‘I remember that accident,’ Jennifer exclaimed. ‘Stewart was in my class. Some police officer came and gave the whole school a talking to about road safety. Stewart wasn’t badly hurt.’
‘He got knocked out,’ Brian said. ‘Freda thought she’d killed him and swore she’d never get behind a wheel again. She hasn’t. I suspect she’s developed a phobia about other people driving as well. I’ve heard that she takes down the number plates of all cars she thinks are breaking the speed limit and reports them to Tom Bartlett. She’s been known to issue a ticket or two herself.’
Wendy was grinning but Jennifer shook her head. ‘No wonder she’s so adamant about not going to Christchurch. Maybe I should organise an ambulance transfer.’ She chewed her lip. ‘It could be just a bad sprain. If we had X-ray facilities here we could manage this sort of case without having to send them anywhere.’ Jennifer tried to ignore the unbidden memory of Andrew’s ambition to build up the hospital facilities, but it was impossible. She wished she hadn’t said anything.
‘Why can’t we get X-rays here?’ Wendy mused.
‘Too expensive,’ Brian responded. ‘And we’d need someone trained to use the equipment.’
‘It can’t be too difficult to get trained,’ Jennifer pointed out. ‘The nurse at the veterinary clinic does them.’
‘That’s it!’ Wendy chuckled. ‘Take Freda to the vet.’
‘It’s more the reading of results that needs expertise,’ Brian commented. ‘Some fractures are hard to pick up but the outcome can be poor if they’re treated appropriately.’
‘I could get training,’ Jennifer said decisively. ‘We’d be able to handle a lot of cases ourselves. Anything that was tricky could still be referred.’
‘What about the cost? Our budget would never cope.’
‘We could raise the money. Get community support. Look at all the people we’ve got coming in to welcome Liam this morning. Let’s talk about a fundraising campaign to buy our own X-ray machine while they’re here.’
Brian was smiling. ‘You’re keen on this idea, aren’t you, Jen? Have you got any idea how much time and work it would involve?’
Jennifer straightened her back. ‘Maybe a project like this is just what I need. I’m going to have a lot more time available when the children go to Australia.’ She nodded with satisfaction as a solution to a more immediate concern presented itself. ‘I could get the ambulance that brings Liam to take Freda back to town. You come and talk to her, Brian. I’m sure she’ll listen to you.’
Jennifer led the way, feeling cautiously optimistic about more than her patient’s management. She didn’t need Andrew Stephenson’s ideas or support to achieve results. She waited for Brian to catch her up in the hallway. ‘When we interview the applicants for the new partner’s position, let’s try and find somebody with a strong interest in minor surgery. There’s a lot more we could do here, you know.’
‘If you’re not careful, this place will take over your life completely, Jen.’
‘It is my life,’ Jennifer responded quietly. ‘And I’m going to make it something to be proud of.’
The community enthusiasm for fundraising was already something to be proud of. So was the depth of caring displayed by the welcome Liam Bellamy received at the small hospital. Jennifer was close to tears as she participated in the celebration. She was lucky to be part of it all. Where else could she be and gain this kind of depth and real involvement with others through her work? It certainly wouldn’t come through a position at any large hospital. Especially in a foreign country. It really wasn’t Jennifer’s fault that her thoughts were again centering on Andrew. There wasn’t one person present in this gathering that hadn’t mentioned him. Wasn’t it lucky that he’d been here on the night Liam had his accident? And isn’t it a shame he’s not here to enjoy the party? Even Liam wanted to talk about Andrew.
‘I’d like to thank him,’ he told Jennifer. ‘Have you got his address? Maybe I could write him a letter.’
‘I’m sure I can find out for you,’ Jennifer said. ‘What’s this I hear from your dad about a career choice? Are you still keen on the idea of nursing?’
‘No.’ Liam grinned. ‘I’ve changed my mind. I’m going to become a physiotherapist. Do you think I could come and work here?’
‘Maybe one day.’ Jennifer smiled. ‘With the plans I’ve got for this place we could well be needing to expand our services.’
