by Lucy Clark
'Nineteen-year-old male, unconscious at the scene, bleeding around the skull, possible fractures to both arms, right leg and several fractured ribs. This guy's car was a mess and we were amazed we actually got him out.'
'Any identification?'
'No. No driver's licence, no medic-alert chain or bracelets. The car he was driving had Queensland number plates.'
'Tourist.' Stephanie had checked his pupils while they'd been speaking and one of the nurses took his vitals. 'Pupils are uneven. What's his BP like?'
'One-sixty over one hundred.'
'Get the neurosurgeon down here. Book him in for magnetic resonance imaging and get the head of the bed elevated to thirty degrees.' As she spoke, another nurse cut away the young man's clothing and draped him with a blanket.
'Gag reflex is absent.'
'Right. Let's intubate.' She grabbed a stethoscope and listened to the patient's chest. 'Breathing sounds quite .good, even though there is extensive bruising. He'll need X-rays but I want to find out what's going on around his head first. EEG and ECG to start with.' As she spoke, they worked together to ensure their patient was stable. 'I'll need a complete blood count, coagulation profile, electrolytes, creatinine and arterial blood gases.' Stephanie leaned closer to her patient and breathed in. 'I can't smell alcohol but let's do a general drug and toxicology screen just in case he has another substance in his body we don't know about.'
She felt his arms and identified a break on each ulna. 'They're in almost identical positions.' Next, she felt his legs. 'Right tibia and fibula feel a little displaced, although I'm not too sure.' Steph picked up the paperwork she needed and filled it in. 'How long until neurosurgery gets here?'
'Five more minutes,' someone answered.
'Good.' Without looking up from what she was doing, a smile touched her lips as she felt someone come up behind her. 'Good morning, Stephen.'
'What have you got?' he asked.
'Stephanie?' One of the nurses came in. 'Oliver needs you in TR-2.'
Something in the way the nurse said the words caused Stephanie to feel a little uneasy. She stood, momentarily glancing at her brother.
'What is it?' he asked as he took everything out of her hands.
'I don't know.'
'Go. I'll finish off here.'
When she walked into TR-2, Oliver was standing by the sink, washing his hands. She crossed to his side.
'What can I help you with?'
'Take over the care of this patient. I'm going to check on her brother.'
'Oliver?'
He glanced at her and for that brief moment she saw an almost tortured look in his eyes. 'I won't be long.' He dried his hands and walked out. Stephanie quickly washed her own hands and pulled on a pair of gloves. 'What do we have?'
Sophie crossed to her side and spoke in a muted tone. 'Eight-year-old girl, whiplash, seat-belt bruise and lacerations, breathing a little elevated, but that's to be expected. Query right Colles' fracture. That's about it.'
'Name?'
'Caitlin.'
'OK. Has her father been contacted?'
'Anita's a single mother and they have no family in the district.'
'OK,' Stephanie said again, sighing.
'What's wrong with Oliver?' Sophie asked quietly.
'He's just gone to check on Caitlin's brother.'
'Stephanie, you don't understand. He took one look at the girl, went as white as a sheet and asked for you.'
'Ah.' Stephanie nodded as though things started making sense. 'Oliver has an eight-year-old daughter.'
'Really?' Sophie was surprised. 'Makes sense, then.'
'Let's get to work.' Stephanie walked over to the child. 'Hi, there, Caitlin. I'm Dr Stephanie. Is there anywhere other than your wrist that hurts?'
'I'm really sore everywhere.'
'Understandably. Let's get you something to take away the pain. You've been very brave.'
'Is my mum all right?'
'Yes. I've sent her off to have some X-rays done. She was asking about you and your brother and I told her you were being well looked after.'
'I made them look after Toby first. He's younger than me and he was crying.'
Stephanie checked Caitlin's eyes and felt her head while they spoke. 'You must have been a little scared.'
'I was. I cried in the ambulance but now that I'm here I feel better. That's why I told them to look after Toby first.'
