Chapter 4
The next morning, after having their breakfast at their hotel (which was near the Museum of Natural History) Jac and Jonny were getting ready to leave for the hospital while Emma sat on their double bed and played with Ralph the Pig and the newly named toy bear that she had received at Heathrow - Polly the Bear.
"So how far is it to the hospital?" asked Jonny,
"About a half hour walk, most of which is through Central Park".
"But I really wanted to hail a cab"
"Relax newbie, I thought we could walk there and hail a cab on the way back, maybe even have lunch in the park at like 1 ish"
"Sounds alright to me, but do you think Emma will be ok in the crèche?"
"She'll be fine Jonny, she loves new people"
"As long as no one touches Ralph"
"Or Polly"
"Polly?!"
"The Bear Mo gave her, we named her a sunrise didn't we Emma?"
The infant then just giggles up at her parents and continued to play, she seemed to be in her own little fantasy world.
"Have you got enough wipes and nappies in that bag?"
"Yes, I think so, I've also packed her milk and favourite sippy cup and a couple of toys"
"Good, right then missy, pram time" said Jonny.
"No"
"Come on, if you're good we'll go the duck pond at lunch, won't we mummy?"
"Oh yes, that sounds perfectly marvellous doesn't it Emma?"
"'Uck"
"Ducks that's right, we'll go a little later, I promise"
"Come on then, let's go"
They had a lovely walk through Central Park, talking about all that they were seeing and what they wanted to do while in New York.
"We have to go see the Statue of Liberty while we're here, and since we're practically next door to it, the Museum of Natural History might be a good idea"
"Yes to the statue, maybe to the museum, I thought Emma might prefer the zoo here in Central Park to the museum".
"That'll be cool, so how much further is it?"
"Not far, we've got to exit on 5th Avenue, go down East 98th and turn left onto Madison"
"Madison Avenue! We'll have to do a bit of shopping, I'm gonna get souvenirs for family and friends from every place we visit"
"You're like an overgrown puppy you know"
"What's wrong with that, I've not been to America before, as well you know"
"Come on Maconie, let's go"
Fifteen minutes later they arrived at the hospital and asked for directions to the crèche from a brunette woman sat behind the desk. When they got there, they were greeted by a woman in her mid 30s who was carrying a small child.
"Hello, my name is Jac Naylor, I called 2 days ago about putting my daughter in your care for a short while"
"Yes of course, hello Mrs Naylor, I'm the head nursery nurse, Caroline, and this must be little Emma"
"First of all it's just Miss Naylor, we are not married, second, yes, this is Emma, and third this is her father"
"Jonny Maconie, nice to meet you"
"Good Morning, I just need you both to sign a couple of papers before you can leave Emma here"
"Of course, but I want you to know, that she won't be coming here, everyday of the 2 weeks we're in New York, but she'll be here most days, is that acceptable?"
"Yes, I see you brought her nappy bag, just put it on the table here and follow me into my office"
Ten minutes later, Jac and Jonny were saying goodbye to Emma and telling her that she had to be a good girl for the nice lady and when they left they were happy that she didn't cry, but went straight to playing with another child, a boy called Luca.
"Right then, which way now?" asked Jonny.
"We need to be on the 5th floor"
"Let's go find a lift then"
A few minutes later, they were stood in the office of the heard of Cardiothoracic's a man in his 40s by the name of Richard Gregson.
"I have to say Miss Naylor, it was a surprise when you said you'd be coming to New York, that that I'm not happy to have you here of course"
"Well this was a last minute trip you see, oh and allow me to introduce you to Jonny Maconie, he's Holby's transplant coordinator"
"Was, I'm taking a leave of absence to look after our daughter"
"You have a daughter together"
"Yes, her name is Emma, she's 15 months old"
"I have a niece called Emma, she's 14"
"Anyway, you told me on the phone that you have a Herzig operation scheduled for this afternoon" said Jac.
"I do, it's at 3, unfortunately I have a meeting upstairs starting in 20 minutes, so my second in command will be showing you around, you can wait for him by the reception desk out there"
"Okay, and thank you Mr Gregson, we shall see you later"
Five minutes later, Jac and Jonny were waiting by the ward's reception desk when Jac heard a voice behind her say "Be still my beating heart, if it isn't Jac Naylor".
Jac then turned around and saw an old friend standing before her.
"Sam Strachan"
End of Chapter