Consultant In Crisis

‘I had four,’ June told him. ‘In fact, it was my daughter that got me involved with Red Cross in the first place.’

Kelly didn’t want to listen to any plans Fletch had to start a family. Once again she was grateful for an interruption from Kyle, who called loudly from the other side of the group.

‘Is that it, Dave?’ He sounded disappointed. ‘For the debrief?’

Dave nodded. ‘We can pick over the details next week. I think we need some time out. And some food.’ He waved at the waitresses carrying huge wooden platters in their direction. ‘I hope you’re coming our way.’

Kelly was hungry enough to enjoy the slice of Mexican pizza laden with hot peppers and sour cream. She had a slice of the vegetarian pizza that was offered next. The conversations around her were becoming increasingly difficult to hear as laughter from the other end of the table increased. Soon they were all listening to Gerry giving a convincing imitation of the kind of groaning they had heard the taped ‘victim’ uttering. Kyle was clearly more amused than anyone else as they rehashed their search for the groaning woman.

‘I was sure we were going to find two people trapped under there.’ Owen laughed.

‘Would have been a sin to disturb them.’ Roger chuckled and then winked at Kelly who smiled briefly before shifting her gaze.

Kyle took the opportunity to interrupt the last pocket of conversation left at the table. ‘That’s not the way we’d do it,’ he informed the fireman beside him.

‘You’re a volunteer firefighter, Kyle.’ The older man sounded tolerant. ‘In a small, rural district. How much experience of big blazes do you get?’

‘Enough,’ Kyle responded defensively. ‘We’ve had a serial arsonist at work for months now. The school got torched. And the church.’

‘I read about that.’ Roger looked interested. ‘Have they caught the arsonist yet?’

‘Probably kids,’ Joe muttered.

‘No.’ Kyle clearly still wanted to prove his credentials. He ignored the distraction. ‘Besides, I use the internet a lot. I’ve learned heaps about major fires. And USAR stuff.’ Green eyes brightened as he grinned at the audience he’d collected. ‘I’ve downloaded some great pictures of the Oklahoma bombing. I’ll bring them in next week and show you.’

Roger had lost interest. He collected his empty beer glass and stood up. ‘Can I get anybody another drink?’ Spotting Kelly’s empty glass, he moved down the length of the table. ‘What are you having, Kelly?’

‘I’m fine for now, thanks.’

But Roger was reaching for her glass. ‘What was it? Vodka and orange?’

Fletch’s raised eyebrow was uncalled for. His look of amusement was even more irritating.

‘I don’t want another drink, thanks, Roger.’

Fletch was still looking amused. ‘Very wise, Kelly. You don’t want to overindulge.’

Kelly forgot her intention to maintain the pretence they were strangers. She didn’t like being patronised.

‘You’re certainly experienced enough in that department to be in a position to give advice.’ Her tone was light-hearted enough to make Roger grin.

‘So…you’ve got a reputation, have you, Dr Fletcher? How come Kelly knows and we don’t?’

‘There’s nothing to know.’ Fletch managed to sound convincingly surprised.

‘Oh, come on.’ Roger was still grinning. ‘What was it, Kelly? A past filled with wine, women and wild parties?’

‘Something like that,’ Kelly agreed.

‘How do you know?’ Wendy looked curious. ‘You weren’t one of the women, were you?’

Joe was also looking at Kelly. His raised eyebrow expressed surprise that she’d got herself into this verbal corner. His shrug suggested that he couldn’t think of any way to help extricate his colleague.

‘I’m sure she was.’ Roger’s glance was appreciative. ‘If Fletch had any taste, that is.’

‘Taste was never one of my strongest points.’ Fletch’s grin made the comment a joke to everyone other than Kelly. ‘Except for beer,’ he added. ‘I’ll come with you if you’re heading for the bar, Rog.’ He stood up.

‘Sure.’ But Roger wasn’t ready to move quite yet. He was still looking at Kelly, his curiosity unsatisfied. Fletch noticed the unspoken question as he waited. He shrugged offhandedly.

