Her bare legs dangled from beneath the dark cotton of his dressing gown. With her face hidden against his neck, the only part of her visible was legs. Even this though told everyone they passed that the doctor had been through an awful ordeal. Gordon had done a good job of cleaning her up, and so the torn, bruised skin was clearly visible to all.
In no too short a time, they arrived in casualty. Gordon carefully placed her upon the examination bed, whispering apologetically to her as she drew a sharp intake of breath when his arm brushed her wounded back. She shook her head, looping an arm around his neck and bringing him close enough to whisper a heartfelt thanks.
"What have we here Matron? I'm already here later than I should be! Big game tomorrow!"
Jill and Gordon sprung apart and Matron tutted as the brusque surgeon interrupted the peaceful scene.
"It's Doctor Weatherill, Mr Rose. I know you've just finished an operation, but I thought it would be best, under the circumstances."
"Ah yes, Matron." Mr Rose nodded, removing his pipe from his moustache guarded mouth.
After sharing a confused glance with Jill, Gordon spoke up. "What circumstances would those be Matron?"
"Well… Yourself and Doctor Weatherill stepping out together. I hardly think it's appropriate that you be in charge of her treatment Doctor."
"Ah… Yes…" Gordon replied, blushing a little whilst Jill just sighed, gradually losing interest in the conversation. She released an involuntary cry of pain as she shifted; her bruised muscles protesting the movement, and the barely congealed bloody cuts seemingly tearing once again on every part of her skin.
Mr Rose stepped forward then, having apparently forgotten his important golf match. "Let's have a look at you then dear." And he proceeded to check her over, listening as Gordon described his findings and diagnoses. Unusually for her, Jill did not contribute to the discussion. This didn't go unnoticed by Gordon, but he didn't comment; it would wait until later, when they were alone.
"Goodwin still in the building Matron?"
"Just settling your patient into Milner I believe Mr Rose. Shall I send for him?"
"If you could. He'll be needed to anaesthetise." Puffing a plume of smoke, Mr Rose moved towards the door, calling in his wake. "Nothing too serious dear, just be easier for you if we remove that glass whilst you're asleep." He turned back momentarily, continuing in an uncharacteristically soft voice. "You'll need the rest, after what you've been through."
With her injuries having been previously cleaned by Gordon, it took relatively little time to prepare Jill for theatre. This was something she was immensely grateful for; the Pethidine Gordon had administered at his house was starting to wear off, and the pain was returning in great, ever strengthening waves.
Matron had already forbidden Gordon from entering the operating theatre, though, after some pleading, he was permitted to stay whilst Jeff administered the anaesthetic. He leant down to place a soft kiss to her cheek, wiping away a tear as it slid down her face before her colleagues could see. He'd stood next to her, holding her hand, his thumb gently brushing against her palm. And it served to sooth her as her eyelids grew heavy and she succumbed to the pull of the anaesthetic.
And that was the last she remembered until she awoke in the side ward to whisper an emotional greeting to Gordon. The anaesthetic, though light, was sufficient to make her drowsy enough to slip in and out of sleep for the following few hours. And each time she awoke, Gordon was there, ready with a reassuring smile and a squeeze of a hand. She'd tried to coax him onto the bed but he gently shook his head saying, with some sense, that Matron would not be at all pleased. She had to agree but still, she would have liked to have him next to her, however painful the contact with him would be.