The Doctor's Gift Read online

  He could just relax through the rest of the flight until they landed and he had to take off again.

  The end of that thought had a convoluted tail, like a Singapore dragon, and he shied away from it. He didn’t want it to end. Right now, it felt as if his fingers wanted to be with hers for the rest of the night, maybe even for more. A crazy thought but still, he wondered how he could get her hand back.

  * * *

  ‘Dr Green.’ The flight attendant murmured with a hint of urgency and an attempt not to disturb others. She startled them both. Ailee turned. Fergus frowned.

  ‘We have an elderly gentleman in the other cabin. He appears very unwell. Can you come?’

  Ailee unbuckled her seat belt immediately. ‘Of course.’

  Fergus undid his own belt and started to rise but the hostess gestured him back. ‘Please stay seated, sir. I’ll come back if Dr Green is in need of assistance.’

  He subsided but added to Ailee. ‘If you need help, let me know. I’m a surgeon too, but I can help.’

  Ailee, which was how he thought of her now, bestowed another slightly distracted smile and thanked him before she moved off with the flight attendant.

  He pulled up his video screen, stuck twiddling his thumbs, and flicked through the channels until his attention was caught with sick fascination to the flight statistics.

  Wonderful.

  Now he knew they were thirty-seven thousand feet above sea level and travelling at six hundred and fifty miles an hour. If a window blew out they would all freeze because it was minus sixty-five degrees outside.

  Two minutes later the flight attendant was back.

  ‘Dr Green asked if you could assist, Mr McVicker. We wish to move the man into the exit space for privacy.’

  Fergus arrived in time to see the patient, an elderly man in a blue-collared shirt, roll his eyes back, clutch his chest and stop breathing. ‘Cardiac arrest. I thought you might do that,’ he heard Ailee mutter, and Fergus quickly scooped the frail man into the exit space, the flight attendant swished curtain shut behind them, and there was more room and privacy to work.

  He looked at Ailee who had instantly re-positioned the man’s airway as he was put down. Right, then. This was it with a vengeance. Time for a med school refresher.

  He knelt down and loosened the collar around the man’s neck and began cardiac compressions.

  The flight attendant produced a resuscitation bag and oxygen cylinder while Ailee tilted his chin and fitted the mask over the gentleman’s nose and mouth and inflated the man’s lungs twice with rhythmic inflations of the bag.

  Surprisingly, considering how long it had been since he’d involved himself in an acute, non-surgical situation, Fergus remembered earlier days and the basic life support protocols, which was all they had, came back to him.

  The resuscitation continued smoothly, largely because Ailee was so quietly efficient and Fergus understood her minimal instructions perfectly. Fergus counted softly out loud and they synchronised at 30 and one for the next two breaths. There was no response from their patient. ‘What about drugs and defibrillation?’ Fergus asked quietly.

  ‘Coming.’ Ailee watched the man’s chest closely, to ensure his lungs inflated as thirty came around again, and she didn’t move her head as she spoke. ‘They have a defibrillator, and emergency drugs in a sealed kit that can only be opened by a doctor. They’re both on their way.’

  The defibrillator arrived, and the flight attendant took over the lung inflation while Ailee positioned the defibrillator pads and gave instructions when they were to stop. Clear. And start again. After two arching pulses of electric shock through the sticky pads on the man’s chest his cardiac pattern settled into a steady if weak rhythm and Ailee broke open the drug box.

  A few minutes later they both sat back and watched the man as his breathing settled and his colour improved.

  ‘Well done, Doctor.’ Fergus spoke quietly. Ailee looked up and she gave him such a crooked grin he wanted to kiss her.

  ‘Bet that made you forget you were flying.’

  ‘I’d already forgotten.’ Their eyes met and Ailee blushed. Oh yes. She looked gorgeous when she did that.

  ‘How long until landing?’ Fergus looked up at the senior steward.

