The halt of the ambulance, and the opening and slamming of the driver's door indicated their arrival at the hospital. Shortly afterwards, the back doors were opened by Frankie, revealing once more the ferocious storm, though they were somewhat sheltered under the canopy of the ambulance bay.
Gordon helped Jill out of the emergency vehicle with an arm around her waist, he supported her against him on their short journey into casualty. Despite the thick red blankets around their shoulders, the doctors shivered quite violently.
"Doctors!" Matron took in their state, her gaze travelling down Jill's bandaged leg to her bare feet. "Where's our casualty?"
"There wasn't one." Gordon replied, his tone belying his exhaustion, his words wavering slightly as he spoke. "When we arrived, the boat was empty. We were too late."
"Oh dear." Her voice was saddened. "Do we have any idea who he, or she, was?"
"None." Jill shook her head. She shifted a little and Gordon tightened his hold on her.
Matron seemed to notice this judging by her next words. "Fetch a wheelchair for Doctor Weatherill please." This was directed at Alun who was standing off to the side, waiting to be directed where he was needed.
"Right away Matron." Alun departed quickly.
"No, there's no need, really." Jill forced a smile, beginning to move, but Gordon held her back. From his position in the corridor, he could see before she could that Alun was already returning with the requested wheelchair. The female doctor rolled her eyes as Alun drew up beside her, but, nonetheless allowed Gordon to help her sit down. He placed his hands on her back and arm, steadying her, prompting her to release grumbles of protest.
"Well, well, what do with have here?"
Jill rolled her eyes once again as Mr Rose's booming voice welcomed their entrance into the examination room. "I have a wound to my right calf, moderate bleeding, but it appears to be slowing."
"Mm hm." He glanced down at her leg. "Hop up on the bed then, I'd better take a look."
Jill smiled with false gratitude. Using Gordon to balance herself, she moved to perch on the side of the bed, then moved to lie down after gesture from Mr Rose.
"Nurse!" The surgeon looked around when one didn't immediately spring to his side. "Matron, where's your casualty nurse?"
"She's taking a very distressed patient to x-ray."
"Well who's going to take this bandage off. Not good enough Matron!"
"Mr Rose!" Matron drew herself up to her full height, ready to defend her nurses and her hospital.
Gordon however, had his attention fixed on Jill. Her face had become set in a thin line of pain. He guessed the painkillers had worn off. "I'll do it." Surprisingly, there was no protest from Mr Rose or Matron.
Gordon washed his hands quickly but thoroughly, then returned to Jill's side. He picked up a pair of scissors from the tray beside him; it would be less painful for Jill if the bandage was cut away, instead of being unwound. He shot a glance at her, seeing an expression of genuine gratitude and trust on her face, before beginning his task. One blade was slid beneath the bandage at the side of her leg, away from the wounds. She flinched a little each time he moved the blade upwards, and as the bandage came apart, the reason was revealed. Her leg was covered in a large angry bruise, starting at the wound and radiating round her leg to meet the other wound. Jill drew a sharp intake of breath as Gordon peeled the material away from the injuries. Away from the danger and the rush of activity on the boat, and into the bright, calm surroundings of the treatment room, Gordon could see how bad the damage actually was.
Mr Rose stood opposite Gordon, leaning down to inspect the wound on top of her calf. "Mm hm. Let's see the other side then."
Jill rolled over, whilst Gordon grasped her slender ankle, guarding her leg from hitting the bed as she moved. Her skin was still very cold to the touch.
Mr Rose once again leaned close, the stem of his pipe grasped firmly between his teeth. He finally straightened up and faced Jill. "Well my dear..."
Gordon had a horrible feeling he knew what was going to be said.
"I'm afraid my dear, I'm going to have to operate."
"As I thought." She sighed, raising herself into a sitting position. Ever concerned, Gordon's hand rested on her back, not helping, merely supporting.
"Doctor Goodwin is rostered to anaesthetise this afternoon." Matron stepped forward. "I'll get a nurse to fetch him. And I'll find a nurse to help prepare you for theatre doctor." She directed her last words at Jill, who immediately shook her head. There was firmness to her actions, indicating she wasn't to be argued with.
"I'm fine to prepare myself."
"Very well. I'll give you some privacy." The older woman pulled the free-standing curtain in front of the bed, blocking Jill from view of the rest of the room and the corridor beyond it. Matron, closely followed by Mr Rose, then left the room. Finally alone, Gordon reached forward to take Jill's hand, though he knew they didn't have long; he couldn't be seen to be lingering with her when he had no business to do so.
There was so much to say. Their day had thrown up so much emotion. He wanted to say everything, yet he said nothing. They couldn't resolve everything in just a couple of minutes. There was still their fight to talk about, although it seemed insignificant compared to what they had face a mere fifteen minutes afterwards. No, that would all have to wait until later, when they had time.
"I'll come and see you later." He said softly, having finally chosen his words.
She squeezed his hand. "You don't have to."
"I want to." And then their lips met for a brief, intense, few seconds. A tiny portion of the emotions they both felt came out in that kiss, shocking both of them, to an extent, though it was duly needed. Gordon stepped away from the bed, his hand lingering on Jill's for as long as possible, the contact meaningful, even through their chilled skin. "I'll see you later." He gave her a steady gaze. She smiled softly in response, gleaning his meaning; everything would be dealt with later.