The frequent reminders of Andrew were even more poignant at home. The twins had to tell their father about Sonic the hedgehog and how Drew had stayed up all night to feed him with the eyedropper. Michael wanted a stir-fry meal for dinner on their last night together and even Elvis couldn’t hope to fill the gap on the other side of Jennifer’s bed. The flurry of the final departure was filled with such excitement from the children that Jennifer was able to ignore the reality of what she was now facing. She travelled into Christchurch to see them off and it was on the drive back to Akaroa that it finally hit home.
The house would be empty when she arrived home. Elvis would be waiting by the front door, but that was the only normality she could expect. That door would be closed. The house would be deserted and probably feel twice as huge as it was. Unless she was called out to a patient there would be no one to talk to. No company and no distractions. Maybe Michael had been right. It was stupid not having a television.
Andrew had been gone for over three weeks. He wasn’t coming back. Jennifer had told him not to and they’d both been so angry and hurt when he’d left that she wasn’t surprised he hadn’t called. Jennifer’s anger had faded rapidly. The hurt had taken longer. The emptiness of the house and the long quiet hours alone had given Jennifer a lot of time to think. She couldn’t really blame Andrew. Her reasons for being here had evaporated. The final application date for the position as a partner in the practice was drawing close. Soon there would be medical cover for the community that would replace Brian and could cover for herself. If one new doctor was going to work here, why not two? One of the applications had come from a married team of two doctors who were planning to job share. Maybe it would naturally develop into two jobs.
If Jennifer had only known what had been about to transpire in the lives of her nieces and nephews, things would have gone very differently. What was holding her here now? The community and the level of involvement she felt in cases such as Liam’s? Was it enough? More important than her love for Andrew?
No. As much as Jennifer loved her home and her work, she would give them up for this man. She needed to be with him no matter where it was. Maybe Boston wouldn’t be her first choice but it didn’t have to be for ever. The way she felt about Andrew was going to be for ever. Jennifer agonised over what she should do. Was it possible he could still feel the same way or had she destroyed that possibility? The more she thought about the way they’d parted the more Jennifer blamed herself. She could understand Andrew’s need to return to Boston to experience vindication and reinstatement. Andrew had never been put first, not even as a child, and Jennifer had provided more of the same kind of rejection. She had made her work and responsibilities seem more important to her than he was. No wonder he had made no attempt to contact her since. It was up to her to put things right—if she still could. She had to try.
Directory enquiries was helpful in supplying the telephone number for the J.J. Shuster Institute in Boston. They were seventeen hours behind New Zealand time so Jennifer calculated that to ring midmorning, she would need to stay up until three a.m. Given her unsatisfactory attempts to sleep at present, it wasn’t difficult to stay awake. Nerves kicked in around midnight, however. What would she say? How would Andrew react?
Jennifer paced around the vast, empty house. Elvis became increasingly disconcerted by this unusual behaviour. With a resigned expression the shaggy black dog finally gave up his warm spot on the couch and followed Jennifer. He sat down hopefully every time she paused, wagging his plumed tail as encouragement, but his mistress seemed oblivious to
his persuasive efforts. When Jennifer eventually picked up the telephone and sat down on the couch, Elvis climbed up and flopped beside her with a relieved grunt. He was rewarded with a hug.
‘I’ll just tell him the truth,’ Jennifer told her dog. ‘That I miss him. That I want to be with him. What’s the worst that could happen? Even if he tells me it’s over I won’t be any worse off than I am now.’
Except that she would be much worse off. The decision to ring Andrew had been made with the desperate need to find what had been lost. If it wasn’t there to be found any more then Jennifer knew she would lose much more than just a relationship. She would lose the only future she wanted. Her fingers were trembling as she punched in the long international and area codes followed by the hospital number.
The call was answered quickly, by a young female with a strong southern accent.
‘I’d like to speak to Dr Andrew Stephenson, please,’ Jennifer said breathlessly.
‘I beg your pardon? Could you repeat that, please?’
