explain—?’
‘The same as you, Juan,’ Cate said through tight lips, ‘I really don’t want to talk about it.’
‘Cate, the reason I didn’t mention it is that I don’t want to be reminded every five minutes about it. I don’t like talking about it.’
‘That’s fine.’
‘Am I supposed to have given you a full medical history before I asked you to dinner?’
Cate was saved from answering when Kelly came in behind the curtain. ‘We’ve got someone on the phone enquiring after you, Juan.’
‘We’ve been through this,’ Juan said. ‘Just say that you’re not sure if I’m on duty and take a message.’
‘The call actually got put through to Reception.’ Kelly grimaced, not that Juan could see it. ‘Jane’s new, she’s the receptionist on duty and she didn’t realise that you worked here. She thought it was your girlfriend enquiring as to how you were after the accident. It’s Martina…’
‘What did she say to her?’ There was an ominous note to Juan’s voice.
‘That you were in X-Ray and she told her to call back in half an hour or so. She has just—’
The expletive that came from Juan’s lips was in Spanish and possibly merited.
‘She’s a bit upset,’ Kelly elaborated. ‘I’ve tried to reassure her but she isn’t listening to me, so I brought the phone down. I thought if you perhaps could speak to her, she would realise that you really are okay.’ Kelly handed him the phone and, still on his side, Juan took it.
‘I’ll leave you to speak to her in private,’ Cate said, as it was already more than awkward. ‘I’ll come and finish doing your shoulder afterwards.’
Cate turned to go but as she reached the curtain Juan called out to her. ‘Cate, would you mind speaking with her, please.’
‘Juan…’ She could not stand to speak Martina, given she had been in Juan’s bed last night—except that wasn’t relevant here. Juan was a patient.
‘She is my ex-fiancée,’ Juan said. ‘Someone I specifically asked your staff not to give any information to.’ And then he lost the warning note from his voice. ‘Cate, I really don’t need this today, of all days.’
‘Sure.’ Cate took the phone, doing her best to simply treat him as a patient. ‘What would you like me to say to her?’
‘Just say as little as possible. Tell her that it was a minor accident and that I’m fine.’
Cate took the phone and introduced herself.
‘I would like to speak with Juan Morales.’
‘I’m afraid that’s not possible. Can I help you with anything?’
‘I want to know what is happening. I’m in Argentina. Have you any idea how stressful this is to not be able to speak with him?’
‘Juan had a small accident this afternoon. He’s got some abrasions, which are being dressed at the moment. Apart from that, he’s fine and will be going home later today.’
‘How did it happen?’
‘I’m sorry,’ Cate answered. ‘I can’t give out that sort of information without Juan’s permission.’
‘He does this!’ She could hear Martina’s mounting exasperation. ‘He wants to pretend he has not had an accident. He’s going to kill himself one of these days; he just pushes everyone who loves him away. I don’t know what he is trying to prove. Today would have been our first wedding anniversary and instead he’s lying in hospital…’
‘Give me the phone.’ She didn’t know if Juan had heard what Martina had said but she handed him the phone and Juan spoke in short, terse sentences, before ringing off.
The silence was deafening as Cate resumed cleaning his shoulder.
‘She seems to think that because we were once engaged—’
‘Juan.’ Cate was struggling to keep her voice even, could scarcely believe the information she had just heard, understood now why his family had all been ringing him. ‘You don’t owe me any explanation. I don’t blame Martina for being concerned. If I cared about you, I’d be concerned too.’
‘Ouch,’ Juan said as her tweezers picked out a particularly deeply imbedded stone, and Cate even managed a wry smile—she had no idea if he was referring to her words or the sudden pain in his shoulder.
She had no idea about Juan at all.
But wasn’t that the whole point of a one-night stand or a brief fling? It was why she simply wasn’t any good at them.
She carried on pulling out some of the deepest stones. He tensed a few times but said nothing and Cate got on with her work, trying not to look at the scratches on his back.
The ones that were courtesy of her.
Kelly noticed them, though.
She came in to get the phone and to ask Cate to cast her eyes over an IV flask—a simple procedure, but because the solution contained potassium it needed to be checked by two nurses. Cate nodded that all was fine.
‘Your poor back, Juan,’ Kelly said, eyeing the scratches and giving Cate a wink as she walked out.
‘It shouldn’t be too much longer,’ Cate said. ‘And then we’ll get you round to the observation ward.’
‘I don’t need to be observed.’
‘Harry thinks you do. If you choose not to follow instructions I’ll get the necessary paperwork…’
‘I’m not stupid enough to discharge myself.’ He turned, just a little but enough to nearly send the sterile paper sheet flying. ‘Cate, I didn’t tell you because I don’t need your sympathy.’
‘Oh, believe me, there’s no sympathy coming from behind you, Juan.’
‘You’re upset.’
‘No. I’m not upset.’
‘I can hear your voice shaking.’
‘I am so not upset, Juan.’ She shook her head. This wasn’t the place but, what the hell, she told him her truth. ‘I’m angry.’
‘Angry?’ This time he turned enough to knock off the sheet completely and looked into her eyes and, yes, she was angry all right. ‘Angry, about what?
‘It doesn’t matter. I’m going to get Kelly to come in and finish off your shoulder.’
‘Why?’
‘Because you’re a patient and it doesn’t look good for a nurse to be shouting.’
‘Don’t worry about that—I’m fine with the conversation.’
‘Well, I’ve got work to do.’
‘I don’t understand what you’re angry about.’
‘Your carelessness,’ Cate answered. ‘Your lack of limits…’
‘You know what, Cate?’ Juan was surly and in no mood to sweeten things. It had been one hell of a day after all. ‘I don’t think you’re actually angry at me. I think you’re more cross at your own…’ He couldn’t think of the word he wanted so hers would have to do. ‘Limits.’
‘I’m going to get Kelly.’
‘Fine,’ Juan said. ‘Go and count your stock.’
It was lucky for Juan she had already put the tweezers down!
She asked Kelly to come in and take over and then walked to what would soon be her office. She took a long, calming breath and tried to remember what