by Sue MacKay
‘Aw, shucks, lad. You’ll have a grand time. The nurses will spoil you rotten.’
Leaving them to it, Molly headed for Kath Burgess’s cubicle, only to have Hazel, the only female doctor on duty, call from the hub, ‘Molly, I want you with me when I examine Kath. She’s spent time with you already, and I think it’s important not to bring in too many new faces since you managed to calm her down.’
‘I agree.’ The woman had been distraught when she’d arrived, clutching her stomach like it was going to split open, howling that she might be losing her baby. It had taken ages to quieten her enough to get some obs done.
‘We all heard the commotion and our first instinct was to crowd in to see what we could do, until it quickly became obvious that the screeching was lowering to sobs and you had the situation under control. Nathan and I decided not to interfere unless you called for help. We didn’t want to fire her up again.’ Hazel was reading the triage notes.
‘Thank goodness you did. She refuses to be seen by a male doctor.’ That’d immediately put Molly on notice, wondering if Kath had been abused by a man, but when she’d tried to find out she had been told she’d fallen down the stairs at the back of her house. Molly had gone straight to Hazel to explain her concerns, but as Hazel had been about to suture a deep wound in a young male’s thigh, she’d flagged Kath’s notes instead and kept an eye out for whoever might be going into the cubicle.
‘That doesn’t sound good,’ Hazel commented as she led the way into the small space where Kath lay curled up on the bed, a bunch of tissues clasped in her hand.
Closing the curtains, Molly watched Kath closely as Hazel asked questions about what had brought her to hospital.
‘I fell down the steps.’
‘You’re complaining of abdominal pain. How did that happen?’
‘There was a toolbox there, all right?’ Kath’s voice was rising. ‘I must’ve landed on that.’
‘You don’t know for sure?’
‘I did.’ Tears streamed down the woman’s face.
Molly’s heart went out to her. If only she could hug her and say, ‘Tell us everything, and we’ll get you help’—but she knew where that’d lead. The police would have to be informed, and social services would send someone to help. Kath had to be ready for what that involved. It wasn’t as easy as someone who hadn’t been abused would believe. Of course, Molly could be wrong, but she doubted it. It was like looking into her own eyes from the past.
When Molly had removed the sheet covering Kath and lowered her jeans and panties, she stepped aside for Hazel’s examination, talking softly to Kath about anything that didn’t broach the subject of her husband.
Finally Hazel straightened and pulled up Kath’s clothes. ‘You’re not miscarrying. But I want you to remain in bed for the next few days, at least until the pain subsides. There’s still a risk of miscarriage.’
‘He won’t be happy,’ their patient said in a dead voice.
‘About you staying in bed, or about not losing the baby?’ Molly asked softly.
‘What do you think?’
Both, if she was on the right page. But she kept quiet. Kath was getting wound up again. Better to keep her calm and only mention help was available if she was receptive.
Molly opened the curtains so they could keep an eye on her from the hub.
‘Hey, you can’t come in here without permission,’ Hank said loudly from the other end of the department.
‘Try and stop me,’ came the angry voice of an unknown male.
‘Come here,’ Hank demanded.
‘Where is she?’
Kath gasped, ‘No,’ and curled in on herself.
Molly asked, ‘Someone you know?’
‘My man. He’s been drinking since early afternoon.’
Great. Just what they needed. The sound of curtains being jerked open and sliding doors rammed back made her skin crawl. He was getting closer, and it wouldn’t be long before he found who he was looking for.
‘Stop right there,’ Hank ordered.
‘This is going to be fun,’ Hazel muttered.
‘Stop. You are disturbing our patients.’ Nathan stood at the central counter, hands tense at his sides, his feet planted slightly apart. ‘Tell me who you’ve come to see and I’ll check if you can visit.’
‘You’ve got my wife hiding in here. I’m going to find her. Now,’ the man shouted.
Kath buried her head under the pillow.
Then her husband stormed into the cubicle, the rage in his face terrifying. ‘Get out of my way,’ he yelled at Hazel, raising a fist.
