The Nurse's Secret

by Sue MacKay

  ‘Yes, unless you don’t want to.’ Why wouldn’t she? It was more relaxed and intimate than going to a café or bar. ‘What’s up?’

  Anastasia straightened. ‘Nothing. I’m pleased we’re not going out in this, that’s all.’

  ‘Would you prefer to go to a restaurant or bar?’

  Her smile returned. ‘No, not at all.’

  He could relax. Flicking the umbrella open and holding it above them, he took her hand in his free one. ‘Let’s go.’

  Keeping in step with him—like their dancing—she leaned close, stayed close as they splashed through puddles along the footpath. Then she hesitated. ‘That man under the shop overhang. He looks...’

  ‘Very unwell, like—’

  ‘He’s having a medical—’

  ‘Event. Heart attack?’

  They ran, stopped in front of the man slumped against the wall, one hand gripping his upper left arm.

  ‘Sir? I’m Noah Kennedy, a doctor, and Stacey here’s a nurse. Are you all right?’ The guy was grey and shaking.

  ‘It’s my arm. Pain.’

  ‘He’s sweating profusely,’ Stacey noted. ‘I’ll call an ambulance.’

  ‘Can you get us a chair from inside as well, please?’ Then to the man, ‘We need to get you sitting down. What’s your name?’

  ‘Len.’

  ‘Any history of heart disease?’

  ‘No. The pain’s in my arm, not my chest.’

  Heart attacks often presented first as pain in the left arm. ‘Any tightness in your chest? Difficulty breathing?’

  ‘It feels strange, and sometimes I can’t take a full breath. My jaw’s hurting.’

  ‘Here.’ Stacey was back with someone from the shop carrying a chair. ‘The ambulance is on its way.’

  Noah helped Len onto the chair and knelt beside him. ‘Take it easy.’ It’d be better to be inside, but he wasn’t having the man walking anywhere when his heart was playing up. That it was a heart attack wasn’t in doubt, and all they could do was take obs and watch closely until the paramedics arrived, be prepared if Len’s heart stopped.

  Stacey had her phone on timer and was counting Len’s pulse rate. ‘One twenty.’ Then she was onto the respiration rate. ‘Abnormal.’

  Noah nodded. ‘Thanks.’

  Her slight nod told him she was up with the diagnosis. They worked as a team, neither having to ask anything of the other. Could they work together as well in their private lives? So far they were in sync about most things, so why not? Was that what real love was about? Having each other’s backs without being asked? Understanding where each was coming from and going with it? Sounded wonderful. If it was true. And so far it seemed to be. A wailing siren reached his ears, and relief took over. ‘That was quick.’

  Stacey was holding Len’s hand, her finger on his pulse again. ‘It’s your lucky day, Len.’

  ‘You think?’ The man gave her a wry smile. ‘Thanks for noticing me.’

  ‘Not a problem,’ they said in unison.

  Noah laughed. How like them.

  Within minutes they’d handed over to the paramedics and were on their way to his house.

  ‘I’m so glad we noticed Len’s distress. Most people wouldn’t have thought he was in difficulty,’ Stacey muttered.

  ‘True, but we’re trained to be medically observant.’ At home, he took Stacey’s sodden jacket to hang on the stand. She needed a decent leather one to keep dry and warm. ‘You’re shivering.’

  She stepped up to him, warmth in her eyes at least. Winding her arms around his neck, she stretched up to kiss him. ‘Then warm me up.’

  ‘Cheeky.’ Noah held her tight. This was becoming normal—the excitement, the being together, the enjoyment of each other. He could go with it, was starting to see they might have a future that didn’t hold doubts and fears, that he might find the love he’d been looking for. And it had all started with a dance. ‘Come on. We’ll have some fun.’

  Her eyes lit up. ‘We’re good at that.’

  He couldn’t help himself, he just had to kiss her again, and again, and hold her curvy backside in his palms, and kiss a trail down her neck to that alluring cleavage, and help her shrug out of her jeans, and pull her jersey over her head. And help her push his jeans down to his thighs and then to his knees and ankles so he could step out of them. Tugging his jersey and shirt off in one swoop, he scooped her into his arms and headed upstairs where he laid her on the bed and lay down with her.

