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And at that moment, Alice wanted nothing more than someone capable to take charge of the situation, to take care of her and make it all better. Yet again, she’d proven nothing to herself, nor anyone else — she was an unmitigated disaster, a dysfunctional fucking mess. She hiccupped a sob.

“I’m sorry, Ash. The last thing you want on your day off is to go to hospital. I’ll call Maggie instead.”

“No. Don’t be silly. You’re hurt and I’m a doctor. I have a duty of care to look after you.”

“But you’re off duty.”

“It doesn’t matter. I made an oath. Now stop procrastinating, get dressed and I’ll drive you. I might even be able to pull some strings and get you seen quicker.” Ash winked and helped Alice to her feet, supporting her as she limped to the bedroom.

“I’ll, er… just wait out here. Shout if you need me.”

Alice grimaced. “I feel a bit pathetic, but I think I’ll need your help.”

“Er, sure. Okay. I can do that.”

Alice pulled some underwear and leggings from a drawer. Turning her back to Ash, she shrugged out of her robe, yelping as it snagged on her arm. Ash rushed over and took the weight of it, then lingered so close that Alice could feel the heat of her.

She bent and stepped into her underwear — the first thing she’d pulled from the drawer — lacy red pants. She tugged them up with her good hand and wriggled them over her hips. Her breath hitched as Ash’s fingers curled into the flimsy waistband, setting it straight across her lower back.

Sparks flickered behind Alice’s eyes — was it the proximity of Ash to her near-naked body or her broken wrist causing her vision to falter?

Alice picked up the matching bra and slid the straps up her arms. Ash moved closer, her breath warm on Alice’s bare skin as she hooked a finger under each strap and pulled them into place. Her hand trailed over Alice’s back with a feather-like touch as she clipped the clasp shut. Alice stilled, all her nerves alive to the presence of the woman behind her — she didn’t know it was possible to be so aroused by someone putting clothesonher. Forgetting the pain in her wrist, she wanted to turn and cover Ash’s mouth with her own, to press their bodies together and fall into the clean sheets with her…

“Do you have a shirt or something with a zip that might be easy to undo… at the hospital, I mean?” Ash’s voice came out in a hoarse whisper.

Fuck.Alice cleared her throat. “Er, yeah, there’s a hoodie in the wardrobe… thanks.”

* * *

A little underthree hours later, they were back in Ash’s car with Alice’s wrist strapped into a splint. With Ash by her side, Alice felt like she’d been whisked through the system at record speed. The X-ray showed her broken wrist, a distal radius fracture, which thankfully wouldn’t require surgery, but would need a cast in a few days once the swelling had reduced. Her knee, although throbbing along with her pulse, was fortunately just bruised and swollen — no skirts or heels for her for the time being. They’d given her some more drugs and strapped her arm.

Despite Alice’s impromptu afternoon nap, tiredness seeped through her. She rested her head back and closed her eyes against the headlights of oncoming vehicles blurring in her vision.

“You okay?” asked Ash.

Alice gave a sleepy nod, her head heavy with the effort.

“You look shattered. I’ll have you home soon.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry again that I ruined your night off. I’m clearly a walking disaster. You should keep well away.” Alice coughed to hide her voice cracking.

“Nonsense.” Ash laughed. “You know I love the bustle of the hospital; any excuse, eh?”

Alice opened her eyes and gave the grinning doctor a sidelong glance.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you, I popped by to see George.”

“When?”

“Er, when you were called for your X-ray, and I went to get us tea and snacks.”

“How’s he doing?”

“He’s okay. He sent his love and told me to tell you that you’re a klutz — smashing his head and breaking your bones all in one week.”

Alice laughed.

“He saw the neurologist today, but he hadn’t really understood what they’d told him. So, I went to find out more, but when I returned, he was asleep.”