That wasn’t needed. Megan had done exactly the right thing, and she’d charmed Tim into facing the possibilities that he must have already been aware of.
‘I’ll go and get my bag. And call my father.’
Tim groaned. ‘Oh, please. Surely we don’t need any more reinforcements, do we? People get malaria all the time...’
Jaye chuckled, turning away. He imagined that Megan could handle Tim while he was gone.
* * *
It was extraordinary. Five years ago, when she’d seen him at the hospital, Jaye had hardly seemed to notice anyone as lowly as a nurse. But now he was allowing her to take charge and examine his friend.
He must have a reason to act so completely out of character. Then the idea occurred to Megan that maybe he wasn’t acting out of character, that she’d been wrong about him all along. That was a little too delicious to contemplate right now.
‘It’s probably best to go to Gloucester Central.’ Raj had checked Megan’s observations and was writing a referral note for the hospital. ‘They have the facilities for out-of-hours testing, so they can get the blood test done tomorrow.’
He tore the sheet from his pad and handed it to Megan. ‘Make sure the doctor gets this, won’t you? I don’t want him listening to Tim and sending him home with a flu diagnosis.’
‘Doctors...’ Tim muttered under his breath. His cheeks were flushed with fever and he was grumbling quietly. ‘Give me a nurse any day.’
‘My sentiments entirely.’ Jaye shot Megan a grin that made her stomach turn somersaults, and then twitched at the throw that covered Tim’s legs. Tim protested, grabbing it tightly.
‘Come on. Let’s get you to the car.’
* * *
Megan had given Raj’s letter to the doctor at the hospital, who had read the few paragraphs in instalments, stopping every now and then to turn his attention somewhere else.
‘Dr Perera has extensive experience with tropical diseases.’ She tapped her finger on the top of the letter to draw the doctor’s attention back from the Saturday evening bustle that was going on around them, and Jaye allowed himself to smile. She was unshakeable.
‘In that case... I assume the patient’s been abroad?’
‘Yes, six weeks ago. As you’ll see from Dr Perera’s letter.’
‘Yes, of course.’ The doctor gave up the unequal struggle and focussed entirely on Megan for a moment. ‘I agree that admitting him for tests would be wise. You’re his wife?’
The doctor could be forgiven for thinking that. It had taken Megan just an hour or so to build up the kind of trust with Tim that looked as if they’d known each other for years.
‘No. His partner is on his way.’ Megan had dealt with that, too. She’d countered Tim’s protests with the observation that if it were her partner on his way to hospital, there would be hell to pay afterwards if she hadn’t received a call. Tim had acquiesced and had asked Jaye to call David.
‘Okay... Good. Next of kin?’
‘Oh, for goodness’ sake. I’m hardly going to die...’ Tim roused himself from the doze he’d fallen into and Megan turned towards him.
‘Red tape. You know all about that, don’t you?’ Her smile placated Tim and his head fell back onto the pillow.
‘David Foreman. Same address as the patient.’ Jaye supplied the necessary information, and the doctor hurried away.
‘Don’t work for this guy. Come and work for me, I need a nurse.’ Tim reached for Megan’s hand.
‘You do not.’ Indignation flashed through Jaye.
‘It’s tempting...’ Megan paused for a moment, clearly pretending to think about it. ‘But I’m very happy with the job I have. And my current employer.’
That was a turn-up for the books. If the last four days had accomplished nothing else, it seemed that Megan was finally beginning to trust him. Jaye hid his elation, throwing his friend an amused glare.
‘You heard the lady. Just rest, will you.’
‘Hmm. Thought I’d give it a try.’ Tim moved fitfully on the bed, ob