A Change Of Heart. Alison Roberts

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СКАЧАТЬ shook her head and then pushed a stray curl back from her face. ‘Never mind. Don’t concern yourself about my toes, David. They’re indestructible.’ The smile was apologetic, embarrassed even, and David was happy to return it despite the attack to which his specialty had been subjected.

      ‘Like your heart, yes?’

      ‘You got it.’ Lisa nodded, reaching for the phone as her beeper sounded. The silence was brief. ‘What’s the blood pressure now? OK, stop the TPA infusion. I’m on my way.’

      She was gone. David moved slowly as he followed her example. Without her physical presence he found himself thinking more about exactly what she’d said. So, he was a glorified plumber, was he? Nothing personal, though. Strangely enough, the attack hadn’t felt personal at the time, but David found a new wariness nibble at the edge of his confidence. If that was the general attitude of the whole cardiology department then the obstacle to gaining respect might be a much bigger hurdle than simply exorcising any rumours about his past.

      Thank goodness for a friendly face. It was late that afternoon that David encountered a welcome he’d been waiting for. It came at the end of what now seemed like a very long day.

      ‘Mike! Where the hell have you been hiding?’

      ‘Cath lab all morning. Then we had an emergency angioplasty this afternoon. Some of us have to earn a living, mate.’

      David shook his head, confident that Lisa Kennedy’s opinion of surgeons was not being reinforced from this quarter. ‘It’s good to see you, mate. You’ve been the world’s worst correspondent.’

      Michael Foster grasped the outstretched hand and then slapped David on the shoulder. ‘Look who’s talking! We must have about five years to catch up on. God, it’s good to see you, Dave.’

      ‘Likewise. Got time for a coffee?’

      ‘I’ll make time. What’s the point in being a consultant if you can’t manage that?’

      ‘I thought you’d be head of the cardiology department by now.’

      ‘Give me time. I’ve had a rough couple of years.’

      ‘Oh?’ David’s face was concerned as he followed his friend into the small staffroom. ‘What’s happened, Mike?’

      ‘Anne and I split up six months ago. Things were pretty difficult for a long time before that.’ Mike spooned coffee into the mugs but glanced up to catch David’s expression. He laughed ruefully. ‘You were right all along, mate. Marriage is the quickest way to ruin a good relationship.’ He handed David a steaming mug. ‘I should have listened to that lecture you gave me. I just wish you hadn’t waited until my stag night.’

      David smiled but was disturbed by the shadows in Mike’s eyes. He tried to lighten the atmosphere. ‘You should have listened,’ he said sternly. ‘Like I always said, ‘‘Why buy a book when you’ve got a whole library to choose from?’’’

      The incredulous snort from behind David made his head turn sharply. In his concern for Mike he had managed to walk right past the figure curled into the armchair beside the door. Mike followed his glance.

      ‘Have you met my registrar, Dave? This is Lisa Kennedy.’

      ‘We’ve met.’ David winked at Lisa. ‘In fact, I’ve already broken her heart.’

      Mike laughed. ‘That was quick even for you, mate. But I don’t believe a word of it. Lisa’s the one that leaves the trail of broken hearts around here. The job description for that vacancy is a bit hard to measure up to, isn’t it, Lisa?’

      ‘Oh, please!’ Lisa uncurled her long legs from the depths of the armchair and reached for her shoes. ‘I’m sure David James isn’t remotely interested in my love life, Mike.’

      ‘Oh, I wouldn’t say that,’ David murmured. He watched appreciatively as Lisa eased on her narrow, heeled black shoes. Very elegant footwear, he concluded. And a perfect match for the rest of her outfit.

      ‘Well, I’m not remotely interested in sharing it.’ Lisa stood up gracefully. With her heeled shoes she was only an inch or two shorter than David’s height of six feet.

      Mike laughed. ‘That’s the problem, isn’t it? You’d better watch out, though. You’ll probably be well up on David’s required reading list.’

      Lisa deposited her mug into the sink, turned and met David’s eyes with a direct stare.

      ‘My collection doesn’t include paperbacks, sorry. Or over-popular fiction. I prefer something with a bit more quality…and durability.’

      Mike’s exaggerated indrawn breath feigned fear at Lisa’s attack beautifully. Much to David’s relief, it was enough to break the hold that Lisa’s eye contact was having. Her short chuckle was dismissive. ‘See you later, Mike. Some of us have work to do.’

      David wasn’t included in the farewell. Something flicked off at the dismissal and David was acutely aware of an emotional U-turn. OK, he’d been attracted but now he’d come to his senses. He’d been wrong in his assumption that the woman was attached and now he could see why. With blinding clarity. She was rude, snooty and totally unapproachable. And as for her attitude towards surgeons! Well, David James knew where he wasn’t welcome and he certainly wasn’t going to waste any more time trying. Lisa Kennedy wasn’t going to be on any list as far as he was concerned.

      Mike hadn’t failed to notice the line of David’s intense stare.

      ‘Gorgeous, isn’t she?’

      ‘Mmm.’ David’s tone was carefully noncommittal. ‘Shame about the personality.’

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