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Alistair nodded. ‘Yeah, she’s doing well. I’m thinking of asking her to head up the technical side of the project team. Ben’s expressed an interest in moving on to something different in a few weeks’ time, when we’ve got the finishing touches to the prosthetic designs sorted out.’
‘That sounds like a good idea. For both of them. Kaia’s interested in seeing the project through, and Ben’s always got something new in his sights.’ Raina had come to respect the way Alistair organised the charity’s work teams, always listening to what each individual wanted and trying to develop their talents.
‘And how about you? I’m keen to know if there’s anything you think we could be doing better on this project.’
That was another way in which Alistair gained the respect of both his staff and his patients. He was always willing to listen, and Raina had realised how much it had hurt him when he was struggling to hear. Now that he was coping better with his deafness, he seemed more confident about his place in the world.
‘I think...it’s been a great experience, and I know that the other parents think so too. There is one thing, though.’
Alistair grinned. ‘Okay. Fire away.’
‘When we started out, I was pretty sure of what to expect. I knew the medical issues and it was really only the idea of what the Dream Team could and couldn’t do that I had to get to grips with. But I know that some of the parents felt a little overwhelmed by it all.’
‘They did?’ Alistair’s face clouded. ‘Gabriel and I did our best to explain everything...’
‘Yes, I know, and you did a great job. But some of them were coming to me to ask questions because they knew I’m a parent as well as a doctor. We ended up forming our own little support group.’
‘Yes, I noticed that when all the parents were in the office together you all adjourned to the park for lunch. I thought that something of the sort was going on, and decided not to interfere. I reckoned you’d ask for my input if you needed it.’
Raina grinned. ‘Yes. That’s what I’m doing now. It worked well for us, because I’m a doctor and I understood a lot of the issues. But for other groups...’
Alistair nodded. ‘So what are you saying? That we should make it official and form a patient support group for each intake of children? Wouldn’t t
hat undermine the whole point? It worked because it was an informal group.’
He hadn’t taken the bait yet. Raina reckoned he would if she dangled it for long enough. ‘I was just thinking that The Watchlight Trust could provide the facilities, a place to sit and maybe drinks, and that the group could use them to discuss whatever it wanted. Just a few sessions, maybe one a week, with a parent who’s been through the process already.’
He nodded. ‘It would be ideal if that parent happened to have the medical knowledge to answer questions as well. That kind of person’s pretty hard to find.’
Raina resisted the temptation to tip the rest of her coffee into his lap. It was still lukewarm, and it might scald. ‘Don’t play hard to get with me, Alistair. It doesn’t suit you.’
He chuckled. ‘Oh, so you think easy suits me?’
It suited him a lot better than stand-offish and prickly. But, then, Raina hadn’t been at her best when they’d started working together either. These last few weeks had seen a change in both of them.
‘Easy is just fine.’
‘Okay, then. It’s been suggested to me that an informal family support group might be beneficial. I think it’s a splendid idea and was wondering whether you’d be able to help us out with that. Since you’re both a doctor and a parent.’
‘Yes, I’d be happy to help.’ Raina wrinkled her nose at him.
‘That’s great. Any ideas on how it might work?’ He pulled a face back.
‘Well, I could put some notes together for an introductory session. What to expect, and so on. We could take it from there maybe.’
‘What do you think about involving one of the counsellors from the clinic?’ Alistair had made sure that all the parents knew that they could use the counselling service that the clinic next door to the charity’s offices ran.
‘Yes, that would be a good idea. Maybe for just one of the sessions, so that the parents could get to know them and feel more confident about approaching you for counselling help if they needed it.’
‘Right, then. Leave that side of it with me, and I’ll organise it. And I’ll leave the introductory session to you, shall I?’ Alistair was clearly trying to keep the laughter from his voice, and failing miserably.
‘Sounds good.’
They sat for a moment, watching Anya play in the sunshine. Alistair was grinning broadly now.
‘So how did I do? Was I easy enough for you?’
‘You did just fine. Ten out of ten...’ Raina couldn’t help laughing now, too.
