A Family to Share

Book 0: Three Sisters Series

by Gill Sanderson

Genres: Romance; Contemporary Romance; Medical Romance; Workplace Romance

Synopsis

Sister Lisa Grey loved her work on the Infectious Diseases Unit, but she knew there was something missing in her life. She had been the linchpin of her family after her mother?s death, but when she met Dr Alex Scott and his two small children, Holly and Jack, she realised she badly wanted to share in his family too. The children were willing, so was their grandmother who cared for them, and so was Lisa ?but what about Alex? Three caring sisters ~in need of a loving family~

Release date: December 11, 2013

Publisher: Accent Press

Print pages: 141

Sample

Chapter One

Sister Lisa Grey walked down the centre corridor of Ward 28, ever-alert blue eyes checking and registering that all was well. Only occasionally was there excitement on the infectious diseases ward, but today seemed even quieter than normal.

For the moment Lisa’s paperwork was done. She knew the auxiliaries were preparing beds for new arrivals. Nurse Sarah Rogers was helping the junior house officer as he checked on old Mr Benson’s gastroenteritis. Her other nurse was doing the regular round, taking each patient’s temperature, blood pressure and pulse.

On Ward 28 each patient had his or her own tiny room and, if she peeped, Lisa could see people reading, listening through headphones or just resting. One or two with their doors open raised hands in salutation to the tall red-haired sister, and she waved back.

The afternoon sunshine of early spring shone through onto the gleaming floor, illuminating the eggshell-blue curtains and paintwork. She could even detect that indefinable hospital smell – a mixture of food, disinfectant and polish – which acted on her like a drug whenever she started work. After the first five minutes it was usually never noticed.

It was peaceful.

She could sit in her office, pour herself a coffee and just relax for five minutes. Then, even as she thought it, Lisa started a countdown. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six ...  It never stayed peaceful for that long.

But it did. She was even thinking the unthinkable – had she time for a second mug of coffee? She had – and then the JHO, Dr Paul Evans, and Sarah Rogers joined her.

‘I think we’ve sorted out Mr Benson, Sister,’ Paul said, self-importantly. ‘When you get on a bit I’ve learned you must expect the odd ache and pain.

Hospitals can’t cure everything. I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.’

‘No, Doctor,’ Lisa murmured, and exchanged a secret amused glance with Sarah. Dr Evans was all of twenty-four years old and, to twenty-eight-year-old Lisa, and Sarah – who was over thirty – he seemed inexpressibly young.

He was being more bouncy than usual, more the super-efficient doctor. ‘Bleep me if you need me, Sister. I’ll drop in again later. Must rush.’ Paul drained his coffee mug, and left in a self-satisfied swirl of white coat.

There was a moment’s silence, and then Lisa said dryly, ‘I think you’ve made a conquest, Sarah. That little show of medical expertise was for your benefit.’

‘What?’ Sarah was obviously genuinely surprised.

Then she smiled. ‘Oh, my goodness. He must think I’m an older woman! But I still feel young. I don’t want a toyboy!’

‘Perhaps I should have a cautionary word with him,’ Lisa suggested, giggling. ‘Advise him about the dangers of women with experience.’ This time both of them laughed. They liked Paul, but he was still a bit too conscious of his recently acquired medical diploma.

   She could also see just how attractive Sarah Rogers was, with her blonde hair, neat figure, and a piquant face. Originally Sarah had trained as an SEN – a state enrolled nurse – and had then been persuaded to leave nursing by her new husband. She’d become a hair-dresser and beautician. Now she was divorced, she had returned to her first love of nursing and was taking a conversion course to become a state registered nurse.

Lisa liked her. She was a hard worker, with a calmness that reassured their patients. But her training as a beautician still showed. Her blonde hair was well shaped, her make-up unobtrusive but effective.

‘I’ll bet he asks you to dinner later,’ Lisa teased. ‘What will you say?’

‘I’ll invite him to come and meet my mother. Say she always wanted me to marry a doctor. That’ll frighten him off.’

 There was more of the easy laughter of colleagues who knew and trusted each other. Then Sarah asked, ‘Is he a good doctor, Lisa?’

Instantly Lisa recognised the warning signs. That was not a fitting question for a nurse to ask. ‘He’s willing but he’s young and inexperienced,’ she said cautiously. ‘Now, tell me, why did you ask that?’ A cynical corner of her mind remembered her count-down. It wasn’t peaceful any more.

