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‘Nothing so justifiable. Just admin work.’
‘Not your favourite, if I recall correctly.’
‘I’ve learned if I keep on top of it, it isn’t all that bad.’
‘True.’
‘Did you have to do a lot of admin work in your job prior to taking on the VOS?’ Surely his work at Melbourne General Hospital was a safe topic. That way, she was finding out a bit more about him—but only in a professional capacity. She told herself that the questions she asked him should be the same questions she’d ask of any colleague and not just the colleague who was causing goose-bumps to pepper her skin at his nearness.
‘I did. I was head of department, like you, but stepped down for these twelve months.’ George leaned in closer to her and said in a conspiratorial whisper, ‘And I’m not entirely sure I want to return.’
‘Oh?’ She tried not to stare at his mouth as he spoke. She tried to comprehend his words, the delicious scent he wore was creating havoc with her thoughts. ‘To the hospital? To your job? To Melbourne?’
George stayed where he was for another moment, glancing at her mouth before meeting her gaze, causing another wave of delight to wash over her. Then he eased back in his chair, breathing in and sighing audibly, clearing his throat a little. ‘I want to return to Melbourne, of course, and the hospital, but I’m not too sure about usurping the acting head as by all accounts he’s doing an excellent job and…’ George closed his eyes for a moment and shook his head. ‘And I think I just need a break.’
‘Understandable. The VOS is intensive and so is being head of a department.’
‘Hmm.’ He rubbed a hand over his chin, deep in thought. Melody watched him for another long moment, wanting to know his thoughts, wanting to be a sounding board for him, wanting to help him sort out this dilemma, but that wasn’t her role. From the corner of her eye she saw that Carmel was headed their way and belatedly realised that while they’d been talking everyone else had taken their seats, the waiting staff already bringing out the entrées.
‘Heads up,’ she murmured, and George instantly looked towards where Carmel was almost upon them.
‘Here’s your next speech, George.’ Carmel smiled encouragingly as she handed him some papers. ‘There’s no podium so—’
‘Just stand and give it here?’ he stated rhetorically and rose to his feet, putting the papers on the table in front of him and buttoning his jacket. As he did so, Melody reached for her water glass.
‘Don’t choke,’ he said softly, giving her a wry smile.
‘Funny,’ she returned, just as softly, before he started his speech. She was impressed with the way he was able to make each speech sound unique and still provide interesting information on the chosen speciality of orthopaedics. Soon everyone was clapping and the rest of their meal was being served. The person seated to her left was a theatre nurse she’d worked with several times and the two of them talked about a variety of topics.
The entire time, she was acutely aware of George sitting on the other side of her, filling her water glass or offering her a bread roll or passing the butter. He was so attentive and yet everything he did seemed quite ordinary as he would often pass bread or butter to other people as well. Was she reading too much into every little thing? Every little move he made?
A few times she managed to share a moment of conversation with him, or join in the larger conversation going on around the table, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that George was wanting to talk to her about something else, to continue their discussion about his position at Melbourne General or—Melody shook her head. She was going round the twist, trying to wrap her thoughts around the verbal and non-verbal conversations she and George were having. What she was completely conscious of, though, was the way just being next to him was increasing her awareness of him. How was she supposed to get the man out of her head when her body seemed to be tuning itself to his frequency?
Just as coffee was being served, Melody checked her watch and gasped when she realised the time.
‘Something wrong?’ George asked, a frown on his face.
‘If I don’t hustle, I’ll be late for clinic.’ She took a quick sip of her coffee.
‘I’ll walk back with you,’ he stated.
‘That’s not necessary.’ She drained her cup and stood. ‘Besides, it will take you ages to get out of here. Everyone wants to have a word with you.’
‘Well, they’ll have to wait. I need to have a word with you.’
‘Oh.’ Melody wasn’t quite sure what to say. She shifted away from the table and pushed her chair in as the nurse who’d been sitting beside her asked George a question. Melody watched as George turned from her and gave the nurse his attention, but instead of listening intently he actually fobbed the nurse off.
