Touched by Angels

by Jennifer Taylor

  Bill took another sip of water. ‘Anyway, in the end, Sam decided not to go into the water as he’s not much of a swimmer but I went in and really enjoyed it.’ He frowned. ‘Can’t have caught anything from that water, surely? It looked clean enough and other people had swum there.’

  ‘I can’t say for certain but it could be the key we’re looking for. Do you know where these aid workers are stationed?’ Jack stood up after Bill had told him the name of the town. ‘It’s definitely worth checking out. You have a rest now, Bill. I’ll be getting in touch with your firm and suggesting they fly you home. I think that would be the best thing for you, although we’ll be sorry to lose you.’

  ‘Aye, expect you’re right.’ Bill sounded resigned as he closed his eyes. It was obvious that he felt too ill to object. Meg followed Jack out to the corridor.

  ‘What do you think it is?’ she asked, watching him closely. ‘You have an idea, don’t you?’

  ‘I do. I could be wrong but I don’t think so. Katayama fever. Ever heard of it?’

  Meg frowned. ‘Something to do with snails, I think.’ She saw his surprise and laughed. ‘I did some reading up on tropical diseases after I heard I’d be working for the agency.’

  ‘Good for you.’ His smile was warm and once again Meg found herself basking in it.

  ‘You’re right, anyway. Katayama fever is an acute form of schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease. It’s contracted through contact with fresh water that harbours the snail hosts. The schistosomes produce eggs that hatch into larvae which pass into the snails. Eventually, the larvae leave the snails and burrow through the skin of anyone swimming in the water. They get into the bloodstream and eventually settle into the bladder and intestines where they mature into adult worms. They, in turn, lay eggs which trigger the sort of symptoms we’ve seen here.’

  Jack sighed. ‘It’s a big problem throughout Africa and parts of India as well. Katayama fever is particularly difficult to diagnose as there are no definitive serological or immunological tests. However, I’ll get Alison to check the presence of eosinophilia in those blood samples. A rise in the number of white cells which react with eosin dye is an indication of parasitic infection, amongst other things. It would confirm if I’m on the right track.’

  ‘At least we’ll know what we’re dealing with, then,’ Meg said thankfully. ‘Although it sounds horrible!’

  ‘It is. It can be very nasty indeed.’ Jack frowned thoughtfully. ‘If Bill has been taken ill, it seems likely that some of the aid workers might also be suffering from the same trouble.’

  ‘They’re going to need treatment, too, aren’t they?’ Meg said in concern. ‘That could be a problem if they don’t realise what’s wrong with them.’

  ‘It certainly could. I need to get over there and see them straight away, warn them of the dangers and treat anyone who’s become infected. We’ll start Bill on praziquantel at a rate of 20 mg per kilo of body weight, twice a day for the next three days. That should kill off the parasites, although he’ll probably need subsequent treatment.’

  ‘He’ll get that in hospital, won’t he? When he returns to England. Will you be able to get in touch with his firm and make the arrangements?’

  ‘Yes. I’ll do it at the same time as visiting the aid workers.’ He sighed. ‘I may as well leave straight away because it’s obvious we won’t be going anywhere today. In fact, I think I’m going to tell everyone that we’re having a day off. It will do everyone good to have a rest.’

  ‘You’re not going to get much rest if you’re driving round the country,’ Meg observed.

  ‘Don’t worry about me. I’m used to it.’

  It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him that she couldn’t help worrying but she knew that would be the wrong thing to say. She didn’t have the right to worry about him, just as she didn’t have the right to feel possessive.

  Meg sighed as Jack hurried away to get everything organised. There were an awful lot of things she didn’t have the right to do where Jack was concerned and it bothered her.

  The time seemed to drag after Jack had left. Lesley and Kate decided to go to the village as there was a wedding being held there that day. Miriam had invited them over and asked Meg as well, but she’d made some sort of excuse not to go.

  She was still a bit wary of the Frenchwoman after the previous day. Not that she had any real reason to be, of course. Jack had every right in the world to enjoy the other woman’s company and she had no say in the matter. After all, she’d been the one to urge him to start living again, hadn’t she?

