It took a satisfying twenty minutes in front of a large mirror to decide on the scarf that suited her best. At first she tried the more restrained colours, whites and greys or pastel shades. But then she thought carnival—and held the brilliant crimsons, the brightest of yellows against her hair. Eventually she bought a scarf that had a pattern of peacocks, with a deep, dark red border. That was bright enough for anyone. And it was packed in a shiny carrier bag, coloured purple. She wasn't quite sure when she might wear the scarf. But she was glad she had bought it.
As she wandered through the market, she wondered about her flat. Perhaps it was time she considered some decorating. It was clean, tidy enough—but it was hardly striking. For the past three years she had been frantically coping with her lecturing job. Work had been everything to her. Was now the time to think a bit about herself?
For no special reason whatsoever, she felt happy. Life could get better.
The market was on more than one level. At the centre was a concourse with escalators winding down from floor to floor. On the ground floor there was an open-air cafe and a small fair for the youngest children. Jenny took the escalator, started to descend. There were more shops below.
Then suddenly, very close, she saw him: Mike. He looked good, dressed casually in dark jeans and a white polo shirt. Jenny blinked. He was holding a small boy with obvious affection. And as she watched, a pretty blonde woman walked towards the pair, smiling and holding up her parcels. Mike kissed her. He kissed the woman. He had kissed her last night.
Jenny stiffened with dismay—more than dismay, with disappointment—and anger. She hadn't asked him if he was married, if he had a family. Why should she? But he could have said. And now the escalator was nearly at the bottom and she would have to get off and pass right by him. He saw her, looked surprised then smiled.
'Jenny! What are you—?'
His lack of shame made things worse. She gave him a perfunctory nod, pushed past him and ran to the up escalator. And she stared straight ahead. No way did she want to look again at the happy domestic scene she had just witnessed. No way did she want to speak to Dr Mike Donovan.
So she was even more horrified when she stepped off the escalator to find him right behind her. He must have handed over the child then chased after her. And he wasn't even out of breath.
'Jenny, I—'
'Sorry, I'm in a hurry. I've got no time to stop and chat.'
She tried to move on but he took her arm, moved smartly to stand in front of her. Quickly he said, 'Jenny, I'd like you to come down and meet my sister and my nephew Sam. We're about to have an ice cream—would you like to join us?'
Sister? Jenny felt confused—then blushed an unbecoming red as she realised he had guessed what she had been thinking. Then she became angry—at herself. 'I still have no time,' she said.
'We're going to work together so you'll be bound to meet them some time. They're part of my life. You may as well meet them now. Please, come and have an ice cream.'
Then he noticed the bright purple bag. 'You've been shopping. May I see what you've bought?'
She couldn't resist, her anger evaporated. 'I suppose I've time for an ice cream,' she said. 'And I bought a scarf. Listening to you last night made me do it. And I'm sorry I rushed past you just now but I—'
'Forget it. Just decide what ice cream, what sauce and what sprinklings you want on it.'
So she went down the escalator again.
'This is my sister Sue, who has looked after me all my life,' Mike introduced them. 'And this is Slippery Sam, my nephew.'
'Want ice cream now,' Sam said, 'with red stuff on.'
'Well, I'll take orders and then you can come with me. At least you know what you want,' said Mike.
Jenny found herself sitting chatting to the woman who was the sister of the man she...well, she guessed she liked. Certainly the only man she had met in the past three years who could—Jenny shied away from the thought.
'You must excuse my little brother,' said Sue, 'Well, all six-feet-two of him. I'd half forgotten what he was like, but it's good to have him back. And Harry's pleased he's staying with us. Says it'll make sure the lawn gets mowed.'
'Who's Harry?'
'My husband. He's another doctor, but at the moment he's away with the army abroad. He's in the reserves.' She went on. 'He'll be back soon and I've got a surprise for him.'
There was a glint in Sue's eyes and Jenny realised that she recognised it. 'A brother or a sister for Sam?'