  ‘The captain said we’ll be on the ground in fifteen minutes. We’ve diverted to Paris and an ambulance will meet us.’

  * * *

  An hour later, when the plane took off again for Singapore, Fergus barely noticed the ascent because of the woman next to him. He wished he was as fresh and bright as Ailee and not an emotional husk. Knew he couldn’t get involved with this woman because it wasn’t fair on her. There wasn’t enough depth left in him to offer any woman. Yet he was touched as he watched her face while she talked about the distressed wife of the older gentleman, how she wished someone could have stayed with her in the strange country while her husband was so sick. A normal man would know how to comfort Ailee’s distress without feeling awkward.

  Ailee Green could brighten any life, so wonderful and genuine, and she deserved the best. Which wasn’t him by a long shot. Besides, he doubted he could trust fate enough to love another woman again, or expose himself to that type of loss for a second time.

  And his daughter deserved any reserves of attention he had left.

  Trouble being, Ailee was captivating. And engaging as if he interested her. She waved her long fingers in the air as she kept the conversation rolling. ‘I always wondered if defibrillation would cause the cabin lights to flicker.’

  Fergus thought about that. ‘Obviously not. That probably means the navigation equipment is still working, too.’

  She watched him with sudden intensity and raised her brows, ‘I told you flying was safe.’ But she was smiling.

  Neither of them felt like sitting quietly now. She’d travelled widely and had anecdotes from almost every continent, and she followed his lead and never once mentioned her role in medicine.

  Fergus was careful to keep the topics general, protecting them both from silliness. Had told himself if he didn’t know where she practised, he wouldn’t search for her. But, but he still found out that she lived with her younger brother and mother in a huge rambling house near Coogee beach, drove a thirty-year-old Mercedes that used to belong to her father, and loved heavy metal rock as well as vintage country music.

  Dinner came and went and they discussed how both had a parent who’d emigrated from Scotland, discussed cosmopolitan London and the sheer age of the Roman ruins in the Tower Of London, which surprisingly they’d both visited on this trip, though hers had been a working holiday in Scotland most of the time.

  Other times they kept their own thoughts and he found her incredibly restful in the silences.

  * * *

  Eventually the cabin lights dimmed and everyone settled to rest for the few hours before breakfast, but despite the comfort of his sleeping pod Fergus found he couldn’t sleep. Ailee stirred emotions that had lain dormant since Stella had died. He wouldn’t cope if he fell in love with another woman. Nor would his daughter. He knew that. Couldn’t risk the already difficult relationship they had. But he wished.

  He could feel his world rocking, like stormy weather, worse than turbulence in flight, and he needed to be careful. But at least he was feeling something. It had been so long since he’d actually suffered emotion since Stella died. It would be so easy and so dangerous to fall for this woman. To ask to spend more time with her — even just in Singapore.

  A moment in time, just twenty-four hours of a dream, time out from the real world with Ailee, and to recharge his faith in the good times that were out there, as long as they both obeyed the rules.

  His mouth compressed. As long as he obeyed the rules! Except - who knew the rules?

  * * *

  The plane flew on and breakfast arrived as the blinds were raised. A pale sunrise pinked the sky outside the windows and a few minutes later Ailee began to stir beside him.

  ‘Good morning.
’ He wanted to add, sleepyhead, but that was too familiar for strangers. But he smiled at her tousled hair and sleep creased cheek. This was how she looked in the mornings — good enough to eat.

  The thought stoked the fire in his belly that had simmered all night and he had to look away because if he didn’t he’d lean over and kiss her properly awake. And that would get him locked up and taken off the plane by police when they landed.

  When she’d had time to wake properly and had her first cup of tea, he asked the question he’d deliberated on all night. ‘If I secure a reservation today, will you share high tea at Raffles with me?’

  Her eyes widened, and pink dusted the high cheek bones of her face. He forced himself not to hold his breath.