Jennifer repeated her request, more firmly this time. There was a moment’s silence. ‘I’m sorry but I’m not familiar with the name. Which department do you require?’
‘Surgery. He’s a surgeon.’
‘Just one moment.’ Music wafted over the phone line and Jennifer found herself listening to the old country and western song ‘Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree’. It seemed appropriate enough to make her throat constrict painfully. The song was cut off abruptly.
‘I’m sorry, but Dr Stephenson is unavailable. He hasn’t worked here for nearly a year.’
‘He’s come back,’ Jennifer told her. ‘Just recently.’
‘Is that right? Hold the line, please.’
This time Jennifer got three verses and every chorus of ‘Yellow Ribbon’. The new voice on the phone informed her that she had been transferred to the department of surgery.
‘I’m trying to locate Dr Andrew Stephenson. I believe he returned to Boston a few weeks ago and is due to start work again at your hospital.’
The secretary she was now speaking to was more helpful. At least she had heard of Andrew.
‘Let me see if any of our other surgeons are available. Trent Bagshaw might be able to help you.’
Trent was between cases in Theatre. Jennifer repeated her request, hoping that this third attempt might be luckier.
‘He’s not here, I’m afraid,’ the surgeon told her apologetically. ‘I wish he was. I’m totally snowed under with this case load. We’ve got a contract all set for him to sign but he said he’d make his decision after the conference.’
‘Oh, I’d forgotten about the conference. It’s in Miami, isn’t it?’
‘That’s right. Half the department is there for the week. That’s why I’ve been left with all the work. I’ll have to go and get scrubbed again now. Nice talking with you, Jennifer.’
‘Just a second,’ Jennifer pleaded. ‘Could you give Andrew a message for me, please? It’s very important.’
‘Sure. Fire away.’
‘Tell him…’ Jennifer’s mind went blank. There was too much to say and none of it could be said to a stranger who had no time to wait. ‘Just tell him I rang,’ Jennifer said desperately. ‘And…and give him my love.’
CHAPTER TEN
SURELY the call would be returned.
Andrew presumably wouldn’t receive the message until after he returned from Miami. Jennifer calculated as best she could when that was likely to occur. Her level of tension rose markedly as that time came and went with no response. The days crawled past with exaggerated length. The ringing of the telephone, especially at odd hours in the night, had Jennifer’s pulse racing, but the calls were never international. Old Mr Bates with the prostate problems had a heart attack. Mrs Dobson died peacefully in her sleep and Melissa Cooper chose exactly three a.m. the following Monday to go into labour.
The delivery was straightforward and efficient, but Jennifer had had very little sleep so it wasn’t the ideal day to face the interviews for applicants vying for the position of her partner. She made herself a very strong cup of coffee at seven a.m., having left Melissa and her new daughter to rest under the care of the midwife, Sue. Considering the day ahead of her, Jennifer felt more than weary. Dispirited was a more accurate description. She would have to cope with her inpatients and any administrative tasks between the interviews. There were bound to be urgent appointments that would have to be slotted in somehow. It was just as well that Brian was going to be here for the day to help run the interviews.
Not that it should be a difficult process. Jennifer already had her hopes pinned on the married couple that were applying for the position. Two doctors for the price of one. She’d be able to cut her ties in the very near future and start again somewhere else. Boston, hopefully, but even the prospect of being with Andrew couldn’t dispel Jennifer’s weariness. The Drs Grant might be perfect but it would still take time for them to move to Akaroa and settle into the position. And Brian’s surgery was still a week away. There was no way Jennifer was going to leave the country until he was firmly on the road to recovery.
Akaroa had chosen to advertise itself with perfect spring weather. The cloudless sky was reflected on a harbour that looked like blue silk. Fishing boats positioned themselves in picturesque fashion and Jennifer wouldn’t have been at all surprised if a pod of Hector’s dolphins was waiting to appear and charm any visitors. Not that the first visitor to the hospital that morning appeared to have noticed.
