Rescued: Mother And Baby Part 3

After a hasty shower and a too-long dither over what to wear, Georgie settled on black jeans and a moss-green V-neck jersey before returning to the kitchen. Logan and Jess were still at the table looking at books, but Georgie was sure his eyes were beginning to glaze over. There was, after all, only so much of books for a three-year-old anyone, except a parent, could take. Thinking of which, she still didn't know whether he was married and had children. Someone this comfortable with a three-year-old was bound to have his own. Dismayed at the stab of disappointment she felt at the thought, Georgie picked Jess up and squeezed her tight.

'I think we'd better give Uncle Logan...' she slid a pointed look in his direction '...a little break, don't you?'

Jess was bubbling over with excitement 'He's been telling me about the 'copter he flies and he says he's going to work in your hospital, Mummy. Is that true? Can he live with us and Granny in Glasgow?'

'Logan will want to stay in his own house, mo ghaol. Now, off you go and get dressed. Call me if you need help.' The thought of Logan living with them was sending all sorts of unwanted fantasies fizzing around her brain.

Georgie placed her daughter back on her feet and gently prodded her in the direction of her bedroom. Jess, with a great show of reluctance, left them alone.

'Speaking of which, where is the flat you've rented in Glasgow?' Georgie asked politely.

'On the Clyde, overlooking the river. It's small but has everything I need. Down to the latest music system. It's also handy for the hospital.'

'And will your family be joining you?' Georgie asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

As he quirked an eyebrow in her direction she added hastily, 'You seem so comfortable with Jess I thought you must be used to kids.' The words were out before she could stop them.

Logan grinned ruefully. 'Nope. No wife. No nephews, no nieces. Or brothers or sisters.'

'What, none at all? What about your parents?' She was doing it again. Opening her mouth before she had engaged her brain.

Once again a strange look crossed Logan's features.

'They're dead. When I was a kid,' he said shortly.

Georgie could have bitten her tongue. She had gone in there with two big feet. How terrible to grow up without parents. It really was time she learned when to keep her mouth shut.

Before she could apologise, Logan held up a hand. 'Would you mind if we changed the subject?' Although his voice was light, there was a tightness around his mouth that told Georgie he was hurting.

Georgie switched on the kettle, glad that she had her back to him so that he wouldn't see her confusion-or her pity. She knew instinctively that Logan would hate sympathy. But someone must have brought him up. An aunt perhaps? Grandparents? Why, then, the reference to the army being his family? She wanted to know more. She wanted to know everything about this man. And he wasn't married. That shouldn't make a difference to her but it did. She was burning with curiosity, but his expression made it clear that the subject was closed. At least for now.

'Coffee?' she asked.

Logan shook his head.

'I think it's time I went to the hospital to collect Jack. I'm sure he's desperate to see his folks.' He was no longer the smiling, relaxed man of earlier. His voice was stiff and his eyes hooded. It seemed her open curiosity had upset or annoyed him.

There was nothing for it but to call the taxi for him, and they waited for the few minutes it took to arrive in uncomfortable silence. When the taxi tooted its arrival, Logan stood and held out his hand. Still bewildered, Georgie shook it.

'Please thank your mother for me-and Kirk. Tell him the information he gave me will be invaluable.' Just then Jess appeared at the doorway, dressed in a bizarre combination of dress and shorts. Despite the tension in the room, Georgie had to smile. It was typical of her daughter. If she couldn't choose what to wear, she simply wore everything she fancied.

Jess ran up to Logan and flung her arms around his legs.

'Are you coming back?' she asked, tilting her head up to read his expression.

Logan crouched down beside her, his face relaxing into a smile. 'Maybe,' he said. 'But perhaps I'll see you in Glasgow? I'll certainly be seeing your mum there.' He turned to Georgie, looking as if he was about to say something. But when the taxi gave another impatient toot of its horn, Logan sketched a wave and left them alone.