It was instinctive. Molly saw movement out of the corner of her eye. One step closed the gap. Her arm came up, locked with the assailant’s. Using his forward motion she hauled him toward her, dropped her weight forward and swung her upper body around, taking him with her, dropping him to the floor before landing on top of him, her knees pressing into his shoulders, her hand still tight around his lower arm.
Silence fell over the department.
Then the man began swearing. He struggled beneath her, trying to push her off, getting madder by the second.
She was about to be tossed aside by a raging man who had no brakes on his temper. Then Nathan planted a foot firmly in the small of the man’s back. ‘Stay still.’ Under his breath he added, ‘Or, hell, you’re going to regret it.’
She was probably the only person to hear that. Certainly the man underneath her either hadn’t or didn’t believe Nathan because he was still trying to get up.
Then Hank grabbed the man’s flailing arms and slammed them down on the floor. ‘Shut up, buster.’
Nathan tapped her lightly. ‘You can get off now. We’ve got him.’
She did, fast, not taking her eyes off her opponent until she’d stepped away. ‘Has someone called Security?’ Where had they been when this guy had got into the department? Taking a break? At least one security guard had to remain at the main entrance at all times.
‘Right here.’ Two uniformed men raced towards them and took over.
‘You okay?’ Nathan asked, his hand on her elbow.
‘Sure.’ She nodded.
‘Molly, he was going to hit me.’ Hazel nudged Nathan aside to throw her arms around her and hold tight. ‘I froze when I saw his arm come up.’
Molly squeezed back, a trembling starting up in her belly and spreading throughout her body. ‘Glad I didn’t.’
Hazel stepped back and wiped her eyes. ‘Seriously, you saved me. He was aiming for my face.’
‘You reacted so fast, it had to be instinctive. I’m impressed.’ There was something akin to awe in Nathan’s voice as his hand moved from her elbow to her shoulder. ‘Come and sit down. You look like you’ve been hit by a bus.’
Now that the adrenaline was ebbing, that was exactly how she felt. Flattened. Shocked. ‘I can’t believe I did that.’
‘How’d you know what to do?’ Nathan asked after he had her seated and parked his butt on the counter. ‘One second that man was attacking Hazel and the next you threw him on the floor and sat on him.’
‘Not quite. I had my knees on his shoulders.’ She gulped. That had been so close. Not once had she thought about what she was doing. When she’d caught sight of that swinging arm out of the corner of her eye the rest had followed naturally. As she’d been taught to do in her judo classes. If only she’d done martial arts when she’d been with Paul, she might have stopped him in his tracks permanently. ‘I saw a movement and instantly went into defence mode. I’ve got an orange belt in judo,’ she added when she saw the confusion enter Nathan’s eyes.
‘That explains it.’ Maybe, but that confusion remained.
Molly hastened to divert him. ‘I’ve always wondered how I’d react if I needed to. Now I know.’
‘Why did you learn judo?’ Straight to the point.<
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‘Nathan, not now. I need to get back to Kath. The attack proved what I suspected—she’s being abused. She’ll need reassuring her husband’s not going to get near her while she’s in here. We’ll also have to convince her to stay in hospital for the rest of the night.’
You’re talking too much. He’s going to see right through you.
Molly clamped her mouth shut and tried to stand up to pull away from those warm fingers still on her shoulder, but Nathan only tightened his hold.
‘Sit down. You’re as pale as the walls, and shaking like a leaf in a breeze. I’m getting you a strong coffee.’
Actually, she was damned pleased with herself. Who’d have believed she could take a man down? She opened her mouth to argue, but nothing came out when she locked her eyes with Nathan’s and found compassion there, and something else. Something hinting at him beginning to understand what made her tick. Her bout of verbal diarrhoea might bring unwelcome questions.
Then a shudder ripped through her. Sinking deeper onto the chair, she looked away, fidgeting with the hem of her top as nausea crept up her throat. That had been too close. What if he’d hit Hazel? Or her? The guy had been off the scale with rage. Not cold and calculating but hot and loose. Was that how he treated Kath all the time?
