Emergency: Christmas

‘Nobody’s having parties at the moment. The weather’s still a bit iffy for barbecues and it’s too early for the Christmas rush.’

‘We could have a party.’

‘In our flat? We’d be lucky to squeeze six people into our living room.’

‘Hmm.’ Belinda paused as they reached the ambulance bay. ‘Where does he live?’

‘Nowhere. He asked me to go house-hunting with him a couple of weeks ago, remember?’

‘Oh, yes. The day he didn’t show up.’

‘He got called in.’

‘So he said. After he’d left you moping around, waiting all day.’

‘He couldn’t ring.’ Penelope had to defend Jeremy. ‘He was in Theatre.’

Belinda’s expression was enough to remind Penelope that even operating theatres were equipped with telephones but she didn’t press her point. ‘He must live somewhere.’

‘He’s got a room in ‘‘The Hovel’’.’

‘Aha! Excellent.’

‘Why?’ While the nickname for the huge, old house that had been converted to single doctors’ quarters dated from the days before extensive renovation, it was still not generally considered the most desirable residence.

‘There’s a bar downstairs. What time do you finish today?’

‘Six o’clock.’

‘Even better. I’m off at six-thirty. We’ll go and park ourselves in the bar. He’s bound to float past and we’ll nab him and offer him a drink.’

‘We can’t just go into the bar. It’s for residents only.’

‘And their guests. Matt Greenway is living there and he’s been after me to have a drink with him for weeks. Consider yourself invited, my friend. Wear something sexy.’

‘I don’t do sexy. I’ve only got my jeans here, anyway.’

‘Jeans can be very sexy.’

‘Only on a figure like yours. On mine, jeans are practical.’

‘What else did you wear in this morning? I can’t remember.’

‘Red jumper, white shirt.’

‘The red jumper’s good. Nice neckline. Ditch the shirt, though. Much sexier with nothing underneath.’

‘I’ll itch.’

The ambulance backing into the bay was a reminder that the two nurses had extended their break for too long. Belinda gave Penelope an exasperated glance. ‘Look, Penny—do you want to do something about him or not?’

‘Of course I do.’

‘Well, this is it. The best plan I can come up with. The rest is up to you.’

‘OK.’ Penelope took a very deep breath. ‘I’ll do it. No shirt.’

* * *

The plan had got off to a wonderful start. Matt Greenway seemed delighted to have Penelope’s company if it gave him a chance to spend time with Belinda. There were enough other people in the bar to make the atmosphere casual and Jeremy did, indeed, float past. Belinda took her cue perfectly.

‘Jeremy! Come and join us. You can give us an update on our paraglider.’

Jeremy nodded at Belinda and smiled warmly at Penelope. ‘I’ll get a drink and be right with you,’ he promised.

Now, however, the wheels appeared to have fallen off the plan. Jeremy had his drink but he wasn’t moving away from the bar. He was deep in conversation with Mark Wallace.

Belinda looked annoyed. She nudged Penelope. ‘You’ll have to go over there,’ she whispered, ‘and break it up.’

Penelope was disconcerted. ‘How?’

‘Go and get us some more drinks. Join the conversation and then steer Jeremy over here. Tell him I’m waiting to hear about our patient.’

Penelope moved before she had time to get nervous. The barman smiled at her.

‘Same again?’

Penelope nodded. She was listening to the conversation between the two men beside her.

‘I would have gone for a tracheostomy myself. We couldn’t be sure that the injury level was entirely above the larynx.’

‘It was worth a try. I’ve been taught to save tracheostomy for a last resort. There’s a high morbidity and the associated mortality risk is about three per cent. That’s not insignificant. I saw a burns patient die having one attempted a while back, and it left a major impression on me.’

The barman was sliding glasses across the bar towards Penelope. ‘Two white wines and one lager. Is that the lot?’

‘Yes, thanks.’

Jeremy turned at the sound of Penelope’s voice. ‘Penny. This is a lovely surprise. What brings you into The Hovel?’

‘My friend, Belinda. She was too shy to come by herself.’

Belinda’s peal of laughter from the other side of the room sounded anything but shy. Jeremy’s smile made Penelope feel as though he had seen through the plan instantly. She tried to ignore the threatened prickle of humiliation by glancing at Jeremy’s companion.

‘Hi, Mark. Are you living here, too?’

‘For the moment. I want to get my own place as soon as I can. I’m going to rent a car tomorrow to have a look at a couple of houses for rent around the harbour. I’d like a sea view.’

‘I love the sea, too. I love the smell of salt air and being able to hear the waves at night.’ Penelope found herself smiling. Mark was easy to talk to.