  She hesitated. ‘I doubt you’d get one before we fly on to Sydney.’

  He shrugged. ‘Let me see what I can do while you at least think about it. Which hotel are you staying at?’ He opened his laptop and logged on.

  He thought he detected some reluctance in divulging the information and reminded himself that she had every right to be wary of him. ‘The Singapore Dragon,’ she supplied.

  Delight warmed him at her answer. As he was. There was that Karmic tail again. ‘Serendipity.’ He smiled at this good luck and though she didn’t meet his eyes she smiled too.

  ‘What a coincidence.’

  ‘I’ll let you know when they get back to me, then.’

  Chapter 4

  Ailee

  * * *

  What was she doing?

  Ailee argued with herself as she dragged her overnight case past the empty luggage carousel where crowds waited for their bags to appear. She’d learnt long ago it was better to pack a few interchangeable clothes and avoid the whole extra luggage hassle.

  Fergus McVicker just wanted a fling.

  She’d been trained long ago not to talk to strangers – especially heart-tugging scared-of-flying ones – but apart from the medical emergency, it had been fun.

  Customs cleared quickly and she spotted her name on the hire-car driver’s board as she went through the automatic doors. ‘Dr Green?’

  ‘That’s right.’ She handed over her case and followed the shorter man out to his Lexus. The Singapore heat hit like an oven door open and she revelled in it after the cold of Britain. She should be resting and writing up her review of her Scottish secondment for the hospital board while she was here, not gallivanting around with the hunky Mr McVicker. Despite ringing her possible soulmate bells, he also had bad timing signs written all over him.

  Ailee barely saw the glorious red and purple bougainvillea lining the road from airport to the city. During their conversations she’d become glaringly aware that Fergus had avoided any mention of Sydney, their work, or meeting up when they got home. That at least was a good thing for the next three months.

  But now there was this afternoon tea thing.

  At Raffles.

  Something she’d always wanted to do.

  If she agreed to meet him today, well, afternoon tea could lead to drinks, and drinks to dinner, and dinner to goodness knew what!

  She needed to highlight his lack of interest in their mutual vocation and accept he was ensuring there was no ‘ever after’ planned for the two of them... just a Singapore fling. She shouldn’t want that. Did she?

  Trouble was, she was way out of her depth. As an old-fashioned girl, she didn’t do flings. Even Singapore ones.

  Despite this, Ailee couldn’t believe how tempted she was.

  They’d connected, she guessed. Yes, Fergus had bedroom eyes, but they were kind eyes with understanding, and recognition, so beautiful it was downright hard to look away from him. Add the play of muscles from well-defined arms, powerful yet elegant hands, and strength and agility in a body to sigh over. Well, all of him was hard to look away from. Even in the midst of the crisis on the plane, a part of her had been impressed when he’d carried that man to the galley as if he were as light as a doll, and then deferred easily to her more current expertise.

  The flight phobia he’d admitted to only made him more intriguing because it called to the nurturing part of her that she’d only had the opportunity to practise on her patients or her brother. She felt for him in his distress.

  What was it that activated a subliminal connection between them? Whatever it was she was sure he felt it, too. She couldn’t remember when she’d last worked in an emergency as easily as she had with Fergus during the resuscitation of that poor man on the flight.

  And later, they’d talked. About everything not personal, and she still didn’t know how he had so adroitly skirted sharing such information. He’d prompted her on places she’d visited – places he’d never been to – and she’d only half-explain then see he understood what she’d described perfectly. She could visualise as clearly when he described something. As if he sent the picture to her mind so clearly.

  Other times during the flight they’d sat in silence and felt no need to fill the gaps. She’d never had that with a man. Was it all just a ships-in-the-night attraction that she’d regret following or not following?

  She shivered and the driver caught her eye in the mirror.

  ‘Air-conditioner too cold, Doctor?’

