Declan leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. ‘How old are you, Jodi?’
‘Eighteen. At present I’m taking a gap year before I start Uni.’
‘What are you studying?’ Declan asked.
‘Applied science. Eventually, I want to be associated with the equine industry, combine research and field work. Horses and their welfare are my great passion. I’ll need to do my doctorate, of course.’
‘That’s really worthwhile, Jodi,’ Emma said warmly. ‘Best of luck with your studies.’
Declan made a restive movement in his chair, his dark brows flexed in query. ‘How are your computer skills, Jodi? We’d need you to be able to collate information, get the patients’ histories logged in and kept up to date.’
‘I’m thoroughly computer literate.’ Jodi twitched a long hank of dark hair over her shoulder. ‘I work quickly and thoroughly and I’m quite aware of the confidential nature of the job here. I’ll sign a clause to that effect if you need me to.’
Emma bit hard on the inside of her cheek to stop the grin that threatened. This kid was something else. ‘We’ll probably get round to that, Jodi. But, if Dr O’Malley agrees, I think we can offer you the job. Declan?’
‘Uh—’ Declan’s eyes looked slightly glazed. He rocked forward in his chair. ‘Let’s agree on a trial period, Jodi, if that suits—say a month? And we’ll see how things are going then?’
‘Absolutely.’ Jodi shrugged slender shoulders. Bending down, she flipped open her satchel. ‘I’ll leave you my CV. And there are several character references as well.’ She placed the file on the desk. ‘If there’s anything else you need to know, I’ll be available on my mobile.’ She smiled confidently and whirled to her feet. ‘So, I’ll see you both on Monday, then.’
‘Good grief,’ Declan said faintly after Jodi had swished out of the door. ‘Do you get the feeling we’re the ones who have just been interviewed?’
Emma chuckled. ‘It’s the Gen Y thing. They’re inclined to set out terms and conditions to prospective employers. But isn’t she marvellous?’
‘Made me feel about a hundred and six,’ Declan growled. ‘Hell, was I ever that young and enthusiastic about life?’
Emma stood and pushed her chair back in. ‘Probably we both were.’
‘Mmm.’ Declan’s tone was non-committal. ‘Well, we seem to have made a dint in what needs to be done here so, if you’re ready, I’d like to see over your hospital.’
Chapter Three
BENDEMERE’S hospital was old but beautifully kept. Declan looked around with growing interest. ‘This place has a long history, obviously,’ he remarked.
‘My grandfather actually funded the building of it,’ Emma said proudly. ‘These days, much of the accommodation is given over to nursing home beds for our seniors. Anything acute is sent straight on to Toowoomba by road ambulance. Or, in the case of serious trauma, we stabilise as best we can and chopper the patient out to Brisbane.’
‘Do you have a theatre?’ Declan began striding ahead, his interest clearly raised.
‘A small one—just here.’ She turned into an annexe and indicated the big oval window that looked into the pristine operating space. ‘Dad did basic surgical procedures. And Rachel Wallace, our nurse manager, has extensive theatre experience. She insists the maintenance is kept up. Shame it’s not used any more…’
‘It’s all here though, isn’t it?’ Declan’s gaze roamed almost hungrily, left and right and back again, as if to better acquaint himself with the layout. ‘Who did the gas when your dad operated?’
‘Oliver Shackelton. He’s retired in the district. And, even though he won’t see seventy again, I know Dad trusted his skills to the nth degree.’
‘Interesting.’ Declan pressed his lips together and took a deep breath. This was his natural environment. But he didn’t belong here any longer. Suddenly, it all came at him in a rush, a heartbeat, the past coming forward to link with the present. He felt the sudden tightening of his throat muscles. It was over. He was finished as a surgeon. He couldn’t operate any more. At least not in any way that was meaningful—from his standpoint, at least…
‘Declan…are you OK?’
Declan’s head came up, looking at her without seeing. ‘Sorry?’
‘We should get on,’ she cajoled gently.
‘Yes, we should.’ He turned abruptly, as if to shut out the scene he’d walked into so unguardedly. He felt weird, in no way prepared for the hollow feeling in his gut as he snapped off the light and closed the double doors on the annexe.
Emma’s gaze moved over him. ‘Sure you’re OK?’
He saw the compassion in her eyes, the softening, felt her empathy. But he wasn’t a kid who needed to cry on her shoulder. ‘I’m fine,’ he said, his tone gruff as if brushing her concern aside. ‘Fill me in about hospital staff.’
Emma gave a mental shrug. He hadn’t fooled her for a minute. Well, if that was how he wanted to handle it, that was his business, his life. ‘I’ve sent out an email to the nurses to advise them you were joining the practice.’ She didn’t add they’d probably done their own research on the Internet in the meantime. ‘Rachel is our nurse manager,’ she reiterated as they made their way along to the station. ‘We have three other permanent RNs who alternate shifts and Dot Chalmers is permanent nights. Ancillary staff are rostered as necessary.’
‘Leave and sick days?’ Declan fell into step beside her.
‘Covered by a small pool of nurses who mainly live in the district.’
‘That seems like a reasonable set-up,’ Declan said. ‘I imagine the staff value their jobs quite highly.’
‘And the folk hereabouts value them,’ Emma said, leaving him in no doubt that any changes there would be unacceptable. Just in case he was thinking along those lines.
‘Hospital maintenance is covered by a local firm, as is security. And Betty Miller is our indispensable hospital cook.’
Declan nodded, taking everything on board. He began to quicken his pace.
‘Patients now?’
Emma rolled her eyes. He’d have to learn to slow down if he was going to relate to the locals. ‘Is there a fire somewhere?’ she enquired innocently.
‘Forgot.’ He sent her a twisted grin. ‘I’m keen to get cracking, that’s all.’
‘Hello, people.’ Rachel, tall and slender, came towards them, her nimbus of auburn hair stark against the white walls of the hospital corridor. ‘And you are Dr O’Malley, I presume?’ Beaming, the nurse manager stuck her hand out towards Declan.
‘I am.’ Declan shook her hand warmly. ‘And it’s Declan. I’ve just been getting the lay of the land from Emma. It looks like a great little hospital.’
‘We’re proud of it.’ Rachel spun her gaze between the two medical officers. ‘Um—I was just on my way for a cuppa.’
‘Don’t let us hold you up,’ Emma insisted. Despite it being a small hospital, she knew the nurses worked hard and deserved their breaks.
‘OK, then. I won’t be long.’ Rachel began to move away and then turned back. ‘I knew you’d be along so I’ve pulled the charts on our current patients.’
‘Take your time.’ Emma smiled. ‘And thanks, Rach. We’ll be fine.’
‘I guess you know this place like the back of