The Surgeon and the Princess

by Karin Baine

  The patient was oblivious to the cheer squad as he continued his swim but Georgiana was fascinated. That outpouring of emotion, with no hint of self-consciousness, from the partner in pursuit of her husband’s progress was something her family had never displayed even in the most traumatic of circumstances. Until recently she hadn’t thought much of it, but now that level of support seemed the most important thing in the world.

  Her envious surveillance proved invaluable when she saw the woman falter, a look of sudden distress crossing her face. Georgiana swam in her direction to make sure she was okay, just in time to see her drop to the ground and begin fitting on the floor.

  ‘Ed!’ She yelled for help, hoping he could get to her quickly.

  His head jerked up to see what had made her call out. Then all hell seemed to break loose.

  ‘She’s epileptic.’ The husband shouted from the pool, clearly frantic that he couldn’t get to her side without help. Ed was swimming so hard towards the side of the pool he didn’t seem to be taking a breath between strokes. The woman’s body was jerking and twitching uncontrollably, then she just seemed to roll into the water.

  Horrific screams echoed around the walls and Georgiana wasn’t sure if they were coming from her or the husband as they watched her fall helplessly into the watery depths of the pool. The lifeguard dived in and between him and Ed they managed to haul her leaden body to the surface. They kept her head tilted back to keep her face out of the water so she wasn’t inhaling any more water. There was no way of knowing how much had already gone into her lungs or what damage she’d done when her head hit the floor. Georgiana knew from painful experience how hard those tiles were against one’s skull. She’d been lucky not to have suffered anything more than an egg-shaped lump but a serious head injury here could have caused a skull fracture or damage to the brain.

  Georgiana climbed out and shuffled over on her backside to help pull the woman out as the men pushed her from the pool. Those exercises to strengthen her muscles came into effect as she hooked the woman under her arms and pulled with all her might. She lay her down on the floor and tilted her head back to check her airway as the men scrambled up beside her.

  ‘She’s stopped fitting but I don’t think she’s breathing.’ Georgiana couldn’t feel a pulse and even with her ear to the woman’s mouth she couldn’t hear anything.

  ‘She’s bleeding too.’ Ed pointed out the increasing pool of scarlet spreading out across the once pristine white tiles.

  ‘Starting CPR,’ Georgiana called. The most important thing was to get her breathing again. She started chest compressions, putting her hands on top of one another, interlocking her fingers and pushing the heel of her hand hard into the woman’s chest.

  ‘I’ll get the defibrillator.’ Ed took off, barefoot and wet, to track down the essential equipment.

  This was the sort of life-saving emergency Georgiana was trained for so she was able to remain calm while the husband was crying and his therapist was shouting about having called for an ambulance.

  The lifeguard, who she’d made redundant, made himself useful by covering the patient with towels to keep her warm.

  Apparently Georgiana hadn’t lost this instinct, this mission to save lives. It was something she didn’t want to ever lose when it could prevent a family from the heartache of losing a loved one. She thought of the team who’d saved her. Though she’d lost a limb, she would be grateful for ever that they’d worked hard enough to make sure she had another chance at life.

  Ed came rushing back with the portable defibrillator they obviously kept here in case of such events. ‘We need to get her dried off and away from the water.’

  Between them they made sure it was safe before they deployed the machine.

  She heard it whir into life as Ed unbuttoned the woman’s blouse and prepared to do his bit to save her too. He ripped the backing off the sticky pads and attached them to the woman’s skin on each side of her chest. ‘Stop CPR.’

  ‘Stopping CPR.’ Georgiana leaned back on her heels and let the machine take over, analysing the patient’s heart rhythm. She and Ed waited until the shock had been delivered and instructions were given to continue CPR before they touched her again. They took turns between the shocks being delivered until the woman began to show signs of life. She tilted her head to one side and coughed some of the water out of her lungs.

  The adrenaline coursing through Georgiana’s veins during the high-pressure event was allowed to subside now she’d successfully done her part of the work. Ed’s smile said he felt the same. It was down to the paramedics and the hospital staff now to take over but every joint medical emergency and patient interaction was bringing her and Ed closer together. As well as making her believe she was more than a victim. She still had a purpose, a skill that was needed, even if it was in a very different environment from the one she’d been used to. Her life was changing again but hopefully this time for the better.

  * * *

  ‘Maybe for your next appointment you should bring some water pistols.’

  ‘Thanks. I’m sure she’d love that.’ Hannah’s father scooped her up in his arms as he thanked Georgiana for giving her a reason to return to the pool. They’d stopped by Ed’s office as promised to say their goodbyes. Thankfully they’d missed the poolside drama and it was only Ed and Georgiana who were coming down off the adrenaline high.

  ‘Maybe I should’ve asked Mr Lawrence about that first.’ Georgiana laughed.

  ‘That’s fine by me. Always happy to take part in a water fight.’

  It gave Ed a warm glow because this was going to aid Hannah’s progress and was also an indication Georgiana intended on sticking around. He was getting used to having her here.

