As soon as Maya got word over the radio that Bess and Noah were coming back with the patient, she prepared the helicopter and from there, they transported the man to the closest major trauma centre. The patient had a blow to the head from his fall off a ladder cleaning out guttering – a job he’d apparently started before the weather turned from the dry morning they’d had earlier, and a job which, according to his wife, he’d refused to stop doing because of a little rain.
Once the patient – who was mostly concerned about his wife and how she’d manage without him, as she was housebound – was handed over to the staff at the hospital, it was back to base. First up was to talk with patient and family liaison nurse Hudson who would be able to alert the appropriate support services and ensure that the patient’s wife was all right, which would in turn allay the patient’s fears. Over time, Hudson and Paige, who both worked part time for the air ambulance, had builtand enhanced relationships with hospitals to provide the much-needed support for patients and their families.
As Maya finished her paperwork, Frank cornered her on her way to the kitchen and asked whether she had any idea what was up with Noah. ‘He’s none too chirpy,’ said Frank, his top lip and moustache clinging onto a bit of froth from his coffee.
Maya pointed it out and he wiped it off with a smile.
‘He has a few things on his mind,’ she said, ‘but he’s okay.’ It wasn’t for her to elaborate.
In the kitchen, she found Noah looking out of the window as he finished a cup of tea. He didn’t turn round so she prompted him with a ‘Hey.’
He came out of his trance. ‘Hey. Good job today, nasty weather for that call.’
Bess came in and grabbed a cold can of Fanta from the fridge.
‘You and Bess are the heroes,’ said Maya, ‘it was a long way for you to have to take the kit, but you got to our patient in good time and Hudson spoke with the hospital; he’ll likely only be in for twenty-four hours and then back to his wife. She’s got help in the meantime.’
‘That’s good,’ said Bess.
Noah rinsed his cup and set it into the dishwasher. ‘He was worrying in the helicopter on the way to the hospital, not about himself, only her.’
‘That’s sweet.’ Bess had a thirsty gulp from her can. ‘And Maya, it’s not just me and Noah, we’re all heroes and don’t you forget it.’ With a smile, she left them to it.
Noah sounded like himself when he called after her, ‘You’ll be my hero if you do the paperwork.’
‘Can’t hear you,’ came Bess’s voice, fading as she walked away.
When it was just the two of them again, Maya couldn’t ignore the conversation they’d had last night. ‘Did you get any sleep?’
‘Some. Eva must’ve known I had things on my mind. She slept through.’
‘Bless her.’
His smile disappeared and he turned to look out of the window again.
‘I’ll leave you to it. Half an hour till end of shift. Bess and Frank are up for a late lunch, or you could call it early dinner, at the pub if you can make it. Eva would be quite welcome in there; they have highchairs.’
‘Appreciate the invite. But I’ve got a few things to do.’
‘Noah…’
He ignored the concern in her voice. ‘Actually, while you’re here, do you know much about how overtime works? Is it best to ask Nadia?’
‘There isn’t usually a lot of overtime unless one of the blue team is out sick. And even then, it’s a stressful job; are you sure that with a baby you could even do more hours without pushing yourself to the limit?’
‘I’ve got to raise some serious cash and fast. I don’t have a choice.’
Maya left him to it and after shift she decided to give the pub a miss.
There was somewhere else she needed to be. And this time, it wasn’t Conrad’s. He still had the cast on his arm but this morning, he’d left a message to say that his dizzy spells had passed, he was steadier on his feet, he was going to go out for a short walk. Maya had almost laughed. He’d been going stir-crazy stuck inside, more like it, so had decided to be honest and admit he was on the road to recovery.
Now it was time to swallow her pride, push aside any of their grievances, and go to see another man in her life. She needed help and she was about to request it from the one person she’d vowed never to ask.
‘I wasn’t expecting you.’ Her dad looked past Maya, who had come in the back way, having parked by the garages. He was most likely looking for Julie because that was usually the only reason for Maya to come here.
‘It’s just me today, Dad.’
‘Oh. Well, would you like a coffee or a tea?’
