Part 4 (2/2)

Georgie hid a sigh of relief. There was still a get-out clause if she changed her mind.

'I'll give it a go,' Sally responded. 'I think I'll be all right, but I'm not promising anything. As long as that's understood?'

'Sure, Sally.' He nodded, his eyes sweeping the room. 'Okay, then, it's settled. We meet tomorrow morning at the training centre at HMS Gannet at Prestwick. Everybody fine for that? No one can go out on a call until they've been through the training, so the sooner we get it over the better, don't you think?'

'I think I'm supposed to be on duty tomorrow morning,' Georgie said. At the same time, Sally was muttering under her breath and shaking her head from side to side. Georgie reached out and squeezed her hand rea.s.suringly.

Logan studied them both. 'No worries. I've arranged it all with Lizzie already. She says she'll bring in one of the other nurses to cover for you, Georgie. Ditto with you, Sally, so unless there's any other reason...?'

Sally looked as if she was about to say something, but Georgie squeezed her hand again before she spoke. 'Sally and I will see you there,' she said firmly.

Sally, Nick and Georgie were outside the training centre bang on seven o'clock the next day, but Logan was already there. Georgie and Sally had driven down together and Georgie had a.s.sured her new friend that they'd make it through the morning-together-no matter what it took.

Logan seemed remarkably upbeat and fresh for seven a.m. Then again, he'd probably run ten miles this morning, Georgie thought resentfully. It was all right for him. He had spent years training in all sorts of scenarios and conditions.

Nick appeared relaxed as well. No doubt some macho thing kept him from showing his apprehension. Either that or he genuinely wasn't worried. And neither was she, Georgie realised. In some ways she was even looking forward to the challenge. Water had never bothered her. But, then, neither had heights-until recently.

Sally, on the other hand, seemed utterly miserable. Georgie realised it would take courage for her to make it through the challenge but, despite Sally's anxiety, Georgie could tell by the set of her mouth that the paramedic was determined to complete the task.

'We strap you into your seat,' Logan was saying.

He looks s.e.xy as h.e.l.l in his body-hugging wetsuit, Georgie thought, before telling herself crossly that she needed to concentrate on the task in hand.

'Then we lower the mock-up helicopter into the water and as soon as it's submerged, we invert the craft. At that point you unbuckle your belt and make your way to the surface. You may find that at first you're disoriented. Try not to panic. Feel your way to the door and push yourself out. Remember, if anyone looks as if they're in trouble, I and the other divers will be standing by to help you to the surface.'

'What happens if I can't unbuckle my belt?' Sally asked. Although she looked pale, her voice was steady.

'As I said, if you find at any stage you can't do something, someone will help you out.' Logan grinned. 'I really don't want to lose anyone. Our job is to save lives, not kill people. We'll have a practice run where I'll be in the seat next to you, just in case, and then you'll do it on your own-for real.'

'Why can't we do it two at a time?' Sally asked 'Because I don't want any of you thinking about helping your partner instead of getting yourselves out.' He looked at Nick. 'There's no room for chivalry.'

Georgie was about to protest when Logan winked at her and Sally. 'And that goes for everyone.'

The experience wasn't as bad as Georgie expected. Then again, she was used to staying calm under pressure, even if this was a completely different kind of pressure than any of them were used to. Knowing that Logan and the divers were standing by ready to help if anybody got into trouble helped. Of course, if it ever happened in real life, it would be different, much more scary, but Georgie made up her mind that she wouldn't even think of it being a possibility.

Even Sally managed, although it took her a couple of extra attempts. Logan kept rea.s.suring her that she was doing fine and telling her that he was sure she'd do it, until finally and triumphantly she did.

Logan was pleased. 'Okay, everyone pa.s.sed. That's the first test. The next one involves some abseiling and getting used to being winched from the aircraft, but I don't antic.i.p.ate any difficulties. I'm hoping to schedule it for a few weekends' time.' He named a date. 'So keep it free, please.'

Georgie felt a s.h.i.+ver of anxiety. Little did Logan know it was the part of the training she was dreading the most. There was no point in worrying about it now. She would face that when the time came. At least if she froze again, she wouldn't be putting anyone else's life in danger.

Thankfully there were showers and everyone retreated to freshen up and change back into their clothes.

