CAROL MARINELLI - The Outback Nurse

Olivia shook her head.

‘Well, at the very least have a lie-in. Come in a bit later—we’ll manage.’

‘I couldn’t do that. I’ve got this frightful boss, you see. You wouldn’t believe the fuss he makes.’

Clem laughed. ‘I really am sorry about this morning. I can’t promise it won’t happen again, but I will try. I don’t ever want to make a promise to you and break it.’

The strangest thing considering her total distrust in men, was that she really believed him.

He moved towards her again, all the time gazing deeply into her eyes. There was no mistaking his intention. He was going to kiss her properly. She could feel her pulse pounding in her temples as his warm hands tenderly cupped her face. But before his full, sensual lips met hers, the urgent sound of his pager rudely interrupted the moment.

Carol Marinellidid her nursing training in England and then worked for a number of years in Casualty. A holiday romance while backpacking led to her marriage and emigration to Australia. Eight years and three children later, the romance continues…

Today she considers both England and Australia her home. The sudden death of her father prompted a reappraisal of her life’s goals and inspired her to tackle romance writing seriously.

Carol Marinelli

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

‘BUT there must be some other work—anything?’ Olivia fought for control, trying to keep the note of panic from her voice.

‘Ms Morrell, we have plenty of work on our books, particularly for someone with your casualty experience. However, as you’ve said you will only consider a live-in position, it makes things very difficult. Even the large teaching hospitals are cutting back on their living accommodation—the agency nurses just don’t get a look-in.’

Olivia nodded. She had heard it all before. This was the fifth agency she had tried and the only one that had actually come up with a job—a live-in position nursing a recently disabled gentleman in Melbourne. The work in itself didn’t worry her, but in her present emotional state Olivia doubted if she would be much good at bolstering the young man’s spirits.

‘Well, thank you for your time.’ Olivia stood up, smoothing her smart grey skirt. Trying to blink back the ever-threatening tears, she reached for her bag. ‘If anything comes in, you will let me know?’

Miss Lever looked up from the files she was half-heartedly flicking through. Suddenly she felt sorry for Olivia for despite the designer clothes, immaculate hair and make-up she obviously wasn’t as together as she first appeared.

‘Just a moment.’ Miss Lever tapped the keyboard of her computer. ‘I’m sure this won’t remotely interest you, but I did receive an e-mail today from our New South Wales office. It would seem they’re having trouble filling a particular vacancy. It is live-in, but I can’t imagine....’ Her voice trailed off as she printed off the particulars.

‘Tell me about it,’ Olivia said sitting down sharply. Surely there must be a job for her.

‘The position is for a charge nurse with advanced nursing skills to work in general practice.’

‘It sounds perfect.’ Olivia nodded enthusiastically.

‘I think you’d better let me fill you in a bit before you go getting too excited. The practice is in Kirrijong—have you heard of it?’

Olivia nodded. ‘Vaguely. It’s way out in the bush, isn’t it?’

‘That’s an understatement. It’s very pretty apparently, but also very isolated. The practice covers a vast area and the surrounding townships. But when I say “surrounding”, you could hardly say they’re close by. Kirrijong isn’t close to anything. They’re actually in the process of building a small cottage hospital to service the area, which is due for completion in three to six months. The position is available until then, but if you like it...’ Miss Lever gave a cynical smile ‘...I’m sure they’d be delighted to keep you on.’

She looked over at Olivia, expecting to see a look of horror on the well-made-up face. This was, after all, no modern city surgery. Instead, she was surprised to see Olivia closely reading the e-mail, her face full of interest. Perhaps she would get her commission after all. ‘You did your midwifery training in England, I see, as well as your general training.’

‘Yes, but I came straight out to Australia afterwards, and I’ve been in Casualty ever since. Apart from the odd surprise delivery in the department, I haven’t practised.’

Miss Lever shrugged. ‘They only say midwifery training desirable. You’re more than qualified and, anyway, they’re desperate.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Well...’ Miss Lever shuffled uncomfortably in her seat. ‘Look, I’m not aware of your circumstances and, of course, it’s none of my business, though it does appear you need a live-in job in a hurry.’

Olivia blushed. Was it that obvious how desperate she was?

‘I just feel I should emphasise this is not the sort of job you’re used to. Apart from your regular hours, you will be expected to help out in emergencies at any given time. It’s an extremely busy surgery, with a large, complicated patient list. A lot of procedures that in the city would be done in a hospital are undertaken there.’

‘Would I be the only nurse in the practice?’

‘Yes, and if there’s a seriously ill patient there will be no cardiac arrest team to bleep, no surgeons waiting scrubbed up in Theatre. Just you and the good doctor until the road or air ambulance arrives, and that can take a long time.’ She paused a moment, before continuing, ‘I ought to tell you that by all accounts Dr Clemson isn’t the most pleasant of personalities.’

‘In what way?’

Miss Lever leant over her desk and lowered her voice. ‘Well, according to the last two girls sent there—who, incidentally, only managed two weeks between them—Dr Clemson is recently widowed and extremely bitter. He’s supposedly very moody and demanding.’

Olivia let out a sigh of relief. For a moment she had thought Miss Lever was going to say he had made a pass at the other nurses. The very last thing she needed right now was to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with an elderly doctor and his roving hands.

‘That doesn’t worry you?’

‘I’ve had more than my share of moody, difficult doctors, I can assure you. I’m not going to collapse in a heap if he barks at me. I can give as good as I get. As long as Dr Clemson can cope with that, I can manage his tantrums.’

Miss Lever looked at Olivia’s determined face and the fiery red hair. She had no doubt she could.

‘You sound as if you don’t want me to take the position,’ Olivia added.

‘On the contrary...’ Miss Lever smiled ‘...I just want to be sure you know what you’re letting yourself in for. I’m not too keen on being on the receiving end of the formidable Dr Clemson’s temper if I send someone unsuitable. I actually think you’ll do very well—you’ve got a marvellous résumé. Three years in charge of such a busy casualty department must prepare you for just about any eventuality.’

‘Just about,’ Olivia agreed.

‘Look, why don’t I go and rustle up some coffee and leave you on your own for a few minutes to think it over?’