by Sue MacKay
If it hadn’t been for Ryan she might still be flitting from one city to the next, but she’d fallen head over heels for him when they’d met in Thailand. He’d convinced her to go back with him to England and settle down. It was everything you were supposed to do for someone you loved. Yet it was a decision she’d come to regret. Domestic life had squashed her free spirit and left her trapped in a semi-detached in Kent. Perhaps she was more like her father with the wandering feet than she’d thought.
Ryan had simply wanted a normal life and she’d tried to be the partner to share it with him. They had loved each other back then. She simply hadn’t realised that the adventurous spirit she’d seen in him in Phuket had been a one-time deal. It had meant giving up travelling in exchange for a mortgage and a permanent job in the countryside, too far from London and the city life she’d grown up in for her restless spirit.
After three years together she’d told him how trapped she felt and had pushed for something to inject some excitement into their relationship. When he’d agreed that their relationship had grown stale, she’d imagined swapping suburbia for a trek in the Himalayas or kayaking in Patagonia.
Ryan had taken it to mean he should run off with his co-worker at the bank, to get married in Las Vegas, leaving Sophie with a life she’d never wanted. He was being ‘true to his heart,’ apparently. She had no idea how long Ryan had been sleeping with his colleague before he’d decided he wanted to be with her for ever, but it had been less time than Sophie had wasted being with him. Now, with her spirit crushed, she didn’t know what to do or where to go.
Thank goodness Edith had taken pity on her and flung her a lifeline. She’d suspected the generous offer had been more for her benefit than her dear neighbour’s when she’d been so miserable. It was a shame this was how she’d repaid her kindness.
‘I’ll be back on my feet in no time,’ she reassured Sophie.
‘You’d better be. It’s Rome next on the itinerary. We’ve still got to tick the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain off your...list.’ Sophie stopped before the word ‘bucket’ inserted itself in there. This was supposed to be Edith’s ‘last hurrah before she croaked.’ Her words, not Sophie’s.
She’d wanted to see Italy and France one final time before she was no longer able to travel at all. Now those plans were in jeopardy and Sophie couldn’t help but shower herself in blame.
‘I’ll still be able to do all that, won’t I, Doctor?’ Edith addressed the medic overseeing her treatment.
Sophie had been in so much of a panic when they’d first entered the clinic she hadn’t given her attention to anyone other than Edith. Her friend had been whisked off for a series of tests, leaving Sophie to marinate in worry out at Reception. Now she could see why the other staff members had a twinkle in their eyes every time someone mentioned his name.
Dr Luciano Montavano was Italian, according to the flag on the badge pinned to his natty uniform. It was the only way she would have known he was a doctor at all. Dressed in his whites he looked like every other officer she’d seen on board. Only much more appealing to the eye than all the rest.
Sophie didn’t have a particular type, finding herself more drawn to the soul within the outer shell of a man. Although her judgement clearly needed some work in that department, none of that meant she couldn’t appreciate a handsome face or a to-die-for body.
At five foot nine she was no slouch in the height stakes, but he towered over her. He was lean and tanned and his hair was the same almost-black as his eyes, save for the few strands of silver streaking his temples. It was as if the cruise company had drafted him in especially so the passengers had something good to look at whilst they were at sea.
Sophie tutted, disgusted with herself for being so easily distracted by such a shallow thing as someone’s appearance and focused back on Edith, who was enduring the ship’s nurse’s repeated attempts to insert a cannula into her arm.
‘Would you like me to do that? I’m a qualified nurse.’ She grimaced at the harsh tone of her own voice but Edith had been through so much already it didn’t seem fair to keep pricking her with needles.
‘So am I. Thank you,’ the nurse with the American twang said through a forced smile and gritted teeth.
‘Mrs Fields is very dehydrated after the vomiting. It makes it difficult to find a suitable vein,’ the Italian distraction informed her.
She knew that, of course she did, but she wanted to do something useful. After all, she hadn’t been there during the night when Edith had needed her most. If only she’d knocked on the wall or shouted for her, Sophie could have done something or gone for help sooner. Instead, Edith had decided not to bother anyone and had been ill all through the night alone, until Sophie had called to take her to breakfast.
‘There we are.’ The American in blue scrubs eventually managed to get a line in and shot her a triumphant look.
‘I want a saline drip and we’ll do some more scans when she’s rehydrated.’ Dr Montavano consulted his next in command quietly with Sophie straining to hear the conversation. She didn’t appreciate being shut out when she’d told them she was a fellow professional, along with being Edith’s carer.
‘Have you checked her blood sugar?’ Her question was directed at the doctor himself. She knew the standard protocols and wanted to make sure they were following them here. They might be on a ship in the middle of the sea but she still expected Edith to have the same healthcare she would receive anywhere else.