Molly’s heart pounded. She was safe, but Kath wasn’t. Seeing that man come charging through the department as though he had the right to do as he pleased with his wife had turned her blood to ice. And brought back memories of a fist hitting her stomach, slamming against her ribs, under her chin.
Nathan was crouched in front of her, his hands now covering hers. ‘Your reaction’s normal.’
She nodded, afraid that if she opened her mouth she’d never shut up.
‘There’s more to this, isn’t there?’
Another nod, sharp and uncontrollable.
‘Hank,’ Nathan called over his shoulder. ‘Molly and Hazel could do with coffee, please. Make them sweet.’
‘Onto it.’
Molly glanced around, away from those all-seeing eyes in front of her. ‘Hazel?’
‘I’m right here, and, like you, I’ve got the shakes. I’m also angry and would love a chance to tell that creep what I think of him, coming in here and trying to hurt people who want to help his wife.’ Hazel pulled a chair near to Molly’s. ‘How’re you doing?’
‘I’m good.’ She wanted to laugh and rejoice in being strong. She wanted to cry and hide, and go home. She wanted to bury her head against Nathan’s broad shoulder, breathe him in, and feel those warm muscles under his top against her face. She wanted to be comforted by this man she knew without a doubt would never hurt her. But it wasn’t happening.
One, they were in the hub of the ED, surrounded by staff and patients, and there was work to do. Two, what she wanted and what she’d get might be two different things, and right now she couldn’t handle the disappointment if she’d misinterpreted that look in Nathan’s eyes and he put her aside. So she’d toughen up, drink her coffee and get back to work. It was the only way to go. Once the shaking stopped, and some sense of equilibrium returned to her brain. ‘I’ll be right in a minute.’
Nathan said, ‘Don’t rush. We’ve got you both covered until you’re ready. Even if it takes the rest of the shift.’ He might be talking to them both but it was her hands he was gently squeezing.
Her bottom lip trembled. ‘Thanks.’
‘Take pride in what you did.’ His return smile slowed her stewing stomach. ‘I’d rather have you on my side than against me.’
‘Then you’re glad we’re getting on?’ No trembling in her smile now. Pride was appearing. She’d been strong, had helped Hazel. Did this mean that no man would ever again hit her? Not without a fight, anyway. Her chin lifted, and she eyeballed Nathan. ‘Seems things are looking up for me.’ Her new life was well and truly under way.
‘Here, coffee for two.’ Hank placed two mugs on the counter. ‘I pinched some chocolate biscuits out of the fridge as well. Thought they might be better than sugar in your drinks.’
Nathan stood up. ‘I’d better see to some patients. Don’t rush, either of you.’
Molly reached for her mug, paused. ‘Can I suggest only female staff work with Kath? She was leery of Hazel examining her. She’s not going to like any male staff approaching her.’
Nathan nodded. ‘I’ll ask Myra to take over.’ Myra had taken Vicki’s place for the night and was a midwife and nurse who did extra shifts in ED for the money.
As Nathan passed Molly to pick up a file, his hand brushed her upper arm, and when she looked at him he gave her another soft, heart-melting smile, but sorrow darkened his eyes.
Damn it, he knew. Without being told, he’d put the pieces together and come up with the correct picture. He would want to know more. Would demand to be told everything. No, he wouldn’t. They worked together, they weren’t best buddies or in a relationship. He might like to know but he wasn’t going to ask her for details. He was a gentleman. Wasn’t he? Guess she’d find out soon enough.
* * *
For the remainder of the shift Nathan had trouble remaining calm whenever he glanced around to check on Molly. Anger at an unknown man boiled up. Given half the chance he’d like to tear out of the department to go and find him, beat him to a pulp. Not that he’d ever hit anyone before, but sweet, gorgeous Molly did so not deserve to be beaten. Not that she’d said anything to suggest it’d happened, but he knew. The sudden grief that had filled her eyes as the shock of what she’d done to Kath’s husband had worn off told him there was a story behind her usually withdrawn manner.
