‘They’re not,’ Alex said dryly, and her eyes twinkled.

‘I saw you last winter, didn’t I? When I did my hip. I never forget a face. Especially when it’s as good-looking as yours.’

‘And I never forget a hip. I suppose you were running away from a man at the time,’ Alex drawled lightly. ‘Perhaps you’d better just stand still and let them catch you. That way you might stop breaking things.’

‘Well, if it was you chasing me, I probably would,’ the old lady returned. ‘You’re a handsome devil. It’s almost worth breaking something just to bump into you again.’

Alex was visibly amused by his patient and the nurse relaxed. ‘Do me a favour, Mavis. Next time you want my company just lift up the phone and we’ll meet for a cup of tea or something. It’s much simpler than breaking bones.’

‘You saucy man! I’m eighty-six! Are you asking me out?’

‘Maybe.’ His blue eyes twinkled. ‘But it’s only fair to warn you that I don’t do commitment.’

Mavis laughed with delight. ‘At my age, who cares? I just want to be a bit wicked and have fun.’

Alex smiled. ‘You’re my kind of woman, Mavis.’ His gaze flickered to the nurse who was still hovering. ‘Can you arrange for someone to take her to X-ray, please, and then call me as soon as you have the films. I don’t want her hanging around.’

‘Oh—aren’t you going to leave me waiting for twenty-four hours in a draughty corridor? You hear such dreadful things about accident departments these days,’ Mavis said, and Alex slipped his pen back into his pocket.

‘Not about my department. I’ll see you later. Try not to shock anyone in X-ray or have any more accidents on the way.’ He strolled out of the room and bumped into one of the A and E sisters, carrying a stack of X-rays. ‘Any of those for me?’

Tina shook her head. ‘Don’t think so. You’ve been trapped with that RTA for most of the day so everyone else has been doing your work.’

Alex lifted an eyebrow. ‘So if I’ve had such a slack day, how come I feel exhausted?’

Tina wrinkled her nose. ‘Because you were up all night and only had two hours’ sleep at your desk this morning?’

Alex rolled his eyes. ‘That could have something to do with it. We either need more staff or fewer patients. There’s definitely an imbalance somewhere.’

‘So are you off home now?’

‘As soon as I’ve checked Mavis Belling’s X-rays.’

‘Oh, no!’ Tina looked dismayed. ‘Is the poor thing in again? What is it this time?’

‘Ankle.’ Alex ran a hand over his jaw and noted that he needed a shave. ‘Not as bad as last time, though. But I want to check her myself.’

Tina’s eyes were soft. ‘Has anyone ever told you you’re a nice man, Alex Westerling?’

‘Funnily enough, no,’ Alex drawled. ‘In fact, I’m usually being told the complete opposite.’

‘Well, perhaps I should have said that you’re a nice man at work. In your personal life you are definitely not so nice.’ Tina’s eyes twinkled merrily. ‘You are very careless with female hearts.’