He didn't respond, his body frozen into stillness by some emotion that she didn't begin to comprehend. It was as if he was totally unaware of her presence. Finally, he turned and looked down at her and she was shocked by the raw pain in his eyes.
'Ben, talk to me—please tell me, what's wrong.' Instinctively she reached out to him, placing a hand on his arm, and strangely her touch seemed to reach him in a way that words hadn't.
He drew in a long breath and moved away from her slowly, reluctantly, as if her touch was a lifeline that he was afraid to throw away.
'Nothing's wrong.' His voice was hoarse and Ellie stared at him helplessly.
How could he deny that something was wrong?
She opened her mouth to question him further but there was something about him—something remote and detached—that prevented her from speaking. His broad shoulders were tense and the pain in his eyes was so acute that it hurt to look at him.
For once at a loss for words, Ellie stared at him in silence and then jumped with shock as the doors to Resus slammed open and several members of the Mountain Rescue Team hurried in with a trolley.
Concerned and confused, Ellie sneaked another look at Ben, wondering whether he would be all right to deal with the patient.
He certainly hadn't been all right a moment ago.
At that moment, Sean appeared in the doorway, his tone casual. 'Everything OK?'
On the surface it was an innocent enough question but his eyes were on Ben as he asked it and Ellie gave him a puzzled frown. It was as if Sean knew that there might be a problem.
What problem?
'Jack, you already know Ben MacAllister,' Sean waved a hand. 'He's back working with us for a while.'
Jack looked up with a friendly smile. 'Good to see you, MacAllister! Haven't seen your ugly mug around for a while.'
'Good to see you, too.'
Ellie looked closely at Ben but there was no sign of the tension that had been so clearly visible earlier. Whatever had bothered him, he was clearly back in control now, his movements smooth and confident as he quickly examined the woman.
'What's the story?'
'She's spent two nights lost in the Langdales. OK, let's move her—on my count.' Jack's smile faded as they transferred the unconscious woman onto the A and E trolley. 'She was eventually spotted by a climber who administered first aid, managed to lower her from the ledge to more solid ground and then called us.'
'Good for him.' Ben glanced at Ellie who was checking the thermometer. 'Core temperature?'
'Thirty degrees.'
Ben stared at her. 'You're sure?'
Ellie checked the device again. 'Thirty degrees,' she said firmly, and Jack whistled.
"That is one cold woman. And hardly surprising, considering the weather we had last night. She's been lying in the snow for goodness knows how long.'
One of the casualty officers walked in and strolled over to Ben.
'I'm Will Thacker.' He introduced himself in smooth tones. 'Sean thought you might need some help. I've read all your pa
pers on high-altitude medicine and I'm looking forward to working with you.'
Ellie concentrated on the patient, trying to hide her distaste. She didn't often take a dislike to a person, but she disliked Will. And he made her feel uneasy. For a start, he didn't look her in the eyes when he talked to her—he talked to her chest.
Ben barely spared him a glance. 'OK, she's got severe hypothermia, folks. Let's move!'
Ellie covered the patient with the warmed woollen blankets and layers of polythene.
'I can't find a pulse.' She moved her fingers slightly but shook her head. 'Nothing.'