Her Very Special Boss. Anne Fraser

grew broader. ‘God, I do sound like a Victorian father, don’t I? Kathleen was always telling me to lighten up.’ His smile disappeared and Kirsty could see the pain in his eyes. For a moment she was tempted to reach out to offer him comfort. She touched his arm gently, feeling the muscles tense beneath her fingertips.

      ‘Was Kathleen your wife?’ she asked softly.

      He drew back from her touch as if she’d caused him physical pain.

      ‘Ah, I see people have been talking,’ he said, his lips set in a grim line.

      ‘Jenny told me what happened. I’m so sorry, Greg. I don’t know how anyone can bear such a loss.’

      ‘Well, let’s hope you never have to find out,’ he said, rubbing his hand across his scars. ‘Some things are just better not thought about.’

      That’s where you are wrong, thought Kirsty, feeling the familiar flicker of pain.

      ‘You must miss them,’ Kirsty ventured. Inexplicably she felt the need to get closer to this man.

      ‘As you told me just a few minutes ago, everyone has a right to their privacy. I’ve agreed to respect yours and I’d be grateful if you would respect mine.’ Despite his words, his tone was mild. But Kirsty could see by the set of his jaw that he was holding himself in check.

      Nevertheless, Kirsty felt as if she’d been slapped.

      ‘I’m sorry,’ she said stiffly. ‘I didn’t mean to pry.’

      Greg rubbed his scar. ‘No, forgive me,’ he said. ‘I didn’t mean to have a go at you. I’ve probably been here too long and have forgotten the social niceties. Let’s just forget it.’

      He paused next to a path that led away from the hospital towards the perimeter of the compound. ‘If you follow that path for a few minutes, you’ll come to a large concrete reservoir. We use it for swimming. Jamie makes it his business to keep it clean. We often congregate there after work or at weekends.’ He carried on walking. ‘There are four doctors here, as you know—you make the fifth. We take turns at being on call, and we all operate but Sarah is nominally in charge of obstetrics, Jamie paediatrics, Jenny anaesthetises and has responsibility for the medical wards. The surgical wards are mine. There’s a rota for outpatients as that involves a bit of everything.’

      ‘What will I be doing?’ Kirsty asked

      ‘You’ll be learning.’ He looked at her intently. ‘At this point you have no idea how quickly you’ll be learning. A couple of weeks and you’ll be expected to manage on your own, although, of course, we will always be available for advice. I’m afraid, Dr Boucher, we can’t carry people here. It’s a case of see one, do one, teach one.’