  That depressing thought seemed to set her on a downward spiral so that by the time she heard the Land Rover returning late that evening she was feeling very down in the dumps. However, it would have been unforgivable to let Jack see that she’d missed him so she didn’t go hurrying to meet him when the others did.

  Meg sat by herself in the lounge, moodily flicking through a magazine while she listened to the chatter flowing in from the corridor. The wedding celebrations were continuing that night and everyone was going back to the village to join in the fun, apart from her. She’d volunteered to stay behind and care for their patients and the others had been only too pleased to accept her offer. Now she glanced up as Jack poked his head round the door.

  ‘Lesley says you’re not going to the festivities,’ he observed quietly. He looked tired, she noticed immediately, his eyes ringed with heavy circles, his skin grey-tinged with fatigue. Travelling throughout Oncamba by road was a gruelling experience and he must have covered almost fifty miles that day. However, she doubted if he would appreciate her sympathy so she didn’t offer it.

  ‘Someone has to stay behind,’ she said lightly. ‘I volunteered.’

  ‘Well, now I’m back you can go with the others. I’m too tired to go anywhere else tonight so I’ll be here to keep an eye on things.’

  Was that a subtle way of telling her that he would prefer to have the place to himself? Meg wasn’t sure, but there was no way she was going to be accused of having a thick skin!

  She tossed the magazine onto the seat beside her and stood up. ‘Fine by me.’

  ‘Meg?’ Jack stopped her when she went to storm past him. There was a faint puzzlement darkening his eyes, a hint of uncertainty in the look he gave her as he drew her to a halt with a firm hand on her arm.

  ‘What did I say?’ He shook his head when she opened her mouth. ‘No, I can tell you’re annoyed. I know you well enough by now to recognise the signs!’

  Did he? And what else could he tell? Could he tell how confused she was about the way she acted around him? Could he explain why she felt this way? He was a darn sight cleverer than she was if he could!

  ‘I’m not annoyed,’ she declared in a clipped tone. She stared pointedly at his hand. ‘If you don’t mind…’

  ‘Oh, but I do. I mind very much. I want to know what’s wrong and I want you to tell me.’ His hand slid up her arm. Maybe he’d just been making sure she couldn’t walk away but it had felt more like a caress than anything else. Meg heard the gasp that left her lips as clearly as Jack obviously did it.

  ‘Meg, I…’ He stopped when Lesley suddenly appeared. Letting go of Meg, he turned to the other woman with a smile which seemed a trifle strained. ‘Ready for off, then?’

  ‘Yes. Just checking that Meg doesn’t mind being left behind,’ Lesley replied, glancing at her. Meg opened her mouth, but before she could answer Jack cut in.

  ‘I just told her that I’ll look after things here so she can go and enjoy herself.’

  He turned towards the door with an exaggerated groan. ‘Meanwhile, I can think of nothing more tempting than a hot shower to ease the knots out of my spine!’

  Lesley laughed sympathetically as he headed for the bathroom. ‘He must be black and blue after that drive! Anyway, come along. Time to join in the fun.’

  She whisked Meg along the corridor and down the steps, giving her no time to think let alone protest. But protest against what? Join
ing the others for a night of fun and laughter? Enjoying herself without worrying about Jack and how he made her feel for once? She should have been eager to go along now that she had the chance to do so and yet she found her footsteps faltering.

  ‘I…I’ll catch you up. I just need to…to have a word with Jack about…about Katu,’ she improvised when Lesley looked at her.

  ‘OK. Don’t be long, though, or you’ll miss all the fun!’ Lesley waved as she hurried away. It was only a short distance to the village and Meg could hear the music from where she stood as the celebrations got under way. She knew that she would have no difficulty finding her way there later. However, right at that moment it seemed imperative that she sort out this situation and get things straight in her own head if nothing else. What did she feel about Jack? How did he feel about her? Maybe it was time she found out what the answers were.

  She took a deep breath before she climbed back on board the train. Everywhere was almost eerily quiet now that the others had left. Apart from the muted sound of water running in the bathroom, there was very little noise. Meg went first to the hospital bay but both Bill and Katu were fast asleep.

