Family for the Children's Doc

Ron’s eyebrows lifted so high they practically merged into his hairline and this time he gave her a half-smile. ‘Seriously?’

She let out a nervous laugh. Ron pushed another doughnut towards her and she shook her head. ‘No way. I can’t afford to buy a new wardrobe of clothes. I need to get my bearings and find a gym nearby.’

Ron put his hand on his chest. ‘And this is why you have me. There’s a gym in the hospital, free for staff, though it’s used for patients during the day. But there’s also a fancy gym in your apartment block, and a swimming pool. Didn’t Georgie tell you?’

Something clicked in her brain. ‘Oh, it might have been on the house swap details. But, to be honest, once I saw the view from her flat I stopped reading.’ She tapped her fingers on the desk. ‘I’d like to say that I wish I had an ancient rich aunt but, honestly, I didn’t love the place last night.’

‘Really? Why not?’

‘Noise,’ she said simply and then shrugged her shoulders. ‘I live in a cottage in the middle of nowhere. The only noise I ever hear is a hooting owl or the baaing from the sheep in the next-door field. London? Well, that’s a bit different. And it’s warmer down here. At least it feels that way to me, so last night I left the door open on the balcony to let some cool air in.’

Ron let out a laugh. ‘And instead you got the fun and pleasure of Canary Wharf and the docks?’

She sighed and pushed her glasses up on her head and rubbed her eyes. ‘Something like that.’ She stretched her back. ‘Maybe it was just the bed, or the unfamiliar creaks. But, whatever it was, I felt like I hardly slept a wink.’ She leaned on the desk. ‘And, between you and me, a no sleep Clara is a cranky Clara.’

‘I’ll file that as a warning,’ said Ron and pulled a large envelope from the drawer next to him. ‘Here, take your things upstairs to HR. At least then you’ll know you’re getting paid at the end of the month.’

She slid her paperwork into the envelope and stood up, catching a glimpse of Joshua again. He was talking with another doctor at the end of a patient’s bed. Her stomach flipped. Was it odd that the boss hadn’t taken her on his ward round to get them used to working together? It had kind of been the norm wherever else she’d worked. First ward rounds were generally a mine of information on a colleague’s work style. As she watched him talk seriously with someone else she wondered if she should be offended.

Every ounce of her felt uncomfortable. Maybe he doubted her competencies since he hadn’t had the chance to select her himself? She’d never had her competence questioned before; she prided herself on being a good doctor.

But he’d mentioned team stuff too. Had the debacle last night meant he’d already judged her, and she’d failed? Did he think her personality wouldn’t fit with his team? What on earth did that say about her? Was she awkward? Unlikeable?

So much uncertainty. And so not what she needed right now. Nothing like making her confidence slip all the way down to her boots. Or, in today’s world, her comfortable shoes.

She looked down and wriggled her toes in the American shoes her friend had introduced her to. She now had them in six colours. Nothing else would do for long days on her feet, and in a job where she could literally walk for miles.

She took a deep breath. The first nurse she’d met, Luan, had seemed really nice. And Ron was obviously the font of all knowledge here. They didn’t make her feel as if she didn’t fit in.

She stared at the names on the list in front of her. Would all these people like her too? Maybe her directness would be her downfall. She’d never had to adjust her personality type to a job before, but there was always a first time.

She looked up again, just as Joshua looked up from his end of the ward. His forehead creased and she turned away quickly before he scowled at her again.

Ron caught her reaction. ‘Best not to say anything,’ he reminded her. ‘It’s been a few years, but I doubt he wants old wounds reopened. It’s not exactly a good first conversation to have with your boss.’

She swallowed and nodded, painting a smile on her face. ‘Yes, of course. You’re right.’ The envelope crinkled in her hand. ‘I’ll take this up to HR then start trying to meet some of the people on this list.’

Ron nodded as the phone started ringing. She walked away as he picked it up.

Although she’d been tired this morning, she’d still been enthusiastic about starting a new job. But in the last two hours all that enthusiasm had slowly drained from her body. Maybe this had all been a big mistake.

As she walked along the glass front corridor she stared out at the London skyline.

Why on earth had she wanted to leave home?

CHAPTER THREE

CLARA HAD KEPT her chin up. First, she’d learned to sleep with the balcony door closed. Second, she’d spent hours at the hospital meeting, and hopefully charming, everyone on the list Joshua had given her. There had been no problems. She’d practically memorised Dr Morran’s protocols. She’d familiarised herself so completely with the staff of Hans Greiger’s ICU that she knew what they all took in their coffee. But it was worth it. Even though she was officially supernumerary, she was still allowed to work and assist if appropriate. It meant that Hans had been around when she’d intubated a small baby and put in a central line. Two tricky procedures, particularly on a small child. She knew he was observing her—he probably did that with any new doctor at her level, but she’d felt her heart swell in her chest when he’d not only complimented her on her skills, but also how she’d dealt with the family.

Thirdly, she’d also managed to spend a bit of time in day surgery, and she’d met the physios, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and dieticians who were all assigned to paediatrics. The only thing that had appeared tricky was the electronic systems. Occasionally she’d found herself logged out, irritating when she was in the middle of ordering tests or chasing results. She’d called the IT help number and asked them to get back to her. It wasn’t a problem she could solve on her own.

By the end of the first week she was

exhausted, but also slightly relieved. Her time felt well spent. She’d only caught an occasional glimpse of Joshua at work, and none at all at home. The only downside of the week had been the complete obliteration of the ‘chocolate drawer’ at home—but at least she’d found the gym. It had good equipment, excellent views and she’d only seen one other person in there. Perfect. Sweaty and breathless wasn’t her idea of socialising.

Today was her first official staff meeting—something that Joshua did on a daily basis. She was interested to see how it went.

Ron nodded her into the kitchen when she arrived. ‘Get coffee. Kettle is boiled.’

She glanced at her watch. The staff meeting started at seven-thirty and it was only seven o’clock. He gave a gentle shake of his head. ‘They’re all already in there.’

She gulped. ‘Did I get the time wrong?’

‘No. It’s just how they are.’

Her feet were itching to race into the room. Her cheeks already felt warm with embarrassment at being the last to get there. But she took a breath and headed into the kitchen, filling her cup with coffee and a splash of milk. The meeting was due to start at seven-thirty. She wasn’t late—and she wasn’t going to act as if she was.

She pulled her shoulders back as she walked the few steps over to the meeting room. Her hand wavered, wondering if she should knock, but then she tilted her chin upwards and opened the door, keeping her back straight as she glided into the room with a smile on her face.

Joshua was midway through talking. He stopped and glanced over at her, irritation evident. ‘Oh, good, you’re here. Sit down and we’ll continue.’

‘Continue?’ Clara glanced at her watch. ‘I didn’t think we were due to start for another...twenty-seven minutes. Did you forget to tell me about the time change of the meeting?’