Bev smiled. 'Doing very well. Her wound is a bit sore, obviously, but she's a lovely child. So cheerful.'
'Is her drip out?'
Bev nodded. 'She had bowel sounds so Andreas started her on sips of water last night and took her drip down this morning. I thought maybe you could get her to the playroom today.'
'Good idea.' Like all paediatric nurses, Libby knew how important it was that the children had plenty of opportunities for play. 'I'll get going, then.'
She started with Rachel, checking the baby's observations and noting with pleasure that her colour was good and that she was alert and interested in her surroundings.
'She's like a different baby,' she said to Alison, who nodded.
'I know. Those antibiotics worked like a miracle. Thank goodness the GP sent us in here.' She gave a rueful smile. 'He might not have diagnosed her correctly himself, but at least by admitting her we saw Dr Christakos. He's amazing.'
Right on cue, Andreas strolled into the room looking devastating in a blue shirt and well-cut trousers.
It was really unfair that any man should be so good-looking, Libby thought helplessly as she tried not to look at him. It was like having a job in a chocolate factory and being on a strict diet.
'She owes me a cuddle.' He smiled at Alison and scooped Rachel into his arms. He held her with the easy confidence of someone with plenty of experience with children, talking softly to her and allowing her to pat his cheek with her tiny hand.
'She likes you,' Alison said shyly, and Libby looked at him helplessly.
There seemed to be no age limit to the women he charmed.
Pulling herself together, she quickly changed the sheet on Rachel's cot and got her antibiotics ready.
'We'll give dose IV and then we'll take the venflon out and continue with the drugs orally,' Andreas said, still cuddling the child in his arms.
Libby tried not to look at him, busying herself with the various jobs that needed to be done and then excusing herself and hurrying back to the nurses' station.
Unfortunately he was right behind her.
'By the way … ' he looked at her ' … this trip you've got planned with Adrienne. She wants to know if you can do it in three weeks' time. She can't do it before that because there are things going on at the school that she wants to go to.'
Libby's face brightened. 'I'm delighted that she wants to stay at school.'
He gave a wry smile. 'Me, too. She seems to have finally made friends. Thanks to you, I think.'
Libby blushed. 'I doubt it. I was only there for five minutes.'
Andreas studied her. 'But some people make an impact in a very short space of time,' he said softly.
Libby's heart hammered against her chest. 'Three weeks, you say?'
'That's the Saturday of the ball so I suppose that may not be convenient. You'll want the time to get ready.'
'Believe it or not, it doesn't take me all day,' Libby said dryly. 'And, anyway, I need to do some shopping for myself, so that's fine. I'm really looking forward to it.'
'So is Adrienne.' Andreas surveyed her under lowered lids, his expression difficult to read. 'It's very kind of you to do it and I appreciate it.'
Did he think that was why she was doing it? To wriggle into his favour?
'I'm doing it for Adrienne, not you.' She looked him in the eye and then wished she hadn't. Head on he was dangerously irresistible.
Andreas smiled. 'Of course,' he said smoothly. 'Can anyone come or is it girls only? I could treat you both to lunch in the middle of what sounds like an exhausting day.'
Libby hesitated, knowing that Adrienne would like to have him there. It was clear that she was very fond of her uncle.
'You're very welcome as long as you promise not to give your opinion.'
He lifted an eyebrow. 'My opinion isn't valued?'
'Not by a twelve-year-old girl at boarding school,' Libby said dryly. 'I know what she needs.'
'And I don't?'
'You're a man,' Libby drawled, and Andreas gave her a smile so sexy that it melted her bones.
'I am indeed, Libby. And I'm glad you've noticed.'
Libby swallowed. Oh, she'd definitely noticed. It was hard not to.
The next three weeks passed so quickly that Libby barely had time to think. The ward was incredibly busy and Andreas was working so hard that she often went several days without seeing him, which was a relief because it made it easier to keep her mind on the job and not start dreaming about things she couldn't have.
They picked Adrienne up from school on the Saturday of the ball and drove into the centre of London.
'We're going to start by sorting out your hair,' Libby said, turning in her seat so that she could look at the child. 'I'm taking you to the best hairdresser in town.'
