Nurse in a Million Page 7

  He hastily blanked out that thought because it wasn’t the right time to start thinking about things like that. ‘I see.’ Looping the stethoscope around his neck, he unfastened the boy’s shirt so he could examine him, frowning when he saw the discoloration all down the left side of his chest.

  ‘How did this happen?’ he demanded, shooting a look at Natalie.

  ‘The people who stole Danny’s medication also beat him up. I think he may have a cracked rib.’

  ‘Has he been X-rayed?’ Rafferty asked, gently feeling around the area. He tested Danny’s upper abdomen and his frown deepened when he felt tension in the flesh beneath his fingertips.

  ‘Danny refused to go to hospital.’ She sighed when he looked at her in surprise. ‘Like most of the kids we treat here, he’s terrified of anything that smacks of authority. He stayed in the clinic on Monday night so I could keep an eye on him. He felt well enough to leave by lunchtime on Tuesday and I haven’t seen him since then.’

  Rafferty’s brain was whirring as it started computing what he’d heard, not just the facts about young Danny but all the rest as well. Natalie had kept Danny in the clinic on Monday night? But Monday had been the night they’d attended that dinner, the same night that she’d run out on him to—presumably—visit her boyfriend? Either she’d packed an awful lot into Monday night or he’d been mistaken about the boyfriend.

  The thought sent his spirits soaring and he had to make a determined effort not to start grinning like a Cheshire cat. He cleared his throat as he turned to the younger doctor, falling back on professional matters because it was so much safer.

  ‘Any ideas what might be wrong with him?’

  ‘None at all. That’s why I told Nat I needed help.’

  There was a refreshing lack of bravado about his answer which Rafferty appreciated. In his experience, it was rare to find a newly qualified doctor willing to admit that he didn’t know everything about medicine, and Rafferty said so.

  ‘Good to hear that you’re willing to learn. You’ll go far with that attitude.’

  He turned to Natalie again because he didn’t expect an answer and was pleased when the younger man didn’t give him one. Trying to thank him for the compliment would have ruined the favourable impression the younger man had made. ‘I’m going to need a scalpel, a catheter, a tube and a bottle.’

  ‘You think Danny’s suffering from a haemothorax!’

  Rafferty smiled. It was typical of her to latch on so quickly to his train of thought. It was what made her such a superb nurse and his determination to get her back into the field on a full-time basis increased tenfold.

  ‘Yes, I do. He’s exhibiting all the classic signs—difficulty breathing, raised pulse rate, tenderness and tension in the upper abdomen. My guess is that the rib he cracked has been rubbing away at the lining of the pleural cavity and caused a slow bleed. The pleural space has been gradually filling up with blood and now his left lung has collapsed. We need to get it sorted out before the right one collapses as well.’

  ‘I’ll fetch what you need,’ she said, hurrying away.

  Rafferty turned back to the younger doctor. ‘Let’s get him positioned so I can get that tube in with the least amount of fuss. It’s vital we get it done before his right lung packs up as well. I’m Michael Rafferty, by the way. I didn’t get round to introducing myself before.’

  ‘Piers Dutton,’ the younger man replied, hurrying round the bed to help him. ‘And I know who you are, sir, because I work at the same hospital as you, although I’m just a lowly second-year house officer.’

  ‘We all have to start somewhere,’ Rafferty replied laconically, positioning the patient flat on the bed because it would be easier to find the intercostal muscle—the sheets of muscle between the ribs which helped to expand and contract the chest during breathing—if the boy was lying down.

  Natalie came back just then with what he needed, so he wasted no time after she’d swabbed an area below the teenager’s left armpit. A quick incision through the flesh and muscle with the scalpel, then he was able to insert the catheter and attach it to a length of plastic tubing which led in turn into an empty bottle. Blood immediately began to gush into the bottle as the chest cavity emptied. One bottle quickly filled up so he replaced it with a second, pleased to see that the flow was diminishing. By the time it had been reduced to a trickle, Danny was breathing much easier and a short time later he regained consciousness.

