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'Don't mind Angie,' said Mike as they returned to the flats. 'She and Fran and Sybil Lewis are great pals, having been at school and university together. They were known as the three Graces then.'

'No wonder Angie was so hostile to me. On Fran's account, as much as on the Lewises',' she persisted when he didn't comment. 'I suppose you realise that the first thing she'll do when she gets home is to ring up Fran and tell her who you were with in that bistro tonight?'

'Yes, of course I do!'

'And you don't mind?'

'Why should I?' he asked a shade impatiently. 'I've already made my position quite clear to Fran.' But after a tiny pause he added, 'All the same, it might be better if we don't go there again.'

'To the bistro?' He nodded. 'Because Fran is so sensitive?'

'You've got it,' he said gratefully.

Oh, yes—she'd got it, and it was just as she'd thought. Fran might be on the back burner while he indulged his fancy for herself, but she was still there in the background, with feelings that mustn't be hurt.

'No, don't bother to come up with me,' said Yona, when Mike had walked her to the main door of her wing. 'Fran doesn't have an exclusive on sensitivity and Angie managed to upset me back there. Now I'm feeling hurt and also rather guilty, which is simply not fair. But thanks for dinner, Mike,' she went on, cutting across his protest. 'That was really kind of you. You must let me return the compliment some time.' Then she let herself in and left him staring after her through the thick plate-glass door.

She scorned the lift and took the stairs and when she turned the corner on the top floor Mike was waiting outside her door. She stared at him, amazed. 'How did you manage that?' she asked.

'The same key opens both main doors and I took the lift.' He paused, eyeing her sombrely. 'Wouldn't a better question be—why?'

'All right, then. Why?'

'Because I was damned if I was going to let you go like that—just because of something that wretched woman said. She's too prejudiced to take a balanced view about—anything.'

People were coming down the corridor so she said, 'You'd better come in.' But she was thinking that if Angie was prejudiced in favour of her friends, then so was he— at least until very recently.

In the living room, she tossed her jacket onto the nearest chair and went over to the drinks cupboard. 'Can I get you something?'

'Nothing, thanks.' He came right up behind her and said quietly, humbly, 'Yesterday I was happier than I've ever been in all my life. Now, tell me what you make of that.'

The current of emotion that charged through her at his words made it impossible for Yona to say anything at first. Then slowly, cautiously, she said, 'I was—fairly happy too. Until Fran came.'

'I had to go,' he said, pleading for her understanding. 'Doc Melling has been like a second father to me.'

Yona turned round to face him. 'I understand that. It's your relationship with his daughter I'm not clear about.'

'But I told you—'

'I know what you told me, but the girl adores you— surely you know that.'

'Of course I know it—but I swear to you, Yona, that I've never done anything to encourage her. I'm fond of her— like I would be of a sister, I suppose. She's a nice, kind, decent girl, but—' He broke off and began to pace about, a nice, kind, decent man with a problem he didn't know how to solve.

'Can you imagine what it's like?' he burst out. 'Owing her father, who knows her feelings as well as I do? And most of our friends, married long since, all hinting and nudging... Never having met my one and only, I'd just about got the length of wondering whether it could possibly work—Fran and me.' He paused long enough to make Yona want to scream. 'Then you came along and blew everything apart!'

'I'd no idea I was so explosive,' she said unsteadily.

'You're the most exciting, most desirable woman I've ever met,' he said in a voice that was vibrant with emotion. He seized her elbows in a grip that hurt.

'You're not the only one with problems,' she faltered. 'I was—dumped just before I came here...'

'He must be insane,' he said, 'but I'm very glad of it!'

Just as before, when he kissed her Yona felt herself responding with a speed and eagerness that blocked out all else.

And, as yesterday, it was Mike who called a halt. 'I'm rushing you...'

'Mmm,' she agreed.

'I'm on call.' Yona hadn't realised that. 'And there's a patient I promised to go in and take another look at...' He kissed her once more, hungrily, unwilling to leave her.

'I understand,' she murmured.

'Yes, you do, don't you? I can sense it.'

'I'm a doctor too, remember.'