In the taxi, Logan sank back against the seat, his mind filled with images of Georgie. Her red curls, framing a delicate face; her impish smile that couldn't quite disguise the sadness in her grey eyes. He thought about the lie he had told her. It was one he was used to telling when anyone asked, but it didn't make him feel any better-although his parents might as well be dead. Over the years he had said it so often, sometimes he almost believed it. What was the alternative? Telling people that his mother had abandoned him to the care system when he was just two years old-younger than Jess. It had been bad enough when he'd been a child in school. His teachers had treated him differently when they'd known he was in care. They'd expected him to show behavioural problems-and so he had. He'd kept getting into trouble. Nothing too serious-a broken window, playing truant-but it had been enough to convince his teachers he had no future. If it hadn't been for the army cadet programme one of his care workers had suggested, he probably would have lived up to everyone's expectations and amounted to nothing. But the discipline of army life had suited him. He had buckled down at school and made something of his life. If his teachers knew he had made it through medical school, they wouldn't believe it. He owed the army big-time.

But Georgie was different. He didn't know how he knew it, he just did. Maybe it was the way she looked at him, with her steady, honest eyes. Although he barely knew her, he knew instinctively she would never judge him. Just as he knew that she would never in a millions years give up her child. Whatever happened in her life, she'd fight tooth and nail for her daughter.

She was the most intriguing woman he had met for a long time-feisty and caring at the same time. She had welcomed him into her family home without a second thought and he had betrayed that trust with a lie. Although he hardly knew her, he couldn't imagine her lying to save her life.

Despite the warm manner and calm eyes, there were faint lines around her eyes, lines that spoke of pain. The lines, however, didn't make her any less beautiful. If anything, they made her strong features and full mouth even more appealing. She was a heady mixture of vulnerability and strength and he'd never met anyone like her. What had happened to Jess's father? Georgie was still wearing her wedding ring. As usual, it was the first thing he checked out when he met a woman he found attractive.

The thought brought him snapping to attention. Hey, don't go there. She wasn't his type. Even though he hardly knew her, it was obvious Georgie wasn't the love-me-and-leave-me type of woman. And there was the matter of the dead husband. Widows were even more off-limits than married women. He liked his relations.h.i.+ps uncomplicated and temporary, and something in his blood told him Georgie was neither.

He sank back in his seat. h.e.l.l, he had three months. Plenty of time to find out more about Georgie McArthur, and thinking about what he was going to do about her was much more interesting than his own problems.

CHAPTER THREE.

ON Monday morning, Georgie was back in Glasgow and ready to return to work. She left the house earlier than usual, wanting a few extra minutes so she could check up on Jack's mum. When she arrived at the hospital, she went straight to the neurology ward. If Jack's mother was still in hospital, this was where she'd find her.

And, sure enough, in the first single room, sitting up in bed with Jack beside her was the woman from the mountain. Apart from the bandage around her head and a nasty bruise on her cheekbone, she looked as if she was recovering well.

As soon as Jack noticed Georgie in the doorway, he picked up his crutches and with remarkable dexterity hopped towards her.

'Hey, Mum. This is Georgie,' he said. 'You know, the lady from the mountains. The one that helped you and rescued me.'

Georgie felt her cheeks grow hot. 'I think that's a bit of an exaggeration, Jack. I wasn't the only one involved. There was a whole team of us, in fact-including the RAF.'

'I told her about the helicopter and the winch. It was so cool. Almost worth breaking my leg for,' Jack said excitedly. 'But if you hadn't come onto the ledge, I could have fallen before the helicopter came back for me.'

Georgie shrugged her shoulders. It was clear Jack had his own version of events and was sticking to them.

'Thank you so much for everything you did,' the woman in the bed said softly, her eyes damp. 'If it hadn't been for you, I don't know what might have happened.' She flicked her eyes in the direction of her son.

'We were lucky that the RAF could help. You're not the first to get in trouble in the mountains and I dare say you won't be the last.'

Just then a man appeared, pausing in the doorway as if uncertain of his welcome.

'This is my dad, Georgie,' Jack said, his eyes s.h.i.+ning. 'He's been here all the time since they brought Mum in. And he says he's coming back to live with us. Isn't that right, Dad?'

The man crossed over to the bed, took his wife's hand in his, and smiled down at her. Georgie could tell that, whatever had been wrong with this couple's marriage, they still loved each other deeply. Sometimes it took a near tragedy to bring people to their senses. Georgie had seen it before. Happily, it seemed as if Jack's optimism back on the ledge had been well founded.

'This is my husband, Steve, and I'm Caroline,' Jack's mother said. 'It seems crazy that I didn't even know your name until Jack told me.'

'So you're Georgie,' Steve said, pumping Georgie's hand. 'I can't thank you enough for bringing my wife and son safely back to me.' As he turned to look deep into his wife's eyes, Georgie knew he wasn't simply talking about the rescue. She swallowed the lump in her throat. So often in A and E, they didn't get the chance to follow up on their patients. This was a rare pleasure.