Sue nodded. 'I gather you work in Obs and Gynae so you're going to see more of me.'
'That'll be nice. How do you know I work in Obs and Gynae?'
'Mike told me about you this morning. At some length. You'll have to get used to him. If he's enthusiastic about anything, everyone knows about it.'
Jenny pondered a moment. How and why should Mike be enthusiastic about her? But she decided to not press the question. Instead, she asked, 'Does Mike know about your new arrival?'
'It's magic. I don't know how he does it. He came into the house, dropped his bags, took one look at me and asked me when I’m due.'
Mike came back, carrying a tray. 'Ice creams for the two most important women in my life.'
'I can't be important to you,' Jenny pointed out. 'You only met me yesterday.'
'You're going to be my boss when I lecture. I'm terrified.' He sat down, carefully gave out the ice creams and then negotiated with Sam for a small share of his red sauce.
'And I gather you're going to be an uncle again?'
'I'm looking forward to it. I like kids.'
'Why don't you have some of your own then?' Sue demanded.
He looked mournful. 'No woman will have me. Well, not the ones I really fancy.'
'Your trouble is, you're too picky,' said Jenny. She was enjoying herself more than she had done for quite a while. She had forgotten what fun it could be to have a good, daft conversation.
'That's me, picky. All I want is the best. Like my brother-in-law Harry. He got the best. He got Sue.'
Sue patted his hand. 'Your charm isn't working, Mike. You still have to weed the garden this afternoon.'
He sighed. 'Somewhere out there, I know there's the perfect woman for me. I just know it. All I have to do is to find her. Are you a perfect woman, Jenny?'
It was said in the same joking tone, but in his eyes she thought she saw the flash of a deeper meaning. This was more than a joke. She took a spoonful of ice cream while she thought of an answer. Only Mike was listening. Sue was trying to wipe Sam's face.
'I'm pretty perfect at my job,' she said after a while, using the same light-hearted tone, 'but I'm not the perfect woman for you, or anyone else.'
'I'll need convincing,' said Mike.
They parted soon after that. Sam had to get home for his dinner. Sue asked her to come round for supper one night. 'Wait till you've worked with Mike for a while. See if you can stand seeing more of him. And he'll cook. He came home from abroad an expert in all sorts of dishes.'
'You must try my chicken in chocolate,' said Mike.
'Chicken in chocolate? Honestly?'
'Don't think of that milky sugary brown stuff you buy in bars. The real chocolate. I think you'll be surprised.'
'I'd like to try it,' Jenny said, but feeling doubtful.
'See you on Monday,' Mike went on. 'I'll be the one in the white coat, feeling lost and tearful.'
'I'll look out for you. Make sure you have your name sewn into your coat.'
She felt a bit lost herself when they had gone, and went and bought herself a coffee. They seemed a happy, close family. Something she had never really been a part of. She wondered what Harry, the husband, was like. She was willing to bet that he was nice too. Sue had good taste.
She left the market shortly afterwards and went to the nearest big store. Outside she looked at the scarf she had bought. It was a scarf to go with a dress. Usually, she only bought dresses when she needed them—which wasn't very often. She hadn't needed
a party dress in—that time span again—three years. Well, so what?
She searched through three stores and then she bought herself a green dress that matched her eyes and went well with the scarf. She thought she'd had a good morning.
Chapter Two
Home was a small top-floor flat in a modern block to the north of the city. Jenny had bought it because if you stood on a stool there was a view of the sea and because she felt alone and isolated up here—which was what she wanted. This was her kingdom, her kingdom only.
First she had to try on her new dress. When she did she knew she looked good in it. With the right shoes, make-up and hairstyle she'd look better than just good. All she had to do now was find an occasion to wear it. The thought intrigued her. Recently she hadn't been interested in going out. She took off the dress, put on her jeans again and wandered around the flat.
