‘And how’s that going to help?’ She was suspicious to the point of rudeness, but she was still acute and he had her total attention.
‘In about three weeks you’ll get an allergic reaction,’ he told her. ‘Your arm will be a bit itchy and red for a couple of days. But after that…’
‘After that, what?’ Christie was fascinated as well.
‘After that I’ll teach Mandy how to apply the solution to the centre of each of the affected parts of your foot. What will happen then is that your body will react to the papillomas as if it’s allergic to them. It’ll start shedding the skin around them, and eventually—hopefully—it’ll scale off the papillomas themselves. It won’t happen overnight, but in about three months I reckon we might get you clear.’
‘Is that true?’ She was almost speechless.
Christie thought, Just how much discomfort has she been putting up with?
‘It’s true.’ Hugo looked up at her, and it was his very best doctor-to-patient smile. Trust me, the smile said, and who couldn’t? It was the same smile that was capable of turning Christie’s world on its ear. ‘It’s not a hundred per cent successful, but here, with such a mass, I’d be surprised if we didn’t get very good results indeed.’
‘If you can…’
‘No promises, but let me try,’ he told her. ‘I’m going back to Brisbane on Friday. I’ll send the DNCB straight back and Christie will get things under way.’
He was definitely going back. But not returning. What had he said? ‘I’ll send’ not ‘I’ll bring’.
But Hugo wasn’t finished yet. ‘By the way, I’m starting to guess part of where Mandy got her brains,’ he said, smiling so that no offence could be taken at his words. ‘I guess it’s no surprise. I hear she’s brilliant, and academic excellence usually comes from parents.’
What was he talking about now? Christie was so confused that she just wanted to get out of there. She wanted to assimilate everything she’d just learned—including the fact that he was definitely leaving.
‘You’ve taken in the DNCB explanation very quickly,’ he told Gloria. ‘Many people have trouble.’
‘I used to be good at school,’ Gloria said diffidently.
‘She did, too,’ Barry piped up, and there was still room for pride in his voice. For all her nastiness, there must still be affection there. ‘Gloria was two years below me at school but the teachers put her up so she was working alongside me. She was doing year-ten work when she was supposed to be in year eight.’
‘But there was nowhere to go after that?’ Hugo asked.
Gloria’s face was working. For one long moment, Christie thought she might be about to cry.
‘I had to get a job,’ she said at last. ‘When I was fourteen Mum took me down to the cannery and that was it. It! The men could at least be fishermen. There was something for them. But not the women. Not if there wasn’t enough money to send us away.’
‘So you, too, had the brains to be a vet?’
‘I guess.’ And now there definitely were tears. The woman’s hard shell had crumpled in the face of Hugo’s pressure. ‘But, thanks to you, Mandy’ll get her chance.’
‘Why don’t you do something now?’ Hugo asked, and the whole room held its breath.
‘Like what? Education costs money and, in case you haven’t noticed, I live on a dump of an island.’
‘You have a television,’ Hugo told her. ‘There’s distance education, which screens lectures at all sorts of times. Because you’re mature and you live in a remote area, I’d be surprised if a degree course would cost you anything at all.’
‘Yes?’ Suspicion was once more written all over her face. ‘What would I do?’
‘Things like medicine are a bit hard to do via distance education,’ Hugo admitted, smiling, ‘but there are many other courses. What would you like to do?’
‘I haven’t thought.’ She took a deep breath. ‘The islanders would laugh.’
‘Since when did you care about what the islanders think?’ Hugo asked gently. ‘Go on, Gloria. You could do all sorts of things. Literature. History. Creative writing, maybe? Write the world’s best detective thriller. Whatever—just give it a go. Study’s great, and you’ll be able to compare notes when Mandy comes home for holidays.’
‘I…’ She was staring at him, totally confused, and so was everyone else in the room. This was medicine at its best, Christie thought dazedly. A possible family cure, and not a pill in sight!
‘Don’t make a decision tonight,’ he urged. ‘I’ll pick up an education catalogue in Brisbane and send it back with the DNCB.’
‘Yes?’ She flushed and glared, then rose and backed off a couple of paces. The old Gloria wasn’t completely overwhelmed. ‘I suppose you want me to say thank you.’
