Laura Iding - Snowbound With The Single Dad

Jess felt her cheeks flush. ‘Stop it!’ She grabbed the card, putting it into her pocket without reading it.

Pauline tutted. ‘I’m disappointed. He’s a member of the emergency services, he should know better.’

‘Know better about what?’

Pauline waved her hand. ‘That we don’t allow flowers in ITU.’

Jessica accepted the huge bunch of flowers and gave Pauline a smile. ‘But these flowers aren’t for ITU, these flowers are for me.’ She pushed open the door to her office and placed them on her desk. ‘Wow. Where on earth did he get these at this time of year?’

Pauline stood in the doorway and folded her arms over her chest. ‘Must have paid a pretty penny for them.’ She turned on her heel and walked away. ‘It must be love.’

Jessica’s stomach plunged. ‘No, Pauline.’ She pointed at the flowers. ‘These are just a thank-you for looking after Drew.’

‘Honey, a thank-you is a bunch of flowers from a supermarket. An enormous bouquet, delivered by a courier, That’s a whole lot more.’

Jess sank down into the nearest chair. ‘Oh.’

‘Oh? That’s all you can say? Just “Oh”?’ She sat next to Jess.

‘What did the card say?’

Jess bit her lip. Did she really want to get into this conversation? She dug into her pocket again and pulled the card out. Pauline was right, this wasn’t just a thank-you. And she had a sneaking suspicion what it might be.

She read the message.

This was gigantic apology and a thank-you.

‘What is it?’ Pauline leaned forward and touched her hand.

‘It’s an apology.’

‘An apology? What’s Callum got to apologise for?’ Her eyes narrowed, she was automatically moving into protective mode.

‘It’s…it’s awkward.’

‘What’s awkward about it?’

Jess let out a sigh. ‘He didn’t tell me about Drew. The first time I found out was when he brought him in with appendicitis.’

Pauline’s mouth fell open. ‘How long have you known this guy?’

‘Since I was a teenager. But I hadn’t seen him in thirteen years. And I hadn’t kept up with what was going on in his life.’ Her voice dropped. ‘Just like he hasn’t kept up with what’s happened in mine.’

‘You haven’t told him?’ Pauline’s voice was incredulous.

‘It hasn’t come up.’

‘Just like his son didn’t come up?’

Jess put her head in her hands and leaned on the desk. ‘This is a mess.’

‘Yes. It is.’ Pauline never pulled her punches. It was one of the things that Jessica liked best about her.

She placed her hand at the side of her face. ‘So, this guy—who you used to know thirteen years ago—and you only met again a few days ago, and brought his son to A and E, even though he hadn’t told you about him?’

Jessica nodded.

‘He brought his sick son to see you.’ She emphasised the word strongly. ‘Even though he knew that might make you mad. Even though he knew you might have a thousand questions. It was more important that he thought about the health of his child and—after seeing you in action—brought him to see a doctor he trusted with the health of his son. Doesn’t that tell you what you need to know?’

Jessica flopped her head back into her hands. Someone else saying the words out loud made it all seem so much more straightforward. So much simpler.

She felt Pauline’s hand on her back. ‘Jess, what is it that you want?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I mean, what are you ready for? I thought it was time for you—time to take some steps and move on. Callum seemed like a good idea. But maybe he’s got as much baggage as you do.’

‘And if he does?’

Pauline rolled her eyes. ‘You need to think about this, Jessica. What do you want?’ She pointed to the flowers. ‘Are you ready to accept Callum’s apology and whatever else that might mean?’

‘I don’t know. I mean I’m not sure. I was hurt that he didn’t tell me about his son.’

‘And what about Drew?’

‘What do you mean?’

Pauline moved her hand to her shoulder. ‘Look at me, Jess. I’m going to ask a hard question. How do you feel about having a relationship with someone who has a son?’

Jess’s head landed back on the desk. ‘I don’t know. I mean, I really don’t know. Drew’s lovely. He’s a great little boy. I’ve spent a little time with him on the surgical ward. He’s made a good recovery and he’s ready for discharge.’

‘Is he ready for you?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Do you and Callum actually talk to each other? Where’s Drew’s mother? She hasn’t been to visit. She isn’t named on the consent form.’ Pauline dropped her voice and said almost hesitantly, ‘Is she dead?’

‘No. I don’t think so. When I asked Callum to sign the consent he said something about Drew’s mother being in America and him having full custody. I’m not really sure what happened there. I know she’s been on the phone to the ward staff a few times every day.’

‘Ah, so there’s no other woman to get in the way?’

‘Pauline!’

She smiled at Jessica. ‘So what? I’m being a little mercenary. I have a friend to think about.’

Jessica’s eyes drifted over to the flowers. They were beautiful and the irony of the blooms wasn’t lost on her. Gerberas were her favourite flowers—had been for years. She was surprised that Callum had even remembered that, but there was something nice about the fact that he had.

She stood up quickly. ‘I need to go for a few minutes.’ She looked about the unit. ‘Is everything okay in here? Do you need me to see anyone before I go?’

Pauline shook her head. ‘Everything’s fine and, don’t worry, I’ll look after your flowers for you.’

Jessica rolled her eyes and hurried down the corridor. She glanced at her watch. Although the hospital allowed parents to stay with their children at all times, most parents went away for an hour or so each day to freshen up and change their clothes.

The surgical ward had been a no-go area for the last few days. Callum was there constantly with His son. Just as she would have expected.

She’d had to review Drew a few times every day. His recovery was going well and it was likely she would discharge him today.

But every time she’d been anywhere in the vicinity Callum had tried to speak to her. She’d fobbed him off as best she could. The flowers were the biggest message yet that he was determined to apologise and pursue this.

She just wasn’t sure how she felt.

Her stomach churned as she walked down the ward. It was ridiculous. She spent all day, every day in the presence of kids. Why on earth would this little boy be any different?

Because he was Callum’s.

Because this could be something entirely different.

If only she could be ready for it.

Drew had a little DVD player on his lap and was watching the latest Disney movie. Although he had his clothes on, the curtains were pulled around his bed and lights in the room dimmed. Most children who’d undergone an anaesthetic took a few days to recover fully. A nap time in the afternoon was common—and when most of the parents took their chance to go home, shower and change.

‘Hi, Drew.’ Jessica took the opportunity to sit down next to his bed. ‘What are you watching?’

He turned the screen around to show her. She nodded in approval.

‘So, how are you feeling?’

‘I’m good. When can I go back to mini-kickers?’

She wrinkled her nose. ‘Is that some kind of football?’

He nodded. ‘I go every week with my friend Joe. I love mini-kickers. It’s my favourite.’

‘Well, we can’t have you missing your favourite for long. Lie back and let me have a little look at your tummy.’