  ‘Thanks for everything, Miss Ashley.’ Mrs Howell went to shake her hand then emotion apparently took over and she threw her arms around her. Georgiana’s expression was priceless.

  ‘Any time,’ she gasped, through the embrace.

  ‘And we swear not to breathe a word to anyone.’ Mrs Howell pretended to zip her mouth shut, making it clear she’d keep her word. This was their secret, their private club to which no one else was invited. Georgiana Ashley was another part of their daughter’s recovery process and they wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise that.

  ‘You too, Doc. Thanks for setting this up.’

  ‘No problem at all.’

  Another round of thanks and goodbyes and suddenly Georgiana and he were alone in the room.

  ‘That went better than I expected,’ he said, waving them off before closing the door.

  ‘Yes. I thought she responded really well. Maybe you should buddy up some of the adult amputees with the new patients so they can see what they’re working towards.’

  ‘If you’re volunteering for future appointments, I’ll take it.’ It was a long shot but having her around would be a boost for everyone who came through the clinic doors.

  He included himself in that bracket when they were already spending so much time together enjoying each other’s company. To Ed she fell into neither of the two categories he seemed to divide his time into—work and family. She was a refreshing change from responsibility and being with her gave him some sense of having a life of his own outside those areas.

  She glared at him with that ‘don’t push your luck’ vibe and for once Ed knew when to shut up.

  ‘What happens as the children grow? Do they get adjustable legs or do they have to be refitted?’ Georgiana was holding up the different samples he’d brought in to show Hannah. Some of which were so tiny it was difficult not to be affected.

  She was a compassionate woman so it was natural she should be thinking of Hannah and those like her.

  ‘It’s hard for the kids. They’re being constantly refitted. There are the sporty ones who really need specially adapted limbs, but it’s an expensive business with limited funding from the
government. Unfortunately, I don’t hold any sway in that department. I can mention it in the right ear but I’m not certain my input will help in any meaningful way.’

  ‘You’ve been a great help with the charity, and look at how much you’ve done for Hannah’s family.’

  She gave him the side eye. ‘That was a chat. I didn’t achieve anything other than an interest in my leg. I can do that with anyone if I walk down the street in a pair of shorts.’

  ‘You underestimate the influence you have. We have all tried in vain to get Hannah to co-operate and within a few minutes of meeting you she’s suddenly engaged and excited about the prospect of a new leg.’

  ‘Not everyone is going to respond to me in the same way as a four-year-old princess-mad little girl.’

  ‘You’re a member of the royal family, a soldier and a medic. There’s plenty of reason to be impressed by you. You could be a great asset to the team here.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘You were great with Hannah. She related to you. Saw herself and what she could achieve. None of us have been able to get her near the water or to get fitted for her prosthetic. You could make that big difference to people’s lives you wanted by being here. Would you like a job?’

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  GEORGIANA ALMOST LAUGHED in Ed’s face at the suggestion of becoming his employee but the least she could do was hear him out after everything he’d done for her. Before he’d come along she would never have believed she could sit and discuss her prosthesis with strangers as though it was the most natural thing in the world. She supposed it was now. Although talking to one family was very different from revealing all to the nation. The subject of many a nightmare.

  ‘You want me to work here?’

  ‘It’s a possibility.’

  Georgiana didn’t know if the following pause was for dramatic effect or if he was expecting her to shoot down the idea immediately. She wanted to hear more before she did that. When he realised she was listening he carried on.

  ‘You could be a mentor or train as one of our aqua therapists.’ Ed was fidgeting with the paperwork, rolling it up into a tube, then unfurling it again, until the ends were curled up like the fallen autumn leaves lying outside.

  ‘This isn’t some made-up position you think I need to give my life meaning, is it?’ She didn’t want to get into the details beyond the title until she could be sure it was more than a vanity project for her.

  ‘No. Absolutely not.’ Ed’s stern denial and matching frown left her under no illusion that he was deadly serious.

  ‘Good. I prefer people to be upfront with me. I’ve had enough of duplicitous people.’ Life would be so much easier if people were more transparent with their agendas. It could have saved her brother for a start.

  ‘I don’t have time to play games with you, Georgiana. You should know by now I’m not someone who will pander to you to make you feel better. Nor would I lie to you.’ He reminded her of their first meeting when he was anything but convivial. Ed had been pushy, confrontational but never patronising or sycophantic. She’d met plenty during her royal duties who possessed those particular qualities and Ed certainly hadn’t made that list.

  ‘What would it involve? I’d need you to lay it all out for me.’ She wanted to believe Ed that she could make a difference in the lives of people who were in the same position as her, but she needed more convincing.

  ‘It could be a long night and that’s something best discussed on a full stomach. I’ll order some takeaway then I’ll take you through everything.’

  ‘Sounds good to me.’ So good her heart gave an extra kick at the promise of having dinner with him after office hours.

