Chapter 4
CHAPTER 4
I watched Sophie and Kate as they waved goodbye and made my way through the check in and then directly onto the plane.
My seat was at the very front of the plane on the upper deck and so I was escorted to my seat by a very happy and smiling flight attendant. I was lucky enough to book a window seat facing forward. The seat was large and comfortable, with a large screen across from me, room to stretch out, and the seat reclined to a flat position so I could sleep when I wanted. I took my seat and prepared for the trip, getting everything put away, and adjusting my seat belt in wait for the takeoff.
I sat and watched out the window, waiting for that first pull back, which would signal the flight was leaving the terminal. When it came, I checked my watch and saw that we were on time. We’d arrive in London at around 8:30 in the morning local time, and I would wait in the lounge for my connecting flight.
When the flight levelled off to cruising altitude, I watched out the window. The flight itself was unremarkable except that it was comfortable and hassle-free. I had a delicious meal and then put on my noise cancelling headphones and watched a movie until I could barely keep my eyes open. Finally, I checked my watch and saw that it was time — my body’s time — to get some sleep. We had another three hours of flight time before we arrived in London, so I figured a nap in between flights would help me make it through until my flight from London to Nairobi.
Then, I could really sleep.
I woke when my alarm chimed in my ear. That meant we were less than half an hour out of London Heathrow, so I sat up in my seat and tried to wake up enough to get ready for landing and my two-hour layover. I made a quick trip to the washroom to freshen up, and then checked my messages. There was one from Kate, so I opened it up and saw that it was a very sexy image of her lying in bed, her lips slightly parted, her eyes half-lidded, and the swell of her full breasts was visible at the bottom of the image.
I smiled and felt a slight throb at the sight of her.
KATE: Here’s me thinking of you and what you and I are going to do when you get back from Kenya. I want a whole weekend alone with you at the beach house. Just you and me and nothing else…Love you always. XOXOX
Luckily, British Airways allowed passengers to use their Wi-Fi, so I was able to send her a quick text back. She would get it when she woke up.
It was me with my eyebrows raised, licking my bottom lip suggestively. I laughed to myself when I saw the photo. It was a very teenager thing to do, but I wanted her to know that I was looking forward to when we were together once more and hoped that my tongue gave her lots of ideas of what I was planning to do.
DRAKE: Think of me this morning when you’re in the shower, naked and covered in soapy water. I’ll be thinking of you when I’m doing the same once I’m in my hotel room in Nairobi. In fact, you could always send me an image… Love you more. XOXOXOX Give Sophie hugs and kisses from me.
I smiled as I sent the text and imagined what she’d do when she got it. She’d wake up and check her messages before she went to the bathroom so I knew it would be the first thing she saw.
I sighed and put my cell away and checked the flight info on the screen across from me. We were nearing the coast of England and were scheduled to be at Heathrow within fifteen minutes. However, we were delayed and flew a few circuits before getting into the final flightpath to land.
The landing was perfect, and we arrived at the terminal only fifteen minutes later than expected. I was glad to disembark and made my way to the British Airways First Class Lounge where I would spend the next couple of hours. I had a nice glass of wine and some food from the food bar, then read the local paper while I waited for the flight to Nairobi to board.
I was glad when I heard them call out that my flight was boarding, because the wine and the warm sun coming in from the window was almost putting me to sleep.
Yes, I was very jetlagged.
I made my way to check in and was boarded on my next flight, getting almost an identical seat on the flight to Nairobi.
I was determined to sleep the entire way, despite the fact it would screw up my sleep schedule when I arrived in Kenya. This way, I’d be able to stay up late meeting with Michael to discuss the details of the work we had ahead of us.
I would eventually catch up to the local time zone.
After waiting briefly for our flight to depart, we eventually became airborne and after settling into my seat, I did exactly what I planned — I slept. Luckily, once I was able to put on my noise cancelling headphones, a dark mask covering my eyes and my seat reclined, I did sleep. Before I did, I spoke with the flight attendant and told her of my plan to sleep for the entire flight and she promised to make sure I wasn’t disturbed.
“We all heard about the floods and the dam bursting. It’s a terrible tragedy. Did you know the doctors who were killed?”