Sarah was choosing her words with care. ‘Well, it may be nothing. You know I’ve been nursing Mr Benson for the past week?’

‘Severe gastroenteritis. He didn’t call his GP until he was badly dehydrated and needed a hospital stay because of his age. He’s now off his intravenous saline and dextrose. I thought he was doing fine.’

 ‘That’s it. He’s getting better and he’s never complained before, even when things were bad. But now he is complaining. He says his shoulder aches. And I wondered ...’

‘Let’s have a look at him.’’ Lisa put down her coffee mug. ‘It’s probably nothing but we can check.’

 ‘I’m sorry to alarm you,’ Sarah said as they made their way down the ward. ‘I don’t want to cause unnecessary trouble.’

 Lisa shook her head. ‘If you hadn’t told me I’d have been upset.’

It didn’t take her long to decide that Sarah’s suspicions had been correct. Certainly Mr Benson should feel weak, and possibly he might have apparently unrelated aches and pains, but the pain he described seemed too particular to be the result of general ill- health.

‘I’m going to bleep Dr Evans,’ she told Sarah. ‘And this time I’ll be at the bedside with him. You go and help the auxiliaries.’

Dr Evans was less than pleased at being called back to the ward. ‘I’ve just examined Mr Benson, Sister, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong.’

 ‘I’m not happy about that shoulder,’ Lisa said calmly. ‘If you wouldn’t mind examining him again.’

A comment she couldn’t quite hear indicated that Dr Evans did mind. He sounded resigned as he said, ‘I don’t really need this time to study. I’m coming up, Sister.’

Although he was perfectly polite with Mr Benson, it was obvious that he thought this was a wasted journey. He palpated the arm and shoulder, asked when the pain had first started and how the patient felt in general. Outside the little room once more he said, ‘Nothing new wrong with him, Sister. All he needs is rest and painkillers, and they’ve been prescribed already. Now, if there’s nothing else ...’

‘I think we should send for the consultant,’ Lisa said flatly.

Dr Evans looked at her, startled. ‘Whatever for? I’ve just told you, there’s no need. Sister, doctors diagnose, nurses treat.’

‘This is my ward and I’m responsible for it. I want Sir Arthur to look at that shoulder.’

Inwardly Lisa was quailing – she knew she was exceeding her authority.

Dr Evans looked at her in disbelief. Then he said, ‘By all means, send for him. I know he’s in the hospital. Whether he’ll be pleased at being disturbed I don’t know.’ They were now in Lisa’s little office. She phoned the consultant’s secretary, who said that Sir Arthur would be along shortly. Lisa and Dr Evans sat waiting in frozen silence.

There was no specialist registrar in Infectious Diseases at the moment, although one had been appointed and would be joining them shortly. This meant that for a while the consultant, Sir Arthur Miles, had to work harder than ever. Lisa hoped he wouldn’t think this was a wasted visit.

There was a tap at the door and Sir Arthur entered; a man of medium build, dapper, with highly polished shoes and his signature blue bow tie. Lisa knew that under that unassuming exterior was a brilliant medical mind.

‘A little problem?’ he asked gently as Lisa offered him the case notes: ‘I thought Mr Benson was doing just fine.’

Suddenly Paul Evans went up in Lisa’s estimation. Before she could answer he said, ‘Sister spotted something that I’d missed, Sir. It might be nothing but I –we – thought you ought to see it.’

 Keen eyes flashed from sister to doctor. ‘I see,’ Sir Arthur said mildly. ‘Well, let’s take a look.’ His examination didn’t seem to be any more detailed than Paul’s had been, though Lisa knew he was seeing far, far more. As ever, Sir Arthur managed to talk to his patient as he touched and pressed so Mr Benson seemed quite relaxed. Finally, rather to his surprise, Paul was asked to take a blood sample and Lisa to organise an X-ray. Then the three went back to Lisa’s room.

The blood was dispatched to the lab for analysis.

The results would be back in a few hours. Sir Arthur said, ‘Well spotted. We need confirmation, of course, but I would guess that Mr Benson has reactive arthritis. If there’s septicaemia it could be quite serious – but I think we’ve caught it in time.’‘What treatment will you prescribe, sir?’ Paul asked.

‘Oh, at this early stage, none. When the results come through from the lab we’ll make a decision. Once again, well done.’ Sir Arthur went to the door, smiled his reassuring smile and said as he left, ‘See you tomorrow evening, Lisa.’

