causing, Juliet to fight back was not his concern. She was a grown woman, who had no doubt endured some heartache and some of life’s lessons, but that did not excuse her from professional scrutiny.
Charlie eyed Juliet again. In fact he had barely taken his eyes away from her. All five feet four inches. But despite her petite appearance, he had quickly learnt that she was no shrinking violet. And he doubted she would tolerate fools either. He quickly realised that he wasn’t about to win the argument. And suddenly, to his surprise, he was willing to accept the decision was where it needed to be, with the parents of the babies at risk. They had been given the facts. He couldn’t do any more.
‘Fair call, Dr Turner,’ he offered. ‘I’m sorry for the start we’ve had. Shall we begin again? Let’s put the consultation behind us. One way or the other it looks as if we’ll be spending time together so we should try and make this work.’
Charlie wasn’t sure what had motivated him to call a professional truce but it seemed the right thing to do. He hoped she knew his words were genuine. He was calling a ceasefire. It was a masculine apology but sincere nonetheless. And one he hoped that she would accept.
She extended her hand. ‘Truce accepted, Dr Warren. Let’s agree to disagree and allow the Abbiatis to decide without further interference.’
As he met her handshake the warmth of her skin against his almost made him recant the apology so they could return to adversaries. He pulled his hand free as soon as he was able.
‘We’re both clearly passionate about what we do and that’s a great thing so we will just have to respect our differing opinions and work alongside each other as best we can,’ he said.
‘Yes, and one of us will clearly be pleased with their decision and the other disappointed but we will simply wear it,’ she added.
Charlie said nothing for a moment as he looked at the tiny powerhouse standing near him. She was without doubt one of the best in her field, and, despite not agreeing with that particular obstetric intervention, he had immeasurable respect for her skills. Her reputation had preceded her. But there was something other than respect simmering below the surface for him and it was making him uncomfortable. Very uncomfortable.
He walked in the direction of the large digital directory board in Reception. ‘It might be a good idea if you took a look around and familiarised yourself with Teddy’s. It would be best if you met everyone and knew where everything was in case you’re needed.’
‘You mean for when I’m needed?’ she responded.
‘Let’s wait and see.’
* * *
The introductions soon became an induction. As she met each of the medical staff she learnt about the layout and workings of Teddy’s. The nursing staff gave Juliet a message from Annabelle, letting her know that Bea had settled in well and that she was enjoying a light lunch with the other children while listening to a story. Knowing that, Juliet decided to keep on the tour and learn as much as she could about the hospital.
The reputation of Teddy’s had been a driving force in Juliet’s accepting the secondment. The opportunity to consult and operate in a hospital with facilities second to none in all of Europe was too good to refuse.
Juliet thanked Charlie for showing her the ropes.
‘Not at all. It’s been an eventful start for you and I hope Bea will be all right tonight. I know I don’t have to mention it, but just give her a little oral analgesia if she has trouble sleeping and she should be fine by tomorrow.’
‘I will.’
As Charlie watched Juliet walk away he realised that he hadn’t wanted the tour to end. He had enjoyed his time with Juliet. She was challenging him and he felt the closest to alive that he had in a long time. They came from polar opposites. Both geographically and professionally. She was forging new ground surgically and he was of the belief that monitoring with minimal surgical intervention was the better method. But despite their differences, he admired her courage.
He had been an OBGYN for many years, and his conservative approach had always provided great outcomes for the mothers and the babies. Although as he walked back to his office he admitted to himself that he had not dealt with the complication of TTTS in quadruplets. As he sat down behind his desk, to stretch his legs out and read his emails before another ward round, he conceded they were on an even playing field with regard to experience. Neither had a track record that could negate the other. So neither one of them could say with any evidence that their treatment plan was better. It was purely subjective and tainted by preference.
Juliet for taking risks.
Charlie for avoiding them every day since he had taken a chance on the icy road and lost.
* * *
Juliet and a very tired Bea arrived back at their hotel late in the afternoon. Bea had enjoyed her time at the crèche and was not in a hurry to leave. Juliet suspected it was due to the fuss that Annabelle and the children had made of her. After lunch and the story, her mind had been distracted from the traumatic start to the day by the children all wanting to draw pictures on her cast and ask questions about koalas and kangaroos. She’d been the centre of attention and she’d managed that role well. When Juliet had popped up to collect her, she’d looked through the large glass window that was decorated with paper cut-outs of snowflakes to see Bea happily playing with the other children. Juliet had been convinced earlier in the day that bringing her daughter on the trip was a terrible idea, but as she’d witnessed her smiling and happily playing despite the cast the idea had left terrible territory.
A classic Georgian property, not too far from the hospital, had been restored and refurbished as an exclusive, eleven-room boutique hotel and it would be their accommodation for a day or so until Juliet could source something more practical for the two of them. Their room was toasty warm with a large bed covered in far too many oversized pillows and the softest mattress. The warmth was created by an antique radiator and the all-white decor, complete with heavy damask drapes and matching bedspread, was elegance in abundance. She felt very spoilt as the hospital board had insisted on covering the cost of the expensive room until she secured something else, in addition to her business-class flight and that of her daughter.
Back in Perth, she lived in a small home not too far from her parents and equally close to the hospital and Pennybrook childcare centre. When she’d purchased the three-bedroom house, it had been a very practical decision. It was a nice house but not ostentatious. Understated in its exterior appearance and equally in the interior. Juliet wasn’t in love with her home but the location meant she could drop off Bea and collect her easily from childcare or her grandparents’ home. Most decisions after Bea was born were practical. And never rushed. Up until this trip, Juliet had considered and reconsidered every move she made. Although Charlie clearly thought she was a risk-taker in suggesting the surgical intervention, she thought just the opposite. She carefully weighed up the risks, and never blindly jumped into anything. She had learnt the hard way by rushing into a relationship with Bea’s father and she never planned on doing that again.
In fact, she swore on it.
* * *
The ambience of their hotel room was something Juliet loved almost immediately, along with the breathtaking scenery of the Cotswolds. It surprised Juliet that, while she had worried she would feel out of place, she quickly felt comfortable in the South Midlands of England. She was a long way from home but she didn’t feel entirely lost.
As they