I shook my head. “No, they were hired after my time in Kenya. But my former boss, Dr. Owiti who is meeting me there, worked with them before. If you could wake me with half an hour of time before we’re scheduled to land, that would be great.” I said as I finished reclining my seat and removing the sleep mask from its package.
“Yes, Dr. Morgan. We’ll make sure you are woken in time.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I have to catch some sleep before I arrive. There’s a lot of work that must be done and I need to be ready.”
She turned the lights off in my small corner of the cabin and so it was relatively dark and quiet when I finally lay down and got comfortable. My mind was still active, so I lay for quite a while thinking of what I would find when I arrived in Nairobi, but soon, thankfully, I drifted off.
As she promised, the flight attendant woke me when we were half an hour out of Nairobi. I felt quite refreshed, and after a trip to the washroom where I did a quick wash and combed my hair before returning to my seat in time to be served a meal. I was ready for breakfast, but instead, was served a dinner. Luckily, there was coffee and so I was at least able to get some caffeine in to ensure I was ready to hit the road running when I arrived at the hospital.
We landed on time, and after retrieving my bag, I found the limo that was waiting for me, the driver in a black uniform and hat holding a small sign with my name emblazoned on it.
Dr. Drake Morgan, MD
Michael thought of everything.
The driver took my bag from me even after I insisted that I could carry it to the limo myself, and I slipped into the rear passenger seat, ready for a trip to the hospital.
“Take me to the Aga Khan University Hospital please.”
“Don’t you wish to go to the hotel first? Dr. Owiti gave me instructions that you might want to go there and get a night’s sleep before meeting him at the hospital.”
I shook my head. “Just slept for six hours on the flight from London. I might as well get there and get caught up on cases.”
We drove through the city from the airport to the hospital, and I removed my suitcase and tipped the driver, taking his number so I could call him when I needed to go to the hotel.
Then, I went inside to my new home away from home for the next few weeks. Hopefully, Michael and I could find two new surgeons to replace those two who were so tragically killed in the dam burst, but I was ready to stay as long as needed. Hopefully, when I was finished at the hospital, Kate and Sophie could join me in Africa for a holiday.
I made my way inside, spoke with a nurse at reception, and was given an ID and lanyard that would admit me to the parts of the hospital I needed to be in. She gave me directions to the neurosurgery suite in the west wing of the new wing. It was first-rate, and I felt lucky to be there working with Michael — one of my best and oldest friends.
I took the elevator and walked the long hallway to the office and found that my ID card opened the door. Inside was a very posh office space, with a desk for an admin assistant and behind that a separate room where the doctor could meet with patients or do work. I settled in behind the desk and opened my laptop. On the side of the desk was a pile of patient files.
On top was a letter from Michael, handwritten to me in Michael’s very neat script.
Drake — so glad you could join me here. There’s a new staff room with an espresso maker and a vending machine with snacks. These are the files of the most critical patients we need to see over the next week. We can talk about hiring replacements once we get caught up on with most urgent cases. Will be in later. Hope you had a good flight and find your accommodations at the hotel satisfactory. I will be sleeping the first night since I won’t be jet lagged like you but will see you bright and early in the morning. If you need anything, please ask Miranda, who is my assistant. I brought her with me because I can’t work without her making all the arrangements and sending me reminders! She’s a great help. Cheers.
Michael.
I smiled and leaned back; the first file open on the desk in front of me.
I spent the next few hours catching up on all the files, then when I heard a cleaner with her floor polisher passing by and checked my watch, I saw that it was time for lunch. Or, as the case may be, a light snack in the break room down the hall. I’d already helped myself to a couple of espressos as Michael had suggested and was glad to see that the vending machine was stocked with more than just chips and snack bars. In fact, there were sandwiches and instant ramen — the staple for emergency room physicians when on call. I had stopped at an automated teller on the way to the hospital and took out some local currency, so was able to purchase my lunch. In no time, I was back at my new desk reading files and munching on my sandwich, a cup of instant ramen beside it.