The sound of a cough behind her made her whirl round. Logan was standing in the doorway, holding a bunch of comics.

'I see Nurse McArthur has beaten me to it,' he said in his deep, almost accent-free voice. 'The nurses told me they plan to discharge you later today so I just wanted to check up on you myself.'

He wasn't in uniform. And he'd shaved. Dressed in a tailored suit with a blindingly white s.h.i.+rt, he looked different, less approachable than the day they'd met and Georgie felt inexplicably tongue-tied.

'I'd better get down to the department,' she said hastily. 'My s.h.i.+ft's due to start.' She made a show of looking at her watch. 'Oh, in about five minutes. I'm really glad that you're all doing so well. It makes everything worthwhile.' And before anyone could stop her she was charging back down the stairs as if she was being chased by demons. Which, in a way, she guessed she was.

The A and E department was already busy, although it wasn't quite eight. After changing into her uniform of trousers and tunic, Georgie made her way to the staffroom where the ward report would be about to start. Inside she found Lata, one of her colleagues, studying the board where all the patients were written up.

'Hi, Georgie. Good holiday?' she asked.

Lata, with coffee-coloured skin and almond-shaped eyes, was naturally reserved but she had a mischievous sense of humour and Georgie enjoyed working with her. Being a mother to Jess meant there was little time or opportunity to socialise, so the team in the A and E department were the closest thing to friends and family-other than her brother and mother, and Jess, of course-that Georgie had.

'Eventful,' Georgie said with a smile.

'The new consultant's starting today,' Lata continued. 'Dr Hughes has called a meeting at lunchtime so we can all meet him. The place is buzzing. Apparently he's here to establish a new emergency outreach service-and he's a bit of a hunk.'

Before Georgie had a chance to quiz Lata further, or to admit that she'd already met the 'hunk', the door opened and Dr Hughes, the consultant in charge, came in with Jamie and Sarah Carruthers, the two other consultants that made up the medical team. Jamie and Sarah were married and had recently returned to the hospital after a stint in Africa. They also had a young son, who, although older than Jess, was an occasional playmate of Jess's. Georgie would take Jess with her to Sarah and Jamie's home or Sarah would bring Calum over to hers, and the two women would chat while their children played.

As usual Sarah looked jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Had it been anyone else, Georgie would have hated her on sight, but Sarah was funny and self-effacing and the two women had hit it off straight away.

'Glad to see you back,' Sarah said, dropping a kiss on Georgie's cheek. 'We missed you. How's that adorable daughter of yours?'

They caught up for a few moments before taking their seats to discuss their patients. The final member of the s.h.i.+ft was Lizzie, the nurse in charge, who wasn't expected to join them until later as she was dealing with over-anxious parents reluctant to trust their child was over the worst.

'So tell us. What's the story behind the new consultant?' Lata asked when the report was finished.

'Everything will be revealed later, when the back s.h.i.+ft comes in.' Dr Hughes smiled. 'In the meantime, folks, we have patients to see.'

The morning pa.s.sed quickly. There was the usual mix of colds and sprains as well as broken limbs to deal with. Unusually for a Monday morning there was nothing too dramatic. Georgie grabbed a sandwich for lunch and was just making herself a coffee to wash it down when Lizzie called her into her office.

Lizzie was never one to waste time in idle chit-chat and came straight to the point.

'You've probably heard by now that we have a Dr Harris joining us for three months?'

Georgie nodded. 'I've already met him.'

Lizzie was surprised. 'You have?'

'There was a rescue on Ben Nevis at the weekend. I ended up attending. Dr Logan was part of it too. He flew in with the RAF search and rescue team. He's pretty good, from what I could see.'

'I heard about it,' Lizzie said 'There was a paragraph in the papers. But how come you were involved? I thought you'd given up working with the Lochinver Mountain Rescue?'

Georgie grinned sheepishly. 'Timing, I guess. Kirk got the callout and I just happened to be the only one he could rope in...'

'I expect a blow-by-blow when s.h.i.+ft's over,' Lizzie said warningly.

'Okay, but there's not much to add.' Georgie tried to sound casual. 'So what about Dr Harris?'

'He's on loan to us from the army. All the doctors working at the front line are required to take three months off to work at civilian hospitals and he's been sent to us.'

