Christmas-Day Fiancée (St Gregory's Hospital)

by Lucy Clark

  ‘Problem?’

  ‘I hope not.’

  ‘Mind if I tag along?’

  ‘No. Not at all…but aren’t you due to meet Cassie at the end of your shift?’ She raised her eyebrows questioningly, a teasing glint in her eyes.

  ‘So?’

  She shrugged. ‘Nothing. It’s good to see you settling into a new working environment so quickly.’

  ‘The best way to get to know your colleagues is to see them off duty. Besides, it’s not just Cassie I’m meeting. Apparently, there’s a group of people who go out after work.’

  ‘Stuie’s.’ She nodded. ‘It’s a popular place to wind down at the end of a shift.’

  ‘Not your scene?’

  Natalie shrugged again, this time feeling a little self-conscious. ‘Sometimes. I’ve never been good in crowds.’

  ‘No.’ He studied her for a moment. ‘No, you weren’t. Neither were you in the “in” crowd.’

  ‘Ha. You can talk. Why do you think we both became friends in the first place? Neither of us were joiners.’

  ‘We definitely enjoyed more…individual company.’

  Natalie laughed. ‘All those girls you dated in such a short time.’

  ‘Exactly.’

  She closed the case notes, put them on top of the completed pile and headed for the door. ‘Although now it seems you’ve changed, taking on more than one at a time. Remember not to be greedy.’

  Marty chuckled and slung his arm about her shoulders, giving her a quick squeeze. ‘Ah, Nat. How I’ve missed you.’ He let her go and she looked at the floor, trying to get rid of the tingles that had flooded her body at his touch. ‘Besides, it would be boring to stay the same so why not see them in a group and then weed out the ones that don’t interest me?’

  ‘Oh, the ego. Save me from the ego!’ They walked out of clinic, chuckling.

  ‘Hey, why are there Christmas decorations up all around the hospital but not in the paediatric ward? I thought that would have been one of the first wards to be decorated.’

  ‘They’ll be going up some time this weekend. The children have been busy making lots of decorations, but you’re right—we’re a bit later this year than we have been in the past.’

  Marty paused and restuck a Christmas picture that was coming away from the wall. He nodded with satisfaction, then caught up with Natalie. ‘So what’s the deal with your patient?’

  ‘Alysha. She’s six years old and has been admitted with Crohn’s disease.’

  ‘Really? That sort of inflammation of the intestines isn’t that common in kids. Corticosteroids?’

  ‘She’s been on them for two days but she’s not responding as quickly as I’d hoped. Just before I bumped into you this morning, I changed her to an immunosuppressive agent, but Cassie just called to say there hasn’t been much change. I’ll check her electrolytes and we’ll see where we stand.’

  ‘Perhaps the immunosuppressive agent needs a bit longer to act. What about her diet?’

  ‘The dietician is monitoring it closely. You know, the usual high-calorie, high-vitamin, high-protein, low-residue and milk-free diet.’

  ‘And she’s still not responding as you’d have liked?’

  ‘No. I just feel if I don’t get this under control quickly, she’ll end up in surgery.’

  ‘What tests has she had done?’

  ‘On admission, she had complete blood-cell count, serum chemistries, stool to check for occult blood. She presented with complaints of diarrhoea, fatigue and abdo pain.’

  ‘No fever?’

  ‘Not when she came in, but her temperature’s gone up since then. Nothing too crucial but—’

  ‘But you want to get things under control.’ He held the door for her to enter the ward. ‘What about fish oil?’

  ‘Pardon?’

  ‘Fish oil. I saw a case a few years ago where fish oil worked brilliantly.’

  ‘In a child?’

  ‘Yes. We stopped all drug therapy, gave her a course of fish oil and, voilà.’

  Natalie looked at him. ‘Really? Fish oil?’

  ‘Sometimes the natural remedies are the best. First, though, let’s look at your patient’s electrolyte levels. I presume she’s had a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy?’

  ‘Yes. No obstructions were noted at that stage.’

  ‘But they can happen quickly if not controlled. I’m with you. Lead the way, Nat.’

