One Night In Emergency by Carol Marinelli

Author:Carol Marinelli
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781460376577
Publisher: Harlequin

CHAPTER SEVEN

IT WAS long, long after their shift should have ended when Eleanor finally pulled out her hair tie and shook her long hair free and Mary pulled off the stethoscope that constantly hung, along with her glasses, around her neck. But no one was complaining, no one was claiming overtime today. As Mary patiently explained, continuity of care was vital in cases such as these. Too many faces would prove way too confusing for the parents at this awful fragile time.

And the care had gone on long after Declan had died. Eleanor ringing the SIDS—sudden infant death syndrome—support group, who sent out a volunteer to be with the parents and guide them through the fog of grief that engulfed them now. Rory contacted the family GP and the coroner, prescribing medication to stop Tania’s milk, endlessly sitting with the parents, answering their questions as best he could until finally they had done all they could. Finally it was time for this awful shift to end.

‘How are you doing?’ It was the first time he had really spoken to her, the first time they had been alone since Declan had first arrived.

‘OK.’ She gave a stiff nod, shutting him out, but still he pushed on.

‘Do you understand why I ended it?’

‘I do.’ Eleanor held up her hand, not really ready to go over it just yet, and Rory seemed to understand.

‘Well, if you think of anything, if there’s anything you need to know, you just have to ask. I’m here if you need to talk.’

‘What about you?’ Her eyes turned to him then, unwittingly perhaps, but as soon as the words were out she realised she’d hit a nerve.

‘I’m OK.’

‘I’ll never be OK with it.’ She stared back at him, honesty blazing in her red-rimmed eyes. ‘I don’t care how experienced I get, how used to Emergency I become, I swear, Rory, that I’ll never be OK with what happened today.’

‘Are you ready, Rory?’

Mary was back. The nursing sister gone now, dressed in a pale blue dress and sensible shoes, her handbag firmly over her shoulder.

‘Five minutes.’ Rory looked up from his notes, pulling fifty-dollar notes out of his wallet and handing them to Mary. ‘Pier and Vicki went on ahead, but no doubt the kitty’s a bit depleted by now. You can start getting them in and I’ll join you.’ Handing Mary the money, he held it in her hand for a second too long. ‘Are you all right, Mary?’

‘I will be when I’m out of here. Come on, then, Eleanor,’ Mary said crisply. ‘I think I’ve earned my port and lemon.’

‘Sorry?’ Eleanor stared at the two of them, nonplussed.

‘Have you not worked an early shift on a Friday yet, Eleanor?’

‘No.’ Eleanor shook her head. ‘I’ve been on nights, lates, days off,’ she answered, Mary practically dragging her by the arm now. ‘Where are we going?’

‘To the pub.’

Shaking Mary off, her shocked eyes turned to Rory.

‘To the pub, after what just happened?’

‘We always go to the pub on a Friday.

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