  She made her way back along the corridor, wondering how best to approach this. She couldn’t just come out and ask Jack how he felt about her because she didn’t have the nerve. Equally, she couldn’t tell him how she felt because she wasn’t sure! Suddenly, the idea of confronting him seemed less appealing than it had done a few minutes earlier because she was beset by doubts. She might simply be making a bad situation worse!

  Meg swung round as panic hit her. She took a few hasty steps towards the nearest exit then ground to a halt when the bathroom door opened and Jack appeared. He was dressed only in a towel, wrapped tightly around his narrow hips, and his black hair was dripping water.

  Meg’s mouth went dry as she stood there, unable to move, and watched the droplets running down his muscular chest. Suddenly every rational thought seemed to have evaporated. She had no idea at all how to answer when Jack said softly, ‘So, Meg, what are you doing back here? Was there something you wanted?’

  CHAPTER NINE

  YOU!

  For one horrified second Meg wondered if she’d said it out loud. However, a glance at Jack’s face reassured her that she hadn’t. She took a shallow breath and tried to stifle the noise her heart was making as it bounced around inside her ribcage.

  ‘I…um…I just wanted to know how you’d got on,’ she hurriedly improvised. She saw one of Jack’s brows wing upwards and rushed on. ‘Were any of the aid workers ill? And did you manage to contact Bill’s employers? Oh, and how about Katu? Did you—?’

  ‘Whoa!’ Jack held up his hand. There was a rueful smile on his mouth but it didn’t quite disguise the satisfaction she could see there as well.

  Meg frowned as she wondered what on earth he had to look satisfied about before she realised he was still speaking.

  ‘Give me a chance to put on some clothes then I’ll fill you in on everything that’s happened. Think you can wait five minutes for your answers?’

  Meg blushed when she realised he was teasing her. ‘Of course,’ she replied stiffly. ‘Would you like a cup of coffee? I could make it while you’re getting dressed.’

  ‘That would be great. I don’t suppose there’s a chance of something to eat as well?’ His tone was unashamedly wheedling and she laughed.

  ‘I suppose I could rustle something up!’

  ‘Great! Thanks, Meg.’ His smile was oddly tender as he looked at her for a moment before he made his way to his compartment. Meg took another small breath and forced her shaky legs to carry her to the kitchen. They were reluctant to do so, very reluctant indeed, but she made them obey her. She could hardly stand there like a lovesick puppy, waiting for Jack to return!

  One of the villagers had brought them some eggs that morning as a gift so she quickly set about making an omelette, adding some of the canned luncheon meat they’d had for their meal that night plus some leftover vegetables. It was ready to serve by the time Jack appeared a few minutes later.

  His brows arched when she put the plate in front of him. ‘Spanish omelette?’

  Meg shook her head so that the ponytail into which she’d fastened her hair that night bounced from side to side. ‘Nope. Oncamban omelette!’

  Jack laughed as he picked up his knife and fork. ‘Well, it looks…’ he forked up a mouthful and chewed it appreciatively ‘…and tastes delicious, whatever nationality it is!’

  Meg smiled as she took two mugs from the cupboard and filled them with coffee. ‘Good. Omelettes are one of my specialities.’

  ‘I can tell.’ He didn’t say anything else as he tucked into the food. It didn’t take him long to finish the omelette, making Meg realise just how hungry he must have been.

  ‘There’s some tinned peaches as well if you want them,’ she offered immediately.

  ‘Please.’ He sat back in his chair with a sigh. ‘I’ve had nothing to eat all day and I’m famished.’

  ‘You shouldn’t go so long without eating,’ she said worriedly, getting up to put some of the fruit into a bowl. The train was equipped with a small refrigerator and the peaches were nicely chilled when she placed the dish in front of him.

  ‘It wasn’t intentional.’ Jack spooned up a succulent slice of peach and ate it with obvious relish. ‘Mmm, delicious!’

  Meg sat down again and picked up her mug of coffee. ‘I take it that you found the aid workers, then?’

