Eddie, Steph and Jason discussed whether to stay at the hospital or go to work and finally decided that as her brothers didn’t have the flexibility in their roles as she did, she would remain in the hospital waiting area.
“I don’t like to think of nobody being here,” Steph told Jon, although she knew she didn’t need to explain her reasoning for remaining behind. “But I could come into the office with you and grab my laptop and work from here.”
“You don’t need to work today.” Jon released a sigh, knowing if the situation was reversed, he would need something to occupy his mind.
“No, but I think I will go crazy if I stay outside waiting on my own all day with nothing to do.”
Her reply caused his lips to curl at yet another similarity. “I could come back after my morning meetings if you want.”
“No, I’ll be fine, but I would rather have something to do.”
“Okay, darling, if that’s what you want, but I can have your laptop couriered over here if you’d rather.” Jon stroked her hair as if he was petting her like some treasured lap dog.
“Thank you.” Suddenly she became aware of everyone around them, looking at her and Jon and felt slightly embarrassed.
“I just have one thing to clarify,” started Mr Wright. “Next of kin?”
“Us,” said Eddie and then expanded on the details. “Our father is a widower and although he does have a girlfriend, Janice Porter, she does not co-habit with him on a full time basis and they have no legal tie, so in the absence of him nominating her to act as his next of kin, that would be us, his children and we are all on good terms and in contact.”
“That’s good to know, so as it will be Miss Pryor here today she will act on your father’s behalf and in the event of any consent being needed it would be her I would talk to?” asked the consultant.
“Yes,” said Jason and Eddie in stereo.
“Right then, I should get on and let you do the same.” The senior doctor turned to Jon. “I had a chat with your father about some combined efforts and he told me to call Lucy but I appear to have lost her number, so could you ask the beautiful lady to give me a call?”
“Yeah, sure. I’ll ring her when I get to the office,” agreed Jon and wished Angus had waited until they were alone to ask that particular question when he looked at Steph’s sad and embarrassed face and finally her back as she left followed by Jason and Eddie.
Jon glared as Chris appeared to be about to follow them so called to him, “Dr Patterson, a word of warning; I realise that you dated my girlfriend during your uni days, but they are over and in the event that you continue to make eyes at her and to touch her, I will not hesitate in asking Angus to remove you from Roger’s care as you would have a clear conflict of interest. Oh, and her brother wasn’t entirely right when he suggested that I would put one on you because I was actually considering laying you out cold. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes,” Chris replied petulantly under Angus’ gaze.
“I do hope so,” said Jon as he shook Angus’ hand. “I will call Lucy as soon as I can and I’ll see you later.”
“What the fuck are you playing at?” asked Angus angrily as Jon left the office.
Jon paused for a second on the other side of the door to ensure Angus was as firm with his junior as he’d hoped.
“Nothing, we’re old friends,” replied Chris.
“No, Chris. She is a young, beautiful and very sexy young lady that you apparently dated in the past, but she is no longer yours. She belongs to possibly the singularly richest businessman in the country, certainly the richest person that actively supports work and research into our field and the charities that underpin it all. So I am telling you now, Jonathan Brooker laying you out cold and having you moved off Mr Pryor’s case is the very least of your worries here. If you so much as look at Miss Pryor with any more interest than you would one of her brothers I will kick your arse out of here and bury you in filing until you retire, do I makemyselfclear?” he asked recycling Jon’s earlier question.
“Crystal,” was Chris’ only response.
“I do hope so!” said Angus and as it became clear that the conversation was over, Jon hurried off the ward happy with what he’d heard to find Steph sitting alone in the waiting area.
Eleven
Steph was checking her emails when the lunch trolley left the ward and as she replied to a text message from Jon assuring him that she was fine and that she was managing on her own, Mr Wright appeared before her.
“Miss Pryor,” he started making her jump and panic slightly at the prospect of something being wrong but relaxed slightly as he smiled at her. “It would appear that your father would like to see you.”
“See me? You mean he’s . . .” she said and suddenly felt unable to continue for fear that she would just cry with relief if nothing else.
“He’s conscious and is asking to see you, oh, and he is complaining that he has missed lunch,” laughed the consultant.
“Oh thank goodness!” she cried as she got to her feet and hugged him tightly. “Thank you,” she shrieked as she released him suddenly.
“Shall we?” asked Angus Wright smiling kindly at her obvious relief and could see in an instant as the grin she wore illuminated her face and caused her eyes to twinkle like rare gems why his registrar was still taken with this girl and why Jonathan Brooker was completely hooked.
