The nurse swiftly supplied all the necessary implements and the doctor was soon injecting him with something to dull the pain. A few minutes later she was very strategically sewing the sliced skin back together. Jack observed the concentration in her face. Once finished she looked up at him with another smile.
‘There, all done.’
Jack looked down at the neat, tiny row of stitches.
‘Thanks.’
‘There’ll be a scar, but it’ll fade in time,’ she told him.
‘Thanks,’ he said again, unable to take his eyes off her, making no attempt to move.
‘Try and keep it as clean as possible,’ she instructed. At this Jack laughed.
‘That could prove tricky, given my trade,’ he said dryly.
‘What’s that?’
‘I’m a builder. We – that’s my business partner and I – are renovating the warehouse on the quay.’
‘Oh, yes, I noticed that had sold,’ nodded the doctor.
Having exchanged enough pleasantries, Jack knew it was time to go. No doubt this doctor would be needed for another impending emergency. Would it be inappropriate to ask her out? He noticed she didn’t wear a wedding ring. Then as if answering his question her pager bleeped into life and she had to leave rapidly, but not before he clocked her name badge, ‘Dr O’Hara’. Jack narrowed his eyes in contemplation. Well, he knew where to find her, didn’t he?
Robin had rushed back on site to clear all the broken glass away and lock up. It was no good attempting to do anything by himself. By the time he’d finished his mobile rang.
‘Hi, it’s me. I’m all stitched up,’ said Jack.
‘OK, I’ll come and fetch you.’
On the drive home they discussed the future of the renovation.
‘I’ll ring round tonight, try and get some immediate help,’ Jack said assertively. Now that he was restricted with his cut hand, time was of the essence.
‘Yeah, we need long-term help. If anyone can start, let’s keep them on.’ Robin looked at Jack’s hand. ‘You could do to rest that. The last thing you need is it getting infected.’
‘The doctor said to keep it clean,’ replied Jack.
‘Did he say anything else?’ asked Robin.
‘She,’ corrected Jack.
‘Sorry, didshesay anything else?’
‘No…’ he paused, then decided not to continue.
‘What?’ said Robin, sensing something was afoot.
‘There was definitely an attraction, Rob.’
‘What?’ chuckled Robin, thinking how typical it was of Jack to come up with something like that, even in such circumstances.
‘I felt a real… connection.’ Jack looked wistfully into space, making Robin burst into laughter. He smothered it quickly at seeing Jack’s look of indignance.
‘And… er… did this doctor feel it too?’ asked Robin, trying valiantly to keep a straight face.
‘Dunno,’ shrugged Jack, then added with a sly grin, ‘but I know where she works.’
‘Ah, I get it. But don’t go having another accident mate,’ warned Robin.
