The Heart Consultant's Lover. Kate Hardy

wish you hadn’t said that,’ he said. ‘I’m starving!’

      ‘I know. But you’ve got something to look forward to now.’

      ‘And seeing my first grandchild. My Lauren told me yesterday she’s expecting.’

      ‘Hey, that’s great news. Even better, you’re going to be able to play with your grandchild without everyone worrying that you’ll keel over.’ Miranda squeezed his hand again. ‘I know it’s hard, but try not to worry, Sid. Claire Barker’s going to give you your pre-med, and you’ll be out of Theatre before you know it.’

      She went to join Jack. ‘Ready to scrub?’

      ‘Yep.’

      ‘Miranda?’ Claire came over to them, looking worried. ‘Sid Patterson’s complaining of a pain in his back, between the shoulder blades.’

      Jack and Miranda looked at each other. ‘Dissection?’ Jack asked.

      ‘I don’t know what’d be worse, that or a rupture. Claire, is he talking about pain in his chest, arms or stomach?’

      ‘No. He just says he feels a bit funny and his back aches.’

      ‘Let’s get him down there now,’ Miranda said.

      The aneurysm was in the descending part of the aorta, just beneath the heart. ‘Fusiform,’ Jack commented, seeing the distension all the way round the aorta’s circumference, tapering at both ends. ‘An absolutely textbook example. The good news is, it hasn’t ruptured. I can’t see any sign of a tear either—so let’s just hope his back pain was due to nerves. Everyone ready?’

      ‘Ready,’ the team confirmed.

      ‘OK. On bypass, please.’

      Jack worked quickly, clamping the aorta and checking the blood pressure with the anaesthetist and perfusionist. He cut out the damaged part of the blood vessel, then grafted the synthetic material into the artery. Miranda worked flawlessly with him, as if reading his mind—before the words were half out of his mouth she was giving him exactly what he needed.

      He was good, she acknowledged. Very good. He’d make an excellent consultant. And, the way things were going between herself and the Prof, that might happen sooner rather than later.

      ‘Ready for clamp removal?’ she asked.

      He nodded. ‘Let’s increase the flow rates, see what happens.’ He kept a close eye on the suturing. ‘Looks as if it’s holding up.’

      ‘Release the clamps gradually, please,’ Miranda instructed.

      They watched the graft area closely as the clamps were released. And then Jack gave a sigh of relief. ‘We’re there.’

      ‘Want me to close?’ Miranda asked.

      He nodded. ‘Let’s leave the double lumen tube in until tomorrow.’

      ‘OK. You go and shower—I’ll finish up.’

      ‘Cheers.’ He flexed his shoulders. ‘Any chance of a back massage as well?’

      At least he didn’t bear grudges—after he’d stomped out of her office the other day he’d been fine with her. He’d even started bantering with her, the kind of casual, teasing remarks that made her feel as if she’d worked with him for a lifetime instead of just a few days. He was easy to be around. And that, in itself, was dangerous. She couldn’t afford to get involved. Even if she hadn’t worked with him…No. She’d sworn off relationships for good. Dates were fine—but no commitment. Her judgement in men was lousy, so it was safer to stay on her own. Much safer.

      ‘On your bike, Sawyer,’ she informed him with a grin. ‘I’ll see you back on the ward.’

      She stayed with Sid in the post-operative recovery area, then accompanied him back up to the ward.

      ‘It went really well,’ she told Bronny Patterson. ‘Dr Sawyer did an excellent job. Sid’s going to have a tube in his throat for another twenty-four hours to help him breathe and get over the operation, but we’ll get him a pen and pad so he can still communicate with you.’

      ‘I don’t think anything would stop him communicating,’ Bronny said with a smile.

      ‘Bless him.’ Miranda echoed her smile. ‘He’s going to be hooked up to a heart monitor and a blood-pressure monitor, too, and there’s a drain in his wound so it doesn’t get infected,’ she explained. ‘I know we went over all this before the op, but sometimes it’s hard to take in until you see him, and I don’t want you to be frightened by all the tubes and wires. It all went really smoothly, and there’s nothing out of the ordinary in his post-operative care.’

      ‘Thanks.’

      ‘Sid told me you’d been doing some research.’ Miranda smiled. ‘There’s some scary stuff out there.’

      Bronny nodded. ‘I wished I hadn’t started when I saw some of the statistics.’

      ‘We’ll be keeping a close eye on him. Anyway, I owe him a bacon sandwich. I don’t think he’ll risk missing that,’ Miranda said lightly. ‘Or his first grandchild—congratulations, by the way.’

      Bronny smiled. ‘Thanks.’

      ‘I’ll take you through to him now. Is there anything I can get you?’

      ‘No, pet. I’ll be fine. But thanks. We both appreciate what you’ve done.’

      ‘Not me. Dr Sawyer did the hard work.’

      ‘Taking my name in vain?’ Jack teased as he met them by the door. But he was oddly pleased all the same. Miranda hadn’t known he was there, but she’d still made sure he’d got the credit he was due. It almost made up for the row they’d had after she’d seen the Prof in her office. And even that he could understand now—she’d overreacted because Imogen had reminded her of losing someone she’d loved dearly.

      ‘Thank you, Dr Sawyer,’ Bronny said, taking his hand and squeezing it.

      ‘No problem,’ he said with a smile. He waited until Bronny was settled in with Sid, then caught Miranda on her way out of the room. ‘I’ll stay here tonight,’ he said. ‘Just in case.’

      ‘You will not,’ she informed him. ‘You’re off duty and I have the bleeper.’

      ‘But—’

      ‘Plus I’m expecting you in the Calderford Arms,’ she added. ‘When I said I’d buy everyone on the ward a drink, I meant everyone.’

      ‘What about the night staff?’ he fenced.

      ‘That’s covered, too. I’ve left them a stack of nibbles and some decent soft drinks.’ She eased her shoulders. ‘We’ve had a rough week. I think we all need to let our hair down. I’m taking my bleeper and my mobile, so I can get back here quickly if I’m needed.’ She smiled at him. ‘Go and get your glad rags on.’

      ‘Yes, boss.’ He could just see it now. The rest of the staff would be dressed up to the nines, but she’d still be wearing her formal business suit, with her hair scraped back.

      ‘See you there. Seven o’clock sharp.’

      ‘I’ll be there,’ he promised. ‘Though I hope you’re not going to start doing paperwork now.’

      She gave him another of those smiles that clearly said, Don’t ask questions. ‘See you in the Calderford Arms.’

      When she strolled into the bar at precisely seven o’clock, Leila dug Jack in the ribs. ‘Close your mouth,’ she said.

      ‘Uh,’ was all Jack could say. Because Ms Fluffy was back—and how! Her hair was loose and fell over her shoulders in glossy waves. She wasn’t wearing much make-up—no more than a light slick of lip-gloss and a coat of mascara—but it was her clothing that really floored