Georgie left Sally to finish reapplying her make-up, and went back out into the corridor. Logan was leaning against the wall, talking into his phone. The way he was grinning made Georgie certain it was some woman he was talking to. Once again she felt an unwelcome stab of disappointment.

'Until tonight. I'll be looking forward to it,' Logan said, before flipping his phone shut. So she was right. He had been making a date. What else had she expected? Logan wasn't the kind of man not to have someone in tow.

'Hey. All ready? How did you find it?'

'Not as scary as I thought,' Georgie admitted. 'Although I hope with all my heart I never have to do it for real.'

'Me too.' He smiled. 'Scottish waters aren't known for their warmth.'

Without warning, he reached across and touched her cheek gently. 'You're bruised.'

His touch sent tiny shocks coursing through her and before she could stop herself she took a step back, her hand going to the place where the touch of his fingers burned her skin.

'Oh, that.' She tried a laugh, but somehow it came out all strangled. 'I b.u.mped myself on the door of the helicopter when I was trying to find the way out. It's nothing.'

There was an uncomfortable silence for a moment as their eyes locked before Sally, her make-up in place, came rus.h.i.+ng out of the bathroom.

'That's me. All ready to go.'

She looked at Georgie and Logan, clearly sensing something.

Georgie unglued her feet from the floor and with one last weak smile at Logan grabbed Sally's arm and hustled her out of the door and away from the appraising look in Logan's eyes.

A few days later, Logan and Georgie were in the staffroom with Jamie and Sarah, enjoying a break after the morning rush. Georgie was surprised how quickly and easily Logan had fitted into the department. Jamie, in particular, seemed to enjoy having someone around to talk football and rugby with. He was always pretending to complain that Sarah had no interest in either sport.

Not for the first time, Georgie found herself envious of Jamie and Sarah. They were so obviously in love, so deeply in tune with one another, it made her miss being part of a couple. Sarah, however, had admitted to Georgie that her romance with Jamie hadn't always run smoothly and that she had even hidden Calum's birth from him. Nevertheless, whatever problems they had faced in the past, it was evident that little troubled them now.

Lizzie popped her head round the door, interrupting Georgie's musing.

'Looks like you have your first shout.' She wrinkled her brow. 'Shout's the right word, isn't it?' She rushed on without waiting for a reply. 'The Royal Navy's been called out from Prestwick. Trouble off the coast of Oban. Apparently a fisherman is in trouble. He's been stung by a bee and is having difficulty breathing. The navy is asking for a medical team to go on board. What shall I tell them?'

'It sounds right up our street. Tell them to pick us up. When is their ETA?' Logan replied, already on his feet.

'Not sure,' Lizzie said. 'I needed to check you were happy to attend. I'll get back to you as soon as I know.'

Logan turned to Georgie. 'Are you up for this?'

Before she had time to think, Georgie was on her feet. 'Of course.' Adrenaline shot through her veins. She was d.a.m.ned if she was going to let her fear stop her from even trying. One way or another, she would cope.

'Okay. Grab a fluorescent jacket. The helicopter will have a life vest and a helmet.'

Lizzie popped her head back through the door. 'They'll be landing on the helipad in three minutes.' She shoved two brightly coloured jackets at Georgie. 'I fished these out of our major incident cupboard for you.' She grinned. 'Good luck.'

Quickly Georgie and Logan shrugged themselves into the jackets. Logan's had 'Doctor' emblazoned on the back of his while she had 'Nurse'. It made it easier for everyone involved in the rescue to know who was who.

Logan was running out the door towards the helipad, leaving Georgie to do her best to keep up. As soon as they were outside the hospital building they could hear the powerful beating of the large helicopter's rotor blades.

'Keep your head down and follow me.' Logan shouted to make himself heard above the deafening beat of the blades. He reached behind him and, grabbing her hand, pulled her towards the navy aircraft. It was just as well he had a firm grip on her, Georgie thought. The downdraught felt as if it could pick her up off her feet and blow her away.

Hands reached out to pull them inside and the helicopter lifted off, banking sharply. One of the men inside held out a helmet and life vest for each of them. He also pa.s.sed Logan a microphone to attach to his headgear. All Georgie was given was a pair of earphones to reduce some of the noise.

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