‘Yes.’ He sounded exasperated with her. Tough. She would make a nuisance of herself until she was sure Edith was in better hands than hers.
‘What about her sodium, electrolytes and kidney function? Do you even have the lab facilities to do all that here?’
‘We’re monitoring Mrs Fields as best we can.’
‘I’m not sure that’s good enough.’ Not that they had any other choice at present but at least by making her professional status known they wouldn’t be able to fob Edith off with anything less than the best treatment available.
‘Sophie, everyone has been very attentive. Please, don’t worry.’ Edith tried to put her mind at rest but it was only natural to be concerned when they were so far from home and the medical services they took for granted.
‘As long as you’re okay, that’s all that matters.’ She didn’t want to upset Edith, so she’d simply have to bite her tongue and let the others get on with their work. It didn’t mean she wouldn’t be keeping a close eye on things, though.
‘Will I have to stay here overnight, Doctor?’
‘I’m afraid so, Mrs Fields.’ That accent was too much. Surely he was over-egging it? He probably did this with all the female tourists to give them a thrill.
‘We want to watch you.’
Sophie snorted. ‘I’ll stay with you, Edith, while you’re here under observation,’ she said, correcting the doctor’s unfortunate phrasing.
‘I’m afraid that won’t be possible Ms...’ He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, waiting for her to introduce herself.
‘Blythe. Sophie Blythe.’
‘Sophie.’ He tested her name on his lips and gave her a cheek-reddening smile.
This was ridiculous.
‘I’m afraid we do not have the space to accommodate you.’
‘I’ll just stay here.’ She plonked herself into the unyielding plastic chair by the bed. It wasn’t as though she would take up too much room.
A frown marked the doctor’s otherwise perfect features. ‘We can only let you come here during visiting hours. As you can see, we are a small facility. We might need this room to accommodate emergencies.’
‘I would’ve thought this constituted an emergency.’
A bell rang out down the corridor.
‘That’s the end of visiting, I’m afraid.’ The nurse didn’t bother turning around to glance at Sophie and carried on hoo
king up Edith’s drip. She didn’t have to when Sophie knew she’d be sporting a look of relief, glad to get rid of her. If their roles were reversed she wouldn’t be happy with someone trying to tell her how to do her job either.
‘When can I come back?’ She didn’t want to whine or appear petulant but Edith had paid a lot of money for Sophie to be with her. If only they hadn’t had separate cabins she might have been saved from all of this. As it was, all Sophie could do was keep her company during her treatment.
‘Next visiting is from three p.m. to six p.m.’ He positioned his hand in the small of her back and gently tried to guide her out the door.
Sophie dug her heels in. ‘Wait. Are you actually throwing me out?’
His grin tempted her to stamp hard on his foot. ‘Visiting is at three p.m.’
‘What am I supposed to do until then?’
‘Lie by the pool, drink cocktails, go dancing and do all the things I wish I could do. You’re young. Go and enjoy yourself.’ Edith waved a hand at her as she ganged up with the others and dismissed her from her duties.
‘Your grandmother is right.’
Sophie rolled her eyes as her medical credentials were sidelined for a narrative that suited him better.
‘Edith is not my grandmother.’
‘Go, enjoy your vacation.’
‘I’m not on vacation,’ she protested as he propelled her out the door and down the corridor.
‘Miss... Sophie, your...friend needs lots of rest. You, however, seem as though you need to cut loose for a while. There is free food and free drink available. You could take in a show while you wait. There is no need to worry. Mrs Fields is in good hands.’ Those same hands guided her through Reception, leaving Sophie spluttering with indignation as he closed the door on her.
‘I’ll be back,’ she shouted through the closed door before she realised it sounded like a threat. ‘For visiting. Later.’
There was no reply. She tried the door one last time but they’d closed up shop. The note taped to the wall advised that visitors were required to phone ahead to gain access outside the approved hours, something she didn’t think the officious doctor would be in a hurry to do.
The long corridor was empty apart from the vending machine that dispensed basic medical necessities such as sticking plasters and antiseptic for those unfortunate enough to hurt themselves out of hours. It struck her how quiet it was at this end of the ship. A conscious design decision, she supposed, for the patients to find some peace away from the partying. However, it meant there was simply nothing for her to do here until she was able to check on Edith again. There wasn’t even a seat to sit on.
She walked farther into the belly of the ship, exchanging greetings with the stewards scurrying in and out of the cabins, who were getting them spotless again before the guests returned from their leisure pursuits.
The lifts were busy transporting guests to the many decks, so Sophie took the stairs instead. Happy families and couples dressed for the pool or a spot of sunbathing stepped in time beside her and she followed them out onto the top deck.
