Why are there four people assigned there? Before I can read the names, she deletes the fourth.
‘... o.k., this goes here and then I have to ...’
The name from before appears next to mine.
Dr. Moore.
‘A doctor?’ Now I’m the one sceptically furrowing my brow. ‘Why is a doctor coming along?’
‘Shhh, I need to concentrate.’ Mia moves more names around. ‘Paul is on call, he’s going with Laura, because that way ...’
Slowly I see where this is going.
‘Ohhh, this is perfect.’ With a satisfied expression, Mia rubs her hands together.
I look at the result. Vehicle 5-8-1, driver: Ray Brown, paramedics: Jaden Reynolds, Ray Brown. And in a field without further specification: Dr. Moore.
‘What’s with the doctor?’ I ask again.
Mia sinks back against the backrest of her chair, which gives a soft creak. ‘Weren’t you at the team meeting yesterday?’
‘Of course I was there.’ My head is pounding. Hopefully the pill will kick in soon. ‘At least physically, anyway.’
‘Where is this all going to end with you?’ She grabs a ballpoint pen and points it at me.
I raise my eyebrows. ‘That’s probably one of humanity’s great mysteries.’
The corners of her mouth twitch. ‘All right, there’s this new program the boss introduced yesterday. Doctors accompany the emergency services and vice versa. Apparently, it’s about getting to know each other’s ways of working better, broadening horizons and all that.’
‘Okay.’ No idea what I think about that, and it doesn’t really matter. ‘What could possibly go wrong.’
‘Oh, probably something.’ That mischievous grin on her lips bodes nothing good. ‘Because do you know what the best part is?’
‘What?’
The way she’s looking at me now, as if she’s on the verge of a major victory, does not appeal to me at all. ‘That it means you’ll be under medical supervision all day, which you—as we both know—desperately need.’
I laugh, well aware that she’s scored a point there. ‘The only thing I really desperately need is another coffee.’ Or two, then I’ll be wide awake for the whole shift. ‘And I’m going to get one now, do you want one too?’
Mia gives me a grateful nod. ‘A splash of oat milk…’
‘...and a sweetener tablet. Coming right up.’ On the way to the coffee machine, I shrug off my jacket. My head feels more or less okay as I step into the kitchen. Just a bit more caffeine and...
In mid-motion, I freeze.
What is she doing here?
She didn’t actually come to check whether I’m taking the prescribed antibiotics, did she? I certainly wouldn’t put it past her.
‘Hi.’ Nyla raises her hand in an almost apologetic gesture and straightens up on the stool. Her gaze lingers on my tattooed arms.
I wink at her and walk over to the coffee machine. ‘Someone must have been missing me.’
As I say the words, I realize she’s wearing a paramedic uniform, and although my head still isn’t fully clear, I understand what that means. She’s part of this exchange program.
‘I’m riding in vehicle 7-1-3 today.’ Am I imagining it, or is her voice trembling a little?
Is she scared? Of what? She’s a doctor; she’s surely seen a lot.
