Page 6 of Decker

Chapter Three

“And how isour patient feeling today?” Savannah looked down at her notes and then back up at nineteen-year-old Melissa Evans who’d been diagnosed with congenital scoliosis. Savannah had operated when the spinal cord had become impinged. That was two weeks ago and Missy, as she’d asked to be called, was doing well.

“Much better. Do you think I can go home soon?”

Savannah had the same conversation with her every day, but she had better news this time. “I think if the physio team is happy with your progress, we can look at getting you home by the weekend. How does that sound?”

“Amazing!” Missy squealed and it was hard not to return the infectious joy from a young woman who’d been through years of surgeries and pain and was coming out the other side. It was why she loved her job so much.

“Wonderful. I’ll see you tomorrow and we’ll get some images and go from there. Is mum coming in later?”

Missy nodded. “Yes, she had to go help my little brother get packed for a school trip, but she’ll be here later.”

Siobhan Evans was a single mum who’d worked her ass off for her kids and was devoted to them. Savannah liked her and respected all she’d done, that was the real hard work. Her part was done in weeks, but Siobhan had stress day in and day out.

Savannah finished up her ward rounds quickly and headed back to her office. She passed her ex-husbands office, glad that his door was closed. She didn’t have the energy for his bullshit today. She could’ve left and gone to work elsewhere after the divorce, but she loved it there and why should she leave when she hadn’t done anything wrong. The weekly meetings were a price she was prepared to pay for the job of her dreams.

She was nose deep in the case notes for a surgery she had coming up involving a particularly difficult tumour when there was a knock on her door and Andy poked his head in. Savannah fought the groan and pasted a look of indifference on her face. “What can I do for you, Andy?”

“I could do with a consult on a patient of mine if you have five minutes?”

Damn man knew she’d never turn down a patient and was using that excuse more and more of late to spend time with her. She needed to nip it in the bud before it became a thing. “Can Dr Rosco do it? I’m up to my eyes in patient notes.”

Andy shook his head as he put his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels, watching her. Andy Farr was tall, slim, had a head of dark hair, brown eyes, and a crooked smile that seemed to melt the pants off women. She’d fallen victim to that and his silver tongue, which had promised so much and delivered so little.

For her though, it hadn’t been his looks or the charm, it was the fact he was a brilliant surgeon. She could listen to him for hours when he talked shop with her, but his philandering had become the reason his name was mentioned more and more of late, and she pitied him for throwing it all away. She also suspected he was drinking pretty heavily but had never had proof. If she had, she would’ve reported him, a drunk neurosurgeon was a recipe for disaster.

“Rosco is in surgery.”

Savannah fought the sigh and nodded, her lips pursed trying to contain her frustration. “Fine, what is it?”

Andy sat down in the chair opposite and proceeded to give her the details on the patient, he was halfway through when she realised it was an excuse, he’d done this particular surgery a thousand times and told him so.

He gave her a sheepish grin that had once worked wonders on her mood and felt nothing but irritation. “I miss you, Savannah.”

Savannah breathed in through her nose. “No, you don’t. You miss being married and the stability it gives you. You never loved me, Andy, and we both know it.”

She stood hoping it would encourage him to leave, but he just gave her a hang dog expression.

“How can you say that? You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved.”

“Well, you had a funny way of showing it.”

“I’ve changed, Savi. I’m not that man anymore.”

“You are or you wouldn’t be here saying this to me while your pregnant girlfriend is working three floors away.” She had no love for this man anymore, he’d hurt her too badly, but she didn’t hate him either and that was sadder than anything. She felt nothing but pity. “Andy, you’re a brilliant surgeon, concentrate on that and the child you’ll have very soon.”

His eyes softened as he looked at her and they glistened with tears. “It should have been us, Savi. That child should have been ours.”

A gut-punch of pain slammed into her at his words, and she clenched her fists to ward off the grief of what could’ve been. “But it isn’t and never will be. I don’t love you anymore, Andy. Go be a good father to your child and leave me in peace.” She stepped towards the door and opened it, wanting this over so she could get on with her day.

Andy moved to the door and stopped inches from her as he passed, his eyes moving over her as if he didn’t understand what had happened. “What happened to you, Savannah? You used to be so sweet and forgiving.”

Savannah shrugged. “I grew up and realised that it was only worth showing my sweet side to those who deserved it and didn’t use it to hurt me.”

Andy’s jaw tensed and his eyes grew cold in a look she’d seen before when he didn’t get his own way. “You’ll regret this.”

“I doubt that. Now I have work to do.” She waited, hoping she wouldn’t have to have a slanging match with him.