Paramedic Partners

It was said casually, but she couldn’t help but feel that there was a reason behind the comment, and when she said with equal nonchalance, ‘Gavin isn’t my ‘‘doctor friend’’, he’s my brother,’ he actually smiled.

‘Oh, I see. I thought it was handy if you had a boyfriend in A and E. Prompt attention and all that.’

‘I haven’t got a boyfriend anywhere,’ she said stiffly. ‘I have a child to care for, a house to run and a very demanding job, all of which leave me very little time for socialising. I lost my husband just twelve months ago, which isn’t a very long time in which to be thinking of replacing him.’

When the words were out Selina wished she’d been struck dumb before uttering them. Why was she justifying herself to this taciturn stranger? Was it because she felt that she had to make a stance? Clarify her position? Or was it because he had evoked anger in her with his tactless remark?

Kane could be excused for not knowing that Gavin was her brother, but as for the rest of it…Had he been given cause somewhere along the line to think that her sex couldn’t manage without a man?

‘I’m sorry,’ he said abruptly. ‘I didn’t mean to offend you and will bear your comments in mind.’

Selina groaned inwardly. Now he was making it look as if she was warning him off. As if she thought that every man she met saw an attractive young widow as easy prey.

Selina had no need to worry about him, Kane was thinking. He’d had enough aggro to last him a lifetime with the Eve Richards business. He was only just beginning to come up for air now that the taint had been removed.

* * *

If the first call-out they’d dealt with together had gone smoothly, it wasn’t to be so with the second. Before they’d got back to base another red alert came through on the dashboard computer.

A child was choking with a foreign object stuck in its throat at an address in a nearby avenue.

They were there within seconds, a flash of white shirts and navy trousers as they hurled themselves up the path with Kane in the lead and Selina following with the smaller of the two response bags.

The front door was already open and in a back sitting room a young mother was holding a small boy from behind. With her fists beneath his breastbone she was making frantic inward and upward thrusts to try to dislodge whatever it was that was choking him.

An agitated neighbour was hovering and when she saw them she cried, ‘Help the bairn, for God’s sake!’

He was blue in the face, eyes rolling in his head, and Selina knew that they only had seconds to free whatever it was.

‘Dean swallowed a plastic toy and it’s stuck,’ the mother screamed at them, becoming hysterical now that help had arrived.

As Kane snapped, ‘Forceps!’ Selina already had them in her hand.

‘Take him!’ he ordered with the same brevity.

Obeying, she grabbed the child out of his mother’s arms. As she did so he went limp.

‘He’s barely breathing!’ she said in low voice.

Kane nodded. ‘Lay him on the floor. As long as there’s some inhalation, however faint, I’m going to try to remove the toy before we start to resuscitate, otherwise we’ll be defeating the object. If I can’t get at it with the forceps I’ll have to do a tracheostomy.’

They were both on their knees now, Selina behind the child’s head and Kane at his side. As she held open the boy’s slack mouth, he shone a pencil torch into his throat.

‘Can you see it?’ she asked.

He shook his head.

‘No…Yes! Yes! I can! It’s bright green and oblong.’

‘Can you reach it?’ she gasped.

‘You bet I can,’ he said coolly. ‘Don’t let the boy move, Selina. I don’t want to push it further down than it is already.’

The only sound in the room was the sobbing of the distraught mother as Kane carefully lifted the obstruction out of her child’s throat. He held it aloft triumphantly, before throwing it to one side and ordering, ‘Oxygen, Selina. He’s still breathing but only just.’

* * *

An hour later they were back at the ambulance station. The little boy, with his relieved mother in attendance, had been admitted to the children’s ward at the hospital, where they were going to examine his throat for any damage from the obstruction and would monitor his breathing for twenty-four hours.

It had been Selina’s turn to be silent on the return journey and eventually he’d said, ‘So what’s the problem?’

‘There isn’t one.’

‘Oh, come on!’ he hooted. ‘Let me guess. You don’t like working with me. You prefer cheerful Charlie. You think I was too chatty with the boy’s mother on the way to hospital. Or maybe the opposite—that I’m not sympathetic enough with the public.’

‘You’re crazy,’ she said with a smile that took the sting from the words. ‘How can I know whether I like working with you? It’s only our first day together. As to Charlie, you’re faster than he was, but not as cheerful by any means.

‘And, no, I didn’t think you were too familiar with Dean’s mother. You were just trying to calm her. I haven’t had time to see how you treat the public in general, but it seems clear that you see me as a pair of hands rather than a person. Could that he because you don’t like working with someone of my sex?’

He eyed her sharply at the question.

‘And who might have told you that?’

‘Does it matter?’

‘No. I suppose not. But I’m not keen on having my likes and dislikes discussed in public.’

‘So is it true?’ she persisted.