‘I don’t want anything of the kind,’ Hugo told her. He smiled at Mandy and Barry, and he rubbed Scrubbit lightly behind his ear. The little dog was lying blissfully in Mandy’s arms, clearly where he most wanted to be in the world. ‘Bye, Scrubbit,’ he said. ‘Look after yourself, mate. Mandy, I’ll be in touch about arrangements. Come on, Dr Flemming. There’s more on our agenda tonight.’
‘Exactly what sort of a doctor are you?’
By the time they reached Christie’s car she was almost beside herself. She slid into the driver’s seat, waited for Hugo and then let fly. ‘I don’t believe it,’ she added before he could respond. ‘First, you manipulate that family like you’re a class-one conjuring act. Second, you notice Gloria’s limp, and I practically grew up here and I hadn’t noticed. Then you produce a miracle cure out of your magic hat—’
‘It isn’t a miracle cure and if you’ve been looking at Gloria’s limp for years then it’s no wonder you didn’t see it.’
‘Don’t interrupt,’ she said savagely. ‘In one wave of your wand, you’ve given Gloria an interest that will hopefully take her mind off giving her family hell—it’ll save that family from self-destruction if anything will. You know, I have Barry on antidepressants because of Gloria’s vicious tongue, and if you’ve solved that—’
‘I’m not expecting miracles.’
‘It’s a darn sight more helpful than Valium.’ She shook her head in wonderment. ‘You know about distance education. You know about DNCB, which is more than I do and I’m supposed to be a general practitioner. And you’re a specialist! But you’re not a dermatologist, and how you can keep up with dermatological literature as well as everything else when I don’t have time to blink…Much less forensic medicine and psychology—plus the odd dog operation…’ She ended up almost on a wail, and Hugo sat back and smirked.
‘Feeling outclassed, Dr Flemming?’
‘Yes,’ she said bluntly. ‘How much time do you spend on anaesthetics?’
‘Plenty,’ he said, wounded. ‘Do you doubt my skills?’
‘No, but—’
‘Do you mind if we go down to the harbour?’ he asked, glancing at his watch. ‘I’m meeting someone down there.’
‘You’re meeting someone. At nine at night?’
‘If you don’t mind.’
‘You’re running my life,’ she told him bitterly. ‘Plus making me feel the most inferior doctor in Australia. You know that?’
‘You are not an inferior doctor,’ he told her, and his smile came straight at her across the car, zooming in like a lightning bolt and holding her in thrall. If the road hadn’t been straight she would have crashed right there and then! ‘If I thought for one minute that you were an inferior doctor I wouldn’t be planning what I’m planning. But…’
‘So what are you planning?’ It was almost impossible to get her voice to work.
‘I’m not free to tell you,’ he said softly. ‘There’s a heap of work to be done before I know whether it’s feasible. All in good time, Dr Flemming. For now, trust me.’
‘Trust you?’
‘Just for two more days,’ he told her. ‘Just two more days and I’m out of here. For now.’
Goo
d grief! She was so confused she didn’t know what to think. Or what to feel. He sat beside her and gazed calmly ahead, and she wanted to throw something at him.
And she knew what she wanted to throw at him. Herself!
CHAPTER EIGHT
IT WAS Ben Hugo was meeting down at the harbour. Ben, the boy who’d saved his life. Christie pulled up beside the dry dock where Sandpiper was sitting forlornly, waiting for repair, and Ben rose to meet them. He’d been perched on the rails, staring out over the darkened harbour entrance.
‘Ben.’ Christie was confused. She cast a look of enquiry at Hugo but he was already greeting the boy.
‘How goes it? How’s the hand?’ He motioned to the dressing on Ben’s left hand and Ben grinned.
‘It’s fine. Dr Flemming stitched me up great. It’s starting to itch, though.’
‘Itching means it’s healing,’ Hugo told him. ‘So enjoy it and don’t scratch.’
‘OK.’ The kid gave Christie a shy smile and turned to Sandpiper. ‘Bit of a wreck, isn’t she?’
‘No bodies aboard, though,’ Hugo said softly. ‘Thanks to you and your mum.’