  ‘It’s OK, Danny,’ Natalie said soothingly, moving to the head of the bed. She took hold of the boy’s hand and smiled at him. ‘You had some blood in your chest that has been making it difficult for your lungs to work properly, but Dr Rafferty has sorted it all out now and you’re going to be fine.’

  Danny tried to speak but he was hampered by the oxygen mask so Rafferty moved it out of the way, trying not to breathe in too deeply because the fragrance of Natalie’s perfume was having its usual effect on him. Ripples of pleasure danced across his nerves like a bow across violin strings and he had to force himself not to groan out loud in delight as he smiled at the teenager.

  ‘You’re going to feel a bit sore for a few days but you’ll be fine, as Natalie said.’

  ‘Will I have to go to hospital?’ Danny asked fearfully, so fearfully, in fact, that Rafferty frowned.

  ‘I’m afraid so. You’re going to need time to heal, and going back on the streets in your present condition would be a very foolish thing to do.’

  The boy’s eyes filled with tears. ‘The people at the hospital won’t tell my mum, will they? I don’t want her to know where I am in case he finds out. He said he’d kill me if he ever saw me again!’

  Raffery glanced at Natalie for guidance, unsure who the boy was referring to, and she quickly drew him to one side.

  ‘He means his mother’s boyfriend. Apparently, he came to live with them after Danny’s parents split up and he used to beat Danny up. That’s why he ran away from home and ended up on the streets.’

  Rafferty swore under his breath because it wasn’t the first time he’d heard of something like that happening. Several of the children he’d been in care with had suffered the same fate, in fact, and he felt the same kind of anger and sense of injustice now that he’d felt then.

  ‘Surely the police could have done something to help?’ he snapped.

  ‘Maybe they could have done but Danny was too afraid to tell them what had happened.’ She sighed, obviously sensing his anger yet not fully understanding the reason for it. ‘I know how you feel, Rafferty, but it was drummed into me before I started working here that I must never try to interfere. The kids who come to us for treatment will stop coming if they think we’re working hand in glove with the authorities.’

  ‘And that’s the last thing you want,’ he agreed flatly.

  He made his way back to the bed, furious with himself for making it appear as though he’d been criticising her when he knew absolutely nothing about the work she was doing at the clinic. The thought stung, because he hated to feel as though she’d cut him out of her life and couldn’t understand why she hadn’t told him about the clinic. However, that was a question he would have to ask her at a later time, after he’d resolved this issue.

  ‘I give you my word that your mother won’t be contacted if that’s what you want, Danny,’ he told the boy firmly. ‘I’ll have you admitted to the hospital where I work so I’ll be able to oversee your case myself. There’s nothing to worry about, I promise you.’

  Relief shone in the boy’s eyes as he mumbled his thanks. Rafferty patted him on the shoulder then turned to Piers. ‘Can you keep an eye on him for me, please? I need to arrange for an ambulance to transfer him to hospital.’

  ‘Sure.’ Piers looked starstruck as he studied Rafferty’s handiwork. ‘That was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. Oh, I know the theory, of course, but I’ve never actually seen it put into practice before.’

  ‘Well, you know what they say about practice making perfect,’ he
responded laconically, and Piers laughed.

  ‘I could practise for years and never be as good a surgeon as you are! You were a legend amongst the students in my year at my university. You’re the reason I decided to become a surgeon, in fact. I read about the work you do with Worlds Together and was inspired.’

  ‘It’s a tough job but it’s very fulfilling if you can stand the pressure,’ he agreed soberly. ‘We’re always looking for volunteers to work with us so give me a call if you fancy doing a stint with one of our teams and I’ll arrange an interview for you. Here’s my home phone number if you prefer to get in touch outside working hours.’

  Rafferty handed over his card as Piers stuttered his thanks. He headed for the door then paused and glanced back. ‘And if surgery is your ultimate goal, I suggest you ask to be put on my team when it’s time for your next rotation. The sooner you make a start on your training, the better.’