‘Yes and no.’

‘Meaning?’

‘I once had an unpleasant experience.’

‘And have now tarred us all with the same brush?’

A smile tugged at the corners of Kane’s fascinating mouth.

‘You make me sound like a flattering combination of male chauvinist and bighead.’

Selina had to laugh.

‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. It’s early days for us, isn’t it? We’ll adjust to each other’s peculiarities in time, no doubt.’

As Kane’s cool, dark gaze took in the charms of his new assistant he knew that he didn’t find her peculiar at all. Unique maybe. She was beautiful in her golden slenderness, and tranquil with it, unlike a lot of women he’d come across.

Yet life had dealt her a poor hand so far. She’d lost a young husband and it stood to reason that they’d been happy. He couldn’t imagine a man being unhappy with a woman like Selina Sanderson.

He shook his head as if to clear it. He was getting soft, rhapsodising over a woman he’d only just met. And wasn’t he supposed to be watching his step as far as her sex were concerned?

When they arrived back at the station Selina said, ‘Let’s go and grab a coffee before we’re called out again.’

‘Good idea,’ he agreed equably, and it was as if their challenging discussion on the way back had never been.

* * *

During the next few days they established a situation they both seemed reasonably happy with. Workwise Selina was aware that Kane was extremely efficient, and under his brisk command they were offering a first-class service to sick and injured alike.

From a personal point of view she was curious about him. He hadn’t said so in so many words, but from the odd comment he’d made and his attitude in general she deduced that he had no ties, which was surprising as he was of striking appearance. Not attractive or handsome in the true sense of the words, but with a sort of dark magnetism that would instinctively appeal to womankind in general.

He was the complete opposite of Dave. He’d been fair-skinned, with light brown hair and boyish good looks, and as she dwelt on the comparison Selina was aghast at the channels that her thoughts were moving along.

Since losing the man who’d been her childhood sweetheart, no other male had invaded her consciousness until now. But, she told herself with calming reason, it was only to be expected that she would be aware of Kane if they were going to be working together for twelve hours at a time.

Charlie popped in for a chat and invited them all to join him for a farewell drink at a bar close to the station, and most of those who weren’t on duty agreed to go.

Selina and Kane were due for two days off and, knowing that Jill wouldn’t mind having Josh for this one evening, she accepted the invitation.

Kane had said nothing, obviously feeling that as a new member of staff it didn’t apply to him, but Charlie said, ‘You, too, Kane, if you feel like joining us. It’s no joke moving to a new town where you don’t know anyone, is it?’

Kane smiled, giving nothing away as usual, and said easily, ‘Thanks. I’ll bear it in mind.’

Selina felt guilty after that. Charlie was right. Kane was alone in a strange town. The station officer had reminded her of that on that first day. Though she’d like to bet he wouldn’t be alone for long.

At least she could offer him some hospitality until he’d made some friends. He’d said that he had a basic sort of flat somewhere near the hospital and that was all she knew about him.

‘I’ll be going to Charlie’s farewell tomorrow night,’ she said awkwardly as they set out on a call shortly after his visit, ‘but I’ve nothing planned for the night after and I wondered if you would like to come round for a meal.’

She could feel her face warming as he observed her with surprised dark eyes.

‘Just to show you some northern hospitality,’ she said quickly, ‘and I’m sure that Josh would like to see you again.’

‘Really? Well, on the strength of that I can’t refuse. What time?’

‘Seven?’

‘Yes, that will be fine.’

* * *

Later that night, sitting quietly in the summer twilight with Josh fast asleep upstairs, Selina was regretting her rash offer. Did she want another man eating at her table…in the house that had been hers and Dave’s?

She didn’t know whether she did or not, but she was about to find out. And, she reasoned, wasn’t she making too much of it? She’d asked Kane to dine with them merely as a gesture to a stranger in their town, not as a date.

When she’d asked Jill if she would mind Josh while she went to Charlie’s party her sister-in-law had said, ‘But of course. It’s time you had a social life. You haven’t had an evening out since Dave—’

‘I know,’ Selina had agreed softly, ‘and I haven’t wanted one, but I’m fond of Charlie…and I might as well tell you I’ll be socialising the night after, too, but here on my own patch.’

Jill’s eyes had sparkled.

‘Tell me more!’

‘I’ve invited my new partner round for a meal. He doesn’t know anyone in these parts and I thought I should show him some hospitality.’

‘Well! How old is he? What’s he like? Is he free?’

She had to laugh.

‘Hold on! He’s thirty-something. Darkly brooding. And I don’t know whether he’s free or not. That doesn’t come into it. I’m merely being hospitable…nothing else.’

Jill had given her a quick hug.

‘Yes, I know, my dearest one, but Gavin and I don’t want you to be alone for ever. Dave would want you to—’

Selina put a gentle finger on her lips.