  They both reviewed Alysha, who was understandably upset and irritable. After taking another blood sample for electrolyte testing, Marty personally took it to the pathology lab, telling Natalie he’d be back with a result as soon as possible. As Cassie had already left for the day, Natalie contacted the dietician, hoping to catch her, and was successful. ‘Alysha’s not responding too well to the medication and I wanted to discuss with you the pros and cons of giving her fish oil.’

  ‘I was going to discuss that option with you yesterday, but the corticosteroids appeared to be working then.’

  ‘They’re not now and, although I’ve put her on an immunosuppressant, I’m not hopeful. Tell me about the fish oil.’

  ‘As Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory disease, we need to cut the inflammation. Fish oil works because of two key components—eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. These are both omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown in early tests to help reduce the inflammation of the bowel walls. You can monitor the effects through a white blood cell count, which should show the decrease.’

  ‘Can I keep her on the immunosuppressant or should I take her off?’

  ‘If the immunosuppressant isn’t doing any good, take her off and try the fish oil. How are her electrolyte levels?’

  ‘I’m waiting on the results now.’

  ‘OK. See how she goes and let me know.’

  ‘Will do.’ Natalie rang off and went to make herself a soothing cup of tea. It just wasn’t fair. Alysha was only six years old and now that she’d contracted Crohn’s disease she would have it for the rest of her life. She would eventually need surgery but Natalie still hoped to hold it at bay for the time being. With a well-controlled diet and proper treatment, she’d be able to lead a full life, but there would always be restrictions.

  While she waited for the kettle to boil, she pulled her salad roll from her pocket and looked at it. Where before it had been firm and tasty, it was now soggy and unappealing. She tossed it in the bin, preferring to get something later.

  She’d finished her cup of tea by the time Marty came back into the ward, a wide grin on his face. ‘Have you got the results?’

  His answer was to smile smugly and hand over the report. ‘The ol’ Marty charm works again.’

  ‘Let me guess. A female pathologist was on duty?’

  ‘Would I have been this quick if it was a male?’

  ‘I guess I should be glad.’ Natalie read the report and shook her head. ‘Fluids are more decreased than I had expected and potassium and chloride concentrations are also down.’ She stood and headed to Alysha’s bedside with Marty right behind her. She introduced Marty to Alysha’s mother. ‘Dr Marty’s had some experience with Crohn’s disease in children,’ she explained, before going on to tell the girl’s mother about the fish oil and how she expected it to help Alysha’s condition. ‘We also need to increase her fluid intake, which we’ll do via the IV drip.’

  Marty smiled at the woman and Natalie saw her relax instantly. The man had charm in abundance and he wasn’t afraid to use it. Thank goodness she was immune to the Marty Williams brand. ‘I’ve also seen how fish oil can be of benefit in these circumstances,’ he told Alysha’s mother, who continued to ask both doctors questions. Even Alysha had a few good questions of her own.

  ‘But I don’t like fish. It tastes yuck!’

  ‘It comes in the form of a tablet.’

  ‘But I can’t swallow tablets. I’m not good at it.’

  ‘We’ll figure out a way,’ Natalie reassured her, pleased the little girl was bei
ng adamant about something. A sign that children were either getting better or coping with what was happening to them was when they started to argue or debate.

  ‘All right. I’ll get things organised, then.’ Natalie felt a little better as she walked back to the nurses’ station. If Alysha was willing to try the fish oil, surely that was good. With the boost to her fluid and electrolyte levels, hopefully she’d be able to avoid a bowel obstruction and therefore not require surgery.

  Marty was hard on her heels and Natalie turned to face him. ‘Thanks for staying, Marty. I appreciate it and the fish oil suggestion. I’m feeling more optimistic about the whole situation.’

  ‘Glad to be of assistance.’

  She pointedly looked at the clock. ‘You should go. Cassie and the others are waiting for you.’

  ‘It’s all right. I don’t mind staying.’

  She tilted her head on the side and raised her eyebrows. ‘Are you really the joiner you think you are?’

  He smiled but didn’t answer.

  ‘Go enjoy yourself.’

  ‘I always enjoy myself, even if I’m just chatting with another colleague at the nurses’ station. However, you do have a point.’

