Page 7 of Prognosis Do Over

‘Erica’s eighteen months,’ Lou told him. ‘Cellulitis from a possum bite.’

‘Is this Erica’s first dose?’

‘Second,’ said Kristy.

He nodded. Anaphylactic reactions weren’t usually seen until the second or subsequent exposure to the particular allergen. Will looked around for a stethoscope and found one being thrust into his hand by Lou. Efficient. He smiled at her gratefully.

The wheezes had reduced markedly, and Will breathed a sigh of relief that they had halted the rapid progress of a condition that could have been fatal in minutes.

‘Let’s get her into the high dependency bay. We’ll special her for the next little while,’ said Lou.

Her hands shook slightly as she helped push the cot to the bay opposite the nurse’s station. Thank God Will had been here. Having an experienced paediatrician in an emergency on Ward Two was a definite bonus.

Will hung around while the nursing team got the little girl settled in her temporary locale.

‘Possum bite?’ he asked as they trooped back into the nurses’ station.

‘Camping with the family,’ explained Peter. ‘Tried to pat one of the friendly possums. It bit her arm.’

‘Ouch.’ Will winced.

‘Hey, Pete,’ said Lydia casually. ‘I’ve an idea. Why don’t you ask our new colleague about the shave?’ She nodded towards Will.

Pete’s eyes lit up. ‘Good idea, Lydia. Brilliant. Just brilliant.’

Pete smiled at Will and rubbed his hands together.

Lydia gave him a baleful smile. ‘What?’ Will said warily.

‘Dr Galligher,’ said Pete, narrowing his eyes speculatively. ‘You do know what they say about bald men, don’t you?’

Will nodded, still wary. ‘Ah, but is it true, Pete?’

‘Never had any complaints.’ Pete winked. ‘But seriously, Shave for a Cure is on in a few weeks, and I just need one more person to agree to have their hair cut.’

‘That’s for the Leukaemia Foundation?’ Will asked.

Pete nodded. ‘I’ve been trying to convince Lou.’

Will looked at Lou and her beautiful hair, completely horrified by Pete’s suggestion. ‘That’s the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard,’ he said dismissively.

‘No, no,’ Pete said, shaking his head emphatically. ‘Think about it. That plait is famous in this hospital. It’s been part of the history here for years. We’d raise a fortune. People would come from all over the hospital to finally see Lou lose the plait.’

‘Sacrilege.’ Lydia shook her head.

‘Hear, hear,’ agreed Will, suddenly warming to Lydia again.

‘Yes, I can see the signs around the hospital now. “Come see our Lou lose her plait”,’ Pete said, staring at a point in mid-air.

‘Are you insane?’ asked Will incredulously. How could the man even think of cutting off Lou’s gorgeous locks?

Lou listened to their conversation about herself and her hair, feeling suddenly invisible. Like a life support system for a head of hair.

‘Oh, come on, there wouldn’t be one person who hadn’t thought about snipping it off as she’s walked past all these years. And it would make such a glorious wig,’ Pete said, lifting Lou’s plait and examining the blend of colours.

‘Ah, excuse me — I am actually standing here in the same room,’ said Lou, bemused by their in-depth discussion.

‘The plait stays,’ Will said firmly.

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