The door closed after them.
They were left alone. Except for one screaming baby.
Georgie picked Thomas up before Alistair could stop her. She hugged him tight. The baby’s sobs stopped, just like that. Alistair lifted the drip stand and turned back to her. She was hugging the baby as if it was she who needed comfort.
Involuntarily his hands came out to take her shoulders. It was an instinctive gesture of comfort but she drew back as if his touch burned.
‘No.’
‘I’m sorry …’
‘No.’ She held her spare hand to her eyes for a moment as if things were more than she could face. Then she took a deep breath and another.
‘OK,’ she said, moving on. ‘Your bag’s over in the doctors’ quarters. You have the same room as you had last time you were here. Gina will be home about five. There’s food and drink in the kitchen. Have a swim. Make yourself at home.’
‘Your face needs attention.’
‘I’ll give it a wash later.’ She took a deep breath and tried to smile. ‘But wasn’t it fantastic? He’s been hitting Lizzie and the kids for years and she won’t press charges. She’s said she will now, and she might when she knows he’s going to jail anyway, but it’s no longer up to her. I’ll be doing the pressing of charges.’
‘You planned it,’ he said, stunned.
‘I knew about the suspended sentence,’ she admitted.
‘Are you mad? He could have blinded you.’
‘He didn’t. I’ve learned how to take a hit over the years. I was moving away as he struck. But I had to let him make contact.’
‘You’re crazy.’
‘And Smiley’s in jail. A good afternoon’s work, I reckon. Now … I need to sort out a carer for the kids. I need to contact welfare officers and the housing people. I’m moving so fast here Smiley won’t know what’s hit him. If you can—’
‘You let him hit you.’
‘Get over it.’
‘Of all the …’ Before she could stop him he’d lifted Thomas from her arms. He tugged the drip stand with him over to an examination trolley. Gently he laid the little one down. Thomas accepted the move with equanimity. Strange things were happening in his world, and he was learning early that fussing didn’t necessarily get him anywhere.
‘I don’t want him down,’ Georgie said, moving to pick him up again, but Alistair intercepted her.
‘I’ve done the triage, Dr Turner. Not before I’ve checked that eye.’
‘It’s fine.’
For answer he picked her up and sat her on the trolley next to Thomas. She opened her mouth to squeak a protest but he was already gently probing, checking bone structure, peering intently at her eye, looking for internal bleeding.
She was so slight. A diminutive woman with courage that would put men twice her size to shame. She submitted to his ministrations but he had the feeling she was simply humouring him.
‘No brain injury,’ she said, gently mocking. ‘Nothing here you’re interested in.’
Maybe not. But he was suddenly aware of what he’d felt six months ago. The feeling that had surfaced as he’d danced with her.
He’d thought she was a woman with morals somewhere below that of a guttersnipe.
Maybe he’d misjudged her …
‘What’s happening?’
It was Grace, bursting in to see what was happening. Appalled. ‘Georgie, you’re hurt. I just saw Harry taking Smiley away. He said—’
‘I’m fine,’ Georgie said.
‘But Harry said Smiley hit you.’ Grace sounded incredulous. ‘You let him hit you?’
‘I had to.’
‘She does karate,’ Grace said to Alistair. ‘She’s black belt. No man can get near her. Harry knew that or he’d never …’ She’d moved closer to Georgie as she’d spoken, edging in on Alistair’s space. ‘Harry’s feeling dreadful and sent me to check. Let me see.’
‘I’m fine.’
‘You’re shaking.’
‘I am not. Leave me be.’ Georgie jumped down from the trolley before Alistair could stop her. ‘If you want to be useful, take Thomas.’
‘That’s another reason I’m here,’ Grace admitted. ‘Lizzie’s asking for him and Charles wants to check him. But, Georgie, come through and let Charles see the damage.’
‘I’m fine,’ Georgie snapped again.
‘I’ll take care of it,’ Alistair said, and Grace looked at him dubiously. Then her face cleared as she obviously remembered stuff she’d been told about him. ‘Of course. You’re Gina’s Alistair. You’re a neurosurgeon.’
‘That’s right,’
‘Then I guess you can cope. If you think she needs an X-ray, give a yell.’
‘He won’t do any medicine,’ Georgie said, sounding contemptuous. ‘I know US doctors. They think treating people messes with their insurance.’
‘Now, that,’ Grace said roundly, ‘is just plain rude. And wrong. The ambo boys said Alistair’s already put in a drip. And I’m sure he’ll help any way he can. Won’t you, Alistair?’
‘Of course.’ Black belt in karate, huh? He eyed Georgie with increasing respect.
‘I only pick on people my own size,’ Georgie said.
‘I wasn’t thinking—’
‘Yeah, you were. Wimp.’
‘Georgie, behave,’ Grace said severely. Thomas opened his mouth again, a preliminary to wailing. Ready, set, yell. She smiled ruefully down at him. ‘OK, sweetheart, I’ll take you to your mum. Alistair, there’s a digital camera in the desk drawer. Use it. Please. Harry says we need photographs. I’m sorry to leave you like this but this place has gone crazy. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Georgie, behave,’ she repeated.
And she was gone.
THERE was a moment’s silence. Georgie’s hand had crept to her cheek again, hiding the damage.
‘I do need to clean and dress it,’ he said gently, but she shook her head and started following Grace.
She was limping.
‘Georgie?’
‘I’m fine.’
‘You’re not.’
Alistair moved then, fast, catching her by the shoulders and turning her around. Gently. Aware of her black belt.
But her black belt had been punched right out of her.
‘Leave me be.’ She sounded suddenly … drained.
‘Let me see your face. And your foot.’
‘No.’
She was like a little wildcat, he thought. Tough as nails, all claws and hiss. But she was shaking. He could feel the tremors in her shoulders.
To hell with the black belt. He lifted her up again and dumped her on the nearest examination trolley. ‘Stay where you’re