  Anastasia rolled onto her side and reached for him, the desire in her face heating him further and making his heart swell with need and care for this wonderful woman. Up on his arms, he covered her gently, and tasted her from top to toe and back again. Her frantic gasps and cries drove him to the edge, and then he was filling her, taking her, giving to her, and they were one.

  * * *

  Stacey’s favourite dance tune cut through the blur in her head. She was dreaming. She and Noah were dancing. No, they weren’t. She could feel his naked body lying the length of her languid leg, hip, arm.

  ‘You going to turn that off?’ Noah grunted beside her.

  It was her phone. Not music playing in the background as they’d made love. Sitting up, she stared around the room, spied her bag on the floor. As she dug the phone out the music stopped. ‘No need.’ Dropping the phone on top of her bag, she lay down again, and splayed her hand over Noah’s chest, absorbed his heat.

  The music started up again. ‘Go away, whoever you are.’ Reaching for the phone to shut it down, she froze. ‘Mum?’ Her family knew she was with Noah and that today was the day to tell him about Holly so Mum wouldn’t ring unless it was urgent.

  ‘I have to get this.’

  Noah sighed. Fair enough. This had spoiled a wonderful moment between them.

  Hopefully he’d understand later. ‘Mum? What’s up?’

  ‘It’s Holly. She’s had an accident and is on her way to hospital in an ambulance.’

  ‘What? Holly’s hurt?’ Stacey shrieked. ‘No, Mum, please, don’t say that.’ Her head spun so fast she had to lean back against the headboard. Not her girl. No, anything but that. ‘What’s happened? Is she going to be all right? Tell me. Who’s with her?’

  ‘Dad’s with her. She ran into the road after her ball. The kids from next door brought us some eggs and left the gate open.’ Her mother hesitated.

  Stacey’s fear cranked up harder. ‘Mum? Please tell me she’s all right.’

  ‘A boy on a skateboard knocked her over. The ambulance crew think her arm is broken.’ A deep breath and her mother raced on. ‘She hit her head when she landed and lost consciousness for a while. There’s a cut along her hairline above her forehead. Oh, darling, I’m so sorry this has happened. Those kids know to shut the gate, but I should’ve checked.’

  ‘It’s not your fault. I have to get to Holly. Which hospital? Noah can drive me there now. Did she regain consciousness?’ Out for a while. What did that mean? Still out? Stacey scrambled to her feet, leaned against the wall to steady her wobbly legs, and swallowed hard. Her voice was rising uncontrollably. ‘Tell me. Has she regained consciousness at any time? Is she in pain?’

  ‘Anastasia? What’s happened? You look terrible.’ Noah stood before her, reaching for her arm.

  ‘Mum?’ she pleaded, grabbing Noah’s hand, holding it tightly as she said to him, ‘There’s been an accident.’

  ‘I think so. It was hard to tell but I saw her eyes open briefly and she was staring at her granddad for a moment.’

  Was that consciousness or a reaction to a severe head injury? ‘I’m on my way.’

  ‘Anastasia, what’s going on?’ Noah demanded.

  Pulling her hand free of Noah’s, she started tugging on her clothes. ‘I have to go to the hospital near home. Now. Holly’s been in an accident.’ Her voice was shrill. Fear clawed throug
h her. Her baby was hurt and she wasn’t with her, wasn’t holding her, couldn’t encourage her to be all right. ‘Come on, Noah. Hurry.’

  Noah shrugged into his clothes. ‘Who’s Holly?’

  Not now. This wasn’t how she was supposed to tell Noah he was a father. ‘Mum, we’re coming. Where are you?’

  ‘Behind the ambulance. Toby’s driving us. He raced out when he saw Holly head down the drive, but he was too late to stop her being hit.’

  ‘He tried.’ She shoved the phone in her bag. Toby would be gutted. He adored his niece—watch out anyone who hurt her.

  ‘Anastasia, let’s go.’

  ‘Would the train be faster?’ she cried as they ran down the stairs. Holly dominated her thoughts. Nothing, no one else mattered.