Katherine Hodderston arrived an hour early for her nine a.m. interview. She had been nervous about how long the drive from Christchurch would take, she said, and how hard it might be to find the hospital. The smart suit the young woman was wearing and the brand-new briefcase she carried looked out of place, but Jennifer had already known that this interview would probably be a waste of time. Katherine was only three years out of medical school. She was inexperienced, nervous and far too young. Brian had been the one who’d decided she deserved the courtesy of an interview.
‘You were pretty young yourself when you started here,’ he reminded Jennifer. ‘And look what a treasure you turned out to be.’
Brian had to agree after the interview that Dr Hodderston wasn’t suitable, but he remained philosophical. ‘The next one will be better. Colin Draper sounds perfect on paper. He’s thirty-six so he’s definitely not too young. He’s had plenty of GP experience and he has an interest in minor surgery.’ Brian’s eyebrows lifted meaningfully. ‘Not bad-looking either, judging by this photograph.’
Colin Draper was certainly not bad-looking. Tall and lean with blond hair, blue eyes and a ready smile that would have prompted many women to take another look. Jennifer wasn’t remotely attracted but Colin Draper clearly didn’t share her lack of interest.
‘You’re Dr Tremaine?’ The handshake was being extended a fraction too long. ‘I didn’t realise just how attractive this position really was.’
Jennifer pulled her hand free. ‘What is it about the position that interested you, Colin?’
He waved a hand towards the window. ‘This is such an amazing place. Not too far from a major city but with all the benefits of a seaside resort.’ The blue eyes caught Jennifer’s watchful stare and Colin smiled warmly. ‘Do you know, I think I even saw dolphins in the harbour as I drove past?’
It transpired that Dr Draper was a keen sailor and wanted to live close to a yacht mooring. He was also recently divorced.
‘Time for a new beginning,’ he declared, his gaze resting appreciatively on Jennifer. ‘And I can’t wait to get started.’
‘No,’ Jennifer said firmly. ‘He’s not suitable at all.’
Wendy looked disappointed. ‘I rather liked him.’
‘So did I.’ Brian poured himself a second cup of tea. ‘And his qualifications are impeccable.’ He grinned at Jennifer. ‘He liked you.’
Jennifer snorted softly. ‘He’s certainly on the hunt for more than a job. I suspect he wants
a deckhand for that yacht.’
The phone rang and Brian picked up the kitchen extension. ‘Akaroa hospital,’ he said pleasantly. ‘Brian Wallace speaking.’ His gaze was on Jennifer as he spoke and she watched to see if she could read anything urgent in his expression. Brian listened in silence for a few seconds and then spoke calmly. ‘Hang on just a minute. I’ll transfer the call to the office.’ He pushed a button on the telephone and hung up. Then he picked up his cup of tea. ‘Personal call,’ he said casually. ‘I’ll be in the office.’
Wendy watched him leave before turning to Jennifer. ‘Are you sure about Colin Draper?’
‘Quite sure,’ Jennifer responded.
‘Shame,’ Wendy said wistfully. ‘I like sailing.’
Jennifer grinned at her friend. They shared a companionable few minutes finishing their lunches, then Jennifer carried her dishes to the bench. ‘I’ll be in the office as well,’ she informed Wendy. ‘We’ve got the last interview coming up and I’m sure this couple will be a far better prospect than Dr Draper.’
One glance out of the office window had Jennifer moving towards the front door with some speed. Some holidaymakers had arrived and Jennifer would need to deal with them quickly. She didn’t want to be distracted from the interview that promised to solve the partnership problems.
The vast, bright green house truck was filling the car park. Garlands of flowers were painted on the sides amidst trees and rainbows. There were children running everywhere, totally undisciplined. Three small girls were picking all the flowers they could find in the garden. Two older boys were taking pot shots at a telegraph pole with stones they were collecting from the driveway. The two adults stood hand in hand, gazing serenely at the hospital entrance. The man was tall, bearded and had long hair tied back in a ponytail. The woman had loose, waist-length hair and wore a long dress that did not disguise the fact she was heavily pregnant.
Rivals in Practice Page 15
