AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I dabbed my mouth with my napkin. Harry had turned me on by the mere touch of his finger on my lips, but I had no idea where we stood.
The microphone blared into life.
“And now I’d like to invite someone new to the stage. Usually Dr Larcombe would be here to say a few words but unfortunately, he’s not with us tonight. I now invite Dr Harrison Cain to the stage on behalf of Stanmore Medical Practice.”
Harry stood and pulled my chair out as I grabbed the thank-you bouquet. He placed his hand on my lower back, my body hyper-aware of his touch through the fabric, as we approached the stage.
Harry placed a scrawled sheet of paper ripped from a notepad on the lectern and rested his hands on either side and cleared his throat.
“Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for coming here tonight.”
The room went silent. I absently looked out over the crowd as Harry cleared his throat again and tugged on his collar. He’d gone pale and gripped the lectern as if he was holding on for dear life.
I nudged him with my elbow but he said nothing.
Someone in the crowd coughed. The silence was now awkward.
Holy shit, Harry had frozen. I licked my lips and pulled the microphone to me.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s lovely to see you. I, ah, many of you already know me but I’m Stacey Turner, the receptionist at the practice.”
“Hero Stacey, and Dr Harry!” someone heckled from the back of the room. Some of the Ballydoon Fire Brigade hooted and cheered. Brief applause followed.
“I’ve known Dr Larcombe all my life as my own doctor.” I paused. “And in recent years, as a friend and mentor.”
I searched the crowd, seeing Mum at her table beside ours beaming, full of pride. Several camera clicks went off at the back of the room as the local journalist covered the event.
Harry’s notes were a blurry scrawl. I couldn’t read a damn word. Doctors needed a compulsory class at uni on how to write neatly.
Harry stared at the crowd, terrified.
The ABC’s TV special came to mind. If I was going to speak on camera about losing my dad, my injuries and my recovery, how was saying thank you at a dinner any more terrifying?
Oh well, here goes nothing.
“He’s always been a supporter of the rural fire brigade over the years, both financially and with his time. For me personally, having access to excellent health care in regional Australia is something I know all too well. Doctor Larcombe helped me and my family as an advocate to get services here in Stanmore to support my recovery. Not just medical specialists but also a psychologist, occupational therapist and physiotherapists who were invaluable for my recovery.
“He tirelessly campaigned for funding and harassed politicians to get their fingers out of their butts and get things for our region. He visited me in Brisbane, talked to the specialist teams about my recovery. He also looked out for Mum, and made sure Ryan was healing, too. Mrs Larcombe kept casseroles coming, making sure we were fed after the fire. I know my family as a whole are very grateful for what the Larcombes and the medical practice did for us.”
I smiled at Mum and she smiled back, dabbing her eye. I’d never talked about how I’d felt during my recovery, until now. I was slightly shocked I’d done it but I felt good, lighter. Wished the Doc could have heard it.
In that moment, I decided I wanted to share my story with the ABC. I wanted to do the interview.
Harry was staring too, the colour back in his cheeks but he still gripped the lectern. I raised an eyebrow and tilted my head to the microphone. He nodded once and cleared his throat.
“I, ah, too have to thank Doctor Larcombe. Oh, I’m Dr Harrison Cain, but, please, call me Harry,” he said with a smile.
I swore half the women in the audience ovulated, and a couple of men, too.
Harry smoothed his speech notes and continued.
“Dr Larcombe helped me as a student. I’d introduced myself to many of you as a city doctor but I neglected to say I’d done a three-month placement in Walston. Not here in Stanmore, sorry.”
The crowd chuckled, and some booed, acknowledging inter-town rivalry.
“A lecturer had passed on my details to George based on an assignment I’d done, and that led to the placement with one of George’s friends at his practice. I learned so much on the job and saw things that you just don’t see in a city-based practice or hospital.”
Huh, Harry hadn’t mentioned to me before that he had worked out this way. I watched Harry as he spoke. He addressed the audience with no bravado or flirting or arrogance. Just as himself.
