The Doctor's Engagement

‘Let’s get a line in,’ Mark grated, ‘and I want to pass a nasogastric tube and get some of the water out of his stomach.’

‘Do we need to check his core temperature?’ The paramedic ripped open a venflon and Holly held the man’s arm while Mark searched for a vein.

‘Don’t waste your time. I’ve felt him and I can tell you that he’s hypothermic. His skin feels like marble.’ Mark frowned down at the man’s veins. ‘Damn it, I can’t see a vein. Try the other arm, Holl—quickly!’

Holly lifted the other arm and squeezed, searching for a vein, and then Mark gave a grunt of satisfaction.

‘Bingo!’ He jerked his head towards her. ‘Can you squeeze? I don’t want to lose it.’

She locked her fingers round the man’s arm and watched while Mark flicked the vein, his handsome face still glistening with sea water.

Brushing water out of his eyes with one strong forearm, Mark took the venflon and paused for a fraction of a second, his face a mask of concentration as he felt for the vein again. Then he gritted his teeth and inserted the venflon with a sure movement.

‘OK, I’m in.’

There was a palpable sigh of relief from the paramedics. ‘What do you need, Doc?’

‘Plasma expander,’ Mark said quickly. ‘I need to try and combat the hypotension.’

Within minutes the intravenous infusion was running and Mark judged that it was time to evacuate the patient.

‘We need to keep him horizontal,’ he instructed, and as he dried himself with a towel, he huddled with the police and paramedics to try and work out the best way.

By the time they finally slid the stretcher into the waiting helicopter, Holly found herself shaking with reaction.

‘Are you OK?’ Mark hesitated as he pulled his top back on before climbing into the helicopter after his patient. ‘Can you find your way home?’

‘Of course.’ She gave him a smile and a little push. ‘You go. I’ll see you later.’

They stood well back while the helicopter took off, carefully transporting the casualty to the nearest hospital.

The police were talking to the coastguard who agreed to talk to the rest of the boys on the boats.

‘We’ll need some sort of statement from you,’ the policeman said, walking across to Holly. ‘Looks like Dr Logan saved the day.’

‘He was a hero,’ one of the men said gruffly, and his wife nodded.

‘Lucky for them he was passing and that he’s so fit. Not many people would have made it through that water and managed to rescue that lad.’

Holly managed a stiff smile and the policeman frowned.

‘You look a bit shocked, love. Why don’t you come with us and we’ll get you a hot drink?’

Holly shook her head. ‘No, honestly. I’ll be fine. It’s only a short walk home for me.’

‘Well, then, I’ll walk with you,’ the policeman said firmly, and she found herself surprisingly relieved to have his company. It stopped her thinking about what would have happened if she’d lost Mark.

* * *

It was dark by the time Mark returned, the sound of his key in the lock breaking the silence in the house.

‘Holly?’

There was a clatter as he dropped his keys on the table and walked into the darkened living room.

‘Holl?’ His voice was sharp with concern and he flicked on the lights. ‘Why are you in the dark? What’s going on? Are you all right?’

‘I’m fine,’ she lied, tucking her legs further underneath herself on the sofa.