AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Anna had anticipated some resistance from Jon, and decided that the most straightforward answers were the best. ‘It’s normal to have feelings in reaction to an injury. But that’s not necessarily the same as depression.’
Jon shook his head. ‘I want this done. I want rid of it.’
‘Anything we do to modify the scars on your arm and face will make them more painful in the short term—’
‘I don’t care about pain. If it hurts, it hurts. It’s not as if everything else is rosy at the moment.’
That was exactly what Anna and Dr Lewis had discussed yesterday. Jon was in a world of mental pain and confusion, and they needed to address that first. The pain from a medical procedure might serve to take his mind off his other problems, but it would do nothing to solve them.
‘We feel that these other issues are more pressing and should be addressed first. We’ll still keep up with the cream and massage, and that will improve the skin around your burns and make it more likely that surgery will be successful.’
Jon shook his head, cursing under his breath. Then got to his feet and started to pace. ‘This is... Why can’t you just do as I say?’
Anna shot Jamie a warning look, hoping he wouldn’t intervene, and he ignored her.
‘Hey! You think you’re the most important person in the room? You’re not, Anna is. Because she’s your surgeon and you need to listen to what she’s telling you and follow her advice.’ Jamie’s voice was quiet but very firm. And it worked. Jon calmed down suddenly.
‘Sorry. I don’t much like sitting around, doing nothing.’ Jon’s moods could turn on a sixpence, and now he seemed the picture of contrition.
‘You have nothing to apologise for. I know it must be hard, and frustrating, but both Dr Lewis and I feel that this is the best way forward. If you agree, he’ll take over sole responsibility for your care for the foreseeable future, and you can come back to me when you’ve worked together to resolve the most important issues.’
Jon shrugged. ‘Okay, whatever you say. Although I’ll miss my beautiful Anna’s visits.’
Anna saw Jamie stiffen, and felt herself blush. It was just a compliment and it meant nothing to her. It would have meant a great deal more on Jamie’s lips...
‘It’s not a beauty contest, mate.’ Jamie’s tension showed beneath his smile. ‘Anna’s here to do her job.’
He was right, but he hadn’t needed to say it. Jon’s words were harmless.
‘I’ll always take a compliment.’ She tried to diffuse the tension that had built suddenly in the room.
Jon chuckled, and Jamie looked at her as if she’d just slapped his face. Whatever was going on between them was one of the things that needed to be resolved. A knock sounded at the door and Anna jumped to her feet to open it.
A woman of about her own age was juggling a baby and a large bag. Her resemblance to Jamie and Jon was obvious.
‘Look who it is! Is that Joshua...?’ Jon was animated again, and even Jamie looked a little less grumpy.
‘Yes, I thought you might like to get to know your new nephew.’ The woman turned to Anna. ‘I’m Caroline, Jamie and Jon’s sister.’
‘I’m Anna Caulder. I was Jon’s surgeon until about five minutes ago.’
‘Jamie’s told me all about you. Thanks for looking after my big brothers.’ Caroline grinned, clearly reckoning that both of her brothers had needed some looking after. ‘And this is Joshua.’
‘Hey, Joshua.’ Jon’s voice was cracked with emotion and he was staring at Caroline and the baby. Caroline planted a kiss on her son’s brow and pointed towards Jon, waving at him. Joshua imitated his mother, and Jon waved back.
‘Don’t let me interrupt...’ Caroline smiled at Anna, and Anna shook her head. This was exactly what Jon needed.
‘We’re finished. I’ll leave you to your visit.’ Anna shot Jamie a pointed look and he got to his feet. Despite his obvious annoyance, he too understood that Caroline and Jon needed some time together, and that baby Joshua was a very special visitor too.
Jamie ushered his sister to a seat then followed Anna out of the room. She closed the door and Jamie paused, looking at her thoughtfully.
‘Is there something you need to talk about?’ Strictly speaking, and now that she was no longer Jon’s surgeon, that was Dr Lewis’s question to ask. But Jamie was a friend.
‘Yeah, actually, there is.’ She saw a trace of annoyance in his eyes.
‘Right, then.’ She turned on her heel, beckoning to him over her shoulder. ‘My office.’
* * *
