Marion Lennox - The Australian's Bride - Marrying the Millionaire Doctor / Children's Doctor, Meant-to-be Wife / A Bride and Child Worth Waiting For

‘How many others are sick? That haven’t been admitted yet?’

The ‘yet’struck a note that increased tension. Already they were assuming that the viral infection was going to be a serious illness for everybody who caught it.

‘Unknown,’ Charles responded. ‘That information is something we’re going to ask all of you to help collate today. We want you to check the groups of children you’re responsible for and report any symptoms, however mild they may be at present.’

The nurse who had accompanied the cancer children stood up to voice the fear everyone was now sharing. She had to raise her voice to be heard.

‘Are you saying we’ve got an outbreak of bird flu on Wallaby Island?’

‘No.’ It was Angus Stuart who answered. ‘And that’s something we need to make clear to everybody. There’s no cause for panic. What we are saying is that the coincidence of finding dead birds with an influenza outbreak means that further investigation is prudent.’

‘What kind of investigation?’ Miranda asked. ‘Are you wanting us to collect blood or sputum samples?’

‘We’ve started that with our inpatients. A series of specimens is needed over several days if we are going to rule out an infection with H5N1.’

‘H5N1?’ Susie whispered to Miranda.

‘Avian Influenza A,’ she responded quietly. ‘A specific strain of bird flu.’

‘At the moment we just need to get a handle on how many potential cases we might be dealing with,’ Angus continued. ‘And get an idea of demographics. Parts of the island these people have visited. Whether they’ve touched or seen any dead birds.’

‘Everybody needs to be warned not to touch any and to report any sightings,’ Charles added.

‘But we’re on an island,’ someone said. ‘We’re a world away from any known cases.’

‘We have migratory birds that travel long distances. The fact that this is an island is to our advantage. In the worst-case scenario, it means we can isolate this virus.’

‘As of now,’ Charles said clearly, ‘Wallaby Island is quarantined. Until we know what we’re dealing with, nobody will be allowed to leave.’

‘ What? ’ The single word broke from Alex into the stunned silence. ‘That’s impossible. I’ve got a full operating list waiting for me in Sydney with a 7:00 a.m. start time tomorrow. I have to be off this island today.’

Susie had known that he was due to leave this afternoon. She had known all along that last night had been a one-off, never-to-be-repeated experience. Still, it was disturbing how hollow it made her feel to have it confirmed so vehemently. And a bit humiliating to see that Alex couldn’t wait to get away.

‘I’m sorry,’ Charles said firmly. ‘It’s now out of my hands. Angus has been in touch with the appropriate authorities and the quarantine has been notified. Disease investigation and control experts are coming in to take over but no one is going to leave. There will be no exceptions.’

‘But people have already left,’ someone objected. ‘I saw the seaplane taking off early this morning.’

‘Steps have been taken to intercept those people. And to contact everybody else who’s been on the island in the last week. They will be kept under observation and isolation, if necessary, in their homes. Guests at the resort will be receiving a written bulletin shortly, outlining the situation. The staff will be doing their utmost to reduce the inevitable inconvenience and they will, of course, have free accommodation until this is over.’

‘What about anyone who gets critically ill?’ Miranda asked. ‘Some of our children might need intensive-care facilities if they get a bad dose.’

‘We’re flying in extra supplies,’ Charles told her. ‘Antiviral medications, among others. We’re already set up with one bed capable of intensive monitoring and ventilation. We’ve got another ventilator on its way. Just in case. If the situation deteriorates, we’ll review it on a case-by-case basis.’

Miranda got to her feet. ‘Have you got some free time, Susie?’

‘I think so. Why?’

‘I want to check every child in the camp with asthma or cystic fibrosis—the ones most likely to get into trouble if they get sick. I don’t want to alarm the parents or the children, though. Nick wants to help. Have you met Joshie’s dad?’

Susie shook Nick’s hand.

‘You know more of the kids than we do,’ Miranda continued. ‘I thought that, between us, we could reassure everybody while we’re assessing them.’

‘Sure. I’ll do whatever I can to help.’

‘Not that there’s any point in not telling the truth,’ Miranda added. ‘You can bet this quarantine will hit the news big-time and there’s no way they’re going to shut down Internet or television reception at the resort, is there?’

‘No.’ There was no way Susie was going to get anywhere near Alex, either, as the group began to disperse. He had moved forward with a determined expression on his face and was now in earnest conversation with Charles. No doubt trying to persuade him that his hospital in Sydney couldn’t cope without him.

They would cope, though, wouldn’t they? There must be other paediatric neurosurgeons available for emergencies and elective surgery could always be postponed. It wouldn’t be for more than a few days.

Some people were pushing towards Angus and she could hear him talking as she followed Miranda through the door.

‘No sustained human-to-human infection documented so the World Health Organization’s global preparedness plan is still at Phase 3….’

A final glance over her shoulder revealed frown lines on Alex’s face like the ones she had seen when he’d first arrived. Stress lines.

OK, so this was inconvenient and potentially scary, but it was so unlikely that this could really be the flash point for a pandemic. Susie was worried for the sake of the children who might get sick, but she couldn’t be frightened for her own sake. She was young and healthy and this did have a bright side, didn’t it?

How long had it been, if ever, that Alex had had a few days that he could spend with his daughter uninterrupted?

Days with Stella. Just a few, but they could provide memories that would last a lifetime.

Susie hurried out into the bright, tropical sunshine.

Days turned into nights, didn’t they?

If Stella was getting quality time with her dad during the days, Susie could enjoy his company during the nights maybe. She could collect her own memories to treasure for her lifetime.

Yes. No matter what else the cloud of anxiety hanging over Wallaby Island had in store, there was definitely a silver lining in there somewhere.

* * *

Lunchtime provided an ideal opportunity to assess the remaining children Miranda and Susie had not caught up with after the briefing. Charles and Angus had also been busy, talking with parents and camp staff, and although there was an undercurrent of anxiety, things seemed to be running normally. Parents may be conversing quietly with each other but the dining hall was as noisy and cheerful as ever when the two women entered.

Malcolm, the camp chef, emerged from the kitchens before dessert was served to demonstrate his skill at playing spoons. More than one scuffle was generated as children snatched each other’s cutlery and tried to emulate the talent. Parents started smiling as the sound of clattering spoons was interspersed with shouts of laughter.

‘They’re not worried, are they?’ a mother said to Susie.

‘We shouldn’t be, either,’ she responded. ‘We’ll get on top of this. We’re going to separate all the children who are even a bit sniffly.’

‘But what if it is bird flu?’