It was comfortable but it wasn't exciting. She had persuaded herself that she hadn't had time for other things, her job alone concerned her. There had been a lot to set up and run. But now the job was running smoothly, she knew she could afford to relax a little. Think of herself.
As Jenny wandered she decided that the rooms perhaps needed another coat of paint, a bit more furniture. She could do with a new carpet in the living room. She opened the built-in wardrobe in her bedroom, it was nowhere near full. And the clothes there were largely functional: suits for work and a selection of casual gear for hanging around the flat. Apart from today, she could hardly remember the last time she had shopped for something colourful and bright.
She looked in what should be the second bedroom—now converted into her office. Then she surveyed the expensive computer, the steel shelves full of files and the boxes of notes all carefully in order. It looked coldly efficient—not homely. Not even one picture on the wall!
Feeling more distracted than ever, she made herself a coffee, threw herself down onto her couch. When had she last had a proper holiday? Not for years! She'd been on courses trying to improve her skills.
The thought came—unwelcome. She needed a life!
Why was she feeling this way, dissatisfied with everything around her? She didn't have to look far for the answer. It was obviously Dr Mike Donovan. She had only met him twice but he seemed to have had an enormous effect on her. She wouldn't have thought he was her sort of man. She was cautious, he was a risk-taker. She always thought first, he acted on impulse.
She frowned. What kind of doctor was he? But she wasn't worried. Something told her that he'd never take a risk with a patient, never cut corners. She didn't know why, she just knew it. Perhaps it was the careful, loving way she had seen him handling his nephew.
But this dissatisfaction wasn't Mike's fault, it was hers. She knew she was attractive, had the normal female urges. Three years ago she had coolly decided to cut herself off from male company. There had been plenty of offers since but she had turned them all down.
Perhaps she was ready for a change? But she was afraid. It would be easier to stay as she was.
Sunday was hot. Mike rose early, mowed the lawn and then dug over the vegetable patch, weeded the flower-beds and trimmed the hedges. For an hour he helped Sam with his little garden. Then, hot, sweaty and dirty, he went inside for a shower. It was now evening. He sat outside on the patio with Sue, ate salad and drank a glass of wine.
'You've always been the same when you're thinking,' Sue said. 'It's easier for you to think if you're working hard. What's worrying you?'
He shrugged. 'Nothing's worrying me. I'm looking forward to starting work.'
'Of course you are.' Sue sipped her wine. 'I liked Jenny Carson, liked her a lot. But you've only met her twice. Is she the one you're wondering about? Remember when you were younger, you used to ask me my opinion about girls?'
'I'm older now,' he said.
'So am I. And perhaps I'm a bit more careful. This morning, while you were slaving away, I phoned my friend in Obs and Gynae. She knows Jenny. Mike, you are not to mess around with her! She's been hurt enough.'
Mike stared down the garden, looked at a blackbird industriously picking over the ground he had dug. 'I've been home a month now. I haven't met anyone who has impressed me as she has. In fact, I haven't met anyone like her in years. Hurting her is the last thing I want to do.'
'Hmm. Little brother lady-killer seems to have grown up at last. Well, I'll tell you what I learned. Nothing secret, you'll find it out yourself in the next few days. Jenny is an ice maiden. She's just not interested in men, but no one knows why. Pity really, she's an attractive woman. The students love her because she's fair and a good teacher and gets them through their exams. She turns out first-rate midwives. And she's tough. She'll stand no nonsense from her patients and is reputed to have thrown a drunken husband out of the ward when he didn't want to go. Threw him out almost physically.'
'She enjoyed confronting him?'
'Well, she didn't back away. She backs away from no one. She expects respect from the senior medical staff and she gets it. When she's in charge things are run properly.'
'She sounds like a challenge.'
'Mike, she is not a challenge! No one knows why she is so reserved. She came here from a London hospital three years ago and that's all anyone knows about her. She's a loner. She's everyone's friend and no one's close friend.'