’

Paul sat silent for a moment. Then he said, ‘There’s a lot to learn in medicine. I’ll go and look up reactive arthritis.’ Lisa grinned as he left.

The next thing to do was to tell Sarah that she had been right. Lisa firmly believed it was all-important to praise her staff when they got things right. After all, she didn’t hesitate to do the opposite when they got things wrong.

   ‘It was just luck,’ Sarah said dismissively. ‘Paul would have seen it the next time around. Anyway, I’m glad we can do something for Mr Benson. He’s a tough old bird.’

She glanced down at the watch pinned to her apron. ‘Soon be time for handover. I’ll be round at your flat about three tomorrow, Lisa.’

 Lisa looked confused. ‘Are you sure you still want to? After all, it’s Saturday. Is there nothing else you want to do?’

Sarah shook her head. ‘You’ve spent a lot of time coaching me, and I’d like to do something in return. Besides, I want to keep my hand in – and I’ve been waiting for the chance to get at you. You need a change.’

Sarah says I need a change, Lisa thought. Perhaps I do.

Lisa lived in her own little custom-built one-bedroomed flat. Until two years ago she had lived with her family – but now they were scattered. She loved them all dearly but she had to admit that she now liked her little bit of independence and self-indulgence. From the comer of her sitting room she could see the sea – just. She enjoyed having a place of her own.

By three o’clock she had finished her washing and all the little household duties that had piled up, and was waiting for Sarah. Tonight was the Blazes Ball –  a fund-raising event for her hospital. Tickets were sixty pounds each, and all the senior members of the hospital and local dignitaries would be there.

She was going as Sir Arthur’s partner. ‘The meal will be excellent,’ he had said, ‘but the speeches will be boring! I should know, I’m giving one. However, the dancing is quite fun and, if we stick to the waltz, quickstep and foxtrot, I’m sure I won’t disgrace you.’

‘I’d really love to come,’’ Lisa had said.

It wasn’t the first time he had invited her to formal functions. She knew he found her dependable, and a defence against the wives of the other consultants who felt that he should remarry. And she found him good company – he reminded her a little of her father. If other people found it strange, well, she didn’t care. She and Sir Arthur were a good professional team.

But, just for once, she was feeling restive. Life seemed to be passing her by. She felt she’d like to go to the ball with someone – well, nearer her age. She’d had relationships before, but never one that had made her feel that this was the one that counted. And she’d like to. She was now twenty-eight. When she thought of her friends from school she realised that nearly all were married and had had children. A couple had been married, had had children and were now divorced. Now there was a thought! So, egged on by Sarah, she’d decided that tonight would be – different. She’d bought a midnight blue dress, rather low cut, spending what was for her a ludicrous amount of money. And Sarah was coming round to dress her hair and help her with her make-up.

Her doorbell rang, and from the intercom Sarah’s voice called, ‘It’s me.’ Feeling a little apprehensive, Lisa pressed the switch that opened the door.

‘I’ve been itching to get at your hair for months,’ Sarah announced. ‘It’s a glorious red – why don’t you do more with it?’ With a comb, she lifted a strand from Lisa’s forehead and let it fall again.

    Lisa was sitting in her bathroom, a towel round her shoulders. ‘It’s convenient for the job,’ she mumbled. ‘Nurses don’t want hair flying all over the place.’ Her hair was short. All it needed was a quick pass with a brush first thing every morning and then she forgot about it.

‘If you’ve got it, flaunt it. I know people who would kill for hair like this. You’re going to be the best-looking woman in the room.’

‘Well, just for tonight,’ Lisa said uneasily.

‘Fine. But when I’ve finished with you I’ll bet no one ever forgets you.’ Sarah began spraying.

Lisa had never quite realised that some of the skills of a hairdresser were similar to those of a nurse. Sarah kept her at her ease, explained what she was doing, and why and showed considerable dexterity.

She was a good teacher, too. As Lisa’s hair was drying she showed her how to apply her new make-up. ‘Your eyes are a wonderful blue so you must direct people’s attention to them. Now, look how a line here ...’ she drew with a dark pencil ‘... will make the colour seem even bluer.’ Finally it was done. Sarah whisked the towel away, brushed energetically and then led Lisa to the full-length mirror in her bedroom. Lisa blinked. This wasn’t Si. . .