‘Glad that’s over.’ The woman in his head handed a file to one of the incoming shift nurses. ‘I’m ready for my bed.’
Not so fast. ‘I’ll give you a lift home.’ Nathan put on his no-nonsense voice in the hope she’d agree without an argument.
‘The train will be quicker.’
He should have known it wouldn’t work. ‘Throw in breakfast and you’ll be able to justify going the slow way.’ He’d just asked her out? It might only be breakfast, but in a roundabout way it was a date. He hadn’t thought before putting his mouth into gear.
So you want to withdraw the invitation?
Nathan’s chest rose. No, he damned well didn’t. This wasn’t only about what’d happened earlier and the revelations that had come with it. He couldn’t deny the need to get to know Molly better, to learn exactly who was behind that façade she presented to the world most of the time. He sucked a breath. Which only showed how deep the mire he was floundering in had become. It had happened so fast he couldn’t keep up.
Molly was blinking at him like a possum caught in headlights. ‘Do you mean that?’
‘About breakfast? Yes. Why wouldn’t I?’
‘Because you’re kind and probably want to be a caring boss, making sure I’m all right. If that’s the case then believe me when I say I’m fine, and there’s food in my fridge that’ll suffice for breakfast.’
That scratched at his calm. He was not playing the boss here. He’d stepped beyond that comfortable zone—into what, he wasn’t quite sure, but knew he needed to find out. ‘Bet you haven’t got eggs and hollandaise sauce.’
‘Low blow.’ There was a wariness creeping into her eyes. She was worried what he’d ask about the martial arts.
He couldn’t deny he was ready to explode over what he perceived had happened in her past, but if she didn’t want to talk about it, that was her prerogative and he’d accept that. ‘That’s me. When I want something I’ll try everything in my power to get it.’ Except use my fists.
Molly obviously had no worries on that score because she gave him an exhausted smile. ‘I’d love a ride, and breakfast.’
‘Why didn’t you just say so?’ He grinned and took her elbow, wishing he could put an arm around her shoulders and tuck her in close. But they were stil
l in the department and already there were a couple of raised eyebrows and knowing smiles going on. Neither were they that close.
‘Don’t like to be too obvious,’ Molly retorted. Then yawned. ‘Thank goodness for weekends. I’m over this week.’
‘Evening shift next week, here we come.’ After two days off, and hopefully a ride in his car. The Blue Mountains were looking good, and the weather was forecast to be fine and crisp. ‘You been to the Blue Mountains?’
‘That’s a long way to go for breakfast.’ Her tempting mouth gave him another smile that struck under his ribs and made his heart lift its pace.
The mountains wouldn’t be too far for the morning meal if they went there the day before and stayed over in a hillside lodge, enjoying the views and a superb meal, making the most of a large, soft bed throughout the night. But that wasn’t happening. Not yet. Nathan tripped over his own flat feet. Where the hell had that come from?
You were going to get her onside, not so close you’d get to know her so well.
He hadn’t forgotten, but the rules had changed the moment she’d taken Burgess down. He had yet to figure out where he went with this now. Molly was an enigma that he was getting more than interested in. First he had to find out if he was right about her past or way off the mark. It certainly explained her edginess over mixing socially with people. Until yesterday, when she’d participated in Vicki’s celebration, when she’d come out of her shell in a hurry, even singing ‘Happy Birthday’ in front of everyone. Not that Molly had realised what she was doing at first.
Nathan followed her to the lift, and when the door closed, he tapped the button for the basement and the car park. ‘You know people will talk about what happened?’
‘Fingers crossed, come Monday something else will have happened that’ll take everyone’s attention.’ She leaned against the wall, looking so tired he wanted to wrap her up and take her home for a few uninterrupted hours’ sleep. Followed by...
‘How about we go to Coogee for that breakfast?’