'I see,' said Mike.
'So what are you going to do about her?'
'I want to see more of her. If she's an ice maiden I want to know if she'll melt.'
'You be careful,' Sue warned him. 'I've only met her once but I like her. Cause her trouble and you'll answer to me.'
This was Jenny's world, here she felt at home. The lecture theatre was full of cheerful chattering trainee midwives. Jenny knew them all, had taught them for a couple of years now.
She stood on the dais in front of the class, sorted through the papers she had to deal with. Then she looked up and smiled.
'Good morning, everyone!'
A chorus of greetings came back. Then there was silence. Jenny had made it clear very quickly that when she talked, no one else did. There were a couple of announcements about the week's programme and then Jenny realised one person was missing.
'Where's Ann Mallon?'
Silence from the class. There were some uncomfortable stirrings and then one nurse said hesitantly, 'I think she's got stomach cramps.'
Jenny nodded, as if this was all right. 'I'll drop in to see her,' she said, knowing that Ann Mallon was taking too much time off. Her written work was poor, her practical work only just satisfactory. Jenny would try to find out the reason, help Ann if she could. If she was just malingering then perhaps a career other than midwifery would suit her better. But that was for later. More pleasant things first.
'We have a new lecturer today,' Jenny said. 'Dr Donovan. He's the new senior registrar on Obs and Gynae. You'll be seeing a lot of him when you do your practical work. I'll leave him to introduce himself.'
She nodded to the door Mike had been waiting outside, watching her through the glass panel. He came in at once.
Even his walk was full of energy, Jenny thought.
He strode across the room, jumped rather than stepped onto the dais.
Jenny could feel a flutter of interest among the midwives. She smiled rather sourly to herself. The interest wasn't because of the lecture—but because of the lecturer. And when they saw the scar, the interest deepened. Mike looked good. Rather a contrast from the previous lecturer, Dr Relph, who was highly competent but tubby, bespectacled and balding.
'A very good morning to you all. My name is Dr Mike Donovan. I've come to talk about the respective parts played by midwives and doctors. Before I start, I want to emphasise that I believe both parts are equally important. And in the delivery suite the midwife rules.'
That was a good start, Jenny thought. He's got their interest and respect.
'I think you're entitled to know a bit about me so that when we talk you'll know I know what I'm talking abo
ut. For the past five years I've worked for a large charity in a variety of countries in South America. I've helped to train a lot of midwives. And I learned there that a set of trained midwives could do far more good than a single doctor. Midwifery must be one of the most satisfying branches of medicine. Now, when you first hear that...'
Jenny stayed for his lecture. She was entitled to as technically in this department she was Mike's boss.
And he was good. He knew his material, even better he knew how to feed it in a little at a time and emphasise the important points. She wouldn't need to sit in on his lectures again; she knew he was more than competent. But perhaps she would...
It had been strange, meeting him on Saturday morning. But she felt more in control here, in her own set of rooms, dressed in her uniform. And she knew he had sensed that she wanted their relationship to be purely professional. At least for an hour or two and in this place. They would have to get used to working together. But the more she saw of him, the more she was... attracted to him? It might have been easier for her if he'd been a poor lecturer. But he was good—very good. His lecture was finishing. The time seemed to have passed very quickly.
'Now, questions. And I want to say that at any time you are working with me, you can ask questions. It's the best way to learn. I may not be able to answer at once—but I'll find time.'
And there were questions—more than usual.
But finally the class was dismissed. A couple of the nurses stopped him in the corridor. Well, serve him right for making the offer about questions. Jenny drifted past, listening. They were good questions. The girls wanted to learn, not just chat to a handsome new lecturer. And Mike was having fun answering the questions.
Then someone new came down the corridor: a portly, arrogant looking man in a shiny blue suit, clutching a sheaf of papers. He barged straight into Mike's conversation, interrupting him.
A Very Special Midwife Page 2
