Emergency: Mother Wanted. Sarah Morgan

and when he finally replaced the receiver his expression was black.

      ‘They haven’t got anything at the moment—apparently they had a burst pipe last week and it’s taking for ever to fix. We’ll have to think of something else.’

      ‘It’s all right,’ Keely said mildly. ‘I’ve got two flats to look at on Friday when I’m not working. Thanks for trying but I’m taking care of it.’

      He hesitated, his dark jaw tense. ‘I’m not happy with you staying there—’

      ‘It’s fine, Zach,’ Keely repeated firmly, conscious that Nicky and two of the other doctors were watching them curiously. And no wonder. Why was he making such a fuss?

      ‘Well, if those flats don’t come to anything, let me know. If you’re stuck you can sleep in the doctors’ room.’

      They had a room where doctors could sleep if they were on duty at night, but it was rarely used.

      ‘Thanks.’

      Zach turned and walked out, and Nicky let out a long breath.

      ‘Well, who’s protective, then?’

      Keely rolled her eyes. ‘To Zach, I’m still sixteen and I probably always will be.’

      With that she stood up and left them to speculate.

      She was checking an X-ray later in the day when she heard Nicky shout from the corridor.

      ‘Keely, I need a doctor—now!’

      Keely was there in an instant, her heart pounding as she saw the toddler in the arms of a paramedic.

      ‘She’s fitting,’ Nicky said quickly. ‘It may be a febrile convulsion. Get her into Resus and I’ll bleep Paeds.’ A febrile convulsion was a fit brought on by a high temperature and was quite common in very young children.

      ‘Are the parents here?’ Keely took charge of the toddler’s airway and gave her some oxygen.

      ‘Not yet.’ Nicky turned to one of the student nurses, her expression grim. ‘Call Zach. Call Zach now!’

      Keely glanced up in surprise. Why was Nicky in such a panic? It wasn’t like her at all and everything was under control.

      ‘It’s OK,’ she said calmly. ‘I can handle this without Zach.’

      ‘I know you can handle it,’ came the reply. ‘I don’t need Zach for his medical skills.’