there?â
James started to point out that Mrs Halliday and Mr Greenstone actually lived in villages situated in opposite directions from the town. However, any attempt at a protest was immediately over-ridden as Dr McGarva continued to speak.
âI also have one wee favour to ask of you. The District Nurse wants someone to check Mrs Caistorâs leg ulcer and I wondered if you could meet her at 2 p.m., when she will have the leg undressed. I would like to have gone myself. However, I promised to call on Jim Moorland following his recent operation and you know how difficult it is to get away from him.â
With that, James fully understood that the senior partner was expertly ridding himself of his own visits with the sole intention of enjoying a liquid lunch with a local pub landlord, the latter having recently undergone an inguinal hernia repair. Hardly the type of operation that would normally require a visit, but Dr McGarva was always willing to make professional exceptions where there was the expectation of an alcoholic reward.
Wondering just where the fine line of exploitation lay for a locum, but keen not to upset a steady position whilst no permanent prospects were in sight elsewhere, James reluctantly took the proffered notes and rose to leave. Dr McGarva, however, had not finished and beckoned him to resume his seat.
âCharles seems to have responded quite well to his latest course of chemotherapy,â he said, referring to his absent partner, Dr Hawkins. âHe is presently in remission and is rather hoping to be fit enough to return to work next month.â
Trying to show some enthusiasm for the recovery of his professional colleague, James could not help but feel a sense of disappointment. Although he had always known that the job was only a temporary one, he had also hoped that the position would continue to provide some stability until he was successful in finding a permanent partnership. However, there it was; he would have to go and find another locum position elsewhere.
ââ¦and, although it is not what you are looking for, you do seem to have become quite settled in Bishopsworth over the past eight months. The patients seem to like you and the staff want us to keep you, which is always a good sign. So what do you think?â
Dr McGarvaâs voice cut into Jamesâ thoughts, bringing him back to the present with a jolt. Confused about what he had just heard, he could only stutter a reply that he hoped was appropriate.
âSorry, what do I think about⦠I, eh, think it is wonderful that Dr Hawkins is recovering.â
âAbsolutely. I could not agree more. Nevertheless, what about my proposition? If, at the practice meeting on Thursday evening, we decide to expand the partnership to five doctors, would you be interested in the position?â Dr McGarva ran his hands through his tussled black hair until they rested on the back of his head. With one bushy eyebrow raised and his chin sunk into his chest, he waited for a reply.
âI should be delighted to consider it,â came Jamesâ amazed response.
âGood, thatâs settled then. Must get on.â
With that, Dr McGarva swung himself back to face his desk, picking up the telephone receiver in the process. James rose to leave.
âOh, and Jamesâ¦â The voice caused James to pause as he was halfway through the door. âI didnât manage to sign my repeat prescriptions this morning. I doubt I will have time before the afternoon surgery, what with the visit and such. Could you possibly oblige?â
This
, thought James,
is definitely stepping over the line of exploitation
. âUnder the circumstances, how could I possibly refuse?â he replied with a grin.
Closing the door, he walked back to the reception area, picked up the large pile of unsigned prescriptions from Dr McGarvaâs tray and started to work through them.
âDo you think you will take it?â
The
James started to point out that Mrs Halliday and Mr Greenstone actually lived in villages situated in opposite directions from the town. However, any attempt at a protest was immediately over-ridden as Dr McGarva continued to speak.
âI also have one wee favour to ask of you. The District Nurse wants someone to check Mrs Caistorâs leg ulcer and I wondered if you could meet her at 2 p.m., when she will have the leg undressed. I would like to have gone myself. However, I promised to call on Jim Moorland following his recent operation and you know how difficult it is to get away from him.â
With that, James fully understood that the senior partner was expertly ridding himself of his own visits with the sole intention of enjoying a liquid lunch with a local pub landlord, the latter having recently undergone an inguinal hernia repair. Hardly the type of operation that would normally require a visit, but Dr McGarva was always willing to make professional exceptions where there was the expectation of an alcoholic reward.
Wondering just where the fine line of exploitation lay for a locum, but keen not to upset a steady position whilst no permanent prospects were in sight elsewhere, James reluctantly took the proffered notes and rose to leave. Dr McGarva, however, had not finished and beckoned him to resume his seat.
âCharles seems to have responded quite well to his latest course of chemotherapy,â he said, referring to his absent partner, Dr Hawkins. âHe is presently in remission and is rather hoping to be fit enough to return to work next month.â
Trying to show some enthusiasm for the recovery of his professional colleague, James could not help but feel a sense of disappointment. Although he had always known that the job was only a temporary one, he had also hoped that the position would continue to provide some stability until he was successful in finding a permanent partnership. However, there it was; he would have to go and find another locum position elsewhere.
ââ¦and, although it is not what you are looking for, you do seem to have become quite settled in Bishopsworth over the past eight months. The patients seem to like you and the staff want us to keep you, which is always a good sign. So what do you think?â
Dr McGarvaâs voice cut into Jamesâ thoughts, bringing him back to the present with a jolt. Confused about what he had just heard, he could only stutter a reply that he hoped was appropriate.
âSorry, what do I think about⦠I, eh, think it is wonderful that Dr Hawkins is recovering.â
âAbsolutely. I could not agree more. Nevertheless, what about my proposition? If, at the practice meeting on Thursday evening, we decide to expand the partnership to five doctors, would you be interested in the position?â Dr McGarva ran his hands through his tussled black hair until they rested on the back of his head. With one bushy eyebrow raised and his chin sunk into his chest, he waited for a reply.
âI should be delighted to consider it,â came Jamesâ amazed response.
âGood, thatâs settled then. Must get on.â
With that, Dr McGarva swung himself back to face his desk, picking up the telephone receiver in the process. James rose to leave.
âOh, and Jamesâ¦â The voice caused James to pause as he was halfway through the door. âI didnât manage to sign my repeat prescriptions this morning. I doubt I will have time before the afternoon surgery, what with the visit and such. Could you possibly oblige?â
This
, thought James,
is definitely stepping over the line of exploitation
. âUnder the circumstances, how could I possibly refuse?â he replied with a grin.
Closing the door, he walked back to the reception area, picked up the large pile of unsigned prescriptions from Dr McGarvaâs tray and started to work through them.
âDo you think you will take it?â
The
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