caitlin needed his support.
She tore open the envelope. ‘Dear Dr Shaw,’ the letter began, ‘I am sorry to inform you that, due to a filing error, your application was mislaid, and unfortunately the position you applied for has been filled in the meantime. Please accept our deepest apologies for the mix-up.’
Amber scrunched the letter into a ball and pulled in a shuddery breath. All her dreams were gone in the blink of an eye. She was devastated.
She had worked hard throughout her training to become a doctor, and her one ambition was to specialise in accident and emergency medicine. Now that opportunity had been denied her, and she was to all intents and purposes going to be out of work within a few weeks. It was too late to pursue any other job offer because all the specialist applications were closed.
She wandered around the apartment, seeing nothing, struggling to take in the news. There was no point in ringing James to confide in him, and seek to find consolation together. If he had cared enough, he would have phoned her by now to ask how she was getting on, and she could only guess that he probably had other things on his mind.
Instead, she rang her mother. She, at least, would want to know the result of all her efforts, and Amber had already found a voice message on her answering machine asking her to get in touch.
‘Oh, Amber,’ her mother said, ‘I never dreamed that they would turn you down…Well, they haven’t, have they? It’s all down to administration errors. Is there anything you can do now? Will there be other jobs you can apply for?’