Dr Carlisle's Child

ALL eyes were on Lucinda Chambers as she walked onto the paediatric cardiac unit at Melbourne Central Women's and Children's Hospital, and she knew it. Pushing her shoulders back, she assumed what she hoped was a confi-dent poise and, reminding herself to breathe, she made her way over to the group of white coats huddled around the nurses' station."Ah, Miss Chambers." Professor Hays held out his hand and Lucinda accepted his handshake firmly. "I trust you had a pleasant flight." Without waiting for her reply, he turned and addressed his loyal followers. "As you know, Miss Chambers joins us today from Queensland, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and talent from which we can all benefit. As you know, until Mr Felix returns from overseas Miss Chambers will be the only consultant on my team so I am, of course, counting on you all to give her every assistance." He paused for a moment as the group murmured their agreement.Lucinda smiled back at the faces, some curious, others indifferent and a couple downright hostile. Her appointment as Consultant Paediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon had caused more than a few raised eyebrows. At thirty-four she was considered young for such a senior position and a woman to boot. Cardiothoracic surgery was still predominantly male-dominated, even in these so-called liberated times. For a woman to make it in this field took more than just talent with a scalpel.But, then, Lucinda had it all -- good-looking by any standards, with long thick hair, an exquisite shade of chestnut, flawless creamy skin and a curvaceous, supple body that belied the never-ending take-aways, hospital canteen food and diet Coke that she survived on.More relevantly, she also happened to be the daughter of two of Queensland's most prominent cosmetic surgeons who were ambitious in the extreme where their daughter was concerned. Her mother, despite being possibly the least maternal woman ever to give birth, had been almost pathological in her desire for her daughter's success, planning her education and career almost from the moment of conception.Though confident she had got the job on her own merits, Lucinda acknowledged that her breeding hadn't been a hindrance. The fact that there were a couple of noses out of joint amongst her new colleagues came as no particular surprise."Well, enough of the introductions for now. We'll get started on the ward round, but there will be a small luncheon in the function room at noon so we can welcome Miss Chambers properly. I hope to see you all there."As the charge nurse wheeled a large trolley containing the patients' files and X-rays, the group followed. Professor Hays was leading, of course, with the charge nurse to his left and slightly behind. Lucinda assumed her position just to his right and slightly back, with the rest of the procession bringing up the rear in order of merit. It was old-school and had probably been abandoned years ago on most other wards, but Professor Hays was a stickler for formality."A small speech would go down well at lunchtime," he said in low tones to Lucinda. "To introduce yourself. Just a few words, very informal, nothing to worry about.""I'd be glad to," Lucinda replied confidently as her stomach turned 360 degrees. The thought of facing that adverse group did nothing to inspire her. The charge nurse turned and gave her an almost imperceptible wink and Lucinda winked back. Looking at her name badge, she saw that her name was Ann Benton. Her face, apart from Professor Hays's, had been the only friendly one she had seen so far. For the first time that day Lucinda's smile was genuine."First we have young Billy Carlisle." Ann introduced the young boy sitting cross-legged on his bed, clutching a large unfriendly-looking robot."Mr Hughes, perhaps you'd like to brief Miss Chambers and the students on Billy's condition?"Pete cleared his throat and spoke in the low tones, which enabled the staff to hear but not the patient."BMarinelli, Carol is the author of 'Dr Carlisle's Child', published 2006 under ISBN 9780373820405 and ISBN 0373820402.