She didn’t know what stunned her more, the fact that Gretel—whose head she’d had her hands inside a few short hours ago—was sitting up, awake and talking to two doctors, or that Tom was one of those doctors.
He was sitting by the bed, holding Gretel’s hand. His face had lost its taut expression—the one she’d become convinced was a permanent part of him—and he looked almost happy.
Tom turned slowly and his nostrils flared. ‘Hayley?’
A buzz of hope streaked along her veins. He knows it’s you.
It’s not personal. He’s got ninja olfactory skills.
She nodded automatically and then realised her mistake. ‘Yes, Tom, it’s me.’
‘Lewis …’ Tom threw his arm out toward her ‘… meet Hayley Grey, the registrar who operated on Gretel.’
A man in a crumpled suit extended his hand in greeting along with a tired smile. ‘Lewis Renwick. Last neurosurgeon in Sydney, it seems. Sorry I was tied up at RPH, but Tom’s been telling me that you coped admirably. Looking at the most recent scan, I agree. You’ve done a wonderful job.’
Hayley grinned with relief. ‘Thank you, but I’m pretty good at following instructions.’
Lewis laughed. ‘Which is fortunate as Tom’s pretty good at giving them.’
Tom’s dark brows rose but a grin clung to his lips. ‘Only because most people need them.’
Gretel smiled and touched her hair. ‘Thanks, Dr Grey, not just for saving my life but for saving most of my hair.’
‘You’re very welcome, but it was very much a team event, with Mr Jordan guiding me through it.’
‘I know, he told me all about it.’ Gretel glanced between the three of them, but spoke directly to Hayley. ‘I can’t believe all this has happened to me, but at least the tumour isn’t cancerous. I’m so lucky that you and Mr Jordan were here tonight and now to have Mr Renwick looking after me.’
Tom patted Gretel’s hand and gave her a big wink. ‘He’s almost as good a neurosurgeon as me except for his lousy taste in music.’
‘So now you’re taking on Mozart?’ Lewis folded his arms in mock effrontery.
‘I always let my patients choose their playlist for the awake part of their surgery.’
The joking faded from Tom’s voice and Hayley saw how much he missed hospital life. It wasn’t just the surgery but his patients as well. Perhaps the patients even more than the surgery? The thought hovered for a moment before she discarded it.
‘I tell you what, Gretel …’ Lewis made a note on her chart ‘… ask your family to bring in your MP3 player and as long as there’s no hip-hop on it, you can listen to your music while I’m removing the tumour and the anaesthetist is asking you questions.’
‘That’s awesome, Mr Renwick. Thank you.’ Gretel touched the bandage on her head. ‘It’s going to be weird being awake while you’re operating on my brain.’
Hayley gave Gretel’s foot a pat. ‘I’ll leave you to talk to Mr Renwick about the surgery as I’m heading home now, but I’ll call by later tonight when I’m back on duty.’
‘I’ll come with you.’ Tom rose and flicked out his cane.
Hayley’s feet stayed still in surprise. He’d been brilliant in Theatre, but she could still vividly remember what he’d said when he’d first answered the phone. Now he wanted to leave with her? It didn’t make sense.
He’s in ICU with machines everywhere. He’ll need some guidance to get to the safety of the corridor.
Yep, that would be it.
Logic didn’t stop the sneaking fizz of disappointment.
‘You’re in good hands, Gretel.’ Tom’s voice suddenly took on a parental tone with an underlying warning. ‘Take care of her, Lewis.’
Hayley stepped up to Tom and said quietly, ‘Would you like to put your hand on my shoulder or tap your way out?’
His entire body stiffened. ‘I’ll take your elbow.’
She lifted his hand and guided it to her left elbow. ‘Are you ready?’
‘As I’ll ever be.’
The prickly man was back and she didn’t try to make polite conversation. She walked normally, but she did slow just before the nurses’ station. ‘Do you want to speak to any staff before you leave?’
He frowned and his mouth flattened. ‘Is there any point? Gretel isn’t my patient.’
She didn’t even try to stop the snarky tone in her voice. ‘Oh, right. How could I have possibly forgotten that you don’t do social niceties?’
The corner of his mouth twitched, but he didn’t say a word.
She kept walking and was about to say ‘The door is just ahead’ when Tom got in first.
‘Five steps to the door,’ he said. ‘If you open it, I’ll walk through the doorway and meet you on the other side.’
‘Okay.’ She did as he asked and then rejoined him in the corridor. She wondered if he might insist on walking on his own but he took her arm again.
As the music played around them in the lift, he said, ‘You did a great job today.’
‘Thank you.’ The ping sounded and the doors opened.
He gave a brisk nod. ‘I’m going to use the exit into the lane.’
She thought about where she’d run the other day. ‘The one where Pete’s got the rubbish dumpster?’
‘That’s it.’
It was on the other side of the hospital from the exit she usually used, and she wondered if it was Tom code for I’ll walk on my own now? But he hadn’t let go of her arm so she kept walking with him toward the door. Just as Hayley pushed open the heavy external door, a ward clerk, hurrying in for the morning shift, stopped to let them through.
‘Mr Jordan?’ The woman’s face lit up with a huge smile. ‘It’s Penny. It’s so great to see you. You’ve been missed.’
Tom extended his hand, which the clerk pressed warmly. ‘Penny, it’s great to hear your voice. How’s Ben doing?’
‘He’s thriving, thanks to you. Can you believe that he’s even playing football in the under nines?’
Tom moved his head toward her voice. ‘I can believe it. He was a determined kid and I’m pleased to know he’s doing so well.’ He gave her a warm smile. ‘You take care, Penny.’
Hayley stared at him, hardly able to recognise the man standing next to her.
Be fair. He was like this