  Piers was almost beside himself with delight as he and Natalie left the cubicle together. She looked at him and laughed.

  ‘Spreading joy and happiness wherever you go, Rafferty? Although I don’t know what use Piers is going to be to us for the rest of the night after this. He’s going to find it very difficult to treat any patients while he’s floating on cloud nine!’

  Rafferty chuckled. ‘Nice to know I can still have a positive effect on someone.’

  Her brows rose. ‘Meaning?’

  He sighed because he hadn’t realised how revealing the remark had been. However, now that the opening had presented itself, he might as well take advantage of it. ‘Meaning that I don’t seem to have been having much effect on you, Natalie. Not of a positive nature, anyway.’

  ‘You’re wrong there. I was very impressed by the way you diagnosed and treated Danny so quickly.’

  ‘I wasn’t talking about Danny.’ He glanced around then led her into an empty cubicle and closed the door. Natalie walked over to the couch and sat down, looking rather strained as she waited for him to continue. Rafferty knew there wasn’t an easy way to explain what he’d meant so he launched straight in.

  ‘I was wrong to barge my way into your office the other day,’ he admitted, knowing that he owed her an apology first for the way he’d behaved.

  ‘You were,’ she stated, and there was nothing in her voice to tell him if she was prepared to forgive him or not.

  Rafferty forced himself to carry on but he could tell that it wasn’t going to be easy to convince her that he had her best interests at heart. ‘I was also wrong to say the things I did. The work you’ve been doing lately is important. I realise that now, although it doesn’t alter the fact that I feel you’re wasting your talents by working at Palmer’s,’ he said bluntly, hoping that he wasn’t burning all his bridges by being completely honest with her.

  He took a deep breath when she didn’t reply then carried on because he might as well cut himself an even bigger slice of humble pie. ‘I’m also sorry that I find it difficult to accept the fact that your family is so rich.’

  ‘Why is it such a problem for you?’ she interjected quietly.

  ‘Because it makes me feel inadequate to know the kind of life you’ve led.’

  ‘Inadequate? You?’

  Rafferty smiled thinly when he heard the surprise in her voice. This was the most painful bit of all, yet he knew that they would never get anywhere if he wasn’t truthful with her. He went and sat down beside her on the couch, feeling a ripple run through him when his arm brushed hers. He was always deeply aware of her, no matter what they were doing, and it made no difference that they were having a serious conversation because his body still responded to her closeness. The thought of her not wanting to continue their relationship once she found out the truth about him was almost too painful to contemplate, but he owed her an explanation.

  ‘Yes, me. I’ve never had any of the material advantages you’ve enjoyed, Natalie. You see, I was brought up in care—passed from pillar to post between a succession of foster-homes after my mother abandoned me as a toddler.’

  ‘It must have been hard for you, growing up like that, Rafferty,’ she said softly, and his heart jolted painfully when he heard the compassion in her voice, because the last thing he wanted from her was sympathy. It all came back to the main sticking point in their relationship, the one that had always troubled him, about them being on an equal footing. He couldn’t live with the thought that he might become an object of pity in her eyes.

  ‘It wasn’t easy but I survived,’ he said brusquely. ‘However, there’s no point in me claiming that it hasn’t left its mark because it’s all too apparent at times. The way I was brought up means that I know nothing about your world and the people you mix with.’

  He held up his hand when she started to protest because, now that he’d got this far, he didn’t intend to stop. ‘No, Natalie, it needs saying. You and I are worlds apart. Oh, I’m a first-rate surgeon and I’m not shy about admitting it either, but my education is lacking in so many respects that I won’t even mention the areas I know very little about. Don’t get me wrong: I don’t have a chip on my shoulder, and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, but I just don’t think I’m the right man for you.’

