Alison Roberts - Twice as Good

‘ The Legendary Playboy Surgeon is written with superb understanding of human emotions. Author Alison Roberts touches the heart with this poignant tale of fresh starts, past wounds and second chances.’ —Contemporary Romance Reviews

‘Readers will be moved by this incredibly sweet story about a family that is created in the most unexpected way.’

—RT Book Reviews on The Honourable Maverick

ALISON ROBERTSlives in Christchurch, New Zealand, and has written over sixty Mills & Boon ®Medical ™Romances. As a qualified paramedic she has personal experience of the drama and emotion to be found in the world of medical professionals, and loves to weave stories with this rich background—especially when they can have a happy ending. When Alison is not writing you’ll find her indulging her passion for dancing or spending time with her friends (including Molly the dog) and her daughter Becky, who has grown up to become a brilliant artist. She also loves to travel, hates housework, and considers it a triumph when the flowers outnumber the weeds in her garden.

Recent titles by Alison Roberts:

ALWAYS THE HERO (Earthquake!) NYC ANGELS: AN EXPLOSIVE REUNION (NYC Angels) ST PIRAN’S: THE WEDDING! (St Piran’s Hospital) MAYBE THIS CHRISTMAS …? THE LEGENDARY PLAYBOY SURGEON (Heartbreakers of St Patrick’s Hospital) FALLING FOR HER IMPOSSIBLE BOSS (Heartbreakers of St Patrick’s Hospital) SYDNEY HARBOUR HOSPITAL: ZOE’S BABY ( Sydney Harbour Hospital) ST PIRAN’S: THE BROODING HEART SURGEON (St Piran’s Hospital)

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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IT HAD to be the Monday morning from hell.

The aggressive burst of steam that escaped as the autoclave hatch opened clutched viciously at Janet Muir’s fingers. She dropped the stainless steel tongs she was holding and swore softly but vehemently.

‘You should open the door a bit more slowly.’

Janet’s gaze flew to the speaker. ‘Thank you, Dr Spencer.’ Her tone was unappreciative. She snatched the tongs from the floor. ‘If I had ten seconds to spare I would have done exactly that.’

‘Sorry, Jan.’ Oliver Spencer’s smile was contrite. ‘Is your hand OK?’

‘Only third-degree burns. I’ll live.’ Janet pulled the tray clear of the autoclave and deposited it onto the waiting towel.

‘Has that lab result on Jessica Andrews come through yet? She still hasn’t shown much improvement and I think we’ll need to change antibiotics.’

‘Try the fax machine,’ Janet suggested. ‘I haven’t had time to look yet. I had no idea how chaotic things would be with both Josh and Toni away on their honeymoon. Has Dr Singh arrived yet?’

‘No.’ Oliver Spencer looked worried. ‘I’m just going to try ringing her again. Did she usually turn up on time when she was doing that week’s locum for me?’

‘Always. In fact, Toni told me she asked for a key so she could turn up early.’

Oliver glanced at his watch. ‘I wouldn’t call 10 a.m. early. I’ll give her a call while I’m in the office.’ Oliver turned away, then paused. ‘On second thoughts, I’ll do it in my room. Who is making that racket?’

‘Sophie’s next patient.’ Janet sighed. The wailing of a fractious baby was a sound that would get on anyone’s nerves in ten seconds flat. The staff of St David’s Medical Centre had been subjected to ten minutes’ worth so far. ‘Maybe Dr Singh will arrive any minute and rescue us.’

There was no sign of any assistance when Janet hurried back into the main office a few minutes later. The young receptionist, Sandy Smith, was looking harassed.

‘I can’t find the file for Joshua Young anywhere and he’s Sophie’s next patient.’

‘Try Josh’s office,’ Janet advised. ‘There are often a few files lurking in a corner. Has Oliver had any luck tracking down our locum yet?’

‘No.’ Sandy bit her lip and looked even more harassed. ‘I’m supposed to ring the agency. I got distracted, hunting for that baby’s file. He won’t stop crying and the phone never stops ringing. See?’ Sandy pointed to the offending device as the telephone rang to illustrate her point.

‘I’ll get it.’ Janet grinned. ‘You go and see if you can find the file. Don’t worry too much if you can’t. I’m sure Sophie will cope.’

Janet dealt quickly with the phone call. She was about to summon her next patient when Oliver beckoned from the office doorway.

‘I’ve got May Little in my room. Could you do a repeat ECG on her, please?’

‘You’re kidding!’ Janet’s dismay was evident. ‘I’ve got an eighteen-month check and immunisation waiting, and Mrs Endicott is here early for her iron shot and blood test. Miss Little’s ECG last Friday took me half an hour!’

The patient’s name was ironically inappropriate. May Little was morbidly obese and the undergarments she used to try and give her bulk some semblance of shape made Janet think of attempts on Fort Knox. She was also a rather odd lady and Janet sighed at the prospect of another encounter so soon.

‘Is she undressed?’ she asked Oliver pointedly.

Oliver was backing out of the office rapidly. ‘Not quite. I’ll send her down to you.’

‘Can’t you do it?’ Janet pleaded, but Oliver was now conveniently out of hearing range. Janet stepped out of the office and stood beneath the archway that separated the waiting room from the hallway. ‘Sorry, Mrs Endicott. I’ll be a few minutes yet.’

‘I’ve got an appointment with my hairdresser at eleven. I can’t wait all day, dear.’

Janet smiled apologetically. Sandy appeared in the hallway, waving a manila case file triumphantly, and Janet’s smile brightened. ‘Good for you,’ she congratulated her.

The front door opened as the telephone rang yet again. Janet hesitated but went back into the office to help Sandy cope for a minute. The new arrival was a woman who was balancing a child on one hip.

‘I’m Ruth Prendergast,’ she told Janet. ‘I haven’t got an appointment and we don’t even live in Christchurch. We’re just down here visiting my mother but Katy has been to see Dr Cooper once before and she’s really not very well this morning.’

‘What’s the problem?’ Janet smiled at the girl who did look rather pale.

‘I think she’s running a temperature and she won’t eat or drink anything. She’s unusually quiet as well. I know it’s probably nothing but Katy has had a heart murmur since birth and I do tend to worry about her.’

‘Did Dr Cooper know of her medical history?’

‘Oh, yes. He was marvellous. He even rang her doctor in Auckland to check up on things.’

‘How long ago would it have been since you saw Dr Cooper?’

‘I think it was about this time last year.’

Sandy had finished her call. Janet pointed at a row of files separated from the main system. ‘See if you can find a file for Katy Prendergast amongst the casuals there.’ Janet turned back to Katy’s mother. ‘We’ll get someone to look at Katy as soon as we can, but I’m afraid you might have a bit of a wait. As you can see, we’re rather busy. Dr Cooper is away on his honeymoon and our locum hasn’t shown up yet.’ Janet heard Sandy groan behind her.