The boy flushed crimson under the harbour lights and the look on his face was one of sheer pleasure. Christie could only wonder at the transformation. This was a boy who hadn’t been able to bear anyone mentioning his mother for six long years. And now…
‘Yeah, she’d be really chuffed,’ Ben said, and his eyes glowed. Then he seemed to collect himself, flushed some more—after all, he was still a fourteen-year-old—dug his hands deep in his pockets and tried hard to look like he didn’t care. ‘Dad said you wanted to see me. I couldn’t come before—I had Scouts.’
‘This is a good time,’ Hugo said easily. He smiled at Christie. ‘It means Dr Flemming can hear what I have to say, too. I was wondering if you could help me. You know I’m leaving on Friday?’
Friday, Christie thought. Here it was again. She knew it. Why it hurt so much she didn’t know, but she knew it.
‘Mmm.’ Ben said,
‘My dad’s staying behind.’
Oh, right. She hadn’t known that. Not a one-night stay, then.
‘Why?’ said Ben.
‘It’s his boat and he loves her,’ Hugo told him. ‘It’s his life. He’ll stay in the cottage beside Doc Flemming and her grandpa, and he’ll watch over the boat while she’s being repaired.’
‘So what’s that got to do with me?’ Ben asked diffidently, and Christie couldn’t figure out who was more interested—the boy or her.
‘They tell me,’ Hugo said slowly, staring out over the windswept harbour, ‘that there’s been a bit of trouble around here. Vandalism and the like. Boats being tampered with.’
‘Really?’ Ben opened his eyes wide in innocence and Christie practically boggled. Where did this man get his information? Ben was one troubled kid, and the rumour was that the vandalism was straight down to him.
‘I was interested in employing you,’ Hugo went on, seemingly unaware of the all-too-innocent gaze. ‘I’d be paying, of course, and the job’s part time—after school.’
‘Doing what?’
‘A couple of things,’ Hugo told him. ‘I want someone to keep an eye on the boat. My dad will be here but he’s in his seventies and he can’t keep an eye on her at night. I don’t mean camp down here or anything. Just keep your eyes and ears open.’
‘What else?’ Ben was retreating into suspicion mode.
‘When my father gets the boat going, will you act as crew?’
Ben stared ‘How do you mean?’
‘He’ll want to test her,’ Hugo told him. ‘Knowing my dad he’ll want to take her out of the harbour. I need someone who’s young and strong, who’s a bit sensitive to an old man’s pride and who knows the sea back to front. Do you reckon you could do that?’
‘Not in school hours,’ Ben said, and Hugo nodded.
‘Dad wouldn’t expect that. Also…’
‘There’s more?
‘How are you at lawn-mowing?’
Ben grinned. ‘I knew there’d be a catch.’
‘Once a week,’ Hugo continued inexorably. ‘Two cottages. Dad’s and the doctors’.’
‘What, mine?’ Christie frowned. ‘Hey, what are we talking about here? I can mow my own grass, thank you very much.’
‘When did you last do it?’ Hugo demanded, and watched and grinned as she glowered.
‘It’s healthier if it’s left long.’
‘Yeah, right.’ He turned back to Ben. ‘Will you do that, Ben?’ And he offered an amount of money that made both Ben and Christie stare.
‘What?’ Ben couldn’t believe he’d heard correctly. ‘No island kid earns that much.’
‘It’s a big responsibility I’m asking you to shoulder,’ Hugo told him. ‘My father’s life, really. And you’ve already saved mine. Will you take it on?’
‘Of course I will.’
‘Good man.’ Hugo shook Ben’s uninjured hand and smiled. ‘Great.’
‘—I’ll be able to save for a sailboard now,’ Ben stammered. ‘Before…’ He hesitated and then decided to make a clean breast of it. ‘I’ve watched the other kids and thought no. But now…’ His shoulders came back and he practically strutted. ‘I gotta job. You wait till I tell my old man.’ And he gave a whoop of pure, unadulterated joy and streaked off homewards.