  * * *

  When the food arrived a short time later, Ed shoved all the paperwork to one side. The only thing greater than his work ethic was his appetite.

  ‘All this comfort food can’t be good for you. Not that I’m complaining. It’s a long time since I indulged in some fast food.’ Georgiana was already salivating with the smell of fried chicken. It wasn’t the same when the palace chef attempted to replicate it.

  ‘I usually eat at home with my folks, so these past nights have made a nice change for me too. At least I don’t have to listen to stories about the garden exploits of next door’s cat or get a list of jobs to do around their house.’ He ripped the paper bags open to use as a makeshift plate on top of his desk and proceeded to unpack the goodies.

  ‘I’m the lesser of two evils? Honestly, I’m not sure my conversation is any more stimulating.’ She was messing with him but deep down she was touched he was doing this for her. Taking time out from his family to spend it with her. Yes, they were discussing his work tonight but last night had been all about her. Each time he made sure they had sustenance to get through. None of which was in his job description.

  ‘Trust me, it is. It feels as though I actually have a social life when I’m with you.’

  ‘Ah, yes, you said you weren’t involved with anyone.’ Georgiana was intrigued by the idea of Ed’s past loves, probably more than she should be.

  For all the time they were spending together she knew virtually nothing about him. It wasn’t fair when he knew all her dark secrets, or at least most of them.

  ‘I was with someone for a while—Caroline—but I guess I wasn’t putting the time into our relationship that it needed to work.’

  Time. That was a word he used a lot, as though he didn’t have enough of it. Yet he was always available when she needed him. It raised all sorts of questions about his home life and she hadn’t forgotten he’d spoken of personal commitments. She was sure it wasn’t a child he was talking about because he would’ve told her and he wouldn’t have been so accommodating if he’d had a little one to get home to.

  Perhaps he had a house full of cats to take care of, to feed and to empty litter trays. The image of Ed as a friend to felines amused her, but she hadn’t seen one single cat hair stuck to his clothes.

  One of the most frustrating things about him was that he was even more guarded than she was about his personal life. If she was to have any thoughts about going into business with him, she needed to know more about the man inside the business suit.

  Ed was a good man, hard-working and incredibly easy on the eye. It was hard not to be attracted to him. Even more so the longer she spent in his company.

  ‘Now, where are we eating? Here or on the floor?’

  In keeping with the informal nature of the evening she went with the second option. She was loving the fact that he didn’t see their time together as a chore or part of his charity work. Especially when he was fast becoming the highlight of her day.

  Being with Ed was a taste of normality and she didn’t have to pretend about anything when she was with him. Sometimes she wished they’d met under different circumstances. Pre-amputation.

  He sprawled out on the floor next to her, his long legs parallel to hers with the parcel of food sat between them.

  ‘You’re a homebody, then?’ She steered onto the topic of his family to detract from her wandering thoughts as she helped herself to a breadcrumb-coated drumstick.

  ‘More through circumstance than choice,’ he said, grabbing a handful of fries. Georgiana had to wait until he’d washed them down with a gulp of cola before he explained. ‘I’m the eldest of six. Mum and Dad worked full time and when my youngest brother was born with spina bifida they had their hands full taking care of him. It fell to me to look out for the others because they spent so much time at the hospital for his surgeries and treatment. I guess they got used to me in the carer role. My siblings are married with families of their own but I stayed to take care of our parents. They’re getting on in years now. Then there’s my little bro, Jamie, who, despite his insistence he doesn’t need me hanging around, I like to keep an eye on too.’

  It was more about his personal life that he’d
shared in the interval before his next bite of food than in the entire time she’d known him. She could see how the implications of his circumstances filtered into every other aspect of his life once she read between the lines.

  ‘Is that what caused the friction between you and your ex?’ She could imagine that fighting for his attention against his responsibilities to his family and work could have been demoralising. Yet, he’d been able to find time to fit her in. Perhaps he hadn’t been with ‘the one’.

  Why did that give her a glimmer of heartless satisfaction and where did she rate in his priorities alongside a girlfriend? These were questions that were going to plague her later and she knew why. She liked him. More than she should for someone she’d only known for a few days and she wanted to believe it wasn’t one-way traffic. Nothing could come of it, she understood that, but it would be nice if he found her desirable in some way.

  ‘In hindsight, she put up with a lot. Quality time as a couple ended up at the bottom of my priorities. With work and taking care of my family, I was never there when she needed me. Perhaps I should’ve tried harder, or maybe I’m just not cut out for relationships if I can’t give someone what they need from me.’

  ‘Relationships are tricky at the best of times but when you’ve got complicated family matters going on too it’s impossible to make them work. It’s not as easy to walk away from family as it is a relationship. I should know. I joined the army to distance myself from mine, yet here I am, back living with my parents. Any chance of suitors is a distant memory.’ She consoled herself with another bite of fried chicken. It had been an age since she’d been with anyone and longer still since any meaningful dalliance. She’d had too much going on with her home life and her army career to consider anything serious.