  Ailee felt the warmth in her cheeks. Damn. Just thinking about Fergus had her blushing, and cursing, more than she had since her teens. ‘No, thank you. I’m fine.’

  She stared out the window at building construction as they came closer to the city.

  So? What was she going to do?

  The sensible thing would be to tell Fergus she had a review to write and stay safe in her room. That a future with this man was not a high percentage. The downside being she could miss out on an incredible day in her study-filled life.

  But what if this was her one time to cross this man’s path? What if this was the real thing and she’d been too timid to risk exploring the possibility? Then he would disappear when they landed at Sydney Airport and she would then spend the rest of her life searching for someone to match him?

  Damn.

  Again.

  If he was her perfect match, his timing was atrocious.

  The next three months weren’t going to be much fun for her, although she didn’t for one second regret her coming operation. She just wished she’d met Fergus at a different time in her life.

  * * *

  Check-in at the hotel passed in a blur of passports, credit cards and declining help with her luggage, while she wrestled with her social dilemma. Clarity came as the plastic key was encased in its embossed cardboard folder.

  ‘Enjoy your stay, Dr Green.’

  She needed to be sensible. ‘Can I leave a message for another guest, please?’

  * * *

  Ten minutes later the force of the water on her shoulders felt wonderful after the gentle spray of the showers she’d experienced in Britain, and she forced herself to slow breaths and deep sighs.

  This was more sensible.

  She’d decided not to meet Fergus. Would finish her report then go for a walk. Excellent. She flipped open her case and pulled out her computer, found the page. Glanced at the clock digits as they changed. Tried not to watch the morning traffic increase outside her window.

  She wanted to be out there.

  Walking off the agitation.

  Not thinking about Fergus.

  The doorbell rang and she quietened the flutter of nerves the sound ignited. ‘This is too good a hotel to give him my room number,’ she said out loud to calm the thudding in her chest as she moved towards the door.

  The bellboy held up an exquisite basket of delicate Singapore orchids. A note nestled among the perfect blooms.

  ‘Dr Green?’ the boy checked.

  ‘Yes, that’s me.’ She took the basket from him and sighed. She resisted the urge to tip, having read hotels in Singapore discouraged tipping. ‘Thank you.’

  The boy beamed and turned away.

  Ailee closed the door and carried the basket across to the tab
le under the window.

  * * *

  ‘Thank you for your hand and your delightful company on the flight from London. My room number is 2001. High tea is at three, I’ll be there anyway. F.’

  * * *

  This hotel stood only twenty stories high, which meant he was at the top. Typical. He’d been in Business Class after all. The flowers nodded, regal and perfectly beautiful, as she adjusted their position on the desk. It was only ten o’clock in the morning.

  Ailee dialled his room number and he picked it up on the first ring. ‘The flowers are lovely, thank you.’

  ‘I’m glad you like them. I wasn’t trying to change your mind.’

  ‘Sure you were,’ she drawled, and she heard him chuckle. ‘Lucky for you I need to get out. Would you like me to show you Singapore this morning and I’ll think about afternoon tea?’

  ‘Yes, please.’

  She smiled into the phone at his simple answer.

  * * *

  When she met him downstairs she felt the warmth of his appraisal, and the pitter-patter of her heart said she appreciated him too. Okay. She was glad she’d agreed to come.

  Heads turned as they walked across the foyer, a very tall woman and an even taller, commanding man, and Ailee felt a little like a groupie accompanying a rock star. He held her arm, gently but firmly, and the skin under his fingers tingled as he showed her to the limousine he’d hired.

  He ushered her into the vehicle and as he climbed in after her, she inhaled his freshly showered scent and the divine masculine aftershave as she did up her seat belt. What was she doing?

  Foreign country. Unknown man. Driving away with him.

  But he was a surgeon like her. Had a reputation to safeguard, as did she.

  They rode across to Sentosa on the skyway and she noticed the slightest of hesitations, only because she’s become so keenly attuned to his body language.