Doctor's Orders Read Free

approached the still body of the patient on the operating table, “how would you like this one, too short or too long?”
    Whether or not he intended to be cheeky, Isabel wasn’t sure. She didn’t think so, he was much too serious and intense, but she had great difficulty in restraining a giggle. To her surprise she heard a snort beside her and looked down at Mike Blakeney sitting on his stool by the anaesthetic machine. His previously cool grey eyes had a distinct twinkle in them as he flashed Bill Goldsmith a look.
    The surgeon, for his part, heaved a heavily exaggerated sigh. “Just try again,” was all he said, making no comment this time when the house surgeon nervously cut through the thread.
    Apart from that amusing episode at the end of the morning, everything had gone smoothly, but Isabel was left with a dissatisfied feeling. She felt the unspoken friendship which existed in the surgical team, but as she was primarily there to assist the anaesthetist, she didn’t feel included in the camaraderie which thrived amongst them. Michael Blakeney seemed to distance himself from everyone, apart from the surgeon and the patients. Isabel felt distanced too, because she was his assistant. Perhaps the other anaesthetists will be more friendly, she hoped wistfully, as she changed quickly to make her way down to the canteen for lunch. The scrub nurse was also changing, and she eyed Isabel curiously.
    â€œI haven’t seen you in the County General before,” she said, “welcome to the team.”
    â€œThanks,” said Isabel, smiling at her gratefully, “I’ve only started here today. I worked in Edinburgh before. My name is Isabel McKenna.”
    â€œMine’s Sally Mannering,” the other girl replied as she took off her theatre cap and shook her short blonde hair loose. She was very pretty, thought Isabel, big blue eyes and shiny blonde hair. She had the sort of provocative face that would make men look twice, whereas Isabel’s classic beauty had a distinctly serious air about it.
    â€œHow did you like your first morning?” bubbled Sally. “Working with dear Dr Mike Blakeney can be a bit difficult. He’s a strange character.” She paused a moment. “I’ve never been able to suss him out. Pity,” she continued brushing her hair vigorously, “because he’s a very eligible bachelor. But he never gives anyone any encouragement, he’s always remained a bit of a mystery.”
    â€œI’m not surprised he’s a bachelor,” remarked Isabel acidly, “he certainly doesn’t seem the friendly type. All I’ve seen of him are those cold grey eyes of his above his mask, and I can’t say I’m particularly anxious to see any more of him!”
    Sally laughed. “The gossip is that he was badly let down by some girl, and now takes it out on all the female sex. That’s why he’s so unfriendly, and there’s no doubt,” she continued, lowering her voice confidentially, “that when he has a girl working with him he is much more demanding. He lets the fellows make the occasional mistake, but woe betide any woman who makes a mistake! He’ll come down on you like a ton of bricks!” After imparting that cheerful piece of information, she made for the door, stopping to look back before leaving. “By the way, do you want to come down to lunch. I’ll introduce you to a few people in the canteen.”
    Isabel accepted with alacrity, quickly tying her long dark, curly hair back into a pony tail. It was nice to have her hair free for an hour, after being crammed into a theatre cap all morning. She followed Sally out of the theatre suite, and along the wide polished corridor in the direction of the staff canteen.
    They both collected a lunch from the hot counter, and Sally looked around the crowded canteen, then pointed to a table at the far side of the room. “There’s Cliff