Sarah Morgan Summer Collection. Sarah Morgan

‘Douglas has had some chest pain and it looks as though he might have had a heart attack,’ she said gently. ‘He’s doing very well and there’s certainly no need to panic. We ‘re going to transfer him to the mainland just until they’re happy with his condition. Just a precaution. The helicopter is going to be here in a minute.’

      Leslie gave a soft gasp. ‘You’re going to the mainland? You’ve had a heart attack? And just when were you planning on telling me this, Doug? Next Christmas?’

      ‘Stop fussing. Kyla was just about to ring you but they’ve been working flat out since I arrived.’ Doug kept his eyes closed and his voice was thready. ‘Go back and check on our Andrea. I’ll call you from the hospital.’

      ‘Andrea is fine. She’s thirteen now. She can get herself to school.’ Leslie looked at Kyla, her face grey with shock and worry. ‘Can I go with him?’

      Kyla nodded. ‘You should be able to but I’ll have to check with the crew. Leslie, you look very pale. Sit down.’ She quickly dragged a chair across the room and the other woman plopped onto it gratefully.

      ‘I’ll be fine in a minute,’ she muttered, rubbing her hand across her forehead. ‘It’s just a bit of a shock, that’s all.’

      Ethan replaced the phone just as Evanna popped her head round the door again. ‘The helicopter is here. The paramedics are bringing a stretcher in for you.’

      ‘I’ve spoken to the hospital and they’re expecting him.’ Ethan checked Doug’s observations again and then helped the paramedics move him onto the stretcher.

      They loaded Doug into the helicopter, helped Leslie on board and then Ethan sprang up beside him in a lithe, athletic movement. ‘How do I get back?’

      Kyla grinned. ‘If you’re lucky, they bring you back. If you’re unlucky, you swim. Don’t worry, the water’s quite warm at this time of the year. See you later, Dr Walker.’

      She ducked out of range of the helicopter’s blades and made her way back into the surgery. Walking into the crowded waiting room, she explained what had happened and quickly assessed who could see her instead of a doctor.

      ‘Is Doug going to be all right?’ Paula Stiles, who worked in the gift shop, asked the question that was on everyone’s mind.

      Patient confidentiality was a total nightmare, Kyla reflected as she gave as little information as possible while still providing the necessary reassurance.

      Then she opened the door of her own room and switched on the computer. Interesting start to the day, she mused as she tapped a few keys and brought up her list for the morning. Not even nine o’clock and already she felt as though she’d done a day’s work.

      And she didn’t want to think about how Ethan must feel. He’d travelled for most of the night to catch the first ferry and now she’d had to send him back to the mainland, and she knew from experience that he’d be lucky to make it back before lunch.

      She hoped the new doctor had stamina because he was going to need it.

      

      CHAPTER THREE

      HER first patient was the headmistress from the local primary school, who had been hoping to see Logan and be back in time for the start of the school day.

      ‘I’m sorry you’ve had a wait, Mrs Carne,’ Kyla said, her tone apologetic as she reached for a pen. ‘If it’s your asthma that’s bothering you, I could discuss it with you and then we could talk to Logan later.’

      ‘It is my asthma.’ Ann Carne put her bag on the floor and sat on the chair. ‘I’ve been having problems on the sports field. Can you imagine that? I’m dealing with six-year-olds and I’m getting out of breath.’

      ‘Six-year-olds are extremely energetic,’ Kyla said dryly. ‘Don’t underestimate the impact that can have on your breathing. I went to sports day last year and I was exhausted just watching. So what’s happening? Are you using an inhaler before you exercise?’

      ‘Sometimes.’ Ann looked uncomfortable. ‘I try to sneak off to the staffroom but it isn’t always possible.’

      ‘Why would you need to sneak?’

      ‘I don’t want the children knowing I have an inhaler.’

      Kyla looked at her, trying to work out what the problem was so that she could tackle it in a sensitive way. ‘Are you worried about them or you?’

      ‘Both?’ Ann gave a rueful smile. ‘I hate admitting I’m ill and I don’t want the children worrying that I’m going to collapse in front of them.’

      ‘Would they think that?’ Kyla frowned and tapped her pen on the desk. ‘There are a couple of asthmatics in your school, as you well know. The children are used to seeing inhalers and spacers.’

      ‘But not in their teachers.’

      Judging that the situation was more about Ann than the pupils, Kyla sat back in her chair. ‘It’s nearly a year since you were diagnosed, Ann. How do you feel about it all now?’

      There was a long silence and then Ann breathed out heavily. ‘I still can’t believe it’s me,’ she said finally. ‘I mean, I’m fifty-two years of age. It’s ridiculous! How can I suddenly develop asthma out of nowhere?’

      ‘People do. It isn’t about age. There are many other factors involved.’

      ‘Well, I can’t get used to the idea.’

      ‘Is that why you don’t use the inhaler?’ Kyla’s voice was gentle. ‘If you don’t use the drugs then you can’t be ill?’

      ‘How did you come to be so wise?’ Ann gave a faint smile. ‘I remember you when you were six years old, Kyla MacNeil. You brought a frog into my class and hid it in your desk.’

      ‘I remember. It was my brother’s frog. He was pretty annoyed with me.’

      ‘And he came thundering in to steal it back.’ Ann sighed. ‘I still think of myself as young, you know. I don’t feel any different. It’s only when I look in the mirror that I realise how many years have passed. And when my body starts letting me down.’

      ‘Your body is still ready to work perfectly well if you give it the little bit of help it needs.’ Kyla reached into her drawer for a leaflet. ‘Read this. A bundle arrived last week and I think it’s good. It talks about living with a condition rather than being ruled by it. You wouldn’t dream of not using a toothbrush and toothpaste, would you? All part of body maintenance. Well, your inhalers are the same. Body maintenance.’

      Ann took the leaflet and gave a thoughtful smile. ‘Body maintenance. That’s a nice idea, Kyla.’

      ‘For the next two weeks, promise me you’ll use your inhaler as we agreed. Then come and see me and we’ll discuss how things are. But don’t hide it from the children. We try and teach the children that it can become a normal part of life. Something they can live with. If they see you hiding it then it won’t do much for their own acceptance of asthma.’

      ‘I hadn’t thought of that but you’re right, of course.’ Ann stood up and gave her a grateful smile. ‘You’ve come a long way since you made a mess of your geography books, Kyla MacNeil. Can I ask how Doug is or will you tell me to mind my own business?’

      ‘I don’t think I’m ever going to be able to tell my old headmistress to mind her own business.’ Kyla laughed. ‘But the truth is that it’s too soon for us to say.’ The entire island had obviously noted the arrival of the helicopter. ‘Our new doctor went with him. Hopefully we’ll have good news when he arrives back. I’ll remind Ben to pin a bulletin to the door of the pub.’

      ‘You do that.’ Ann gave a brisk nod. ‘We all care, you know.’