  ‘I did.’ Jack sighed as he toyed with the fruit. ‘Three of them were taken ill last week and were exhibiting much the same symptoms as Bill. Two were in a very sorry state, suffering diarrhoea and rectal bleeding as well. I prescribed praziquantel plus prednisolone twice daily for the next three days. I also suggested that the worst sufferers be sent home, which caused a bit of an uproar. However, it’s in their best interests so I hope they take my advice.’

  Meg could tell he was concerned and hurried to reassure him. ‘I’m sure they will. The agencies responsible for sending them to Oncamba won’t take any chances with their health.’

  ‘No, I don’t imagine they will.’ Jack smiled. ‘Thanks, Meg. That helps ease my mind. I felt so guilty about leaving those poor people there at the camp but I had to get back here.’

  ‘You can’t be in two places at once, Jack. Now finish your meal.’

  ‘Yes, Nurse!’ There was a twinkle in his eye which took the sting out of the remark. He cut into a peach then offered her the spoon. ‘Here, have a taste—they’re delicious.’

  ‘Oh, no, they’re for you…’ she began, then sighed when she saw him narrow his eyes at her. ‘Well, just a bite, then.’

  She leant forward and opened her mouth while Jack carefully slid the morsel of fruit between her lips. The peach was deliciously sweet and ripe, the juice trickling down her throat as she bit into it. A little juice must have spilled off the spoon because she felt it run from the corner of her lips and hunted in her pocket for a tissue to wipe it away.

  ‘Let me.’ There was a husky note in Jack’s voice as he reached across the table and wiped away the smear of juice with the tip of his finger. Meg’s heart began to thump when she saw him raise his hand to his own mouth and lick away the sweetness with his tongue. There was something deeply, shockingly erotic about the thought of Jack tasting the juice which had been on her lips just a moment before.

  She looked down at her coffee, afraid that he would see how disturbed she felt. The pulsing of her heart seemed to be spreading through her whole body, moving deeper and deeper inside her so that she could feel its beat echoed in other parts of her. She shifted uncomfortably when she felt the throbbing settle low in the pit of her stomach then felt it move lower still…

  ‘Should arrive on Thursday. It couldn’t have worked out better, in fact, although I doubt Bill will agree with me.’

  Meg raised dazed eyes to Jack’s face while she struggled to get a grip on herself. However, the force of the sensations sh
e was experiencing shocked her. She wasn’t totally inexperienced, neither was she näive enough to believe that it was only men who felt this kind of physical desire. Nevertheless, the fact that she felt it now, with such little reason, shocked her.

  All Jack had done was wipe away a trickle of juice from her lips, for heaven’s sake! Yet it felt as though it had been the prelude to something far more intimate. It was an effort to concentrate on the conversation as she realised that he was waiting for her to say something.

  ‘You…you managed to get in touch with his firm, did you?’ Her voice was husky to the point of hoarseness and she saw his eyes glitter hotly before he quickly looked away.

  ‘Yes. I was able to contact them from the camp. They’re going to arrange for an air ambulance to fly Bill home. In fact, we’ll be able to solve two problems for the price of one.’

  Jack’s voice grated as well, sending frissons of awareness down Meg’s spine when she heard it. She struggled on, knowing how dangerous it would be to let her mind wander at this point. To try and work out why he sounded so edgy would be a huge mistake in her present state of mind!

  ‘Two problems? What do you mean?’

  He pushed the dish of peaches away from him with a hint of impatience, as though he blamed them for what was going on. ‘Bill’s company has agreed to fly Katu back with him in the air ambulance. I managed to contact Patrick Wilde as well while I was there, and he immediately agreed to treat her.’

  Jack shrugged but it was blatantly obvious that he was struggling to maintain his composure as well. ‘Our office is going to contact the authorities and get clearance for her to enter the country.’

  ‘Will they be able to do that in such a short space of time? I…I thought it took months…’ Her voice trailed off because it was simply too hard to keep on talking when her heart wasn’t in it. Of course she cared what happened to Katu and wanted only the best for her, but it was impossible to continue the conversation when the air was so charged with emotion.