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And even if he was heading out of the cubicle now, he wasn’t washing his hands of the matter. In fact, by having Mark admitted to the pediatric ward as opposed to Obs, he was actually offering the family more care, only somehow it didn’t feel like it. He was so direct, so absolutely open in what he was saying and respectful to Mark that everyone present knew that even if he had to keep it short and sweet, the care they could get from this doctor would probably be the best start for them all.
‘Can you see where we’re coming from?’ Mr Taylor called him back. ‘We want to help him and unless we know what’s going on, we can’t. How do we know that you’ll say the right thing?’
‘You don’t.’ Iosef didn’t even blink. ‘Though, given my job, given that I am used to dealing with this age group and the problems they face, you can feel fairly safe that I won’t make things worse.
‘Let me at leasttryto talk with your son. Unless someone does that—unless he opens up to someone— then there can be nothing to tell.’ For the longest time he looked at Mr Taylor. ‘I understand that I am asking you to sign a contract without reading it. I am asking you to trust me with the most precious thing in your life—with not much guarantee. We can discuss legalities for longer than anyone has time for but right now I believe it is in everyone’s best interests to find out what is going on with your son.’
‘Talk to him, Mark.’ Mr Taylor gave a terse nod.
‘Annie.’ Iosef gave her a polite smile. ‘Could you show Mr and Mrs Taylor to an interview room, please?’ He was, of course, booting her out too, Annie realized, only it didn’t irk as it had before, and she didn’t feel as if she was being dismissed, was just curious as to what he would say to the young man, curious as to how he would relay it to the parents, but more than that she was curious that a man so aloof and so cutting at times could somehow be the most caring and perceptive of them all.
For all she knew of him, for all the time she spent with him, it was as if she’d merely scratched the surface. There was layer after layer to this complicated man that she wanted to explore, yet at every turn he thwarted her.
Gave her all his attention when they were alone together but only a little piece of his mind.
There was no trouble with anyone picking up on them at work—no one could possibly have guessed there was anything between them.
He was just as cool with her.
Just as dismissive.
Though he did now call her Annie.
He more than made up for it when they saw each other—whisking her away for a romantic midweek break, giving her a piece of jewelry that would surely have covered a year’s rent—somehow it wasn’t enough.
Wasn’t enough to ease the growing disquiet that gnawed away at her, that wouldn’t hush when she scolded herself that she was being greedy, wanting too much too soon.
Wanting pieces of Iosef that he didn’t seem ready or willing to give.
It was a funny shift—lots of lulls and no one particularly critical.
George was flicking through holiday brochures and Annie sat nibbling on a bar of chocolate, waiting for the place to get busy.
‘Tell me if the boss comes.’ George looked up. ‘He wouldn’t be too impressed with me sitting here, looking at these.’
‘Iosef wouldn’t care about that and anyway... ’ Annie gave a dismissive shrug ‘...I’m over pretending to look busy. We work more than hard enough when it’s needed.’
‘You don’t know him,’ George said, and Annie could only inwardly agree. ‘He tells me I should be doing things, that there’s plenty to do, then as soon as I go to do it he’s already there. He’s got no patience—his way is best.’
‘I think he’s just used to working on his own,’ Annie attempted.
‘Well, this is a teaching hospital. Take that kid he’s talking to now. Why couldn’t I have dealt with that?’
‘That one’s actually a bit complicated.’ Annie nibbled on her bottom lip. ‘It’s turned out to be more serious than it looks.’
‘I know that,’ George moaned. ‘I spoke to the dad when the kid was first brought in, I said I’d talk to his son and find out what was going on. Then Dr Control Freak marches in and decides it’s more appropriate if someone more senior deals with this patient and family.’
She could see both sides—she truly could.
George wanted experience.
Iosef could do it better.
But George couldn’t get the experience if Iosef didn’t let him make a few mistakes.
But these were people’s lives they were dealing with. ‘You just wait... ’ There was no stopping George now as he angrily turned the pages. ‘I’ll be called into his office for a lecture tomorrow so I can hear how marvelously he handled things. I may as well be home, reading a medical textbook!’
‘George!’ A curt voice had them both jumping. ‘Haven’t you got something better to do than read holiday brochures?’
