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'Her ears and throat are red,' she said quickly. 'I think we should start her on some antibiotics, keep up the paracetamol
, monitor her temperature and admit her overnight. But I suppose we need a paediatric opinion.'
'That's me.' A voice came from behind them and they both turned, Zach's face showing visible relief.
'Tony—thanks for coming yourself. It's my daughter...'
'No problem.' Tony put a hand on Zach's shoulder and it was obvious from the sympathetic expression on his face that the two men were friends. 'History?'
Zach breathed out heavily and rubbed the back of his neck. 'She was fine when I left yesterday lunchtime. I didn't go home last night—I was working—but I called the nanny this morning and she said that everything was fine. But it seems that she's been taking the child to a crèche when I've been at work so that she can use the gym—'
'Ouch.' Tony pulled a face and Zach's eyes were icy cold.
'Precisely. The nursery nurse who looked after Phoebe in the crèche said that she was fretful and hot this afternoon—they tried to call the nanny but apparently they couldn't get hold of her. Then the child fitted and they called the ambulance.'
'Right.' Tony nodded. 'So it seems as though we have a history consistent with a febrile convulsion.'
'That's what Keely thought.' Zach suddenly remembered Keely and turned to her with an apologetic frown. 'Sorry. You haven't met, have you? This is Tony Maxwell, one of the paediatric consultants.'
Keely gave him a smile, described her findings and then watched while Tony examined the little girl himself. Zach settled himself on a chair and held Phoebe while Tony looked in her throat and ears and listened to her chest.
'I agree with Keely. It's her ears and throat, Zach. I'd say admit her for observation overnight and we'll see how she is in the morning.'
Zach frowned. 'You want her to stay in?'
'Only because you'll be stressed out by the responsibility of having her at home,' Tony said quietly. 'It's hard to think rationally when it's your own—believe me, I know. I've got two and I'm a nervous wreck when either of them are ill.'
Phoebe whimpered slightly and Zach held her closer. 'Can I stay the night with her?'
Tony shrugged. 'Of course. We've got a spare side room at the moment. You can go in there with her. I'll go back now and tell them.'
Nicky followed him out of Resus and Keely was left alone with Zach.
Zach dropped a kiss on his daughter's blonde head and looked at Keely. 'Will you do me a favour?'
She swallowed. 'Of course...'
Anything...
'Once I've settled her on the ward, will you sit with her until I've sorted out the nanny?' His expression was grim but Keely felt no sympathy for the woman. She deserved everything that was coming to her.
'Of course I will.' She felt suddenly awkward. Surely she wasn't the right person to be staying with his daughter. 'Do you want me to call your wife or something? I expect Phoebe will want to see her mother.'
Frankly she was amazed that the little girl hadn't already asked for her mother.
Zach stood up, his features stiff and cold. 'I don't have a wife, Keely. She died a year ago.'
CHAPTER THREE
The only light in the room was a gentle glow from a lamp placed on the locker beside the cot.
Outside the wind howled and wrapped itself around the hospital, a sharp reminder of the cold winter weather which had suddenly descended on them.
Phoebe lay in the cot, dressed in just a nappy and covered in a cotton sheet, her breathing steady and even.
Keely sat next to her, head resting against the bars of the cot, waiting for Zach to return. At least the child was more peaceful now. Her temperature was down and she was sleeping deeply.
In the quiet of the room, with nothing but a sleeping child for company, Keely had plenty of time to think. And all she could think about was Zach and what he'd told her down in Resus.
