and they waited a couple of minutes for it to take effect. Dan prodded the wound gently in several places. ‘Can you feel anything hurting, Michael?’
Eyes squeezed shut, Michael said, ‘No...’
‘Good boy. Keep holding Mummy’s hand and we’ll be finished in no time.’
In a short time Lindsey watched Dan snip the last suture close to the skin. ‘There you are, sweetheart.’ She gave the little shoulder a gentle pat. ‘All finished.’
‘Can I get my sticker now?’
Dan looked a question. He’d promised one to his small patient. He just hoped they had some in the department.
‘They’re in a box at the station,’ Lindsey said right on cue. ‘Won’t be a tick.’
* * *
‘Gorgeous little boy, wasn’t he?’ Lindsey remarked lightly as she went about tidying the treatment room.
Dan was parked at the mobile tray, writing up his notes. He lifted his head in query. ‘Sorry?’
‘Michael,’ Lindsey said. ‘He’ll probably be a real heartbreaker.’
‘Yes, probably...’ Dan went back to his notes, finishing them swiftly.
‘Thanks.’ He gave the ghost of a smile and left quietly.
Lindsey bundled the soiled linen into a bin with a vengeance. What was with this guy? Would it kill him to indulge in a bit of normal conversation?
* * *
Dan was amazed how quickly the rest of the shift passed. The ache in his shoulders had disappeared. Cautiously, he began to feel, as a result of the sudden turnaround with Lindsey, he might have a chance at some kind of normal life here at Hopeton. A chance he couldn’t afford to ignore.
Deep in thought, he began collating paperwork at the station. There were some end-of-shift letters he needed to write to several GPs. In Dan’s opinion, their respective patients would need referral—
‘Still at it?’ Lindsey stopped at the station, her brows raised in query.
Dan’s mouth tipped into a rueful smile. ‘Still a bit of tidying up to do. You’re off, then?’ His fingers curled round his pen. Idiot. It was the end of her shift. Of course she was off. Gone were the hospital scrubs; instead, she was wearing soft jeans that clung to her legs and a long-sleeved silver-grey top, a silky scarf in a swirl of multi-colours around her throat.
And knee-high boots.
Dan felt his heart walk a few flights of stairs. He couldn’t think of a single thing to say to the beautiful woman standing in front of him. And how pathetic was that?
‘It’s Friday, you should give yourself an early mark.’ Lindsey looked more keenly at him. The lines of strain were still there around his eyes. He needed to relax. But whether or not he’d allow her to help him do that was another matter entirely.
But for some reason she couldn’t fathom, she had to try.
‘Most of us are going to the pub. Few drinks, a game of snooker, a pizza or five later. You’re very welcome to join us.’
Dan’s heart suddenly came to a halt. Thank you, God. ‘Sounds good. Uh—which pub?’
‘The Peach Tree. Ancient red-brick place at the top of the main street. See you there, then?’
‘You bet.’ He nodded enthusiastically. ‘Thanks for the invite.’
‘Welcome.’ Lindsey hitched up her shoulder bag and turned, moving off quickly to catch up with Vanessa.
A fleeting frown touched Dan’s eyes as he watched the two women make their way towards the exit. He took a long controlling breath and let it go. Thanks to Lindsey’s invitation, he’d taken the first steps towards his new life.
With the thought still humming in his head, he went back to his office to type up his referrals.
Letters completed, Dan swung up from his desk, looking up in question when Martin Lorimer, the senior doctor on take, poked his head in. ‘Ah—Dan. You’re still here. MVA coming in. Pile-up on the highway, two vehicles, all teenagers. Can you hang about?’
Dan felt his gut contract. Did he have a choice? Hell. Lindsey would think he’d bottled out or just been plain rude. And he didn’t need that kind of misunderstanding after today’s debacle. He’d text her if he could but he had no idea of her mobile number. He swore under his breath. If the injuries to the kids were not too serious, maybe he’d still make it to the pub. Holding that thought, he made his way towards the ambulance bay.
* * *
‘I got you another OJ.’ Vanessa placed the glass of juice in front of Lindsey. ‘And what’s with you tonight, Lins? We could have won the snooker if you hadn’t been so not into it. Now I owe Andrew ten bucks.’ Vanessa pleated a strand of her blunt-cut blonde hair behind her ear. ‘Um...do you think Andrew might be a bit keen?’
‘On you?’ Lindsey took a mouthful of her drink. ‘Maybe. Every time he needs a hand with a patient, he makes a beeline for you.’
‘So, do you think he’s ever going to get off his butt and do something about it?’
‘Why wait for him? Van, you live in the same building. Surely you run into him about the place. Just ask him in for a coffee or something.’
‘But if he said no, I’d feel stupid,’ Vanessa moaned. ‘And I have to work with him.’ She ran her finger around the rim of her glass. ‘Did he seem to miss me while I was on leave?’
‘Not that I noticed,’ Lindsey said drily. ‘But he’s coming over now. Perhaps you’re about to find out.’
‘You bet I will.’ Full of resolve, Vanessa whirled to her feet. ‘Are you off home?’ She gave Andrew a pert look and a very warm smile.
‘Think I’d better. I’m back on a late tomorrow.’
‘Oh, me too.’ Vanessa grabbed her bag. ‘Let’s share a cab. I’ll put the ten bucks I owe you towards the fare. Deal?’
‘Deal.’ Andrew’s white smile gleamed. The two took a few steps away then turned and chorused, ‘’Night, Lins.’
Lindsey dredged up a smile and fluttered a wave. Ten minutes later her eyes did another tour of the lounge. Still no Dan. Inwardly, she gave a philosophic little shrug. She’d invited him and he hadn’t shown. And yet he’d seemed keen enough. Perhaps he’d thought better of it. Her mouth turned down. And perhaps she’d come across as being too pushy. Well, whatever, she wasn’t going to hang about, wondering.
Outside, the night was clear and crisp. Lindsey looked up. The moon looked so pretty, hanging there like...a silvery seahorse...
‘Lindsey!’
She spun round. She’d know that voice anywhere. Her heart jagged into overdrive. ‘Dan?’
Dan
