The Outback Nurse. Carol Marinelli

      ‘You are?’ Just the fact that this huge, daunting man was a friend of her beloved Mr Dean, the senior consultant in her former casualty department, made him somehow seem much less intimidating.

      ‘Yes. Tony Dean was a junior consultant in Sydney when I was a mere intern. Later, our paths crossed again when I went back as a paediatric registrar. That would be five or six years ago. He moved on to Melbourne and I came here, but we still keep in touch. He’s an amazing man as well as a fine doctor, but you don’t need me to tell you that. Many times I’ve rung him for advice about a patient, or had them flown there by the air ambulance. I’ve probably spoken to you on the phone at some time.’

      He smiled. It was a nice smile, genuine. Olivia managed to sneak a proper look. Judging by his qualifications, he’d have to be at least in his mid-thirties, but he appeared younger. He was undeniably handsome in a rugged sort of way. Unruly dark curls framed a tanned face with just a smattering of freckles over the bridge of his nose. She had been right first time—he really did look like an overgrown medical student.

      ‘How long did you work there? I know it’s in your résumé, but I can’t remember offhand.’

      ‘Five years, three as Unit Manager. I’d just left all my family behind in England, so I was feeling horribly homesick and foreign.’

      ‘Had you been to Australia before?’

      Olivia nodded. ‘Yes but just on a working holiday, which is when I met my...’ Olivia hesitated. ‘My ex-fiancé. He was an intern then. Anyway,’ Olivia added hastily, because the last thing she wanted to talk about was Jeremy, ‘Mr Dean started within a couple of weeks of me. We were the “new kids on the block” together.’

      ‘Why did you leave?’ His question was direct and he watched as her shoulders stiffened, her hands yet again tightening convulsively around the glass.

      ‘Personal reasons,’ she answered stiffly.

      Thankfully, he thought better than to push it—there would be time for that later. Instead, he explained her new position.

      ‘A contrast to Casualty, but there are a lot of similarities. As well as the usual coughs, colds and blood pressures, we’re up against whatever they present themselves with at any hour of the day or night. From heart attacks to major farming accidents, we’re the front line. You need to keep your wits about you. They breed them tough out here and they don’t like a fuss. It takes a lot of skill to read between the lines. What may appear quite trivial can often be far more serious. Most tend to play down their symptoms.’ He noticed her suppress a yawn.

      ‘I’m not boring you, I hope?’ he asked sharply.

      Olivia sat upright, taken back by the first glimpse of him being anything other than friendly. ‘Of course not.’

      Clem stood up, and Olivia reluctantly admired his athletic build. ‘You must be tired. You’ve had a long journey and it’s almost midnight. I seem to think everyone else keeps my ridiculous hours. I’ll let you get some sleep and I’ll see you in the morning, Livvy.’

      ‘It’s Olivia, not Livvy,’ she corrected him, following him to the door. ‘And thank you for coming over, Dr Clemson. I’m looking forward to getting started.’

      ‘Good. Hopefully you’ll enjoy working here. And it’s Clem, remember?’

      Olivia suddenly felt embarrassed at how prudish she must have sounded, but she hated her name being shortened.

      She watched him depart in long deliberate strides.

      ‘Watch out for Betty and Ruby. Don’t believe a word they say about me,’ he shouted jokingly over his shoulder as he disappeared into the night.

      As Olivia closed the door and firmly locked it, Clem rolled his eyes heavenwards. She wouldn’t last five minutes. She was obviously well qualified and extremely intelligent, but she was as jumpy as a cat, and he somehow couldn’t imagine her on a search and rescue. Sure, she looked stunning, he thought reluctantly then checked himself. She was probably anorexic—you didn’t get a figure like that on three good meals a day.

      CHAPTER TWO

      OLIVIA awoke an hour before her alarm, determined to get the day off to a good start. Dougie had been right—the house was freezing. Reluctant to light a fire, instead she pulled on a pair of socks and a large jumper over her skimpy silk nightie and turned on the tiny fan heater. Jeremy would have had a heart attack if he could have seen her. Not sure how or where she’d get lunch, Olivia took advantage of the well-stocked fridge and prepared an enormous breakfast of bacon, eggs and wild mushrooms.

      Mopping up the creamy yolk with a third slice of toast, she tried to decide what to wear for her first day. The usual white uniform seemed so formal, and according to the forecast it was going to be too hot for trousers. Settling on a pair of navy culottes, teamed with a white blouse and navy jacket, Olivia finally felt happy with her selection—smart but casual. She was nervous. What if the patients hated her?

      With shaking hands, somehow she managed to put on her make-up, carefully trying to create a natural look. It had been a standing joke between herself and Jessica, the effort Olivia took over her appearance.

      ‘Honestly, Olivia, you look smarter coming off duty than I do going on,’ she’d often joked and Olivia would laugh back.

      But her appearance was important to her. It had mattered so much to Jeremy that eventually it had rubbed off. Somehow she felt so much more confident with her ‘face’ on. After smoothing the wild mass of Titian ringlets into a chic French roll, she was finally satisfied.

      ‘G’day. It’s only me, Ruby.’

      Olivia walked into the hall and watched as a huge woman burst through the front door. She had a mass of keys in her hand, as well as an array of brushes, a bucket and mop.

      ‘Here let me help you with that,’ Olivia offered.

      ‘I’m right.’ Ruby deposited her burdens on the hall floor. ‘So you’re Livvy? Dougie said you were a beaut, he wasn’t wrong. I’ll fix us a nice cup of tea before I get started. Youse must be feeling a touch nervous but, no worries, I’ll take youse over and introduce you to everyone.’

      Ruby was truly amazing to watch. Without even pausing for breath, she had taken Olivia’s arm and seated her at the kitchen table then proceeded to fill the kettle.

      ‘How are you finding it—a bit bewildering?’

      ‘Just a bit,’ Olivia conceded.

      ‘Oh, we’re a strange lot, that’s for sure. The other nurses took one look and ran. Didn’t even see the week out.’ She eyed Olivia carefully.

      ‘Well, I’m here for a lot longer than that, I can assure you,’ Olivia responded with more conviction than she felt.

      ‘Yep, I reckon you are. But a word of advice from an old chook who’s been around the yard a while.’ She leant over the kitchen bench and, despite the fact there was only the two of them, spoke in a theatrical whisper. ‘Don’t go letting the doctor upset you. Clem’s bark is far worse than his bite.’

      Although curious, Olivia felt she really shouldn’t be discussing her employer.

      ‘He seems very nice,’ she answered noncommittally, though she secretly hoped Ruby would elaborate. Olivia didn’t have to wait long!

      ‘Oh he’s golden. He snaps and snarls now and then but I just picture him as a spotty young teenager. I don’t tell him that, mind, I just say “Yes, Clem, no, Clem,” and wait for his mood to pass—it soon does.’

      ‘Everyone has their off days.’

      ‘Of course, but he’s got worse. It’s to be expected, mind, with all he’s been through. He’s far too busy, and now with this new hospital and everything. I just don’t know how he does it. He’s always