Page 22 of Prognosis So Done

CHAPTER NINE - 1500 HOURS

Harriet was in herroom, packing, when Gill knocked softly on the door and opened it.

‘An aid helicopter carrying medical personnel has been shot down not far from here.’ He leaned into the door frame. ‘There were six on board. Kelly’s gone out by road. We’re preparing to accept casualties.’

‘What?’ She sat on the bed. ‘That’s awful. I hope everyone’s OK.’

Harriet knew the chance of fatalities was strong and depended on many variables like if the helicopter had been taking off or landing or at altitude but, she could hope, right? Gill nodded in silent agreement, but his face conveyed his pessimism.

Today had been a shitty last day and it wasn’t over yet.

Harriet wondered what had gone through their heads as they had plummeted to the ground. A few years ago in a different war

the team had been in a chopper that had come under heavy fire and it had been a terrifying experience. She had shut her eyes and gripped Gill’s hand and watched a slow motion replay of her life.

It had only been five minutes but it had felt like hours.

‘Didn’t they see the bloody great big medical aid symbol?’

she asked him.

The question settled into the silence. He didn’t answer her and she didn’t expect him to. She already knew the answer. Probably. They just hadn’t cared. It was a stark reminder that their job was dangerous, and Harriet felt a rush of bile into her throat at the thought of Gill being at risk.

‘You will be careful, won’t you, Gill?’ she asked. Her

association with him was coming to an end, and that was going

to be hard, but she could deal with it as long as she knew he

was safe somewhere in the world.

‘Of course, Harry,’ he said, as he came into the room and

squatted before her. ‘I’m always careful.’

Harriet snorted at him in disbelief. She had seen him take

some incredible risks in their time together. ‘Oh, like that

time that soldier held a gun to your head to make you operate

on his friend first and you turned your back on him?’

‘He was a boy.’ He shrugged dismissively.

‘With a gun.’ The worst type, as far as Harriet was

concerned. Drunk on power and too young to understand how to

wield it.

‘He was frightened.’

‘Helluva way of showing it.’

‘I’ll be fine, Harry.’

He said it with exaggerated patience, as if he was talking to a child and Harriet saw red. ‘There’s a helicopter full of people just like us that’s now a burning wreck. They were doing their job. Going about their business. Trying to help this messed-up situation. Don’t tell me you’ll be fine. Bet they thought they were going to be fine, too.’

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