The Surgeon and the Princess by Karin Baine (ebook reader with android os .TXT) 📕

Georgiana climbed out and shuffled over on her backside to help pull the woman out as the men pushed her from the pool. Those exercises to strengthen her muscles came into effect as she hooked the woman under her arms and pulled with all her might. She lay her down on the floor and tilted her head back to check her airway as the men scrambled up beside her.

‘She’s stopped fitting but I don’t think she’s breathing.’ Georgiana couldn’t feel a pulse and even with her ear to the woman’s mouth she couldn’t hear anything.

‘She’s bleeding too.’ Ed pointed out the increasing pool of scarlet spreading out across the once pristine white tiles.

‘Starting CPR,’ Georgiana called. The most important thing was to get her breathing again. She started chest compressions, putting her hands on top of one another, interlocking her fingers and pushing the heel of her hand hard into the woman’s chest.

‘I’ll get the defibrillator.’ Ed took off, barefoot and wet, to track down the essential equipment.

This was the sort of life-saving emergency Georgiana was trained for so she was able to remain calm while the husband was crying and his therapist was shouting about having called for an ambulance.

The lifeguard, who she’d made redundant, made himself useful by covering the patient with towels to keep her warm.

Apparently Georgiana hadn’t lost this instinct, this mission to save lives. It was something she didn’t want to ever lose when it could prevent a family from the heartache of losing a loved one. She thought of the team who’d saved her. Though she’d lost a limb, she would be grateful for ever that they’d worked hard enough to make sure she had another chance at life.

Ed came rushing back with the portable defibrillator they obviously kept here in case of such events. ‘We need to get her dried off and away from the water.’

Between them they made sure it was safe before they deployed the machine.

She heard it whir into life as Ed unbuttoned the woman’s blouse and prepared to do his bit to save her too. He ripped the backing off the sticky pads and attached them to the woman’s skin on each side of her chest. ‘Stop CPR.’

‘Stopping CPR.’ Georgiana leaned back on her heels and let the machine take over, analysing the patient’s heart rhythm. She and Ed waited until the shock had been delivered and instructions were given to continue CPR before they touched her again. They took turns between the shocks being delivered until the woman began to show signs of life. She tilted her head to one side and coughed some of the water out of her lungs.

The adrenaline coursing through Georgiana’s veins during the high-pressure event was allowed to subside now she’d successfully done her part of the work. Ed’s smile said he felt the same. It was down to the paramedics and the hospital staff now to take over but every joint medical emergency and patient interaction was bringing her and Ed closer together. As well as making her believe she was more than a victim. She still had a purpose, a skill that was needed, even if it was in a very different environment from the one she’d been used to. Her life was changing again but hopefully this time for the better.

‘Maybe for your next appointment you should bring some water pistols.’

‘Thanks. I’m sure she’d love that.’ Hannah’s father scooped her up in his arms as he thanked Georgiana for giving her a reason to return to the pool. They’d stopped by Ed’s office as promised to say their goodbyes. Thankfully they’d missed the poolside drama and it was only Ed and Georgiana who were coming down off the adrenaline high.

‘Maybe I should’ve asked Mr Lawrence about that first.’ Georgiana laughed.

‘That’s fine by me. Always happy to take part in a water fight.’

It gave Ed a warm glow because this was going to aid Hannah’s progress and was also an indication Georgiana intended on sticking around. He was getting used to having her here.

‘Thanks for everything, Miss Ashley.’ Mrs Howell went to shake her hand then emotion apparently took over and she threw her arms around her. Georgiana’s expression was priceless.

‘Any time,’ she gasped, through the embrace.

‘And we swear not to breathe a word to anyone.’ Mrs Howell pretended to zip her mouth shut, making it clear she’d keep her word. This was their secret, their private club to which no one else was invited. Georgiana Ashley was another part of their daughter’s recovery process and they wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise that.

‘You too, Doc. Thanks for setting this up.’

‘No problem at all.’

Another round of thanks and goodbyes and suddenly Georgiana and he were alone in the room.

‘That went better than I expected,’ he said, waving them off before closing the door.

‘Yes. I thought she responded really well. Maybe you should buddy up some of the adult amputees with the new patients so they can see what they’re working towards.’

‘If you’re volunteering for future appointments, I’ll take it.’ It was a long shot but having her around would be a boost for everyone who came through the clinic doors.

He included himself in that bracket when they were already spending so much time together enjoying each other’s company. To Ed she fell into neither of the two categories he seemed to divide his time into—work and family. She was a refreshing change from responsibility and being with her gave him some sense of having a life of his own outside those areas.

She glared at him with that ‘don’t push your luck’ vibe and for once Ed knew when to shut up.

‘What happens as the children grow? Do they get adjustable legs or do they have to be refitted?’ Georgiana was holding up the different samples he’d brought in to show Hannah. Some of which were so tiny it was difficult not to be affected.

She was a compassionate woman so it was natural she should