Page 16 of New Year, New Guy
‘Don’t be sorry. I’m pleased one of us does.’
‘I hear your Florence Nightingale halo got tarnished today.’
‘Who told you?’ Laura probed.
‘News gets around.’
Daisy had been off work for the last three days but her web of informants rivalled the old KGB.
‘Your ex is a prick.’
‘He had a point.’
‘Maybe, but he didn’t have to throw his weight around. He’s bloody rude and a bully.’ Daisy’s dimples blossomed and a wicked sparkle crept into her dark eyes. ‘Are you going to confess every detail about your yummy American before I’m forced to drag it out of you?’
‘Let’s get the changeover out of the way first. I’m about dead on my feet.’ She grabbed a handful of files from her desk.
Pam Mitchell hurried in. ‘Sorry to interrupt but you asked me to keep you updated. Mr McQueen’s been admitted to Tamar ward. We’re keeping him twenty-four hours for observation because the MRI revealed this isn’t his first concussion.’
‘Thanks, Pam. When we’re done here I’ll make sure there’s nothing he needs before I go home.’
She ignored the other two nurses’ blatant smirks and launched into the standard routine for handing over care of the department. Pam got the hint and disappeared but not before giving Daisy a thumbs up sign.
Maybe she should make a belated New Year’s resolution to stick Hunter McQueen on the next plane back to Nashville.
Chapter Ten
‘What’s it supposed to be?’ Hunter poked at the greyish blob on his plate running into a white puddle and surrounded by a pile of limp, pale green leaves.
‘Mince, mashed potatoes and cabbage.’
He didn’t bother to ask the fresh-faced young nurse what had been minced because he had no intention of risking his life eating it. Hospital food in the States didn’t have a great reputation but was gourmet compared to this sludge. As the nurse disappeared to brighten the day of the patient next to him a familiar voice broke into his thoughts.
‘Being troublesome, are we?’ Laura appeared at the foot of his bed.
‘Uh, no. Simply asking what’s on the menu today.’ He forced on a smile and shovelled a large forkful in his mouth.
‘Is there anything you need me to bring in?’
Ear plugs to cover the inevitable snoring he’d suffer tonight from his five fellow internees, all elderly men? Pyjamas to cover up more than the standard issue skimpy gown? A juicy quarter pounder with cheese from the nearest fast food joint? On the plus side the ward was a generous size and hospitals kept lights on day and night so he wouldn’t make a fool of himself by freaking out.
‘Nah, I’m good.’
‘Thank you for lying.’ A sliver of amusement lightened her tired face.
‘You’re welcome.’
‘But seriously, how are you doing?’
‘I’ve been worse.’
Laura frowned. ‘I’m not surprised. I saw your charts.’
To play for time, he crammed in another mouthful of lukewarm sludge.
‘You’ve had other concussions.’
‘I played football in high school. I’m talkin’ about real football not your namby-pamby game. It was par for the course then. If you didn’t get hurt you weren’t playin’ hard enough. The coach would check us out and if you could focus okay and didn’t feel dizzy he stuck you back on the field.’