She blinked as she emerged into the sunlight, feeling the heat immediately kissing her bare skin. Her senses kicked in all at once, assaulted by the noise of the loud music, the sight of the crowds dancing and the smell of chlorine, sun cream and food. She hadn’t realised there was an all-day buffet provided. It reminded her of a school cafeteria, only with better quality food. Edith preferred to sit in one of the more civilised restaurants downstairs. Sophie’s stomach rumbled, letting her know it wasn’t fussy and she was yet to have lunch.
Perhaps she’d avail herself of one of the sun loungers lining the deck and enjoy an al fresco snack with everyone else. She might even indulge in one of those delicious-looking frozen cocktails in plentiful supply. It was just the thing to take the edge off the day’s drama and it might even help her forget Deliciano Luciano, who’d managed to get her adrenaline pumping without even trying.
* * *
Luciano watched as the door rattled with Miss Blythe still ranting on the other side of it, a smirk playing on his lips. But it was soon followed by a frown. He shouldn’t be amused or find this Sophie person intriguing. For eight months at sea, in his new role as cruise doctor, he’d managed to keep that professional line drawn between him and the passengers and he preferred to keep it that way.
He turned away, hotfooting it back to his patient and the safety of the treatment rooms.
‘Sorry about that, Mrs Fields. Now, we will let the drip do its work and take another look at you later.’
‘Yes, Doctor.’
That was what he liked. A compliant patient. Sometimes they had to deal with people who’d overindulged in the unlimited alcohol, but if they were too raucous, Security got involved. In extreme cases they’d be ejected from the ship, holiday over. He didn’t get a lot of dissension in his own little kingdom here. Certainly, he wasn’t used to fellow medical professionals challenging him or his authority. As a result, he was finding it difficult to shift thoughts of the rebellious Sophie out of his head.
‘I’m sure you’re glad to see the back of her. Wowee,’ Patrice, the nurse who’d witnessed most of their exchange, whispered as they left the room.
‘She’s clearly very concerned.’ He didn’t want to make excuses for her but neither did he wish to bad-mouth her in her absence. In the past, he too had demanded the right to be included in a loved one’s treatment. Many times, in fact.
Each time Renata had lost one of their precious babies, and finally when she’d contracted sepsis, he’d been there, taking out his pain on the very people trying to help his wife. He should have known better and had always apologised after the fact but it helped him understand Sophie’s frustrations. What he was struggling to figure out was his reaction to her. Since Renata, he hadn’t so much as looked at another woman, never mind given anyone a second thought. Much to his mother’s despair.
‘You’re my handsome boy, Luciano. I know you loved Renata very much. We all did. But you deserve to be happy again,’ she’d said to him before he’d left. What she’d meant was that he deserved to have another chance at having a family. Her desire for more grandchildren was no doubt behind the determination to see him married again.
He felt the pressure to meet someone new, despite it being only two years since he’d lost his wife, because his parents’ marriage was held up as a template for the rest of the family. They’d been childhood sweethearts, had married young and raised four children—all whilst tending their own vineyard. It was a recipe for a good life that he and his siblings had all wanted to replicate.
He was the only one to have failed so far. Even his kid brother had got engaged and now the expectation weighing down on Luciano had become suffocating. It was even more painful because his own house had become so lonely and empty without Renata waiting for him there. She’d been stolen away from him too soon, along with the dream of having a family of their own.
That was why he’d given up his role as a family practitioner and signed on for the life of a cruise doctor—where relationships amongst the crew were frowned on and he was able to hide out in the medical centre. Working and sleeping was how he spent his days and nights, and he’d been content to do so, foregoing the crew social scene and excursions ashore. He was simply trundling along, existing without having to deal with real life outside. He didn’t want anyone else. Not when it meant suffering that same crushing pain when they vanished from existence. He’d barely survived losing the wife and babies who’d been everything to him. There wouldn’t be a second time.
It suited him to drift along with the tide, not under any pressure to find another significant other. Something he’d done happily for the entirety of his contract so far. So why, after a brief, emotionally charged introduction to one particular guest, could he remember every single detail of it? And her? Her long dark hair, her sparkling bl
ue eyes and the freckles on her bare shoulders where the sun had been lucky enough to touch her skin.
It was unsettling to be jolted out of this safe space he’d created for himself onboard the ship. Therefore, Mrs Fields and her companion would become his top priority. Then he could discharge them both and let them get back to their holiday whilst he returned to his usual, solitary routine.
Copyright © 2020 by Karin Baine
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ISBN-13: 9781488074714
The GP’s Secret Baby Wish
Copyright © 2020 by Sue MacKay
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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