‘I’m sorry. Would you mind repeating that?’
‘Is anything wrong? You seem a little…I don’t know…preoccupied, distracted.’ Now he was looking at her as if she couldn’t handle the job. Well, she knew she could and she was determined to show him just how well she could do it.
‘No. Let’s get things sorted.’ When she didn’t elaborate any further, Eddie repeated his initial question, which she answered knowledgeably and without vacillation.
‘Right, then. The next thing that requires your immediate attention is the new research grant. It’s due in on Thursday so there are only a few more days to finalise all matters.’
‘Who’s the supervisor on the project?’
‘You.’
‘Me? I’ve inherited a research project already?’
Eddie smiled again and once more Jennifer couldn’t believe how it changed his face. Where his initial smile had been polite and welcoming, even mildly humourous, this one made his eyes sparkle, his white, straight teeth bright and inviting. Laughter lines creased at the corners of his eyes and to top off the effect, he pushed a stray lock of hair back from his forehead and shrugged his firm, broad shoulders. ‘Nothing says “Welcome to the department” like inheriting a research project.’
Jennifer couldn’t help but return his smile. It was so very rare that she took an instant liking to people but Dr Edwards was proving himself to be one of them. ‘I guess you’re right. Who’s the assistant supervisor?’
‘I am. As you can see, most of the details are in place. I’ve had Martha schedule some time for you to come across to the laboratory tomorrow afternoon so we can go over things together. That way you won’t be making your decision based only on the theory and hard-copy explanations.’
‘Good. Thanks for organising that.’ She put the research papers in a pile. ‘I’ll read this tonight.’
They continued working and half an hour later, when Martha knocked on the door to say the eight-thirty ward round would start in five minutes, Jennifer looked at the large pile of papers she would be working her way through that night.
Eddie pointed to the pile. ‘I’m so glad that’s yours and not mine any more.’
‘You don’t like administration work?’
‘Not my favourite thing to be doing of an evening.’
‘Cuts into your social life?’ She’d said the comment in an offhanded manner and when he didn’t answer immediately, she looked up, surprised to find him almost frowning at her. It was on the tip of her tongue to apologise but he merely shrugged, the frown instantly disappearing.
‘Something like that.’
‘Dr Edwards. If you don’t mind me asking, why didn’t you simply take on the position of head of unit yourself? Surely it wasn’t because of the amount of paperwork because, from what I’ve seen during the past half an hour, you’re a man who knows what he’s doing, knows how to run a department and is obviously very comfortable working here. I guess I’m at a loss as to why they didn’t simply promote you rather than sourcing from outside the hospital.’
‘Worried you think you’re stepping on my toes?’ His good humour was back and she wondered whether she’d imagined that little frown that had previously pierced his brow.
‘A little bit. I don’t like stepping on other people’s toes.’
‘Don’t be concerned on my account.’ Eddie put his big manly hand onto his chest. ‘I promise you, I didn’t want the job so you don’t have to be worried about other staff members thinking you’ve come along and stepped on my toes—er…so to speak.’ There was that smile again, the one that brightened his eyes and made Jennifer feel all funny inside. She blinked once, clearing her mind and doing her best to ignore the sensation.
‘That’s a relief.’
‘Because of what happened at your last hospital?’
‘What?’
‘In Victoria, right? You were at the Royal Melbourne, correct?’
‘Yes.’
‘You were brought in as deputy head, promoted above someone who had worked in the hospital for years, who’d acted in that position and who’d lost out to you.’
Jennifer was taken aback at that. ‘How on earth do you know about that?’
‘Ah.’ He touched the side of his nose. ‘I have my sources.’
‘Really?’ Jennifer leaned back in her chair and couldn’t help but cross her arms over her chest in self-defence. ‘What else did your sources tell you?’
Eddie’s lips twitched for a moment and he met her gaze. ‘That you were the ice princess. That you were crisp and cool to everyone you met whether they were your superior or not. That you have an exceedingly high opinion of yourself and that you’ll stop at next to nothing to ensure all jobs and staff perform at nothing short of an exceptional level.’