  ‘Your harem might not wait all night.’

  Marty shrugged as though he didn’t really care, then closed his eyes and stretched. Natalie’s gaze widened at the sight of him. His torso was lean and firm, the muscles easily defined beneath his white cotton shirt, which had come untucked from his designer shorts. The shorts dipped down and the shirt went up and a small section of skin covered with a thin smattering of dark hair was revealed at the base of his washboard stomach. She couldn’t believe he looked so good and simply drank her fill. He had incredible, long legs, his height was well over six feet, and as her gaze travelled up his body once more, briefly lingering at that glimpse of skin, she marvelled at how wide his shoulders were. He was definitely an incredibly sexy man now and not just her teenage high-school friend.

  When he cleared his throat, Natalie’s gaze jerked up to meet his and she realised she’d been caught. ‘Oh, no.’ She covered her face with her hands. ‘I’m so sorry.’ Embarrassment flooded through her and she wished the floor would open up and swallow her.

  ‘Don’t be. I enjoyed it.’

  She dropped her hands and glared at him. ‘Marty! You’re not supposed to say things like that.’

  ‘Why not? An attractive woman just checked me out. Why shouldn’t I enjoy it?’

  He thought she was attractive? She brushed the thought away, focusing on her own humiliation. ‘Because we’re friends and…and you’re my colleague.’

  ‘So?’ He laughed, then shook his head. ‘Nat, Nat, Nat. You’ve got to loosen up, honey.’

  ‘Don’t call me honey.’

  ‘Why not, honey?’

  ‘Because I’m not your honey.’

  He laughed again. ‘It’s just an endearment that I’m sure two old friends like us can share. Surely your Richard wouldn’t object to that.’

  ‘Richard? What’s he got to do with it?’

  ‘He is your boyfriend, isn’t he? You told me so yourself, although I must say the hospital grapevine gossip says you’re far too good for him.’

  ‘What? You’ve been here a whole afternoon and you’ve already heard the gossip about me?’

  ‘Hey—I was told the gossip, honey, I didn’t ask for it. Word got around that we were at school together and people were all too happy to give me the gossip.’

  Natalie frowned then shook her head. ‘Are you leaving?’

  ‘If it’s going to make you happy, yes, I’ll go.’

  ‘I think you should.’

  ‘Are you on tomorrow? I haven’t had a chance to have a good look at the rosters yet.’

  ‘I’m here. When aren’t I here?’ she mumbled.

  ‘Well, hopefully now the hospital has employed another registrar for this unit, you’ll be able to take a day off. Just one, though. No more. We don’t want you thinking you can have a holiday or anything like that,’ he finished with mock sternness, shaking his finger at her.

  ‘You sound like Andrew.’

  ‘Now, there’s a fun guy,’ Marty drawled sarcastically. ‘Is he always so strait-laced?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Well, isn’t it just as well I’m here to lighten things up a bit? Good ol’ Marty—ward jester.’

  ‘You’re well qualified, after being classroom jester.’

  ‘Thank you for the recommendation.’ He glanced at her. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow?’

  ‘Yes. Do you know the way to Stuie’s?’

  ‘I go out the hospital’s main entrance and turn right. Keep going to the end of the block and if the noise doesn’t tell me which way to go, I need to have a hearing test.’

  Natalie chuckled. ‘I see Cassie was the one to give you directions. She’s right, though. Thursday and Friday nights seem to be busier than any other night of the week at Stuie’s.’

  ‘I thought you didn’t go?’

  ‘I said I don’t go regularly.’

  ‘You’re more into quiet, intimate nights, eh?’

  ‘Definitely. Like tomorrow night. You, me, Beth and probably Beth’s latest boyfriend.’

  ‘Changes them regularly, does she?’

  ‘She ditches them when they get serious.’

  ‘Interesting.’

  ‘Why?’

  Marty didn’t answer but said instead, ‘I’ll leave you to it, Dr Fox. See you tomorrow.’ He placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed reassuringly. ‘Don’t hesitate to call if you need extra help.’

  ‘Ha. You can tell it’s your first day on the job.’