'And that has to be a plus at a time like this.' He folded his arms behind her waist and let his eyes roam over her face. 'I'm off tomorrow night, though.'

Yona wrinkled her nose. 'But I'm not. How's that for a plus?'

'Wednesday, then.'

'But will you not be on again?'

'Let me worry about that. There are advantages to being a consultant—even a junior one.'

'Here's to the day when I can say that,' she said, afraid before she'd finished that she'd put her foot in it again.

If she had, he didn't react this time. 'Wednesday, then,' he repeated, 'but I'll see you before that, my wonderful, lovely one.'

He was still gazing into her eyes, and she said reluctantly, 'You mentioned a patient goodness knows how long ago...'

'It's all your fault for being so entrancing,' he whispered. 'OK, I'm really going now. Take care, my dearest girl.'

What harm can I possibly come to in my own home? Yona wondered dreamily as she watched him limp towards the lift. All the same, it felt rather wonderful to be worried about and fussed over. If only it wasn't such an age until Wednesday.

The
last time Yona had been on night duty, the calls had come in thick and fast. Tonight, she managed a leisurely supper and was watching television in the residents' quarters when she was called to Orthopaedics to see a male patient who was complaining of chest pain. She swung her legs off the sofa, slipped on her shoes and her white coat and hared off to investigate.

'Operated on early yesterday morning for a fractured neck of femur,' explained the nurse in charge, while hurrying Yona down the corridor. 'The houseman's given him some streptokinase and he's feeling a bit better but, with him being a doctor, we thought we should get you to check him over—just to be on the safe side.'

With information like that, Yona had guessed who her patient was before she saw the name on the door of the side ward. Routine examination convinced her that Fran's father had sustained a mild to moderate myocardial infarct. His grey pallor, shallow breathing and pulse told the tale before her stethoscope confirmed it.

'I'm afraid I'm being rather a nuisance,' said Dr Melling when the examination was over.

Yona smiled at him. 'If you must have an MI, then what better place than a hospital?' she asked. 'Have you ever had anything like this before?'

He read her name badge and his expression sharpened. 'Nothing so severe, Dr MacFarlane. Just the odd twinge which could have been indigestion but probably wasn't— with hindsight.'

'Well, that's the main question asked,' she returned soothingly. 'The others can wait until you've rested.'

'I'm afraid you're going to have to special him,' she told the nurse as they left the room. To the houseman she said, 'You did all the right things, but he'll have to be monitored here. The coronary care unit is already full. Call me at once if there's any change. Otherwise, I'll come back in a couple of hours—just to check.'

So that's the man to whom Mike owes so much, thought Yona as she left the unit. And I could tell he's heard of me. Did Fran tell him where she found Mike on Sunday night, then?

'He's sleeping,' they told Yona when she returned to Ortho in the early hours.

'Then I'll not disturb him, but I would like to see the wave pattern.'

It was exactly what she expected and the patient lay, his eyes closed, relaxed and peaceful. His colour was much better and his breathing easy. As Yona tiptoed away he said, 'I'm not asleep, Dr MacFarlane.'

'Then I'm sorry if I woke you,' she apologised.

'Not at all. I'm a very light sleeper and that door squeaks.' He eyed her in the same keen way as before as he said, 'I think you know my daughter, Doctor.'

'We've met—briefly,' she agreed carefully.

'When she was visiting her fiancé—yes, I'd heard. You and Mike Preston are neighbours, I understand.'

It was cleverly done, the devoted father protecting his daughter's interests. But Mike had interests, too—and so had she.

'Yes, we're neighbours,' she agreed. 'And colleagues, too. I didn't know that he was engaged, though. I must congratulate him next time I see him.'

The old man was taken aback, as she'd meant
him
to be.

'It's still unofficial so that could be premature, Doctor. I suppose I shouldn't have let the cat out of the bag, but I'm so pleased at the way things are turning out. Mike has been like a son to me since his father died.'

'No wonder he was so distressed when he heard about your accident. You're really in the wars just now, are you not?' Yona asked brightly, doctor to patient. 'I expect Mike will be asking a cardiologist to look you over tomorrow— or should I say later on today? So I'll leave you to rest now. I only came back to make sure you were stable.'