Stephanie smiled. 'That's very kind of you. Now, though, it's your turn to have some attention. Do you know if you're allergic to anything?'
Caitlin's gaze was wide and the brave tone she'd used before faltered a little. 'No. I don't know.'
'That's OK, sweetie. We'll get you sorted out.' Stephanie smiled reassuringly at this young girl who seemed to have taken the world on her shoulders. She gave Caitlin something for the pain and received the obs report from Sophie just as Daisy Brambles walked in.
'Hello, there. Someone call for me?'
'Perfect timing.' Stephanie introduced Caitlin to the paediatrician before giving a handover. 'I'll go see how Toby's progressing and also check on your mum, Caitlin. She's going to be happy to hear you're doing just fine.'
Caitlin smiled. 'Thanks, Dr Stephanie, and I love your earrings and hair.'
Everyone chuckled. 'I'm starting to think I should have shaved my head and had it coloured a long time ago. I've never received so many compliments before. I'll come back and let you know how your mum and Toby are.'
Stephanie checked in TR-1 and saw that Stephen was giving a handover to the neurosurgeon on their unnamed patient. Heading to Radiology through the corridors that were full of twists and turns, Stephanie pondered Oliver's reaction to Caitlin. It had to be because Kasey was a similar age.
She caught up with both Toby and Anita in Radiology but couldn't find Oliver. She headed back to A and E and met Caitlin, her barouche being pushed along towards Radiology, and gave her the news of her family.
'But you'll be seeing them both in a minute.'
'Will you check on me later?'
'Of course.' Stephanie smiled reassuringly. 'Dr Daisy's pretty cool, isn't she?'
'She's the best and I love her name. It's what I called my favourite doll.'
'Did you tell her?'
'Yes.' The orderly started pushing the barouche again.
'I'll check on you later,' Stephanie promised as she continued on her way. There was no sign of Oliver in A and E so she went to his office. Again,' he wasn't there. A little confused, she backtracked to A and E, knowing she still had a job to do and couldn't spend the rest of her morning searching the hospital for their new boss. He obviously wanted to be alone, so she'd give him the space he needed.
They had a steady stream of patients through A and E until well into the afternoon. Stephen had gone home after the emergency, as he was due back at the hospital for his afternoon-evening shift.
'Still filling in forms?' he asked as he sat beside her at the nurses' station.
'Is it that time already or are you early?'
'Both. I'm about half an hour early so you can knock off.'
'Hmm.' She finished filling in the form.
'What's up, Steph?'
She put her pen down and faced him. 'It's Oliver. I haven't seen him since this morning, although for all I know he could have returned to his office and been working steadily, doing his job all day long. But he certainly hasn't ventured out here.'
'What happened?'
Stephanie briefly told him about Caitlin, who was now settled in the paediatric ward alongside her brother. The nurses had managed to get a private room so Anita could also be put in there, near her children.
'So you haven't seen him since he walked out of TR-2?'
'Nope.'
'Go home. He's a man. He needs space.'
'His daughter is arriving tonight, Stephen. She's on her way here. He should be home to meet her.'
'Well, if he isn't there, someone should be. It would be horrible if your new
house guests turned up and no one was there. He's probably been held up in a meeting. You know how it is in that job. Go, Steph.' He held her gaze and immediately Stephanie felt her stress start to lift. 'He's important to you, right?'
Stephanie nodded.
'I'll see if I can find him.'
She threw her arms around her brother's neck. 'You're the best.' She kissed his cheek, then stood. 'I love you, bro.'
Oliver went to lean back in his chair but remembered that wasn't a safe option. He'd worked all day in his office, not wanting to face Stephanie or the feelings that had assailed him on seeing the eight-year-old girl lying there on the barouche. He'd checked up on both children and their mother and was glad to hear the little family was doing so well! The nineteen-year-old man, however, had been transferred to Sydney for further care.
Oliver leaned forward instead of backwards, placing his elbows on the desk and burying his face in his hands. How could he have behaved so unprofessionally? Never before had he been unable to treat a patient—even children.
