Page 36 of Torch
“Morning, Reacher,” I said, noting with a smile that Ally was no longer prone in her bed, but sitting up, and smiling tiredly.
“Look who’s awake,” I added, smiling gently at her, as I stepped into the room.
“Hey, doc. Ally, this is the lady who’s taming our Torch,” Reacher said with a grin, and damn the guy looked thoroughly exhausted.
“I don’t know about that, but it’s nice to meet you. Reacher, have you slept at all?” He shrugged, leaning an elbow on the side of Ally’s bed.
“I’ll sleep when I’m dead, doc.”
“Don’t be an idiot,” Ally hissed at him, before glancing at me.
“Uh… can you go get yourself a coffee or something? Decaf, remember. I need a chat with the doctor in private.”
“Oh, I’m not the one treating you, but I can-”
“No, you’re the one I need to talk to. Reacher, go. Bugger off, for five damn minutes, and come up with an excuse for why you look deader than a damn zombie right now.” The big grizzled biker simply grinned, and stood up, pressing his lips to her forehead before he left the room, grumbling to himself.
“Wow, you have him well trained,” I said, stepping closer to her bed, and checking her notes, and vitals, because I’m a doctor and it seems like the thing to do.
Ally looked concerned about something, so I moved to where Reacher had been standing, and instinctively reached for her hand.
“What’s wrong?
She took a deep breath, steeling herself.
“Is there anything I don’t know?”
Huh, what the hell did that mean?
“About the club? They’re on full lockdown, but-”
“No, with me. I know about the surgery, but did they uh… is there anything I don’t know? Anything they found, or something wrong anywhere?”
I tilted my head, sensing that there was something she’d been hiding, maybe from everyone, and now she was putting voice to those fears.
“There’s nothing in your notes aside from the surgery, and your injuries from your accident, no. Is there something you’ve been worrying about?”
Ally lifted a shaking hand to her mouth, keeping an eye on the door, so Reacher wouldn’t come in and overhear us.
“I’ve just been noticing some symptoms lately that don’t make sense, that’s all. I figured maybe they might have seen something in there that could be bad.”
I retrieved her notes and flicked through them, shaking my head slowly.
“Nothing untoward noted as being found. I mean, they were focused on repairing the damage, but had they found anything alarming, they’d have addressed it with you. You’re worried about something like cancer?”
Ally nodded, biting at her nail.
“Little things are changing, you know? Like I know my body and I know my cycle, and it’s-”
“This is related to menstruation? Or are you concerned about early menopause?” Ally’s eyes widened, and I realised she maybe hadn’t even considered that.
“Early… my god, no, I hadn’t even thought about that. I guess I expected I’d feel old by then.”
I replaced the notes. “If you want my advice, because it’s not my area, I’d suggest getting better, making a list of your symptoms, and seeing your GP with them. Stop worrying though, okay? Focus on getting better and getting home to the club. That’s your priority right now.”
She nodded, looking a little less burdened, and mustering up a brighter smile when Reacher returned, coffee in hand.
“So, doc. When can I take her home?”