I knew I was completely out of sync in terms of local time and Michael’s schedule, but I wanted to get up to speed as quickly as I could so that Michael and I could meet and discuss our next steps. I’d sleep the next night and would be ready to go for a first day of seeing patients after that.
I was able to go to the cafeteria around six in the morning and instead of dinner, I had a breakfast of oatmeal with fruit, and on the side, some delicious waffles dusted with powdered sugar and syrup. I drank a cup of strong caffeinated coffee in the hopes that it would keep me going all day. The hospital staff were beginning to filter in before their shifts and I felt right at home. Michael had left a white coat with my name tag on it so, armed with my ID card on a lanyard, my lab coat and ID, I felt like just another staff member.
I had my cell opened to check the news and just then, a young woman in scrubs popped her head into the office.
“Dr. Morgan?”
I nodded and stood, going to the door to greet her. “Yes. Call me Drake, please. And you are?”
“Miranda,” she said and smiled, extending her hand. She was a bright-faced middle aged woman in her fifties, with a round face, rosy cheeks and a big smile. “I’m Dr. Owiti’s assistant. Please, let me know if there’s anything you need, and I’ll make sure you get it. I just got a text from him and he’s on his way. Asked me to put a pot of fresh coffee on. Can I get you anything?”
I pointed to the desk where several used coffee cups sat next to the remnants of my latest snack from the vending machine. “All set for the morning.”
“Good,” she said and pointed down the hallway. “I’m two doors down, in case you need anything. Consider me your go-to girl, okay?”
“I will,” I said and smiled. “You sound Irish.”
She laughed. “Yes, from Dublin. I moved to London to work at the Children’s Hospital and that’s how I met Dr. Owiti. Been with him ever since.”
“Good,” I said and nodded. “Let me know when Dr. Owiti is in and can see me.”
“Will do,” she said and went down the hall to what I suspected was Michael’s office.
I went back inside, a slight sense of fatigue nagging me.
I’d have to get a cup of Michael’s fresh coffee if I was going to stay awake all day…
It was while I was in the staff room that I heard a familiar voice.
Sam .
I didn’t look up at the doorway, focusing instead on my cup of coffee.
Of course, she saw me and recognized me right away. I was sure Michael had told her that I was coming.
“Well, if it isn’t Dr. Drake Morgan. Drake, good to see you.”
I glanced up and put a smile on my face.
“Hello, Sam. Good to see you.”
She came over with a young doctor in tow. A young man with a fresh face, dark hair and who looked like he’d just gotten out of medical school.
“This is Dr. Paul Jackson, one of my residents in training. Dr. Jackson, this is Drake. One of the best neurosurgeons in the world who has pioneered some very tricky deep brain stimulation techniques and technology. We’re lucky to have him here to help until we get new staff.”
I extended my hand and first shook Sam’s hand and then Paul’s.
“Nice to meet you. Just getting a fresh cup so I can get caught up on cases. I guess I’ll see you both around.”
“We should have lunch and catch up,” Sam said and smiled.
“Of course,” I said, not wanting to be rude. “I’m in my office.”
I walked off, nodding to Paul and then made my way down the hallway, glad to be out of the break room.
The last thing I wanted was Sam pestering me. Although she’d never tempt me no matter what, I didn’t want anything to happen between us besides a casual hello in the hallway or a congenial patient consult. If I could, I’d avoid her as much as possible.
I went back to my office and coffee in hand, spent the next half hour catching up, waiting for Michael to arrive so we could have a formal meeting and get up to speed with what the hospital needed and what cases we had to deal with first. Our priority would be getting the most critical cases dealt with. Michael and I would take those, using our expertise to deal with them, and then we’d divide up the remaining cases among the junior staff, based on their level of expertise and experience.
We also had to spend time searching for two new staff members, and so that would take time. I knew Michael would have already sent feelers out to the various teaching hospitals around the world where he had connections, in search of talented recently graduated neurosurgeons.
We would do everything we could to find and recruit new neurosurgeons as quickly as possible. While I was happy to help Michael out, I wanted to return to New York and to my family without delay.
I knew my first day in Nairobi would be busy, and I would still be a bit strung out because of the time difference and jet lag, but I also knew that my first night alone without Kate and Sophie would be hard.