back to a breech position and they’d have to admit Lisa for observation—maybe even for a Caesarean.
‘I’ll keep the CTG going for a bit longer, until I’m happy that the heart rate’s come back up again,’ Kieran said.
‘What happens then?’ Lisa asked.
‘It’s up to you. We can induce you, or you can go home to wait until labour starts naturally.’
‘If you wait, there’s a chance the baby might turn back again. But if you’re induced, there’s more chance that you’ll need us to help you deliver the baby. So it’s your choice,’ Judith said.
‘If the baby turns again, will I definitely have to have a section?’ Lisa asked.
‘Not necessarily,’ Kieran advised. ‘If you’d like to try for a vaginal delivery, and provided the baby isn’t distressed, that’s fine.’ He smiled at her. ‘Baby’s heart rate is coming back up again, and I’m happy with the trace. Everything seems fine. Do you have any pain anywhere?’
Lisa shook her head.
‘Good. If you feel any pain or experience any bleeding, you need to ring your midwife straight away, or come straight here,’ he advised.
‘So I can go home now?’
‘Rest for a little while first,’ he said. ‘But as soon as you feel ready to go, provided you’re not in any pain, let one of the nurses know and I’ll come and check you over before you go.’
‘Thank you. Both of you,’ she said, looking relieved.
Judith liked his bedside manner, the way he’d made Lisa feel at ease. Kieran Bailey was more than just a pretty face, she thought. And from the look on Lisa’s face, she thought so, too.
But as Judith left the room, she noticed a familiar scent. Baby sick. Kieran smelled faintly of baby sick. As she knew for a fact no babies had been sick on him on the ward that morning, it could only mean one thing.
His own baby had been sick on him that morning before work.
And that would explain why he’d been late on his first day.
She sighed inwardly. Just her bad luck. It was the first time she’d been attracted to someone in a long time—and he was married. Or at least involved with someone. The lack of a wedding ring didn’t mean anything.
And as for that flash of awareness she’d seen in his eyes, she’d make sure she kept him at arm’s length. She had no intention of smashing up someone else’s relationship. Hopefully the attraction would fade after a few weeks.
Or even less than that. Memories threatened to choke her.
‘Are you taking your lunch-break now, Jude?’ Louise asked.
Judith glanced at her watch. ‘If that’s OK with you, Mr Bai—Kieran?’ she corrected herself.
‘Fine.’
‘Why don’t you go, too?’ Louise suggested. ‘I can bleep you if you’re needed.’
Judith remembered her promise to Bella to look after Kieran. Damn. She needed some space right now to get her head straight. But it was his first day. It wasn’t fair to abandon him. ‘Um, would you like to come to the canteen with me?’ she asked. ‘I’m meeting a couple of friends, but they won’t mind if you join us.’
‘Thanks, but…’ Something that looked like guilt flickered over his face. ‘There are a couple of things I need to do. I’ll, um, see you later.’
‘Sure.’ She wasn’t sure if she was more disappointed or relieved that he wasn’t joining them. Relieved because she had a chance to put some distance between them. As for the disappointment, it was better this way. Besides, Zoe and Holly would have grilled the poor man until he’d given them his complete life history.
Her best friends were already waiting for her in the canteen. ‘Chicken salad wrap, orange juice and the last strawberry yoghurt,’ Zoe said, sliding the plates across to Judith’s place.
‘Angel.’ Judith hugged her and sank into her seat. ‘You’ve obviously had a good morning, Holls—you’re usually the last one here, not me.’
‘So what were you up to?’ Holly asked.
‘My first ECV, no less.’ Judith blew on her nails and polished them on her sleeve. ‘Well, with a bit of help from our new consultant.’
‘The one who worked with your dad,’ Zoe remembered. ‘What’s he like?’
‘OK.’
‘Oh,’ Zoe said meaningfully.
Judith pulled a face at her. ‘Don’t take that tone with me—just because you’re disgustingly happily married, it doesn’t mean everyone else has to be.’
‘No.’ Zoe flushed. ‘Sorry, Jude. No matchmaking attempts, I promise.’
Judith sighed. ‘Oh, hell. I’m sorry for snapping, Zo. And you know I’m pleased you and Brad are happy.’
‘So tell us about the new boy,’ Holly prompted.
Judith took a bite of her chicken salad wrap, making her friends wait. Then she smiled. ‘Kieran Bailey? OK. He’s taller than me, dark hair, eyes like black velvet.’ And a mouth I want to feel on mine. Except I can’t have him.
‘Are you sure you’re not smitten?’ asked Holly.
Her face must have given her away. Damn. ‘You know my track record with men,’ she said lightly. ‘I always pick the louses.’
Zoe frowned. ‘You said he was OK. What makes you think he’s a louse?’
‘Because he’s married.’ Judith fiddled with her glass. ‘Why else would he smell of baby sick?’
‘Because you work in the maternity unit perhaps?’ Holly asked. ‘You’re jumping to conclusions, Jude.’
‘You should have brought him to lunch with you.’ Zoe grinned. ‘I’d have asked him for you.’
Judith rolled her eyes. ‘I know you would, Hurricane Zoe! Anyway, he said he had things to do.’
‘Which doesn’t have anything to do with being married. You can be single and have things to do,’ Holly pointed out.
‘Jude, if he’s nice and you like him—go for it,’ Zoe said.
‘You’re barely back from honeymoon and you’ve still got your rosy glasses on,’ Judith said, patting her hand. ‘It’s so not going to happen.’ Zoe and Holly had been her best friends for years. They knew the score where Judith and men were concerned: it just didn’t work. Judith had spent her time at med school studying rather than socialising—gaining a reputation as an ice maiden in the meantime. Which meant the nice men had been scared off, and the only ones who approached her now saw her as a challenge to be conquered and then boasted about.
So nowadays Judith settled for friendship. And as for the awareness that had prickled down her spine when Kieran had shaken her hand…well, she’d just have to learn to ignore it. Because nothing was going to happen between them.
Was it?
BY FRIDAY, Kieran felt as if he’d been working at London City General all his life. Everyone on the ward was friendly, Bella was the kind of boss who trusted you to get on with your job and see her if you had a problem, and even Tess seemed to be settling a little more at home—at least, she hadn’t cried as much as usual that morning before he’d left, and he’d managed to get to work on time ever since Monday.
The only sticking point was Judith Powell.
Because he couldn’t