‘So you’ve just tied another lot of loose ends.’ For the life of her Christie couldn’t keep her voice from sounding cross. This man was pipping her at every post. ‘You know he’s been so…angry. He’s gone from one spot of trouble to another, almost begging to be caught. Now, in one swoop—’
‘You think I might have saved myself a spot of vandalism?’
‘I think you might have saved Ben,’ she said frankly. ‘You’ve relieved his guilt, you’ve given him a job and you’ve trusted him. He’s a hero, and now he’ll have a little spare cash, too. For a kid with self-esteem somewhere around his socks, you’ve done a fantastic job.’
‘It may not last.’
‘But it may.’ Christie turned from looking at the damaged boat and her eyes were warm. ‘Thank you, Hugo.’
‘It’s my pleasure.’ His eyes were watchful in the dim light. For a moment it had seemed almost natural that he would take her in his arms—or she take him—but he made no move. With difficulty she hauled herself back from her emotional precipice.
‘Hugo…’ There was something else she needed to say—if only she could concentrate on more than how close his body was.
‘Mmm?’ He still sounded distant.
‘You’re not paying to have my lawn done.’
‘Ah.’ He nodded sagely. ‘I wondered when we’d get to that. That’s my next point of discussion.’
‘Discuss away,’ she told him crossly, right off balance, ‘but it isn’t going to happen.’
‘Not even if it’s for payment for what you do for my father?’
That set her back. She rocked back on her heels and stared.
‘Explain.’
‘My father has a bad heart.’
She thought that through and decided he’d told her that already. But what it had to do with her…‘What sort of bad heart?’
‘Ischaemic heart disease, but not too bad. He has chronic angina but it doesn’t seem to be getting worse. He had a minor heart attack three years ago and had bypass surgery.’
‘Results?’
‘Excellent,’ he told her. ‘Apart from a black hole after my mother died, he’s been taking much better care of himself. He has his cholesterol down to just under six from over eight so we’re going well! His blood pressure’s almost normal, he’s active again and energetic, and there’s no reason to think he won’t make it to ninety.’
‘I see.’ She frowned. ‘So why do you want me to look after him?’
‘I won’t be here,’ he said softly.
It had come at last. She bit her lip, but it had to be discussed some time. His leaving. ‘You’ll leave your dad
here for a week or so and then return to sail the boat south with him?’
‘No.’
‘No?’
‘I’m needed urgently,’ he told her. ‘And I’m afraid I can’t come back soon. I moved heaven and earth to get this week off, so as soon as Dad is settled I’m leaving. I need to be in New York on Monday, and back in Brisbane next Friday. I have a locum anaesthetist covering for me but there are limits.’
‘Of course.’ For the life of her Christie couldn’t stop her voice sounding dull. She frowned. It still didn’t make sense. ‘Is your father happy to stay here? I mean, I assume it is only for a week or so.’
‘Alf tells me the boat could take three months. He’s working on his own and it’s a craftsman’s job. I’ve told him there’s no hurry.’
‘Three months!’ She took a deep breath. Three months…
‘So what you’re doing,’ she said softly, her anger building as the ramifications sank home, ‘is dumping your dad. More. You’ve arranged for me to have an elderly man as a neighbour—a man with known heart disease and who has no friends and relatives on the island.’
‘I—’
‘You don’t think you might be adding to my problems?’ She was angry now, and it showed. Angry on her own behalf and angry also on the old man’s. ‘Don’t you have time for him in Brisbane? No, of course not. You’re obviously a very important specialist. So you’ll dump him here and ease your conscience by telling yourself he’ll be living next to a doctor.’
‘I’m not dumping him.’ Good grief, he was putting on his wounded act. Labrador puppy being kicked by the nasty doctor…‘He wants to come.’
‘Why?’
‘He wants to supervise his boat being fixed. He’ll enjoy it, and when I suggested it he couldn’t agree fast enough. He’s bored in Brisbane. I think he and your grandfather will get on like a house on fire, and I suspect it’ll be great for both of them.’
But not for me, Christie thought as she fell silent. She couldn’t say the words—they were just too mean to utter—but she thought them anyway. As well as all her hospital work and her five hundred islanders, she’d have two old men to look after instead of one. Two to check up on. Two to cook for…
Doctor on Loan Page 13
