The Doctor's Engagement

‘I’ll just take a look. How did it happen? Did the dog have an owner?’

Alison sighed. ‘Yes, it belongs to Mrs Ellis, the librarian. It was Helen’s fault really. I’ve warned her not to touch dogs she doesn’t know, but she will go up to them and make a fuss—you know children.’

‘I do indeed,’ Holly agreed sympathetically. ‘Don’t tell me—this wasn’t a cuddly type of dog.’

‘Not at all,’ Alison shuddered. ‘It was tied up outside the supermarket and Helen was over there and patting it before I could stop her. To be honest, I didn’t think about stopping to have words with Mrs Ellis after it happened. I just sprinted over here in a panic.’

Holly dropped the bloodstained bandage in the bin and examined Helen’s arm carefully.

‘Actually, it isn’t very deep at all,’ she said finally, walking across the room and rummaging through the cupboards until she found a dressing pack. ‘The biggest risk from animal bites is infection, so what we need to do is clean it really carefully and then give Helen some antibiotics. How old is she?’

‘She’s five,’ came the reply and Holly nodded as she ripped open the dressing pack.

‘And is she fully immunised? Did she have all her childhood jabs?’

‘Oh, yes.’ Alison nodded vigorously. ‘I really believe in immunisations. She had everything going.’

‘Good. Then she won’t need a tetanus injection. Helen, I’m just going to clean your arm. It might sting a little bit. Fancy you liking helicopters. Do you know that in one of the hospitals I worked at, we had our own helicopter?’ Holly chatted away as she cleaned the wound, knowing that thorough cleaning was as important in the prevention of infection as the antibiotics.

‘A hospital had a helicopter?’ As she’d planned, the little girl was so interested in her story that she virtually ignored the pain in her arm.

‘That’s right. I worked in London, and as it’s such a big place with lots of traffic, they have a helicopter to go and collect people who need to see the doctor in a hurry.’ Satisfied that the wound was as clean as it was going to get, Holly inspected the edges, deciding that it was better left to heal on its own without sutures. ‘I’m not going t

o stitch this, Alison, because it would be distressing for Helen and, to be honest, after a bite like this it’s better, if possible, to leave the wound open so that any infection can drain away.’

‘I know this sounds like a stupid question...’ Alison blushed and pulled a face ‘...but there’s no risk of rabies, is there?’

‘No.’ Holly shook her head. ‘Rabies isn’t endemic in this country. We’d only consider taking preventative measures against rabies if she was bitten abroad or if the dog was imported. But seeing as you know the owner—’

‘Yes, I do.’ Alison’s mouth tightened. ‘And I’ll be having words with her, believe me. Helen was wrong to have touched it, but Mrs Ellis shouldn’t be leaving an animal like that in a place where children are tempted to touch him.’

Holly taped a sterile dressing in place and helped the little girl put her T-shirt back on.

‘Did you go on the helicopter?’ Helen’s eyes were like saucers and Holly smiled at her.

‘Not usually. I worked in the accident and emergency department, so we used to take care of the people after the helicopter had given them a lift. But I did go out on it a few times.’

‘Wow!’ The little girl hardly noticed as Holly carefully dressed the bite. ‘Was it very high up?’

‘Oh, very!’ Holly’s green eyes twinkled as she secured the dressing firmly. ‘The people looked like dots and I could see into everyone’s gardens. Now then, I’ll just check your notes on the computer. What’s your address, Alison, and who’s your GP?’

‘We’re with Dr Logan.’ Suddenly Alison’s eyes brightened mischievously. ‘And he’s so gorgeous it takes your breath away! But perhaps you haven’t met him yet, have you?’

Holly gave a wry smile. ‘Actually, I have. I’ve been acquainted with Dr Logan’s fatal charm since I was two years old. We were at school together and we trained at the same hospital so our paths are always crossing.’

And now they were engaged, albeit fictitiously.

‘Well, all the women in Cornwall are totally besotted with him,’ Alison told her with a laugh. ‘He’s lovely with the patients. Never makes you feel small and always acts as though he’s got plenty of time.’

Holly smiled. ‘He’s certainly a good doctor.’ She tapped away at the keyboard with sure fingers until she brought the right information up onto the screen. ‘Oh, here we are. Tell me—’ she kept her voice casual ‘—do you normally have to wait a long time to see him?’

She wanted to find out whether Caroline’s comment was typical of the time it took to get an appointment with Mark.

‘Well, that depends on the receptionist.’ Alison gave a wry smile. ‘Caroline works on the principle that if she makes you wait long enough you’ll either be dead or better by the time your appointment comes round. The others are really nice and if it’s an emergency they always seem to manage to squeeze you in.’

‘That’s good to hear,’ Holly said lightly, checking in the records that Helen had no recorded allergies or any other relevant medical history. ‘Is she allergic to any drugs, Alison?’

‘No.’ Alison shook her head. ‘Nothing.’