The Courage to Love Her Army Doc by Karin Baine

thinking was proved correct it made her fears seem all the more neurotic.
    Their impromptu visit to the school had caused such a commotion the children had immediately abandoned their lessons. She would’ve felt terribly guilty about the disruption if their teacher hadn’t been equally animated by their arrival.
    â€˜ Vanaku . Thank you for coming to see the children.’
    The pupils all stood to attention behind their desks as though someone of great importance had entered the room. It was difficult to come to terms with the fact that person could be her.
    â€˜I, er...we thought I should come and introduce myself. I’m Emily, the new doctor.’ She shook hands with the pretty young teacher.
    â€˜I’m Keresi. We’re so grateful for your wonderful gifts to the school. Aren’t we, children?’
    They were prompted into an enthusiastic chorus of agreement that managed to suffuse Emily’s cheeks with heat.
    â€˜It’s nothing, really.’ She’d only brought a few stationery supplies at the last minute. Nothing that would’ve warranted such an outpouring of gratitude at home. It was humbling to be reminded how lucky she was in the grand scheme of things and how much she took for granted. Okay, her heart had taken a mauling recently but she’d had a university education that enabled her to live a life of luxury compared to many here.
    â€˜We would really like to do something for you.’ The effusive teacher clapped her hands to assemble the kids along the back wall of the classroom.
    Emily stepped further into the room to allow Joe in on whatever was about to happen. No matter how hard she tried to make this a solo adventure they were destined to share these experiences and if she was honest, everything seemed slightly less intimidating when he was close by. This morning had been a prime example. She’d coped with the emergency largely on her own but having him there had been a comfort when she was so far from the medical support she was used to. Joe had been the first person in a long time to make sure she hadn’t felt alone.
    The children launched into a repertoire of songs and dance, so well choreographed she understood this must be something they performed on a regular basis for tourists—and hungry doctors. It enabled her to stop overanalysing what people would think of her for turning up uninvited and enjoy the proud display of talent. Old and young alike had made it impossible not to be a part of the community here.
    Once the show was over, she and Joe broke into applause.
    â€˜That was just...lovely.’ The tears in her eyes and lump in her throat arrived unexpectedly.
    â€˜Yes, thanks, everybody.’ Joe lifted his hands above his head and gave them another round of applause.
    â€˜We’re going to take our lunch outside now, if you’d care to join us.’ Keresi motioned her class outside as she delivered the invitation Joe had prophesied.
    â€˜That’s so kind of you. We’d be honoured. Wouldn’t we, Emily?’ He didn’t even attempt to hide his glee at being proved right.
    â€˜Sure, and in return we’d be happy to do a free health check for everyone while we’re here.’
    She’d call that an even trade and a conscience salve all in one.
    With everyone in accordance and no one beholden to anyone else, the trio of adults joined the rest of the class outside on the grass.
    Joe had made it sound as though lunch would be some grand affair with buffet-style tables of food, or at least that’s how she’d interpreted it. Instead, the children were cross-legged under the shade of the trees, tucking into their food boxes.
    â€˜What are we going to do? A lunch-box raid?’ she murmured, before catching herself.
    She cleared her throat to draw his attention and spoke again. ‘I’m not taking food from the mouths of babes.’
    â€˜Will you chill out? I can guarantee