pressure of an emergency there had been no dissention between themâin fact, theyâd hardly needed to speak. Each had worked smoothly alongside the other, instinctively anticipating each otherâs needs.
And then she noticed the camera. Her smile faded. âYouâve been filming? You filmed what just happened?â
A girl with a clipboard murmured something in the producerâs ear and Polly smiled. âIt will make fantastic television. But obviously only with the familyâs permission. And I agree that it was amazing teamwork.â The producer stepped forward, an awed expression on her face. âThe two of you were so slick. It was like watching a medical drama! Better, because it was real.â
Anna gritted her teeth and Sam drew in a breath, clearly anticipating a problem. âAnnaââ
âYou shouldnât have filmed without the patientâs permission.â
âWe put a notice up saying that anyone not wishing to be filmed simply has to say so.â
Anna glanced at the wall, scanned the notice and scowled. âWell, the Craddocks werenât exactly reading the notices on the wall when they came in here, were they? They wouldnât even have seen it!â
John Craddock rubbed the back of his neck andcast a glance towards his daughter, who was now sitting on his wifeâs lap. âCanât honestly say I mind if they show it, Dr Riggs. Not if it saves someone else. What do you think, Michelle?â
His wife gave a wavering smile. She was still very pale from the experience. âTo be honest, Iâm only too pleased for other people to learn the risks of not drinking straight from cans in the summer. It had never even occurred to me. And I worry about everything when it comes to the kids!â
Anna released a breath, unable to argue with that. It was an important health education message, that was true, and something that people often overlooked in the summer months when the weather was hot and wasps were abundant. âWell, I suppose if you donât mindâ¦â
John grinned. âJust tell me when itâs going to be shown, so that I can tell everyone who knows me.â
âWeâll certainly do that.â The producer smiled, standing to one side as the paramedics prepared to take Lucy to the hospital. âItâll be part of our series on summer health.â
Sam picked up his bag, helped himself to a few extra pieces of equipment that he thought he might need and gave Anna a nod. âI wonât be long. Iâll just hand over and then catch a lift back.â
âFine. Iâve got paperwork to do anyway. Weâll delay that lunch. If thereâs going to be a camera stuck in my face every time I turn round, I definitely want to be part of the discussion.â
Â
In fact, they didnât need to delay lunch for long.
Sam was back within the hour and the news on Lucy was good. âSheâs stable now but theyâre keeping her in overnight. Now, letâs get on with the meeting before the sandwiches curl. Glenda, are you joining us for this?â
âOh, Dr McKennaâ¦â Slightly breathless, Glenda glanced at them nervously, her hand shaking slightly as she smoothed her hair. âI was thinking of popping home in my lunch-break, if thatâs all right with you. But I could come if youâd ratherâ¦â
âNot at all,â Sam said easily, giving her a smile that made Glenda visibly relax. âHave a nice lunch. See you later.â
Glenda vanished through the door so hastily that her bag tangled on the handle. With a murmured exclamation she tugged it free and hurried off without looking back, clearly in a hurry and very flustered.
Samâs smile faded. âThere goes a very stressed woman.â
Anna nodded, pacing over to the window and watching as Glenda virtually sprinted down the street towards the harbour. She knew that the receptionist would be home