Page 29 of Doc Defence

“Sure,” she said and left.

He lay there and stared up at the ceiling in the cubicle, listening to the sounds of a Saturday afternoon in an emergency department. There was beeping of monitors, murmuring voices, crying, and some screaming. No one seemed particularly phased by it, so this must be the normal sounds of a hospital. It was so alien to him. Screaming usually elicited running to find out what was wrong, but here, it appeared to be no big deal.

He lay alone until a nurse popped her head around the curtains. “I’ve got some painkillers for you.”

“Thanks,” Frost replied.

Another nurse followed in her wake, and together, they confirmed his details and then injected some drugs into the drip.

“We’ll be checking on you regularly, and we’ll leave the curtain open so we can keep an eye on you, okay?” The nurse said, not waiting for a reply before she was dashing off, he assumed to her next task.

It felt like an age before Hel came back, and when she did, the grim look on her face didn’t reassure him.

“Right. We’ve looked at your films. As you know, it’s a nasty break.”

“Yeah.” He could have guessed that with the whole, bones on the outside thing.

“We’ve spoken to the orthopods, and they’re organising theatre time for tonight. You’re going round to CT in a few minutes, and then they’ll take you up to theatre.”

“Right.” It was on the tip of his tongue to ask her if she would stay, when Coach Morgan came into view.

“Knock, knock,” Coach said politely before he walked into the cubicle. “Hel, thanks so much for sticking around until I got here. Son, how are you feeling?”

“Not the best, Coach.”

“I can imagine. I came down as Hel told me she couldn’t contact Star, so I thought you might want some company.”

Frost did want company. He wanted Hel’s company, although he couldn’t admit that one, so instead, he said, “Thanks, Coach.”

He glanced over to see Hel moving from foot to foot, looking awkward.

“Thanks for sticking around until I got here. You should head home. You’ve gone above and beyond by staying so long.” Coach Morgan pulled up the chair next to Frost’s bed and sat down, getting himself comfortable.

Frost felt a pang in his chest. He wanted Hel in the chair. Then he pushed it away. He couldn’t think like that, not until he managed to actually break up with Star.

“That’s great, Coach. Good luck, Frost. Clara is the anaesthetist on, you met her in the pub, so you’ll be in good hands. Bye.” Hel gave him a little wave and turned abruptly to leave.

“Bye,” Frost called after her.

He watched her until she was out of sight, then turned his attention to Coach Morgan, whose shrewd gaze was fixed on him.

“We were lucky Hel stepped in at the last minute for this team.”

Frost nodded his agreement.

“We’ve had more medical issues this season than any other I can recall. We’ve been fortunate to have such a competent doctor on board.”

Frost agreed, “We are. She saved Aiden.”

“Yes, she did. She’s a fine woman,” Coach Morgan said.

Frost looked sharply at him, and the look on the older man’s face told him everything he already knew. He needed to split up with Star.

CHAPTER 11

HEL

Itwasnearlyelevenin the evening by the time Hel retrieved her car from the ice rink and got back to her house. She was exhausted but lay in bed tossing and turning, waiting for a message from Clara letting her know Frost was safe in recovery.

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