Carol Marinelli - Emergency: Wife Lost and Found

THERE was an energised buzz in the emergency staff-room as James Morrell walked in with a long overdue mug of coffee in hand, and took a seat. A buzz that came from too much adrenaline and too many people talking at the same time

A serious crash on the entrance ramp to the M1 motorway had transformed an already busy Friday afternoon into a chaotic one. A car had hit black ice and a nasty pile-up had ensued involving a coach and several cars. The slushy, snowy conditions had just added to the misery for the victims and the rescue squads. Several London hospitals had taken the strain, but the emergency department of North London Regional Hospital had sent out a mobile team to the scene and extra staff had been called in to assist. And now, as the clock hit five p.m. the department was just starting to catch up with the backlog. ANUM May Donnelly had ordered sandwiches and refreshments for her team and had insisted that the staff, some of whom who had been on duty since seven a.m. and would be there for a good few hours yet, actually stopped for half an hour and took a well-earned break before the department came off bypass and allowed ambulances to bring patients in instead of diverting to another hospital.

Having ensured her staff were sorted, May had rung her beloved husband and told him that again she would be late home, eternally grateful that he didnt add to her stress, just cheerfully told her hed start dinner and reminded her that this time next year theyd be on their retirement cruise.

Well done, guys. Jamess deep voice hushed the room for a moment. Ill speak with you in groups over the next couple of days and go over it allbut suffice it to say for now that you all did an excellent job. The team that came out with me was top class. The firefighters and paramedics both commented on how well you all worked and well done to the students too. He glanced over to where the student nurses sat and May Donnelly smiled to herself as she watched each girl flush pink as James Morrell looked in their direction.

It was an automatic reflex, May had long since decided. James Morrell must think that all women had a slight rosy glow to their cheeks, because that was how they generally appeared when he was around!

May had been in nursing close to forty years now and had seen plenty, could tell a few tales in her thick Irish brogue, and she could tell a few home truths toobut would these young women listen to her when she told them that they were wasting their time with James?

Not for a minute.

Tall and of solid build, he looked like a rugby forward, minus the broken nose and cauliflower ears. With his straight brown hair and piercing green eyes he cut more than a dash as he strode through the department. He was certainly a commanding man, and unusually at thirty-five he was single too. Having got drenched out on the motorway, he was now dressed in theatre blues that showed a lot of bare arms and just a smattering of chest hair, and there wasnt a woman in the room who didnt notice.

Are you coming to Micks leaving do next Saturday, James? May watched as Kristy, one of the students, attempted to ask casually. Though it might be considered a touch forward for a student, every female in the room was seriously glad that she had asked. He was good-looking, a doctor, definitely not gaywho could blame a girl for trying?

I might pop in for one drink. James looked over from the television he wasnt really watching. He was just trying to switch his brain off for a whileexcept he couldnteven though the department had been stood down, even though the wreckage was starting to be cleared, it didnt feel over yet. There was a feeling of unease he couldnt explain. Sure, if he sat and thought about it, which he was doing right now, he could easily put it down to having just been in charge on the scene of an accident with more than forty victims, but hed done that beforemany times. No, there was this unsettled feeling as he sat there in the staffroom, especially when Abby just had to start!

I could give you a lift! She smiled over to him, but James didnt return it, just looked back to the TV.

I can give you a lift if you like, James, Abby said again, assuming he hadnt heard her offer.

Ooh, May was enjoying this. Though no one in the department would ever guess, May didnt like Abby, the new, rather snooty registrar, who clearly had her blue eyes set on the main prize.

Im fine. Still James didnt turn around. I dont even know if Ill get there.

Well, still Abby persisted, if you do want a drink, Im happy to drive. Its not often we both get a Saturday night off at the same time.

Yes-s-s! May loved listening to thislistening to Abby talk as if they were an old married couple, who werent getting to spend enough time together.

Ive got plans next Saturday James did look over now and flashed his back off smile that May just adored, and she watched the colour whoosh up Abbys face as very firmly, as was Jamess way, he put her back in her box. As I said, I might try to get there for one drinkI would like to say farewell to Mick! he added, just so everyone in the room understood that the reason he was going was to say goodbye to the porter who had served the department for twenty years now. Whos holding onto his collection?

That would be me. May said, but youve already contributed.