She wrote her observations in his notes and left the room with a final smiling glance. Apparently the perfect professional, but Yona was very uneasy inside. Mike was in far deeper than he realised, or cared to be.

The clinic overran on Wednesday morning and Yona had her medical students coming again at two. She was resigned to another day going by without seeing Mike, but he came into her consulting room just as the last patient was leaving. He looked very serious. 'You're worrying about your friend Dr Melling,' she guessed.

'Yes—it's a pity about the coronary on top of his accident, but the cardiologist isn't unduly concerned.' He frowned. 'Doc Melling told me it was you who was called to him last night.'

'That's right, being duty medical registrar...' She jerked her head in the direction of the clerk who had come to collect the records and X-rays.

Mike fumed impatiently until she had gone and then he said, 'It seems that Fran had told him about you.'

'She certainly had. He told me that his daughter had met me—while she was visiting her fiancé.'

Mike looked poleaxed. 'My God! Did he really say that?

What on earth possessed him? Don't tell me you believed it?'

'Of course not, though I must admit I was...rather surprised.' What an understatement!

'I said I hadn't known about the engagement and would congratulate you next time we met.'

The anguish in his eyes turned to admiration. 'Trust you to come up with the right thing. What did he say to that?'

'That congratulations would be premature as the engagement was still unofficial.' She laid a light hand on his arm. 'All the same...'

'I know! I've let things drift for far too long—hoping that Fran would get the message without me having to spell it out. But, don't worry, I've done it now. She knows exactly where we stand now—though she's obviously not told her father yet.'

'Perhaps she's saving all bad news until he's over this bad patch,' said Yona, hoping she was right.

'Yes, of course—that'll be it. And now isn't it time we talked about something other than the Mellings?'

'Such as?' she asked, smiling up at him.

'Such as what we're going to do tonight.'

'Just don't suggest anything too energetic,' she begged. 'Last night began quietly enough but ended in a deluge so I didn't get much sleep.'

'Poor little girl!' He stroked her cheek lightly with the backs of his fingers. 'I'm on call tonight, but a lot less likely to be run off my feet than you were. So, how about I cook dinner and we save a night on the town for tomorrow?'

'Sounds all right to me,' she said, 'only I thought you couldn't cook in your present disabled state.'

His glance was roguish. 'Only when it suits my purpose—like it did last Friday. So half-six at my place, then—and don't be late.' He dropped a kiss on the end of her nose and let her go abruptly when somebody tapped on the door.

The students trooped onto the unit, looking at once self-conscious and self-important with their new stethoscopes draped round their necks or coiled inexpertly in the pockets of their white jackets.

Yona had secured the co-operation of a dozen willing patients because, as Mrs Kavanagh said, everybody has to learn their trade—even doctors. She handed out the name cards, one per student. 'Take a full medical history and don't forget to ask about the health of their closest relatives. Then carry out the examination. Be gentle—and don't forget to thank your patients for their help. They're all volunteers, you know.'

'Will you be watching us, Dr MacFarlane?' asked one.

'I'll be in the ward, so don't be surprised if I pop my head round the curtains from time to time. And don't be too proud to ask for help—there's no shame in it. I'm forever picking the professor's brains.'

'It's that Sister Evans we have to watch out for,' muttered another.

'Sister Evans is one of this hospital's finest, but she happens to be off duty today,' said Yona, who had made sure of that, before arranging their first practical class.

'I'd have been more than willing to help with the students,' said Mrs Baker reproachfully as Yona passed the end of her bed.

'I know and I'm very grateful,' returned Yona, 'but we only ask patients who are nearly ready to go home—and you're not quite at that stage yet.'

'They set a student on me when I was in Surgical, getting my gall bladder out,' confided the patient in the next bed. 'Poked and prodded something awful, I can tell you. That's not the way to do it, I told him. It'll only come out if you take a knife to it—and Mr Smith'll be doing that.'

Giggles were coming from behind the curtains nearby and Mrs Kavanagh was heard to explain, 'I'm ever so ticklish, but it's all right, love. It doesn't hurt a bit now so you can grab it a bit firmer if you like.' At least one student had taken the 'be gentle' warning to heart!