‘I know what you’re saying, but he would be a hard act to follow…and then there’s Josh.’

‘What about him?’

‘He has to have a say in those sort of things.’

CHAPTER THREE

WHEN Selina walked into the bar in the city centre she felt suddenly awkward. It was the first time she’d been in such a place without Dave and she thought sadly that it was yet another occasion to remind her that she was a woman alone.

But surprise was wiping out her melancholy. Kane was standing by the bar and she caught her breath. It was the first time she’d seen him out of uniform and he was impressive. In a blue silk casual shirt and tailored trousers, he was the most attractive man in the place.

He was chatting to the barman as the man was measuring out a drinks order and it was only when Charlie cried, ‘Selina! I’m glad you made it,’ that he became aware of her presence.

He swivelled round slowly at the sound of the older man’s greeting, and as their eyes met Selina felt her colour rise.

She’d dressed with care for this first social foray since Dave’s death. For some reason it had seemed important to do so, like flying a flag of independence. As she’d surveyed herself before leaving the house she’d known that in a long skirt of soft cotton that swirled around her ankles in a swish of bright colour and a low-cut black evening top she was looking her best.

There was still the extreme slenderness about her that spoke of months of stress and sorrow, but she was coming out of it slowly, turning towards the light again, and as always there was Josh. A bright candle in the gloom.

This wanting to look her best couldn’t have anything to do with Kane she assured herself. For one thing, she hadn’t expected him to be there.

But you did know there was a possibility that he might turn up. The voice of conscience was teasing, and that made her cheeks burn even more.

He was coming across and she felt the need to get the first word in.

‘This is a surprise. A pleasant one, too,’ she said with a smile. ‘It gives you the chance to get to know us all better and see something of the city besides the ambulance depot.’

Was it nerves that were making her so effusive? she wondered. Or was it true? That it was a pleasant surprise to see him there?

‘And what about you, Selina?’ he asked evenly. ‘Is this sort of an evening a pleasure…or an ordeal?’

Her eyes widened. Surely he couldn’t know what had been going through her mind.

‘A bit of both, I think,’ she said with a wry smile. Not wanting to elaborate on that, she strolled across to where the others were seated and Kane followed.

The bar management had put on an excellent buffet for the ambulance personnel at Charlie’s request, and as the evening progressed Selina began to relax.

She’d been tense in those first few moments on arriving, but with the knowledge that Josh was safe and sound at Gavin’s, and that those she was with all had in common their dedication to the ambulance service, she began to enjoy herself.

Another time she wouldn’t feel so awkward. She’d broken down the barrier that her new and inescapable circumstances had put up and was feeling happier for it.

Having Kane beside her for most of the evening could have had something to do with it, but she wasn’t prepared to delve deeply into that.

It was sufficient that his casual yet watchful gaze was upon her whenever she felt the strangeness coming over her again and, although he didn’t say much, his presence was oddly comforting.

‘And so when are these new tactics being put into practice?’ Charlie asked at one point in the evening.

There was silence as they all observed him in puzzlement.

‘Ooops! Have I let the cat out of the bag?’ He chuckled. ‘Mark Guthrie was telling me about them when I called in at the station this afternoon. No doubt he’ll be putting you all in the picture at the first opportunity but in the meantime I think I’d better keep quiet. I don’t want to steal his thunder.’

‘Aw, come on…tell us,’ someone said, but the elderly ex-paramedic shook his head.

‘No. Let the boss be the one to break the news.’

And with that they had to be satisfied.

It was close on midnight when the gathering broke up, and as Selina went to her car Kane was by her side.

‘Is it still on for tomorrow night?’ he asked as she started the car.

‘Yes, of course,’ she said quickly, with a sudden sinking feeling that she should have waited a while before asking him round for a meal.

He smiled.

‘Right. I’ll see you then. And, Selina, if there’s time I’d love you to show me around your village.’

She smiled up at him from inside the car’s dark interior, and as a group of rowdy revellers went by, followed by a police car with sirens blaring, she told him, ‘Living there is heaven after experiencing what goes on out here.’

‘Tell me about it!’ he agreed sombrely. ‘I’m not intending to stay where I am for long, that’s for sure.’

With that he went striding off into the warm night, and Selina drove home with two thoughts uppermost in her mind. Was Kane thinking of moving to the village where she lived? And if he was, how would she feel about it?

Josh was staying at Gavin’s for the night, and as she went slowly up the stairs in the quiet cottage for once she wasn’t dreading the emptiness of the big double bed.

* * *

Selina was cool, calm, and collected the next night until Kane arrived with flowers and wine, and then she became flustered.

‘Just to say thanks for inviting me,’ he said easily, averting his gaze from her rosy cheeks.

Fortunately Josh was there to take their visitor’s attention off her.

