a simple fever?’
‘For a not-so-simple fever. The child was burning up, there was the beginning of a rash, and I suspect an insect bite of some sort that has led to a generalised infection which could lead to septicaemia.’ He studied her. ‘Do you really expect me to treat my patients without the proper diagnostic tools in place?’
‘Of course not.’ She smiled. ‘I’m just checking, that’s all. There’s nothing wrong in making sure everyone keeps efficiency and cost awareness in the forefront of their mind, is there?’
He gave her a sour look. ‘I’d appreciate it if you would take your checks elsewhere. I’m a consultant, remember, like yourself. I didn’t get to this position by not knowing what I’m doing.’
‘And I’m not suggesting otherwise. I see no reason why you should be so uptight about the situation,’ she commented in a soothing tone, trying to placate him. ‘We all want to do our best for our patients, and all I’m saying is that it’s only natural that sometimes we might be a little over-zealous in our efforts.’
‘I was not being over-zealous…I was being thorough. The child needs admission to hospital and treatment with an intravenous antibiotic. And if that doesn’t meet with your approval, then I’m afraid it’s too bad. That’s how it’s going to be.’
She put up a hand as though to ward him off. ‘I’m not stopping you from doing anything. All I’m saying is that we all have to be responsible and think carefully about the tests we order. It’s easy to slip into lax ways when you’re not the one counting the cost. Unfortunately, that’s down to me, and ultimately I have the job of making sure everyone complies with the new, stringent measures.’
He gave her a long look. ‘It never ceases to amaze me how very single-minded you are. Don’t you ever relax and watch the world go by without wanting to leap on its back and wrestle it into shape?’
She gave him a bewildered glance. ‘I’ve a job to do. What do you expect?’
‘I expect you to take a breather every once in a while.’ He checked the gold watch on his wrist, and as he moved she noticed the sprinkling of dark hairs that ran along his bare forearm. His shirtsleeves were rolled back, to show an expanse of skin that was lightly bronzed. His arms were muscular, his wrists strong, giving the impression of overwhelming masculinity, and for a second or two she felt a sudden tide of awareness that surged throughout her body and left her momentarily breathless.
He began to speak again, his voice cutting into her thoughts, and she reluctantly dragged her gaze away. It was strange, these weird sensations of being out of control that had afflicted her of late. She wasn’t used to feeling this way. Perhaps she was overworked, stressed, and the sheer amount of changes that were taking place in her life right now was making her unduly sensitive.
‘It’s getting late,’ he said, ‘and I don’t suppose you’ve had a break since lunchtime. I certainly haven’t. Why don’t we take a few minutes to go and get a cup of coffee—in my office, perhaps?’
She shook her head. ‘I’m sorry,’ she answered abruptly, struggling to get a grip on herself, ‘but I don’t have time. I have to finish this data chart by the end of my shift, and I’m already running late.’
‘We could use the time to go over the budget cuts you had in mind,’ he suggested silkily, a glint coming into his blue eyes. ‘Of course, if you’d rather leave it until another day, that’s fine by me.’ He started to turn away.
Alex was suspicious of his sudden apparent willingness to work with her, but his offer was one she could hardly refuse, was it? ‘Uh…maybe I was a little hasty. I dare say I could spare a few minutes, since you appear to have had a change of heart.’
‘Change of heart? Me? I’ve always been happy to go along with your suggestions.’
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