'He'll be working in the department?' Georgie asked, her heart doing that annoying pitter-patter again.

'He specialises in acute trauma care. The army's always up to date with the latest advances in treatment. In fact, that's why he's here.'

'Oh?'

'For some time now, Glasgow NHS has been in talks with other boards across Scotland about setting up a rapid response medical team.'

Georgie frowned. 'He mentioned it when we met, but don't we already have that?'

'I think the best thing is to let the man himself explain,' Lizzie said. 'There's a general meeting about it at the end of our s.h.i.+ft. But seeing as you're going to be involved more closely than most, I thought we should have a chat first.'

'I am?' Georgie squeaked. This was unexpected! Her heart catapulted inside her chest.

'Yes. He's asked for you especially. Now I understand why. You must have impressed him.' Lizzie quirked an eyebrow, waiting for Georgie to fill her in.

Georgie's heart gave another uncomfortable kick. 'He asked for me? Especially?' This was getting ridiculous. She really had to stop repeating everything Lizzie said.

Before Lizzie could answer, there was a knock on the door and Logan swept in without waiting for a reply. Her heart started banging against her ribs again. Grief, was it going to do that every time she saw him?

'Here's the man himself. I'll let him explain, shall I?'

'I think that might be easier,' Georgie replied, trying not to show how fl.u.s.tered she felt.

Logan took the chair next to hers and stretched out long legs in front of him.

'How far have you got?' he asked Lizzie.

'Not far at all, I'm afraid. I think it's best if you explain.'

'Okay.' He leaned forward in his chair, elbows resting on his knees, his eyes locking onto hers. 'This is the way it works. We're planning to set up a team from here that will mainly, but not solely, be involved in medical emergency retrievals-or MERT, as we call it.'

'Don't we already have one of those? I mean, with the Scottish Ambulance Service?' Georgie asked.

'Up to a point. As you know, the Glasgow City Hospital will soon be the largest in the northern hemisphere, with a tertiary centre for most specialities.'

Georgie nodded. Work had started a couple of years ago to transfer paediatric services from its current stand-alone site, and the Glasgow City Hospital currently took spinal injuries from across Scotland. Add its world-cla.s.s neurology wards and bring the burns and spinal units into the equation and it was easy to understand why the hospital was in the throes of a ma.s.sive expansion.

'It also currently has a substantial helipad-big enough for large helicopters to land and take off, as well as being ten minutes away from Glasgow airport. It's got great advantages.'

Georgie nodded again. 'I know that the Scottish air ambulance has to land at Glasgow airport and the casualties are transferred the last few miles to us by road.'

'With the exception of having to land a few miles away from the hospital, the air ambulance can only pick up casualties where there are runways,' Lizzie interrupted. 'And that leaves the majority of Scotland's rural areas out on a limb. With the exception of the Highlands and Islands, which have their own rescue service.'

'So we use one of the other rescue services that have a helicopter for those circ.u.mstances. The navy, the RAF, the coastguard-'

Logan interrupted. 'True. Unfortunately, at the moment the air ambulance and the other rescue services currently only carry paramedics. While they can manage most emergencies very effectively, there's still a small group of people who'd survive serious injury if...' Logan stressed '...the helicopter was manned with a doctor and a nurse who could carry out advanced life-support procedures at the scene. Just like we currently do in the army behind the front line. We think of it as bringing the ER to the patient.'

Although it was good that the service was going to be improved, Georgie still didn't see what all this had to do with her.

Logan continued, 'London has developed a rapid medical response team, which has been running for a few years now, and as Lizzie said, the Outer Hebrides has another system, which uses doctors to go to patients who are too far from hospitals to get there quickly. But we're going to do something slightly different here. We plan to form a small team with a doctor and a nurse or paramedic who's trained to work to strict protocols. Unlike the current system in London, or the one in the islands, the team will only attend those emergencies where advanced life support will make the difference between life and death. We call it "grab and go" or "stay and play" in the army. We either pick up the victim and start life support immediately in the helicopter-grab and go-or if that's not possible, the doctor and paramedic do the same thing on the ground-stay and play-until the casualty is stable enough to be airlifted.' He grinned. 'I know the terminology sounds a bit frivolous, but I can a.s.sure there is nothing casual about the army service. Besides, it describes what we do excellently.' He stretched, locking his hands behind his neck.