‘You’re my paramedic friend, aren’t you?’ he said. ‘The one who brought me comics and sweets?’

Kane smiled down at him.

‘Yes. That’s me. What would you like us to do while your mother sees to the food?’

‘Cricket. I’ve got a new bat.’

‘And bails? We can’t play without bails…and a corkie.’

Josh was already out on the garden path and beckoning Kane to follow him. ‘Yes, I’ve got the lot. My dad used to play for the village team.’

Kane raised dark brows to show that he was suitably impressed and went on to ask, ‘Was he a batter or a bowler?’

‘Both,’ Josh told him proudly, and Selina, listening to them through the kitchen window, felt the awkwardness that she’d experienced when he’d arrived disappear.

If Kane was a man of few words and cold efficiency while on the job, he was certainly putting himself out to be affable now, she thought thankfully.

But her face sobered as another thought came to mind. Was it because he was sorry for them…the bereaved? She hoped not. Pity was the last thing she would want from anyone, least of all this man.

He had walked across to the open window and seen her change of expression.

‘Everything all right, Selina?’

‘Yes, of course. I’ll call you when I’m ready to serve.’

When they came in from the garden Josh was jubilant. ‘I got Kane out for a duck, Mum,’ he chortled.

‘Yes. He did,’ Kane agreed in mock dismay. ‘Pity it wasn’t a bit earlier. We could have had it for dinner.’

She was hoping that he’d forgotten his request to be shown the village, but when they’d eaten and she’d cleared away he said, ‘And now for the conducted tour. Yes?’

Selina got reluctantly to her feet. Supposing Kane saw something he liked? There were a few properties for sale. Did she want him so near?

They saw enough of each other at the station without being under each other’s feet while off duty, and he was in her thoughts enough already.

There were two places that she was going to avoid, but she hadn’t reckoned with Josh.

‘Let’s go by the garage and see if Uncle Peter’s there,’ he suggested, ‘and then go along the canal to the marina.’

It took Selina all her time not to groan out loud. Peter Abbot, who owned the local garage, was Dave’s cousin and, like herself, was partnerless. His wife had left him, and because they were both on their own he’d been sending out signals that they should get together.

He was a likeable enough man, but the last person on earth that she would contemplate as anything but a friend. For one thing, his one topic of conversation was cars!

Hopefully the garage would be closed by now, but there was the Lock-Keeper’s Cottage, situated close to the marina. It was a house that she’d always wanted to live in. Built of limestone with high apexes and mullioned windows, it had a sort of compelling charm about it…and incredibly it was for sale. A fact that had registered only briefly as there was no way that she could afford to buy it. But what if Kane was wealthier than she?

The garage wasn’t shut. Peter was working beneath a silver Jaguar out on the forecourt and her spirits sank as Josh ran over to him and tugged at his feet.

As he slid from under the car he looked across to where they were standing a few feet away and then slowly pulled himself upright.

‘Selina!’ he said, wiping his hands on an oily rag. ‘This is a pleasant surprise.’

As far as he took any notice of the man by her side Kane could have been invisible, but she wasn’t going to allow that. Maybe here was an opportunity to let Peter see that she wasn’t as alone as he’d thought.

‘Allow me to introduce Kane Kavener,’ she said pleasantly. ‘We work together on the ambulances.’

‘How do you do?’ Peter said stiffly. ‘Been there long?’

‘No. Just a short time,’ Kane told him.

‘Hmm. Right. Well, if you folks’ll excuse me, I have to get on. The customer’s expecting this to be ready by morning.’ And he eased himself back underneath the car.

‘A relative?’ Kane asked casually as they continued along the village’s main street. ‘Josh referred to him as ‘‘Uncle Peter’’.’

‘My husband’s cousin.’

‘I see.’

He did see. He saw quite clearly, Kane thought as they strolled along. That guy had a claim on her of some sort. Or thought he had. And if that was the case, was it any of his business?

When Selina had invited him to eat with them he’d been surprised. For one thing, she didn’t know him from Adam, and for another it was plain to see that she was still grieving for her husband.

He supposed it was the hand of friendship to a stranger that she was offering and all credit to her for the thought. But he sensed that wasn’t all it was.

Kane could tell that she thought he wanted to come and live in the village, and she was right. He did. It was an enchanting place. But he could also tell that she didn’t want him to for some reason, and there was no way he would want to upset this fragile young widow.

So when they came to Lock-Keeper’s Cottage, nestling beside the peaceful canal, with its ‘for sale’ board tantalisingly displayed, he concealed the excitement that was gripping him and walked casually past.

‘That’s the house where we’d like to live, isn’t it, Mum?’ Josh said guilelessly, and Selina managed a smile.

‘Yes…in our dreams, Josh,’ she said quietly, and that was that.

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