The Consultant's Adopted Son. Jennifer Taylor

      ‘SHE’LL need to be kept in under observation. Can you get onto the bed manager and see if he can find her a bed? She’s only thirteen so there might be one free in Paediatrics. I’ll have a word with her parents while you’re doing that.’

      Owen left Suzanne to make the arrangements and made his way out of resus. Of the three girls who’d been brought in, Alice Delaney was the one he was most concerned about. She was diabetic and that had exacerbated the problems caused by her binge drinking. Her glucose levels were shot to hell and it was going to take some time to stabilise her. The girl’s parents were in the relatives’ room so he went straight in and introduced himself.

      ‘I’m Owen Gallagher, head of trauma care.’ He sat down, seeing the worry that was etched on their faces. Alice is still unconscious but she’s stable,’ he explained, so as not to prolong their agony. ‘Because her body is struggling to process the alcohol she’s consumed, it’s affected her glucose levels. She will need to be monitored so she will be admitted to a ward. I believe she’s one of Dr Chang’s patients so I’ve alerted him and he will take charge of her treatment after she leaves this department.’