Page 8 of Prognosis Incompatible

Madeline heard the sirens wailing somewhere close by and breathed a sigh of relief. Locked in this battle with Marcus to save Mrs. Sanders’s life seemed deeply intimate and she was pleased that other health-care professionals would soon join them and break the connection.

The two ambulance officers were there within the minute and Madeline explained what she knew and the four of them worked together. One of the ambulance team worked on intravenous access while Madeline and Marcus continued CPR. The other drew up first-line drugs.

‘We need to intubate,’ said Marcus when the machine recommended no shock again.

The officer handed him a laryngoscope and Marcus skilfully inserted the plastic airway into the trachea. Removing the mask from the bag-mask apparatus, he connected the bag to the top of the tube and squeezed oxygenated air into the lungs as the paramedic secured the tube in place.

The machine analysed again and everyone moved back as it recommended a shock and Madeline pushed the green button one more time. They moved back in and Marcus felt for a pulse.

‘Got one,’ he said.

There was no time for congratulations. ‘Let’s load her and go,’ said the paramedic who had established the intravenous access. They swapped the defib over for the more complex machine in the ambulance with a full-screen cardiac monitor attached, and Madeline helped load their patient onto the trolley as Marcus continued to administer breaths.

Madeline noted the tachycardia, relieved that they had got Mrs. Sanders back, but she was having runs of VT and she knew that the patient’s condition was still critical and unstable. They had her ready for transport quickly and Madeline put her arm around Brett who was silent and pale, obviously shocked by everything that had just happened.

‘Come on, son,’ Marcus said gently, passing over the bag to the paramedic. ‘You can ride up front.’ Brett nodded absently, following his stretchered mother like a zombie.

‘I’d like to ride in the back with her — is that all right?’ Madeline asked the paramedics, who gave her a nod. If she arrested again, another pair of hands would be helpful.

‘I’ll follow in my car,’ said Marcus.

She turned to face him and took an abrupt step back, not realising how close behind her he was.

‘There’s no need,’ Madeline said, trying not to sound ungrateful. After all, she couldn’t have done it without him.

Now the immediate emergency was over, the ebb of the adrenaline that had surged through her system was making her nauseous. Combined with her jet lag, she was shaking badly.

He put his hands gently on her shoulders and frowned at their trembling. ‘Are you OK?’ he asked, applying slight pressure to her shoulders.

Madeline looked into his face then wished she hadn’t. She felt absurdly close to tears. She didn’t want this man to be kind to her. She wanted him and the unsettling feelings she felt when she was near him to go away.

‘I’m fine.’ She shrugged her shoulders and his hands fell away.

Marcus lifted his hand and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, which had loosened from the tight knot at the nape of her neck. Madeline pulled back as the urge to lay her head against his chest took hold.

‘Dr Harrington,’ one of the paramedics called. ‘Coming,’ she replied, and stepped away from Marcus on shaky legs.

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