A Change Of Heart. Alison Roberts

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СКАЧАТЬ of the asthma. Lisa has her scheduled for a cardiac catheter next week.’

      David was backing off. ‘I really only came to find Mike. Is he around at the moment?’

      Jane grinned. ‘I guess Mrs Judd will have to wait, then. Mike was helping Lisa with an admission a while back. Try the staffroom.’

      Half expecting to find Lisa with her consultant, David was relieved to find Mike sitting alone. The feeling changed to one of concern as he saw how morosely Mike was hunched over half a cup of coffee.

      ‘What’s up?’

      ‘Upsetting admission.’ Mike shook his head sadly. ‘Fourteen-year-old boy with cardiomyopathy, Stephen Taylor. He’s been on the waiting list for a cardiac transplant for over six months. Went up to Auckland a couple of months ago but it all fell through. He’s not looking good right now.’ Mike sighed heavily. ‘Stephen’s a great favourite around here. He’s got a brilliant attitude to life. He’s particularly attached to Lisa Kennedy. She’ll probably be here all night, watching him like a hawk.’

      ‘Are you planning to hang around as well?’

      ‘No.’ Mike stood up and emptied his cold coffee down the sink. ‘Lisa’s more than capable of handling things and knows when to call me if she isn’t.’

      ‘Are you otherwise free?’

      ‘Of course. Permanent state of affairs these days.’

      ‘Good.’ David was determined to cheer his friend up. ‘Gerry Greene’s invited us both for dinner. Probably wants to rehash unsavoury memories. Could be just what you need.’

      ‘Could be.’ Mike was looking more cheerful already. ‘Sounds great. Gerry’s over the other side of town. Do you want me to give you a lift?’

      ‘No, thanks anyway. I’ve bought a car and this will give me the opportunity to give it a test run. I’ll meet you there at seven.’

      The car was a heap but it had been all David could afford without putting himself into serious hock. Maybe it hadn’t been such a great idea, buying his parents that town house as a present to celebrate his father’s retirement. Property in central Auckland didn’t come cheap. Hell, it didn’t even come reasonable. Then he grinned as the engine on the aging Toyota finally caught and held. Of course it had been worth it. His parents had struggled financially all their lives and it had been their sacrifice that got him through medical school. The look on their faces when he’d presented them with the keys!

      He had flown home for the occasion, having had his younger sister, Melanie, and a real-estate agent make all the arrangements. The project had had the useful spin-off of keeping Melanie out of trouble for longer than usual. His parents had been pleased enough about that—they couldn’t believe it when the reason for their daughter’s preoccupation had been revealed. The Jameses had only ever lived in rented houses and retirement had simply been yet another financial challenge. Now they could look forward to having the time of their lives. They were both fit and healthy.

      Maybe when he got back on his feet again he’d shout them a trip through Europe. His own two-month jaunt, before returning to New Zealand, had been a wonderful experience but had also been responsible for clearing the last of his savings.

      David joined the still heavy stream of traffic circling Hagley Park. At the first set of traffic lights the engine on his car died suddenly. David swore softly but got it started again just as the car behind gave him a blast on its horn. He began to feel concerned about his purchase but it seemed to be running fine until he had to slow for the roundabout at the next corner. The engine cut out without so much as a cough.

      David tried to restart repeatedly as the traffic banked up around him. Cars tried to edge into the other lane to pass the obstacle he had created but other motorists were having none of it. Angry shouts and blaring horns contributed to the build-up of road rage. David opened his door, having released his handbrake. He ignored the insults thrown from a car of youths beside him and began to push, one hand on the steering-wheel, the other on the roof above the door opening. Nobody offered to help.

      Once rolling, the car gathered speed and David fought to control the steering while he aimed for the side of the road. A front wheel mounted the kerb and David dived for the handbrake as he saw the cyclist on the footpath. Now he was stationary but only the front half of the car was off the road. He was still causing a traffic hazard. With an apologetic grin at the alarmed cyclist David released the catch and opened the bonnet. Surely someone would be able to offer a hand with his distress so clearly advertised.

      Sure enough, a car pulled up, neatly mounting the kerb to park on the footpath, well out of the way of the traffic. A shiny, low-slung, convertible MGB. Bright red. A car buff! Just what the doctor ordered.

      The driver climbed out. High-heeled shoes, long, slim legs, a neatly fitting skirt with a slit up the side.

      ‘No…’ David groaned. ‘It couldn’t be!’

      It was. Lisa Kennedy had swapped her white coat for a tailored jacket in the same fabric as her skirt. She looked as though she would have a briefcase and several cellphones on her passenger seat.

      ‘Having problems?’

      ‘You haven’t got a cellphone on you, have you?’

      ‘Of course.’

      ‘Could you ring someone for me? A breakdown service?’

      ‘Let’s have a quick look first. What happened?’

      David was feeling very tense. His popularity with the general public of Christchurch was rapidly plummeting. He’d heard some pretty colourful abuse in the last ten minutes and the traffic wasn’t showing any signs of abating.

      ‘The car stopped,’ he said sarcastically. ‘I’d think it was fairly obvious.’ He glared at the elegant figure in front of him. ‘I also think it would be a good idea to clear the obstruction I’m causing.’ He shut his eyes briefly. ‘Now.’

      ‘Sure.’ Lisa was looking amused. ‘But it would probably take half an hour for a tow truck to get here. Do you really want to wait and listen to that?’

      ‘Get a horse!’ someone yelled. Lisa’s mouth twitched but she controlled her expression admirably.

      David gritted his teeth. ‘I don’t know anything about cars.’

      ‘Hop in,’ Lisa ordered. ‘Turn the key and push gently on the accelerator.’

      David didn’t move. ‘I do know how to start a car,’ he said coldly. ‘If that had worked, I wouldn’t be standing here now. And, yes, it does have some petrol in it.’

      Lisa silently stepped around him and got into his car. The engine started first try and David swore profusely under his breath. He already felt embarrassed enough by his situation. Now he was going to look a complete idiot. The engine ran for thirty seconds and then died. Lisa turned it over but it failed to start. David was perversely relieved.

      Lisa moved swiftly. Opening the tiny boot of her car, she pulled out a toolbox. Removing a torch, she marched back towards him. ‘Get in, turn it on and press suddenly on the accelerator,’ she commanded. Her attention was on his engine as she shone the torch into its depths.

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