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Zach rubbed his chin, his expression suddenly watchful. 'And you think it's non accidental?'
'I don't know.' Keely hesitated. 'I don't want to think that, but all my instincts are saying that someth
ing isn't right'
'How does she react to the mother?'
'Fine.' Keely shrugged. 'Mother seems a bit nervous but that could just be because it's hospital, of course.'
'Any sign of Dad?'
Keely shook her head, wishing his gaze wasn't quite so blue or so direct. It made it hard to concentrate. 'No dad. Mother mentioned a boyfriend. The same person that the toddler said pushed her.'
Zach frowned. 'I don't think you can rely on the evidence of a two-and-a-half-year-old, Keely.'
Keely took a deep breath. 'I know that, but will you just look at her?'
'I'll look at her.' For a moment their eyes held and tension sparked between them, then he muttered something under his breath and strode off down the corridor, leaving her feeling weak-kneed.
Quickly she pulled herself together and caught up with him. 'I've warned the mother that we may want to admit her for twenty-four hours' observation.'
Zach paused. 'Have you checked the register?'
Keely shook her head. All the A and E staff had access to the Child Protection Register which listed children considered to be at risk.
'Check the register and meet me down there.'
Zach strode off and Keely hurried to Reception. There was no record of the child on the register, and by the time she got back to Paediatric Casualty Zach had finished his examination.
He was playing comfortably with Emily and had the mother eating out of his hand.
'Dr Thompson is quite right, Mrs Barrett,-' he said smoothly, casting a relaxed smile in Keely's direction. Not by the flicker of an eyelid did he betray that anything was amiss. 'Emily has had a bang on the head so we would like to keep her in overnight. I'll call the paediatricians.'
Mrs Barrett complained a bit but also looked slightly relieved.
'Odd,' Keely said afterwards as she and Zach walked back towards the staffroom. 'It was almost as if she wanted the child to be admitted.'
'So maybe it is the boyfriend and he's out of control.' Zach shrugged and held the door open for her. 'Either way, it's not our problem any more. Paeds can deal with it. If necessary, they'll get an emergency protection order.'
Keely bit her lip. 'But maybe I should contact the health visitor or the GP, or maybe—'
'Keely, this is A and E,' Zach pointed out gently. 'The child has been admitted. Paeds will deal with all that.'
'But—'
'We can't get involved in the small details of people's lives,' Zach reminded her. 'We just repair the surface damage and leave the rest to someone else.'
But that wasn't what she wanted to do. She wanted to see it through. She wanted to make sure that the patients were all right once they got home, that they could cope...
'Three cheers for Keely.' Adam was back in the common room, a big grin on his face. 'What you don't know, Dr Thompson, is that we all sneaked down after you to watch you with that child. We thought we might learn something.'
'Never knew you liked trains so much,' Nicky teased, 'or that you found the floor so comfortable.'
Keely rolled her eyes. 'Pick up any tips?'
'Yes.' Adam gave a broad grin. 'If it's a child, call Keely. I need all the help I can get when it comes to children. I'm the first to admit it. I never know where to start but you were fantastic.'
'You're being ridiculous,' Keely said gruffly, blushing as she walked across to the kettle and flicked the switch. 'I'm no better with children than anyone else is.'