The knock on his door made him sit up straighter. He hoped it wasn't Stephanie. She'd probably want to psychoanalyse him—all women did. As soon as he had the thought, he dismissed it. He wasn't being fair to Stephanie by tarring her with the same brash as Nadele, but a broken marriage had made him extremely cautious where the fairer sex were concerned.
'Come in,' he called, and was surprised when Stephen entered.
'Got a minute?'
'Only a few. I've just returned from one meeting and unfortunately have another coming up.' He waited while Stephanie's brother came in and sat down opposite him.
'Steph was worried about you.'
It looked as though one twin was as direct as the other. 'Where is she?'
'I made her go home.'
'Good.'
'She tells me your daughter is due there soon.'
'No secrets?'
'She's my sister.'
Stephen made the statement as though it made perfect sense and was the only explanation Oliver deserved. Then again, Oliver had witnessed at first hand the bond brother and sister shared so even if Stephanie didn't tell Stephen everything, he'd eventually pick up on her emotions.
'Does that bother you?' Stephen continued.
'Your closeness?'
'Yes.'
'Yes and no, but I can see it's something! might need to get used to.'
'Meaning?'
'Meaning I like your sister and I'd like to date her.' Oliver held Stephen's gaze.
'Fair enough. What about your daughter?'
'Is this inquisition necessary?'
'I think so, especially if you're interested in my sister.'
'Want to know if my intentions are honourable?'
'Yes, and I'd imagine those intentions included your daughter.'
Oliver nodded. 'I love my daughter, but the past few years haven't been easy for her. I know if I can get Kasey away from her mother's bad influence, I have some hope at establishing a stronger rapport with her.'
'Where does Steph fit into that picture?'
'Right at the moment, I don't know.' Oliver realised this wasn't so much an inquisition but Stephen's attempt at getting to know him better. He appreciated that. It meant the other man was at least willing to give him the benefit of the doubt where Stephanie was concerned.
'And today? With the little girl in the car accident?'
Oliver closed his eyes and shook his head, before looking down at the papers on his desk. 'Seeing that girl there made me realise how important this time with Kasey is. She was travelling today—flying to Australia and then driving from Sydney to here. I looked at that girl and thought, What if this was Kasey? Then every bit of training I've had went out the window and I couldn't remember a thing. It was as though my brain shut down.'
'Vulnerability.' Stephen nodded.
'Exactly.'
'My suggestion—go home and face that vulnerability. Send someone else to the meeting or even ask for it to be cancelled.'
'But I've just started here. It wouldn't look good.'
'It's a small hospital, Oliver. People understand. Go and see for yourself that Kasey is all right.' Stephen stood. 'Steph's good with kids. She'll help you mend your fences. Just go slow with her, that's all I ask.'
'Because she hasn't had much experience?'
Stephen's gaze narrowed. 'Did she tell you that?'
'Yes.'
'I'm impressed, but even more concerned.'
'Why?'
'It means she's becoming more attached to you than I'd anticipated.'
'And that's bad?'
'I don't know yet.' The concern left him. 'Go home, Oliver.'
'Good advice.' Oliver stood and came around the desk to shake Stephen's hand. 'I appreciate you stopping by and your honesty.' He paused then continued. 'Stephanie is...like no other woman I've met. She's come to mean a great deal to me in a short space of time. I'll do my best not to hurt her.'
'I'll hold you to that.'
After Stephen left, Oliver thought over what he'd said and was surprised to realise he meant every word. Stephanie was incredible and he was getting desperate to hold her in his arms and press his lips to hers. Somehow the rest of the world seemed to make sense when he was with Steph and that was something he'd never felt before.
Could it be...love?
Oliver brushed the thought away as ridiculous. He wasn't the type of man to fall in love in such a short space of time and besides, after Nadele and their mockery of a marriage, he'd vowed never to open his heart that deeply again.
He called Darla to put in his apologies for the meeting and was met with no resistance. Then he packed his briefcase, locked his office and drove home.