  ‘Fifty-fifty, and we’d have to get to the hospital from the station.’ It seemed like seconds and hours before she was belted inside Noah’s four-wheel drive and he was pulling away from the kerb. ‘Which hospital?’ he asked.

  Huddling down in the seat, she told him, and wished the trip to be fast and uneventful. ‘Thank you for doing this.’

  ‘Why wouldn’t I take you to whoever has been injured when it’s so obvious that person is very special to you? We can do lunch any time.’

  Her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. Fear sat like a lead ball in her stomach. Sweat broke out on her brow. Clasping her hands tight, she stared at the road unfolding ahead of the car. Tense silence filled the air between them.

  ‘Stacey?’

  When he flicked to the shortened version of her name it put her off track. She didn’t know the reason behind it, except it seemed he’d done it to get her full attention.

  Here we go.

  ‘Holly. My daughter.’

  ‘You have a child?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘You’ve never mentioned her.’

  ‘We haven’t spent much time together.’

  ‘I’d have thought a daughter would be the most important topic of discussion no matter where we were. In the café the other morning, on the ride up here, having a coffee and nibbles at the cafe. You mentioned your family. Surely family includes your daughter?’ Noah sounded cross and confused, as he had every right to be.

  In normal circumstances she’d have bored him silly, talking about Holly. Now she had to tell the truth, but while they were racing for the hospital? It was too much. Yet she needed his strength and support. What if he dropped her off at the hospital and she never saw him again, except at work? He wouldn’t do that. He’d want to meet his daughter. No doubt about that.

  ‘I’ll ask once more. Is there someone else in your life? Someone important?’

  ‘Only Holly.’

  You can do better than that.

  ‘I’ve been single for years, and not dated much. Being a mum takes most of my time when I’m not working.’ Was Holly’s accident payback for not being there? She shouldn’t have come out today, should’ve been at home, playing with Holly, then this insane ride mightn’t be happening. She should’ve talked to Noah the moment she’d arrived at his house, not got distracted making love. Holly, her beautiful, trusting little girl.

  Your mother’s stuffed up, sweetheart.

  ‘Holly, hang in there. Mummy’s coming.’

  She didn’t know she’d said that out loud until Noah placed a hand on her clenched fists. ‘Easy. I’m getting you there as fast as I can.’

  ‘I know, but it’ll never be fast enough. I have to be with my girl.’

  ‘Do you know what happened?’ At least he was sounding friendly, though a bit cautious. And he was here for her, getting her to the hospital fast.

  ‘The kids next door left our gate open. Holly chased her ball out onto the road and a boy on a skateboard collided with her.’ Anguish gripped her, pain tightened her heart. ‘I should’ve been there,’ she cried, turning her hands, loosening her fingers to grab Noah’s. ‘What sort of mother am I to go out and leave her at home?’

  ‘She was with your parents, wasn’t she? No mother spends twenty-four seven with their child. It’s not normal or good for them. You’re allowed time out, Stacey.’

  Stacey, huh? She wasn’t getting her head around why he’d swapped between the versions of her name. ‘You’re right, but I can’t accept it. She’s on her way to hospital,’ she cried.

  Removing his hand, he said, ‘Tell me about her.’ He was concentrating on the road and the busy traffic ahead and swallowing hard.

  Was he starting to wonder if Holly was his? He couldn’t be. He didn’t know how old she was.

  I want to tell him. But not right now. Not when he’s driving and I can’t look into his eyes to show I am not lying.

  Not when she was desperate to be with Holly, and nothing else mattered as much.

  ‘Is she cute, and funny like her mother?’ Noah seemed to have accepted she was a parent. Or was he just doing the right thing in trying to distract her from her pain on this far too slow journey?

  ‘Holly’s gorgeous. Her favourite stories are about fairies, and pink is the only colour she’d wear given half a chance. She doesn’t have a dancing bone in her body, but that doesn’t stop her trying. And wiping out the coffee table in her attempts.’

  ‘Not entirely like her mother, then.’ There was a hint of a smile in Noah’s voice.