‘Kelly and I knew each other,’ he said casually. ‘It was a long time ago. Before she went to Australia. And it was no big deal, was it, Kelly?’

‘No.’ Kelly’s smile felt tight but she held Fletch’s gaze as steadily as she could. ‘It was no big deal.’

But it had been. Kelly had to force herself to break the eye contact with Fletch. It felt like a physical connection and it was suddenly unbearable. Their time together had certainly been a long time ago and maybe it hadn’t been a big deal for Fletch, but it had been big for her. As big as it got. Kelly tried to shake off the dismay that threatened to overwhelm her as Fletch turned to walk away.

Maybe it still was.

CHAPTER TWO (#ulink_5b3ea5a7-d63d-53d8-8265-7ecfeb7cc38c)

SHE was late.

Neil found he was watching Kelly’s hurried entrance to the classroom with as much attention as everyone else. There was a flush of colour on her cheeks that suggested annoyance. That figured. Kelly set high standards for herself and attracting attention by being late would not be acceptable behaviour. The long, dark ponytail swung across her back as she turned to push the door shut.

‘Sorry I’m late.’ Clearly embarrassed by disrupting a session that had already started, Kelly sat down beside Joe, flashing a rueful smile at her colleague before opening her rucksack to extract writing materials. Fletch wondered if the smile meant that Joe was privy to personal circumstances that had provided an unwelcome obstacle to her arriving on time. Unaccountably, the thought provoked a feeling of irritation.

‘No problem, Kelly.’ Dave wasn’t feeling irritated. He was smiling at Kelly. ‘Except that you’re going to be running the first session this morning.’

‘What?’ Kelly’s jaw dropped and Fletch suppressed the twinge of sympathy that replaced the irritation. Why should he care that her composure was now thoroughly ruffled? Why had she been running late, anyway? Had she slept in? Had someone been sharing her bed? Fletch settled back in his chair with an uncharacteristic frown. He wasn’t going to help her out. No way.

Neither was her friend, Joe. ‘We took a vote,’ he told her cheerfully. ‘And you’re it.’

Kelly looked frankly worried now. Already dark blue eyes looked almost brown and a vertical crease appeared between them. Lord, had he forgotten what those glimpses of vulnerability had done to him? He had to fight the temptation to step in, to say something encouraging or comforting. She could cope. The Kelly Drummond Fletch had known had never backed away from a challenge. She didn’t need anyone’s support and she certainly wasn’t about to get his.

‘Cool.’ The tiny head shake confirmed that Kelly was ready to handle whatever was about to be thrown in her direction. ‘What is it? Hide and seek in the rubbish tip again?’

The groan was general. Some class members were still feeling the effects of that full-scale scenario.

Dave shook his head as he smiled. ‘Today’s session, as Kelly is about to find out, is medical. We’re going to focus on developing basic skills in patient assessment, resuscitation and trauma management.’

Dave’s attention shifted away from Kelly. It had only taken a few days for the class to divide itself into two distinct groups and Dave was directing his next words towards the less medically qualified course members who had come from the ranks of the fire service and civil defence.

‘As USAR team members you may well be the first to reach an injured person. You may, in fact, be their only contact for some time. The team you are part of may not be fortunate enough to have the kind of medical expertise that we have represented here.’

Dave’s glance returned to Fletch’s side of the room. ‘Today’s course module will be redundant for some of you—Fletch and Ross as doctors, Joe and Kelly as paramedics and Wendy, Jessica and Sandy as nurses. It’s not just because Tony and I feel like a day off that we’re turning these sessions over to you guys. I expect we’re going to learn something, too. We intend to take full advantage of your skills and knowledge.’

‘Especially Kelly’s.’ Joe sounded smug.

‘Your turn is coming, Joe.’ Dave smiled at Kelly. ‘Your name just came out of the hat first. I hope you’ll all keep in mind that we’re going for a strong emphasis on practical skills today. We’re learning what we need to use in the field.’