Read Online Doctor January by Rhoda Baxter - Free Book Online

Following a hasty explanation, and a few minutes standing outside in the corridor trying not to laugh hysterically while he made himself decent, Anna had interviewed him, flirting outrageously all the while and Beth had taken a few photos. His office had been in one of the lovely old buildings, so she’d had lots of light from the tall windows. She was quietly pleased with the results. They had shown the photos to the guy and he’d asked for a copy to put on his personal webpage.
    â€˜Yeah,’ said Anna. ‘He was. And he gave me his number. Bonus – did you see the size of his—’
    â€˜I didn’t look!’ Beth said. ‘And you’re still not supposed to hit on the candidates.’
    Anna waved a hand. ‘It’d be such a waste not to.’
    They walked along for a moment, each busy with their own thoughts. It was pleasant and cool under the trees and Beth was in no particular hurry to get back to the lab. Suddenly, something thumped down from a large tree ahead and someone swore from up in the branches.
    Anna and Beth paused and looked at each other. Beth undid the case on her camera and got it ready, just in case. A leg appeared from the tree, and then there was a grunt as a man swung down, his body hanging from well-muscled arms before he dropped to the ground.
    Beth took a series of photos as the man stood up, brushing the dirt off his hands. He looked suspiciously at them. He had a shock of black hair and sideburns that framed a handsome face with startling blue eyes.
    â€˜Er … hi,’ said Anna.
    â€˜Did you just take a photo of me?’ He glared at Beth’s camera.
    â€˜Yes. Would you like to see?’ She turned it around to show him. ‘I’m Beth. This is Anna. We’re working on a calendar of attractive men in science. You don’t happen to have a PhD in a scientific discipline, do you?’ She scrolled through the pictures. Even at first glance some of them looked very dramatic.
    â€˜Dr Dan Blackwood,’ he said and held out a big hand to Beth and then Anna.
    â€˜Would you like to be in the calendar?’ Anna asked. ‘I think you’d make a fantastic Dr August.’
    Dan Blackwood looked taken aback. ‘I’d heard about this. It sounds very enterprising, but I don’t think my wife would approve.’
    â€˜Why ever not,’ said Anna. ‘It’s not like we’re making a “free and single” calendar. It’ll be nice to have some married men in it to show that scientists aren’t sad cases who can’t find a partner. We could mention your wife in the blurb.’
    Dan looked uncomfortable. ‘I’m not sure …’
    â€˜Tell you what, why don’t you check with your wife and let us know. If she says no, we promise we’ll delete the photos we took of you,’ said Anna. ‘I’ll write you a note to say so, if you like. Like an IOU.’
    â€˜I suppose …’
    â€˜Can I ask a few questions, while we’ve got you here?’
    He shrugged. The piece of equipment that had fallen from the tree lay nearby. He picked it up and examined it. ‘I think it’s okay.’
    â€˜What is it?’
    â€˜It’s a mini camera.’ He showed it to them. ‘I think there’s an unusual species of beetle arrived in there recently. It’s quite possibly invasive. I’m trying to get some pictures to make sure I’ve got the right one.’ He looked up, his eyes bright. ‘Have you heard of
Acillus blackwoodii
?’
    Both women shook their heads.
    â€˜Oh.’ He looked disappointed. ‘I discovered it. Never mind.’
    â€˜We’ll look it up when we get back to the lab,’ said Beth.
    â€˜Dan, what’s your specialism?’ Anna was scribbling notes.
    â€˜Beetles,’ he said. He went on to explain about his projects and once he started talking Anna quite easily got him to answer her