close this hospital. We may be rural but we’re not a small six-bed outfit. We are a specialist facility in the state’s second-biggest town. There would be an outcry if they even mentioned shutting us down.’
‘We may be a large hospital but we’re still government funded and that means we have the same funding issues as everyone else,’ Patrick countered. ‘Do you have any idea how many people watched the last series of RPE?’
Annie had thought his question was rhetorical but when Patrick paused, obviously waiting for her answer, she shook her head. She didn’t have a clue.
‘Two million. Every night.’
That was a huge audience for Australian television. Annie had known RPE, the series filmed at the Royal Prince Edward Hospital in Melbourne, was popular, but she hadn’t realised how popular.
‘And Caspar St Claire is one of the stars,’ Patrick continued. ‘This spin-off series is a big deal. He’s a local boy made good. There will be big interest in what he does, not just locally but around the country. And the television network is compensating us nicely for the opportunity to film here.’
‘So it’s all about the money?’
Patrick shook his head. ‘Don’t be too quick to criticise, there’s a long list of things the hospital needs and the money from the network will go a long way towards providing those things, including refitting a birthing unit for your department. And you do realise Caspar is a paediatrician?’ he queried. ‘As an obstetrician, I thought you’d be pleased to know that I’ve found someone to cover Paediatrics while Phil is on long service leave.’
Annie wasn’t ready to let Patrick have the last word. She’d been the subject of media interest before and it hadn’t been a positive experience. She’d moved to this quiet, regional centre to rebuild her life and she wasn’t happy to find that she might be cast back into the public eye whether she liked it or not. Not happy at all. ‘I would be pleased if I thought you’d found a replacement who has come to work but it seems to me you’ve just found one who is coming accompanied by his own circus. I’m not interested in being a part of that.’
‘I have never worked with a circus. Children, yes, animals, no, and definitely not circuses.’
Annie jumped as a deep masculine voice spoke up behind her and ran like molten lava down her spine. From the seat beside her she heard Tori Williams, one of the anaesthetists, catch her breath and then sigh, and Annie didn’t need to turn her head to know that Caspar St Claire was standing behind her and had obviously heard her every word. She could feel his scrutiny just as she could feel the eyes of everyone else in the room. They were watching her, waiting with interest to see what she was going to do.
She had no idea what Caspar St Claire was thinking and she didn’t want to turn round to read the expression on his face, but he had addressed her and she couldn’t sit there pretending to be deaf. She turned in her seat to find the devil himself watching her. A rather handsome devil, she had to admit, but that didn’t change the fact that she didn’t want him here.
Of course, she recognised him immediately. No introduction was necessary, at least from her side. Patrick was right, RPE was a huge ratings winner and, even if Annie hadn’t actually been glued to her television like everyone else for the last season, she’d certainly caught a few episodes and knew who Caspar St Claire was. But why did he have to turn up here?
‘Let me assure you,’ he said in his ridiculously rich, made-for-radio voice, ‘that my patients always come first and the crew are exceptionally good at being as unobtrusive as possible.’
She wanted to laugh at him. If he thought she believed that for one second he was in for a surprise, but the force of his gaze made the laughter catch in her throat. His green eyes held hers, challenging her to argue with him, but she was temporarily struck dumb. She wished the floor would open up beneath her feet, but of course she wouldn’t have the good fortune for that to happen.
Every medical television show had a resident heartthrob doctor and even though RPE was a reality show they’d still managed to find some attractive stars, and Dr St Claire was the pick of the bunch. But she hadn’t expected him to be even better looking in real life. His dark hair was probably an inch longer than it needed to be but that extra inch gave enough length to let his hair curl, lending him a youthful look. A just-tumbled-out-of-bed look.
As she pictured him tangled up in his sheets, running his fingers through his hair to try to tame it ready for the day, she could feel the heat of his gaze burn into her as he continued to watch her, waiting for her reply. She felt her cheeks begin to flush as her temperature rose but she couldn’t think of anything to say.
‘Do you have any other objections, Dr Simpson?’
He knew who she was? That shocked her out of her imaginings and back into the real world. Back to reality.
She frowned. How the hell did he know her name?
But she’d have to worry about that later. The rest of the staff was sitting mutely around the table, all watching the interaction, one-sided though it was at present, and there were more important things to worry about than how he knew her name. Far more important things.
‘I’m sure I have a lot more objections, Dr St Claire, and without more information, a lot more information,’ she stressed, ‘I won’t make a decision about my involvement. When do you begin filming?’
‘Tomorrow.’
Annie’s eyebrows shot skywards. She needed more time. She wasn’t ready for her department to be invaded by cameras. She wasn’t ready for that exposure. Not again. Not by a long way.
The easiest thing would be to say no immediately. To tell him she didn’t want to be part of this. Then she wouldn’t have to worry about anything further. She wouldn’t need to wait for more information. There was no way she was going to agree to a media circus in her delivery suites and she should tell him that right now.
She opened her mouth but before she could speak Caspar interrupted.
‘Don’t say no just yet.’
Annie stared at him. Was she that easy to read? Although she supposed it was a reasonable guess, given her reaction so far. She was tempted to deny her intentions, though, just to prove him wrong. But what if that was his game? She wasn’t ready for this. She didn’t want to play games, she didn’t want to play at all.
‘Let me introduce the show’s producer, Gail Cameron. She will run through the details, answer any questions and take care of the legalities. You don’t have to make a decision today,’ he said as he continued to hold her in his sights, ‘but filming starts tomorrow and it would be great if some of you are on board by then.’
He broke eye contact with her as he looked around the table at the other staff members and Annie felt some of the heat leaving her body as he looked away, almost as though a cloud had passed across the sun, casting a shadow over her.
‘We’re not here to sensationalise things,’ he continued. ‘We’re here to tell stories, to raise awareness and, as I’m sure Patrick has told you, Blue Lake Hospital, and therefore your departments, will benefit financially.’
Annie decided she didn’t want anyone accusing her of being difficult or obstructive and she was well aware the hospital could always use extra funds. She’d pretend to give the situation due consideration.
