Page 36 of Prognosis Bad Timing

Charlie smiled as he adjusted the position of Dana’s chin. He nodded at Carrie. ‘Ready?’ he mouthed. Carrie nodded back and he could tell from the way she was holding Dana that she was ready to use her body to keep Dana still if she bucked.

Charlie inserted the fine needle into the edge of the wound. Dana flinched slightly but stayed still. But that was the easy part. Lignocaine stung like hell and he sent up a silent prayer that Dana would continue to be good. He slowly injected the local anaesthetic agent.

‘Mummy?’ Dana’s eyes opened. ‘It’s hurting, Mummy.’

‘It’s OK, darling, squeeze my hand hard. It won’t hurt for long.’

Carrie half stood so she could hold her daughter better in case she tried to kick or twist. She could see tears shining in her daughter’s eyes and felt guilt and pride in equal measure. ‘Mummy’s giving you a special hug, see? You’re being so brave, isn’t she, Charlie?’

‘Absolutely,’ Charlie agreed. ‘You’re braver than a hundred boys. There...I’ve finished now.’ He placed the syringe back on the trolley.

Dana sniffled. ‘Really? You think I’m braver than a boy?’

Charlie chuckled. ‘Definitely. Now I’ll wash my hands while we wait for the local to make you numb then I’ll sew you up, OK?’

‘Then I get to dance?’

‘I promise.’

Carrie listened absently to the lively conversation between Charlie and her daughter as he washed his hands and they waited for the local to take effect. Charlie’s regulation three-day growth and shaggy hair seemed even more endearing when he was talking to her child as if she was the most important thing in the world to him.

‘Can you feel this?’ Charlie asked Dana, double-gloved again, giving her a light prick on the wound margin with the curved suture blade.

‘No.’

‘This?’ Charlie repeated as he prodded several places.

‘No.’

‘Awesome. What colour button do you want me to use?’

Dana giggled. ‘Charlie!’

Carrie smiled, too. ‘OK, hold my hand again, darling. Won’t be long now.’

Charlie maintained a patter of conversation as he placed four sutures in the wound, bringing the edges together. Dana was perfectly still, making his job much easier and it didn’t take long.

‘Thank you, Charlie, that looks great.” Carrie inspected his handiwork as he placed the suture down on the tray. “Maybe your father is right?’

Charlie screwed up his nose. Nope. ‘I’d rather watch paint dry. OK, Sleeping Beauty.” He tapped Dana on the nose. “Up you get. Your jukebox awaits.’

He helped Dana into a sitting position, her legs dangling over the edge again. ‘What do you say to Charlie?’ Carrie prompted.

‘Thank you, thank you, thank you.’ Dana grinned then threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek.

Charlie sat stock still in the little girl’s embrace. He glanced at Carrie, who was looking as stunned as he felt. For a moment he didn’t know what he was supposed to do. He was shocked to register how good Dana’s little arms felt clinging to his neck. And how sweet her skin smelled — like lollipops and sunshine.

‘Sorry,’ Carrie mouthed, remembering his fast exit from her house.

He hadn’t seemed particularly interested in kids then and this one was clinging to him like a leech. Not to mention the mix of apprehension and something else she couldn’t quite make out in his expression.

‘It’s fine,’ he mouthed back. Charlie didn’t understand how anyone could hold such sweet innocence in their arms and remain emotionally distant.

Like his father.

‘Can I dance now?’ Dana asked, dropping her arms.

‘Sure.’ He helped her off the couch and watched her hair bunches bobbing as she headed out followed closely by Carrie, her pinstriped hips swaying.

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