I hope my grey suitwill be appropriate. I doubt I would make my best impression wearing my usualhospital garb of jeans and polo shirt. I wonder where my good bottle of Armaniaftershave is? Funny, I haven't seen it around. Paula probably decided shewanted that as well. He frowned looking through the smalldrawer in the cabinet coming up empty handed. Looks like its Old Spiceagain.
Russ flicked on theshower and walked under the spray, his shoulders slumping as the heat massagedhis tired muscles. I'll set the alarm early and have a shave then, toodamned tired tonight. He stood letting the spray wash over his face beforegiving himself a quick scrub. When he stepped out of the shower and driedhimself, Russ walked to his bed. Throwing back the blanket, he collapsed downonto the cool sheets. He was exhausted, excited and apprehensive all at once.
***
The chiming of hisphone woke him just after midnight.
"Yo, brother.What's up?" Cade’s voice was slurred and Russ knew he must have been outon the town.
"I got a letterfrom the solicitors. The old man died."
"Fuck,really?"
"Yeah really.Listen, where are you? I need to call Tory in the morning and we will no doubthave to head home for the funeral and a meeting." He thought quickly."Can you get away later tomorrow? I can pick you up and give you a liftdown."
"No, it's okay. Ihave stuff to do before I leave here, I'll tell you when I see you. Give me acall after you've spoken to Tory and let me know what's happening. I'd rathermeet you down there if you don't mind."
Russ promised to callback tomorrow and disconnected. He dropped his phone on the bedside table and layback on his pillow. Now he was awake and his mind turned things over. Doubtinghe would get back to sleep in a hurry, he got up and flicked on the lights ashe went.
***
"The job is yours,Doctor Williams. When can you start?" Neeta Pryor looked over the rims ofher steel-framed black glasses.
"We haven'tdiscussed the location, Ms Pryor."
"Oh gosh! Sorryabout that. I have to say this position was stressing me out until I saw yourapplication. Singleton in the Hunter Valley. Beautiful spot. I'm sure you willlove it there."
Russ sucked in a quickbreath and she frowned. "Is that a problem for you, Doctor?"
"Uh…that’s where Igrew up actually. You took me by surprise."
"So," shechewed her bottom lip with even white teeth, "will it be a problem for youto return?"
Russ swallowed andlooked past her out of the window. He needed something quieter than working inthe city. Singleton offered him everything he wanted. With his father gone,there was no reason why he shouldn't go home and work his way back into thecommunity. It was his father who forced him away. That didn't mean he had tostay away forever.
Smiling at Neeta, heswiftly made up his mind. "No. That won't be a problem for me. When do Ihave to be there?"
"Can you startnext week? Monday?" She shuffled her paperwork and drew out a sheet,handing it over to Russ. "If you could sign this for me accepting theposition, I can draw up the contract and have it delivered to you later today.There are doctors’ quarters at the hospital you can use if you require or youcan find your own place. Your call."
"Thanks, I'll letyou know." He signed the paper and pushed it back over the desk. "Youknow where I am and I'll be there until five tonight so you can send over thecontract." He stood and reached for her hand, shaking it. "Iappreciate the opportunity. Funnily enough, I’ve been thinking of heading to asmall country town for some time. I just never thought I would be going back towhere I was born."
"The staff arebrilliant and you will find them very helpful. I should know, I found most ofthem. Your contact down there will be Elizabeth Stanley. She is the Nurse UnitManager and a fantastic person. I've known her for several years and she is abrilliant young nurse. Get in touch with her as soon as you arrive to work outa tour of the hospital and anything else you might need to know." Neetasmiled at him. "I hear she is looking forward to getting things settledrather quickly. It’s been hard on her the last few weeks dealing with morepatients than normal and having no permanent doctor on staff. Although thelocal doctors have been fantastic coming in on call, she’s had to deal with alot."
"Fair enough. Onceagain, thanks and I'll get that contract signed and returned thisafternoon." He walked out the door and hurried to his car wondering ifhe’d made the right decision.
Sliding behind thewheel, he pulled out the phone and pushed the key pad. "Tory, RussWilliams. I got your letter last night."
"My condolences,Russ, your father will be missed by many."
"Whathappened?" Russ looked out the windscreen of his car as he listened to hischildhood friend and family solicitor.
"Apparently he hada heart attack in his sleep four nights ago. Listen, can you get hold of Cadefor me?"
"Already done. Ispoke to him last night. I can't help you with Rooney though. She seems to havedisappeared off the face of the planet. No one has seen or heard from her,although Heaven knows I tried enough."
"I've alreadyspoken to her. She can't make the meeting but I can fill her in later. Can youand Cade be here the day after tomorrow? I've put off the funeral until I couldfind you but I think we need to meet and discuss things first. Then you candecide where you want to bury your father."
Rooney was stillaround? God, he missed his little sister. Russ was gutted when she ran awayfrom home and didn't contact him. He had left first so he understood if
