Page 76 of Doc Rock
Ford shifted on the spot, not sure how much to say. He doubted the officerknewanyone who would make his presence public knowledge, but he alsoknewhow small towns worked, and the gossip networks were often extensive.
“I’m having a break here after the tour.”Ford smiled blandly.
“Ahh. That’s how you ended up meeting one of our doctors!”Robbie waggled his eyebrows, and Ford cursed internally, thinking fast.
“She’s actually a childhood friend. We were catching up.”
“With all that makeup, for a moment I thoughtit wasthe long-lost Sie.”Robbie laughed.
Ford kept the smile plastered on his face, and fell back on his years of talking to the media and gave a non-answer that, when analysed later, didn’t contain any lies, even though he'd deflected the question.
“Like I say. Old childhood friend.”
Once the press release came out with the photos of Sie, maybe the young officer would put things together, and maybe he wouldn’t, with Sie’s blonde hair putting him off.
“Shall we take that selfie?”Ford asked to change the subject.
“Yeah, mate.”Robbie pulled his phone out of his pocket.
Soon, Ford had a crowd of people around him, all asking questions and getting selfies.
Chapter 29
Mai
Mai sprinted through Burra Hospital to the operating theatres, only stopping for long enough to throw a pair of scrubs on and push her hair up into a hat.
She shoved the door to the operating theatre open—ignoring the sign that told her to use the button to open it—and dashed inside. Glancing at the resuscitaire in the corner, she was relieved toseeno baby onthere.
Peering at Lily, the obstetric surgeon, Maisawshe probably had five minutes togetequipment ready for the baby’s arrival.
“Hey, Clara. I’m here. I’m getting things set up,”Mai called to her friend, as she double checked the equipment.
Sadie’s head popped up from behind the drape, and she rushed over to Mai.“Thanks for coming. The locum was being a total dick,”she complained.
Mai didn’t comment about the locum; she didn’t have time togetinto what she thought about him.
“How’s Clara?” Mai asked.
“She’s stable. It’s the baby they're worried about,”Sadie said quietly so Clara and Taylor couldn’thearher.
Mai nodded and checked the last of her equipment, smiling gratefully at Sarah, the midwife, who had laid out everything ready for her.
Checking the state of the operation, shesawshe had a minute to spare and rushed over to Clara.
“Hey, Clara. How are you going?”Mai stared down at her friend’s pale face. Taylor was sat next to her, his eyes wide and terrified.
“Shit,”Clara replied, turning her head to give her friend a small smile.
“Yeah. I bet. I’m going to take good care of your baby, okay. Youknowthey may struggle a little with their lungs as you’ve not had steroids.”
“I know.” Tears filled Clara’s eyes.
“If they need extra oxygen, I’ll sort it, okay,”Mai said confidently.
Sheknewshe couldn’t fix everything, but Clara and Taylor didn’t need her sounding unsure at this point.
“Iknow.”Clara nodded her head, a hitch in her voice, and Maicouldseethat her fingers were white where her hand clutched Taylor’s.
