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Emma interrupted. ‘No buts. You are going to have to handle this so carefully. If you don’t know your wife and how she’ll take this, you haven’t been paying attention. She is in the same hospital as you are. Do you know she’s likely to have the baby early? You haven’t even been to see her.’

‘I don’t want her to know I’m sick.’ His voice was flat, but Emma could sense he was having second thoughts.

She pursed her lips, stood, and moved to the end of the bed. ‘As the doctor on duty I should look at your clinical notes but you tell me if you’d prefer I didn’t?’ She pointed to the chart at the end of the bed. ‘I’m supposed to take your obs and check your chart after the session you’ve just had. I’m checking each patient as they come back from the chemo room.’

Connor looked at her. ‘Go ahead.’

She quickly scanned down through the clinical notes, and his observations, and didn’t say a word as she wheeled the blood pressure machine over and slipped the cuff on his arm.

‘Perfect, thank you.’ She picked up the digital thermometer and put it against his forehead, and when it beeped, she nodded.

‘All good. How have your neutrophils been between treatments?’

‘No problems and I didn’t need injections.’

‘And you’ve been keeping well?’

‘I’m fine, just tired.’

‘And you’ve lost weight. We all commented on that.’

‘I’m being positive, Emma. I’m hoping this is over. Why does Dru have to know?’

Emma narrowed her eyes. ‘It’s called honesty. What if she finds out another way? Will she ever trust you again? She already thinks you’re having an affair because she saw you leave your office in another woman’s car the other day.’

Connor frowned and then nodded. ‘Why was Dru there? That was Dr Mulholland. I’d just left her surgery. She was going to the hospital that morning, and she followed me and picked me up so I could leave my car in the basement car park at the office.’

‘And that was a reason to take her hand?’

‘I was showing my gratitude. I owe Vera a lot. She made the diagnosis very quickly. She’s a good doctor.’

‘She is. And very happily married with three children.’

‘Are you doubting me, Emma?’

‘No, I’m playing devil’s advocate so you’re prepared for Dru’s questions, because believe me, Connor, she’s going to take some convincing.’

‘Okay. I guess I can take on board what you’re saying. Although I’d prefer to just go back to normal.’

‘Good. She’s been so worried about you that the baby has been at risk.’

‘I’ll reassure her. I’ll tell her I’m not having an affair.’

‘You have to let her raise that.’ Emma was adamant. ‘She is not to know that I told you. Right?’

‘I’ll go and see her and apologise for how I’ve been lately and I’ll let her tell me.’ For the first time, concern was etched into Connor’s expression. ‘Is she really upset?’

‘I’ll leave you to judge that for yourself. It’s between you and Dru, Connor. All I can do is give you the advice that I think is right. When are you going to see her?’

‘As soon as Dr Mulholland comes with the results and discharges me.’

‘Good.’ Emma slipped the clipboard over the end of the bed and opened the curtains. ‘I have another patient to check. I wish you well, Connor.’ She blinked tears away as she left the ward.

Chapter 26

Darwin Royal Hospital - Tuesday morning

Connor