One Kiss in Tokyo... by Scarlet Wilson Read Free Book Online Page B

behind the curtain and knelt down next to Avery. The tidal wave of fresh aftershave swept over her. She tried to keep her face straight as she mumbled under her breath. ‘Wow. You’ve overdone that a bit.’
    His eyes darted towards her and she thought he might actually blush, but he kept his cool and his brow furrowed. ‘You’ve met Abigail before?’
    Katsuko nodded solemnly. ‘Abigail seems to like us here.’ She counted off on her fingers. ‘We’ve had fingers glued together, an allergic reaction to the permanent marker she tried on her lips, a broken wrist from her trampoline and an X-ray for a dime she swallowed.’
    Abigail’s father continued to cringe. He shook his head. ‘I know. I’m sorry. We can’t seem to stay away.’
    Avery opened up his hand. ‘Well, today is something different. Today we have beads.’
    Katsuko stared at the small multicoloured wooden beads in Avery’s palm. She dreaded to ask.
    â€˜Can I have a set of alligator forceps, a set of bayonet forceps, a curved hook and a cerumen loop?’ Katsuko gave a nod. It was the standard equipment that could be used to try and retrieve the variety of items that kids could stuff up their noses.
    He pulled out a small pocket torch and spoke to Abigail. ‘I’m just going to tilt your head back and see if I can see anything up there.’
    Abigail gave a giggle. ‘Red and purple,’ she said happily.
    Avery’s eyes widened. ‘You stuck a red and a purple bead up your nose?’
    Her father rolled his eyes. ‘This is what I’m up against.’
    Katsuko had collected the equipment on the trolley and added a sterile dressing pack and gloves. She opened a nearby cupboard. ‘Some phenylephrine?’
    Avery gave a nod. She prepared the equipment and waited until he’d explained what he was going to do.
    â€˜Okay, Abigail. We can’t leave those nasty beads up your nose. They could cause lots of trouble. So we need to try and get them back out.’ He picked up some tissues. ‘We’ll start easy. I’m going to get you to blow your nose while I hold one side closed. It might feel a bit strange, but just try and blow as best you can.’
    Katsuko watched patiently. He had a nice manner with Abigail. Her dad looked exasperated and she couldn’t blame him—their ER was becoming a second home to the little girl.
    Avery examined the contents of the tissues and shook his head. ‘Okay, then, no beads. Let me have another look.’
    He dropped to his knees again and checked with the torch. ‘I can definitely see one of them. It shouldn’t be too hard to reach. Let’s try a little phenylephrine first—this helps stop any swelling,’ he explained to Abigail’s father.
    Katsuko handed over the medicine and waited until he’d applied it. She gave him a little wink and nodded to the father. ‘I expect First Lieutenant Bruce might want you to have a chat with Abigail while the medicine is working.’
    Avery picked up on things quickly. ‘You’re absolutely right, Nurse. I’ll do that.’
    He knelt back down and held up the bayonet forceps. ‘Abigail, I’m going to have to very gently put these inside your nose to pull out the beads. It won’t hurt. You can stay on your dad’s knee but I’ll need you to stay very still. Can you do that for me?’
    Abigail eyed the forceps suspiciously. They could be intimidating for kids, but Avery obviously believed in being straightforward.
    Avery sat them back down. ‘You’ve been here a few times now. Everyone can have an accident, but sticking things up your nose isn’t really an accident. Neither is sticking your fingers together or deciding to put pen on your lips. You had an allergic reaction that time. That could have been dangerous.’
    â€˜I like it here,’ Abigail said simply.
    Avery straightened