  Marty grinned and waved as he left. As she watched the doors to the ward close behind him, she was surprised at the melancholy feeling that swept over her. Martin Williams. He was back in her life and she wasn’t sure how she felt about it. It was quite strange to run into someone from your past and find they were going to be part of your future.

  And that’s why you’ve asked him over for dinner tomorrow night, she reminded herself. Catching up would be fun but they also needed to set down some ground rules if they were going to have a successful working relationship. He knew things about her no one else did, and while these things weren’t bad in any way they were personal. Then again, she knew things about him and she was certain he wouldn’t want them broadcast around the hospital—not that she’d ever do that, but already today she’d been pumped for information about him.

  Yes, tomorrow night would be good. She must remember to mention it to Beth in case her friend was busy. Then again, even if Beth was busy, would it matter if she was alone with Marty? They were friends, for heaven’s sake, so why did the thought of being alone with him make her feel as though she were cheating on Richard?

  When she finally arrived home, Beth was in the kitchen, eating leftover Chinese. ‘You’re later than usual.’

  ‘I had some things to get organised.’

  ‘There’s a message on the machine from Richard. He said he’s had a cancellation on his list for tomorrow and will be able to keep your usual Friday night date.’

  ‘No!’

  ‘No?’ Beth was surprised. ‘Trouble in paradise again?’

  ‘No. When Richard said he couldn’t make it, I made other plans.’

  ‘So? Give Richard a taste of his own medicine and stand him up for a change.’

  ‘But it’s my only time to actually sit down and talk with him.’

  ‘Include him in your plans.’

  ‘Ha. That won’t work.’

  ‘Why?’ Beth’s eyes twinkled. ‘You don’t want him to meet the absolutely scrumptious registrar you went to school with?’

  ‘You know? About Marty?’

  ‘Sure. He was at Stuie’s and when he found out my name he asked if I was the Beth who worked in Orthopaedics and shared a town house with his beloved Nat. I can’t believe he called you Nat. You don’t like people calling you Nat.’

&nbs
p; ‘That’s not true. I just prefer Natalie from most people. You’ve called me Nat before and that doesn’t bother me. Besides, Marty’s always called me Nat. It would be strange to hear him call me anything else.’

  ‘So, anyway, Marty told me he’s been invited around for dinner tomorrow night.’

  ‘Yes and now Richard’s free.’

  ‘I’m sorry, Nat.’ Beth smiled at her. ‘It’s a no-brainer. Hunky, gorgeous, blue-eyed doctor who makes you laugh, or staid, boring Richard who will do more talking about the intricacies of internal fixation than he will listen to anything you say. I guess if you do end up inviting Richard around, it’ll give me a clean crack at Marty.’

  ‘I thought you were dating John.’ Natalie frowned, surprised she found the idea of Beth and Marty completely unpalatable.

  ‘Not any more.’

  ‘Well, at least John lasted longer than the others. What? Two weeks?’

  Beth shook her head, indicating she didn’t want to talk about John. ‘As I was saying, Marty looks like fun.’

  ‘He’s a love ’em and leave ’em type.’

  ‘Interesting.’ Beth eyed her friend closely. ‘What’s up? Want him for yourself?’

  ‘No!’ Natalie answered a little too quickly. ‘We’re just friends,’ she clarified.

  ‘Sure.’ Beth nodded and shrugged nonchalantly. ‘So why can’t I hook up with him? He’s the love ’em and leave ’em type and so am I. Sounds like a perfect match.’

  Natalie shook her head and ground her teeth, then started pulling the pins from her hair. ‘We can talk about this later.’

  ‘I still think you should stand Richard up and keep your date with Marty,’ Beth called as Natalie headed up the stairs to her part of the town house.

  ‘It’s not a date,’ Natalie called back, before continuing up the stairs. She stripped off and headed for the bathroom. As she stood under the spray of the shower, glad of its warmth and soothing massage on her shoulders, she realised how sad she would feel, telling Marty she’d have to cancel. Of course they could arrange another time but she had been looking forward to it.

  After she’d dressed and brushed her hair, she headed out. ‘You really think I should tell Richard I have other plans?’

  ‘Yes.’