  Natalie felt as though someone had just punched her in the chest. How could Rafferty think that what he’d told her about his childhood would matter to her? Didn’t he know that it was the person he was whom she loved: the brave, dedicated, clever surgeon; the tender, gentle lover. The rest meant absolutely nothing to her, although he obviously thought that it should. And it was the fact that he could misjudge her so badly that hurt most of all, because it hinted at a total lack of understanding about the person she was. If Rafferty didn’t know that she wouldn’t judge him by his background, there was no hope for them!

  She stood up abruptly, too hurt to explain how devastated she felt. She didn’t want to start an argument with him because it wasn’t the right place. Anyway, what could she say when he’d already made up his mind?

  ‘Natalie?’

  Rafferty stood up as well and she could tell from his expression that he’d completely misconstrued her reaction. It was yet another damning indictment of how far apart they really were. If he’d loved her the way she loved him then he would have known without her having to tell him that she didn’t give a damn about his background!

  ‘I’m sorry but I really don’t have time to discuss this,’ she said shortly, opening the door.

  ‘I apologise. Obviously my social skills are even worse than I imagined them to be.’

  She rounded on him in fury at that. ‘Don’t you dare! You are not using that as an excuse. If you want to talk about this further, we’ll do so, but don’t try using your so-called lack of social polish as the reason why I don’t wish to talk about it now!’

  He had the grace to look discomfited but she wasn’t prepared to continue the conversation. She left the cubicle and went to check on Danny, who was looking much better now. Piers was still with him but he excused himself once he knew she was staying because there were other patients waiting to be seen. Natalie made Danny comfortable then glanced round when the door opened and Rafferty appeared.

  ‘There’ll be an ambulance here in about five minutes’ time to collect him,’ he told her shortly, before he turned to the boy. ‘I’ll go with you to the hospital, Danny, and make sure there’s no problems when you’re checked in.’

  Natalie bit her lip. She could tell from his tone that Rafferty was upset. It hurt to know that, yet there was very little she could do. How could he possibly believe that the way he’d been brought up would affect her feelings for him?

  By the time the ambulance arrived, she’d worked herself into a state of righteous indignation and it didn’t help when she discovered that he’d ordered a private ambulance to ferry Danny to the hospital. Had it reached the point whereby he thought that he had to impress her?

  ‘You should have saved your money,’ she hissed, sotto voce, as they accompanied Danny outside.
>
  Rafferty immediately understood what she meant. ‘I didn’t hire it to improve my standing in your eyes, if that’s what you think. It was a straight choice between getting a private ambulance to take Danny to hospital or waiting for an NHS one to ferry him to the suburbs. There’s a major incident on in the city, in case you’ve forgotten.’

  ‘Oh! I see.’ She had forgotten, of course, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of admitting it. She waited in silence while the crew loaded the boy on board.

  Rafferty unlocked his car then turned to look at her and she could see the chill in his eyes. ‘I’ll be staying on at the hospital to help so you can contact me there if you need to.’

  ‘I won’t,’ she snapped.

  ‘Fine. Then I’ll see you on Monday morning, I expect.’

  He got into the car and slammed the door. Natalie watched as he set off after the ambulance, very much aware that she’d handled the situation badly. There’d been no need to snap at him like that but she hadn’t been able to stop herself after those crass remarks he’d made.

  She stormed back into the clinic, almost flattening poor Helen who happened to be standing on the other side of the door when she flung it open. ‘Sorry,’ she muttered, feeling herself flush when she saw the knowing look her friend was giving her.

  ‘So he’s the one, is he?’

  ‘Who’s the one what?’ Natalie replied with scant regard for any of the rules of grammar that she’d been taught at her expensive boarding school.

  ‘The guy who thought he was on a promise the other night when he saw you in that fab dress.’ Helen grinned. ‘I see what you meant then about him spitting tacks. I have to say that his expression was less than sweet when he left just now.’

  ‘It was, wasn’t it?’ Natalie laughed, her bad temper suddenly fizzling out. ‘We had a bit of a disagreement, I’m afraid.’