'Love?' He said the word out loud and shook his head emphatically. No. The feelings he had for Stephanie couldn't possibly be love. Admiration, respect, a growing trust, as well as a growing friendship, but love?
'Impossible.'
CHAPTER EIGHT
Stephanie was thankful to get home and quickly rushed around, making sure the place was as tidy as could be.
She was a little puzzled as to why Oliver wasn't there, waiting for Kasey and Mrs Dixon, but there were a few things about Oliver that she didn't understand. He'd declared he wanted permanent custody of Kasey but was this the type of life the child could look forward to? Surely an eight-year-old girl needed more than just an old family housekeeper for support, especially coming to a new country? No doubt Mrs Dixon was as esteemed as Oliver seemed to think she was, but in Stephanie's opinion a child needed parents...and that parent was Oliver.
She thought about Caitlin and how she had seemed more mature than her age. Was that because she was being raised in a one-parent family? Would Kasey be the same? More mature for her age? Stephanie was interested to see.
She boiled the kettle and soon was sitting down, sipping a cup of herbal tea, the soothing sounds of Chopin filling the air. If no one else was going to make Kasey feel welcome, she would. She couldn't imagine what loneliness felt like and her imagination was very vivid. Being a twin, she'd never been alone. Even when Stephen had been in a war zone for twelve months, even though she'd felt his desolation and despair, she still hadn't felt alone.
With a burst of energy she decided she was going to make sure Kasey didn't feel alone while she was staying in this house. Stephanie put her cup down and turned the music up. Going to the desk, she turned on the computer and inserted paper into the colour printer.
Soon, she'd finished her transformation. She'd made the beds for both Mrs Dixon and Kasey, printed out some colourful pictures of the latest pop stars she'd downloaded from the internet and stuck these up in Kasey's room, made a Welcome banner and pinned it up in the lounge room and ordered dinner from one of her favourite restaurants in Katoomba. Although she loved to cook, a girl couldn't do everything in so short a time.
As she stepped back to survey her handiwork, she momentarily wondered whether she'd overstepped the mark
. After all, Kasey was really nothing to her except Oliver's daughter. Oliver's daughter. Was that the real reason why she'd done all this? Would Kasey see' this as a desperate attempt on Stephanie's part to win over her dad?
Stephanie bit her lip, wishing now she'd stopped to think things through a little more. Taking a breath, she let the thought go. No point now, all the work was done...and she was quite proud of it. She heard the crunch of car tyres on the driveway and hoped it was Oliver and not the guests arriving. Crossing to the window, she peered out and breathed an audible sigh of relief as she recognised the silver hire car Oliver had been driving.
He'd no sooner climbed from his car than the sound of another car approaching could be heard. Stephanie watched Oliver turn and head to the edge of the driveway. He put his briefcase down as the hire car came to a halt, and walked over to open the door. A woman, tall and thin with greying hair, climbed from the car. Dignified was the word that came to mind to describe the woman. Although Stephanie was certain Mrs Dixon would take good care of Kasey, would she also let the child have fun?
Stephanie watched with interest as the girl climbed from the car, scooting over to get out the same door as Mrs Dixon. She had red hair which, as she grew older, would darken and become the colour a lot of women envied...women like herself. She smiled but the smile faded as she watched Kasey remain stiff and unmoved as her father came to hug her. Thank goodness Oliver had at least been here when she'd arrived, although it didn't seem to make much difference to Kasey.
The driver brought the bags to the doorstep and Oliver signed a document, no doubt payment for the service, before the driver left. Stephanie swallowed, trying not to fidget or double-check that the banner was straight.
'Don't worry about them, Mrs D. I'll bring them in later. Come in, come in,' she heard Oliver say.
It was then she realised she shouldn't be standing beneath the banner like some idiot welcoming committee. She skidded into the kitchen, grabbed the kettle and headed to the sink. Trying not to pant, she had the tap turned on as they came around the corner. She finished filling the kettle and turned. 'Oh, hi. I'm Stephanie,' she said, pleased at her relaxed and friendly manner. 'Cup of tea?'
