McCafe’s drive through provided adouble shot of caffeine to shock his system into overdrive. LuckilyTodd had given him the full directions. Patrick bypassed thenurse’s station and headed directly for ICU and her private room.He entered quietly, startling a nurse holding Chloe’s wrist,gauging her pulse.
Patrick’s first sight of Chloehad been a complete shock. He hadn’t expected her to look so frail,so deathly still and tiny in the large hospital bed. In the shorttime he had known her she had been so animated, always talking andlaughing.
“Mr Baker, is it?” theday nurse enquired in her lovely Irish lilt.
Patrick sunk onto the chairbeside Chloe’s bed and took her hand in between both of his,willing her to open her eyes. “Yes.“ Patrick spokesoftly.
“Has there been anychange?” Patrick stole a glance at the nurse. She reminded Patrickof his primary school teacher.
“No. No change asyet.” The nurse noted Chloe’s vitals on her chart and clipped it tothe end of the bed. “I’m Nurse Mahoney. I’ll be lookin’ after yourgirl here, for today. I’ll write my name on the board here by thebed. Ring the bell if she wakes up.”
Patrick had forgotten to turn offhis phone when he entered the hospital, and it buzzed into life inhis pocket. The deafeningly loud ringtone reverberated in the smallroom. Patrick looked across to where Nurse Mahoney stood glaringand tut-tutting at him. He immediately switched it off withoutanswering the call. He cast eyes full of apology her way, and gaveher his famous lopsided coy smile, which no red-blooded woman hadever been able to resist.
She instantly softened her glare.“No mobile phones in here, young man. They interfere with themedical equipment. You must turn them off at the hospitaldoor!”
Tall and slim, mid-fifties, withshort dark brown hair and a ruddy complexion, Nurse Mahoney triedto look authoritative. She straightened her back, pulling herselfup to her full height, and folded her arms over her meagre chest.“Now, no more calls when I leave the room.”
They couldn’t be sure if thenoise of the phone or the sound of voices had startled her intowakefulness.
Chloe opened her eyes, turned herhead and looked directly at Patrick.
CHAPTEREIGHT
Chloe’s remarkablerecuperation took the doctors by surprise. This allowed her to bemoved out of ICU and relocated into another private room on thesame floor. Dr Morgan had given the all clear to go home on theweekend, if she continued to improve. The only proviso being thatshe had someone to look after her. Now themillion-dollar question was whose home?
She experienced dizziness fromtime to time, which was not uncommon after such a traumaticincident. Negotiating the stairs between her bedroom, kitchen andliving areas, would be foolhardy while home alone. The sparebedroom downstairs could not be considered an option either, due tothe stripped walls and bare floor, not to mention the lack offurniture.
She had analternative. Todd had generously invited her to stay at hisapartment in the Docklands, with the offer of a nurse/companion todrop in, so that she wouldn’t be alone through the day. He wouldn’thear of her returning to her house in Port Melbourne. Grateful forhis help and friendship, she mulled over his offer to stay,although she didn’t imagine a nurse would berequired. I wonder how long it will beuntil I can get back to finish the renovations?
She ate her mediocre hospitaldinner and pondered her immediate future.
The day shift nurses in ICUcompleted their duties and the evening shift began. Nurse Andrewstook receipt of a flower arrangement for Chloe at ICU Reception,and elected to deliver it personally before her rounds.
“Aye, I see you areawake, my dear. I am so happy to see your wee smiling face.” Sheplaced the flowers on the small table in the corner, and came tostand at the side of Chloe’s bed. “I thought I would kill two birdswith one stone and come to say hello. I was on duty in ICU thenight you were admitted. We were all so worried about you. Such apretty young thing you are. And your Mr Baker is such a lovelyyoung man to stay with you through the night and hold your hand. Hedidn’t let it go for even a minute.”
Chloe felt drawn to this matronlywoman with the cheery smile. “He stayed with me through thenight?”
“Never left your side,not for a moment. Put his head down and slept on the bed herebeside you.” Nurse Andrews beamed at Chloe, patting the mattress ather side.
“I don’t remember muchabout that night.”
“He was the one whofound you at home, so I’m told. Called an ambulance and brought youin. He never left your bedside, till morning. That one’s a keeperto be sure, lassie. Ah, young love. It’s grand.”
“Really? He nevermentioned it.” Chloe tried to remember, but came up with nothing.All thoughts of that night evaded her. Patrick stayed with me all night? Theimage of his face when she opened her eyes her only clear memory.Patrick had visited on only one other occasion since her accident,dropped off a card and hadn’t stayed long. Todd, on the other hand,had been there every evening during visiting hour.He’s such a good friend.
“He’s probably shy.Doesn’t want to make a fuss, I imagine. I was young once, and inlove too. Aye, it’s grand,” Nurse Andrews reiterated, in her broadScottish accent.
She wondered whyPatrick hadn’t told her he had brought her to the hospital andstayed with her. Maybe he’sshy. I won’t bringit up.
Todd arrived midmorning tocollect Chloe from the hospital. They drove directly to PortMelbourne. Surmising she would prefer a woman’s company, he hadasked Samantha to meet them at Chloe’s house to help pack asuitcase for her short stay at his apartment.
As they pulled to a stop at thekerb, Samantha bounded out of her stationary car, clasping a basketfull of provisions. “It’s good to see you up and about again,Chloe. You’re starting to get a little colour in your cheeks.” Shekissed Chloe’s cheek, and wrapped her free arm around her in atentative hug. “I brought supplies, look. I can make some lunch forus all at Todd’s. Better take this inside and not leave it in thehot car.” They strolled up the path arm