Adrienne's eyes widened and she lifted a hand to her unruly mop. 'I've never really had it cut before. I've just been growing it long.'
And it was badly out of condition and desperately needed shaping, Libby reflected, although she kept those thoughts to herself.
'We won't cut it short,' Libby assured her. 'Trust me. It'll look great.'
She directed Andreas through some back streets and then showed him where to park.
'I'm amazed that there's somewhere to park this close to the centre,' Andreas observed, and Libby grinned.
'It's only for very valued customers. And I am a very, very valued customer.'
Andreas ran his eyes over her gleaming blonde curls and gave a wry smile. 'I'll bet you are.'
'A girl has to look after her crowning glory,' Libby said airily, pushing open the door of the exclusive salon.
She walked confidently across the marble floor and approached the reception desk.
'Morning, Francesca. Is Mario around?'
The girl glanced up and her face brightened as she recognised Libby. 'Well, hi, there!' A puzzled look crossed her face and she checked her computer screen. 'We weren't expecting you today, were we?'
'Not exactly.' Libby dealt her a winning smile. 'I'm after a favour.'
An extremely slim man wearing a pair of skin-tight, imitation crocodile-skin trousers minced across the salon towards her.
'Elizabeth Westerling, please tell me that this favour isn't happening on a Saturday.'
'Hi, Mario.' Libby followed and kissed him on both cheeks. 'You'll have fun, trust me.'
The man gave a dramatic groan and wiped a hand across his brow. 'It's Saturday, Libby. My busiest day. Everyone is clamouring for my attention-'
'But I'm not everyone,' Libby reminded him with a sunny smile that drew a wistful sigh from the salon owner.
'How can I refuse you?' He spread his hands in a gesture of surrender and then froze as he noticed Andreas for the first time. His hands dropped to his sides and he took a step backwards, his eyes raking appreciatively over the other man's broad shoulders and powerful physique. 'Introduce me to your friend, Libby. Immediately.'
Libby laughed. 'Hands off.'
Mario's gaze lingered regretfully on Andreas whose expression was comical.
'Relax,' Libby said, still laughing. 'He's a brilliant hairdresser. The best.'
Mario was pacing the floor of his salon. 'Already I have your sister Katherine booked in and you know how fussy she is. Her hair has to look exactly so.'
'You've been doing Katy's hair for years,' Libby pointed out patiently. 'It won't take you any time at all. Now, listen.' She grabbed Adrienne's hand and pulled her forward. 'Mario, do you remember when I was thirteen?'
Mario shuddered at the recollection. 'You were all pouts and teenage rebellion and your hair never behaved itself. Not like your sister's.'
'Absolutely.' Libby smiled happily. 'Well, I've got another ripe case of teenage rebellion for you here. She's having trouble at school, Mario. I want you to transform her. She's going to be cool and a trendsetter by the time she leaves your salon.'
Andreas sucked in a breath and started to protest but Libby placed a hand on his chest.
'You promised not to interfere, remember? What do you say, Mario? Will you do it?'
Mario rolled his eyes dramatically and gave an exaggerated sigh but he stepped forward, loosening Adrienne's hair from the childish band she wore. He pulled a face as he pushed and pulled, feeling the hair and placing it in different positions, his eyes narrowed as he experimented with different effects.
'It is too heavy,' he murmured. 'It's concealing her face. And she has a very beautiful face. It needs layers and texture.'
Libby beamed. 'My point exactly.'
Mario pushed, twisted and lifted for a few minutes and then sighed and looked at his receptionist. 'Rearrange my morning, Francesca. I'm going to be busy.'
He took Adrienne by the hand and led her through to the basins. 'We'll start with some serious conditioning.'
Libby followed and kissed him on the cheek. 'Thanks, Mario. You're a star. We'll go and grab a coffee and be back in an hour. And remember. She's not quite thirteen. I don't want lamb dressed as mutton.'
Mario looked affronted. 'You are trying to tell me how to do my job?' He clicked his fingers at one of the salon juniors who hurried across to shampoo Adrienne's hair.