One More Time - Louisa George Page 0,17

the dressing on his supra-pubic incision, just below his belly button. His little hands clutched his dad’s and, as instructed, he hadn’t moved. Hadn’t whimpered or cried. Just stared up at her with wide, trusting eyes.

She allowed a ripple of tenderness to flutter round her heart. Wondered how things might have been different...then locked that thought away. No point in dwelling on things past. She’d made her decision and lived with it knowing it had been the best thing she could do. No matter how much it hurt.

But it was always so good to help the littlies get better. Just so very hard to let them go. ‘You’re pretty much all fixed up, little man. Just wait for Mummy to come back and then we can all go over to the paediatric ward together.’ And that would mean no more Maitland eyes staring at her from every corner of the room. Not Jamie’s, his dad’s or his uncle’s—all too blue, too bright and too alluring.

‘Urine output still okay?’ Having let go of his boy, Mitchell stood at the end of Jamie’s bed, his eyes fixed on the four-hourly observation charts. Gabby took a chance to have a closer look at the twin brother that Max had no pictures of and that he refused to have a dialogue about.

They were breathtakingly similar. She couldn’t imagine having someone else just like her in the world. It would be disconcerting. Could they read each other’s thoughts?

Perhaps that’s why they’d had such a rift.

She considered asking Mitchell about their history—but, heck, it was absolutely none of her business. She’d be mortified if anyone pried into her past. ‘It’s so great he’s off the critical list now, and his urine is absolutely fine. Liquid gold.’

His eyebrows peaked. ‘Never thought about it like that before. Pee has really just been pee until now. Having a kid is a real wake-up call.’

‘I can imagine. But don’t worry, everything’s fine. Blood pressure’s normal. Blood tests are within normal limits, that wobbly temp was just a blip. But they’ll keep monitoring everything on the ward and slowly bring you all up to speed with the anti-rejection drugs, so you know what to do when you get home.’ As she spoke she felt a blush start from her cheeks and spread. Fast. The guy was an ED specialist. He’d know the routine better than her. ‘Oh. Gosh. I’m sorry. I’m just trying to... You’re a doctor...’

‘Hey, I’m a dad first. Which took a bit of getting used to.’ He peered at her and chuckled. The first time she’d seen him smile since she’d started working there. Parental responsibility hung heavily on him.

Her heart ached to think how much that burden could be shared if he and Max were on better terms. ‘You’re looking much better, too. It’ll be nice for you to get back to a normal family life at home. Try to keep him quiet for a while, though, he’s still got a lot of healing to do.’

‘Keep him quiet? Clearly you’ve never tried to parent a three-year-old.’ Mitchell laughed, meaning well. But she felt her shoulders stiffen and the familiar emotions roll over her, slamming her heart against her ribcage.

Determined not to dwell on the past, she feigned busy-ness. After the last phone call with her mother she resolutely would not talk about it. Ever. Again. And that meant here. With her new friends. ‘Well, if you don’t mind, I’d better get on. There’s always a pile of paperwork for transfers.’

‘Hey, Charge Nurse Radley, all organised for going to the ward?’

She hadn’t seen Max arrive, but now he was there his voice soothed her nerves. Deeper and warmer than Mitchell’s, it never failed to send shivers of something shooting through her. This time it was like balm to a burn.

She inhaled deeply and kept things professional. ‘Sure. And now I have phone calls to make.’ She gave them both a stern, matronly smile. Avoidance plan reactivated. The less time she spent with Max the better. Maybe then she’d get over the lust exhaustion more quickly.

Max nodded towards his brother. ‘Mitch. You look much better.’

‘Thanks.’ Mitchell opened his mouth to say more then closed it, obviously changing his mind.

Communication between the two of them was robotic, only saying what was absolutely necessary. Brothers didn’t act like that. Strangers did. People who had nothing to say to each other. Surely, after a lifetime they could show a little more warmth? And yet she could see in their eyes that they