  She still couldn’t relax. ‘Everything’s an adventure, especially digging the veg garden with Granddad. He has a special patch where they plant carrots and radishes and peas that’s Holly’s garden.’

  ‘Is she the reason you’re living with your parents?’ He was back to driving with two hands on the steering wheel, his knuckles white.

  ‘Yes. Mostly.’

  Holly.

  ‘She’s got to be all right.’ She needed to explain, to tell Noah everything. Her heart was breaking, and her head aching. She just wanted to get to Holly and hold her—if she was able to. At least she’d hold her hand and be there for however long she was in hospital. She stared at the dark screen on her phone. Why wasn’t Dad ringing? Did that mean bad news? Surely Mum had reached the hospital by now? She’d phone no matter what. Wouldn’t she? ‘Can we go any faster?’

  ‘Not legally, no.’ But the car lurched forward as the speed picked up.

  Closing her eyes, Stacey leaned back and let Holly fill her mind. Laughing as she played with her favourite doll. Grinning when she ate ice cream in a cone and got more on her face than in her mouth. Crying when she’d had three stories at bedtime and wasn’t allowed one more. Cuddling into her mum, thumb in her mouth, and watching TV.

  ‘What are her injuries?’

  ‘Suspected broken arm and head injury. She lost consciousness for a while.’

  Noah was rummaging around in the side pocket of his door. ‘Here.’ He handed her a small packet of tissues.

  Still being a gentleman after his idea of who she was had been tipped upside down. Couldn’t ask for better than that. Not that she’d be asking for anything from him except understanding, and it was too soon for that. There was a lot for him to get his head around once he understood Holly was also his daughter. It wouldn’t be easy to take in. He’d have lots of questions, and she’d do her utmost to answer them. Stacey’s heart ached for this man she’d placed so much hope in.

  ‘Th-thanks.’ He might never understand or forgive. Though she wasn’t really guilty of anything. The pregnancy had been an accident. One she had been thrilled about once she’d got over the shock.

  Tapping her mother’s speed-dial number on her phone, she barely waited for her to answer before demanding, ‘Have you heard anything from Dad?’

  ‘Not a word, but he might not be allowed to phone while in the ambulance.’

  Highly unlikely, but she’d not say so. All she could do was hope her father’s silence was good news, that maybe he was too busy holding Holly to
call. ‘How far from the hospital are you?’

  ‘Pulling in right now.’

  ‘Give Holly a kiss from me if you see her before I get there.’

  ‘Will do. Travel safely.’

  ‘We are.’ She looked sideways at the man rushing her to her daughter. He was a steady, capable driver, concentrating on getting them to hospital quickly and safely. Not bad considering what must be going through his mind. Holly could do worse for a father.

  * * *

  Noah whipped into the first available space in the staff parking lot, put his surgeon’s pass on the dash, and leapt out of the car. Stacey wasn’t going inside alone. He’d be with her until she met up with her parents. Despite her stunning news about her daughter, he couldn’t leave her alone. She was distraught, and needed someone at her side. Even him. Admittedly, he was angry she’d not mentioned she had a child at any moment in their time together. It was as though she’d been hiding Holly from him. But why? Having a daughter didn’t mean he’d stop seeing her.

  So far he thought she’d always been honest about everything. Unlike Christine who’d lied about loving him, about just about everything. Anastasia might be just as adept. Time for questions later. She was already half out of the car as he strode around to join her. Putting on his best don’t argue voice, he said, ‘I’m coming with you.’

  ‘Thank you.’ She reached for his hand and dragged him along at a fast clip.

  As easily as that Anastasia had accepted his presence. Because she needed him especially? Or would she be grateful for anyone to accompany her? That didn’t add up considering how close she seemed to be to her family. She always talked about them with love in her voice, and that touched a spot inside him that held envy and longing. She had what he craved, and he wanted to share it with her. Yes, with Stacey. He was willing to give it a try, to put the past behind him, forget how he’d been lied to, and give this wonderful woman every chance possible. He stretched out his steps to keep up with her. They were on a mission. ‘We’ll go straight to the emergency room.’