‘I’ll give you a reflux suppressant which will help control her heartburn,’ he said, ‘and 2-mg capsules of loperamide hydochloride for the diarrhoea. Now, you say you feel her depression is worse?’
‘Yes.’ Janet nodded. ‘She’s very lethargic and tearful and barely sleeps at night.’
‘In that case we’ll take her off lofepramine and try sertraline,’ he replied. Lindsay watched as Aidan wrote out the prescription for the new medication and handed it to Janet. She didn’t comment until they’d left the house and were in the Land Rover once more.
‘You got rather technical in there with that poor woman,’ she observed.
‘Janet, you mean?’ He raised his eyebrows.
Lindsay nodded. ‘Yes, all those generic drug names—she must have been quite bewildered.’
‘So you’re assuming that because Janet is at home, caring for her sick mother in this remote Welsh village of ours, she’s never had any formal education, no life of her own?’
‘I didn’t say that!’ Lindsay felt her face redden at the implication.
‘But it’s what you thought, isn’t it?’ he demanded as Jess began to fidget in the back.
‘No. It isn’t, as it happens. I merely thought she may have found it confusing. I very rarely use generic names when I’m talking to patients—any patients. They recognise proprietary brand names far more readily.’
‘And what about when you’re talking to fellow members of the medical profession?’ he asked coolly.
‘Well, that’s different. Of course it is, but—’
‘So what would you say if I were to tell you that Janet was a staff nurse in the general hospital in Bangor for many years before she left to care for her mother?’
Lindsay drew in her breath sharply. ‘I would say you should have told me either before we reached the house or when you introduced her to me. I would have said it would have been common courtesy to do so.’
Aidan didn’t answer, merely swung the Land Rover onto the forecourt of the surgery and switched off the engine.
‘I thought you had four house calls,’ she said sharply.
‘I do.’ His reply was terse. ‘But one is only to call in to see Tom again at the Red Dragon and the other is to a remote farm, which I shall do this evening before I go home. Besides, I thought you might have had enough.’
‘I may not be used to your weather or your country ways,’ she snapped, ‘but I’m more than capable of coping with a few house calls. I can assure you this is a doddle compared with what I was used to on a busy day in Accident and Emergency.’
He shrugged. ‘I’m not disputing that. I have, after all, done my own stint as a houseman. I simply thought you might be glad of some time to get yourself settled into the flat.’
‘I haven’t even seen the flat yet,’ she protested. ‘It may not be suitable.’
‘I can assure you it’s entirely suitable.’
His arrogance almost took her breath away. ‘How do you know what may or may not be suitable for me?’ she demanded as she felt her temper rising.
‘You’re forgetting I lived in the flat when my place was uninhabitable. It suited me admirably so I fail to see why it shouldn’t suit you.’ Opening the door, he jumped to the ground, slammed the door and strode off across the road to the Red Dragon, leaving her sitting in the Land Rover with the dogs, quietly seething. How she was to be expected to work with this man for the next year she had no idea.
At last, with a sigh, she turned to the dogs. ‘I suppose you’re used to him,’ she said. She received solemn, doleful looks in return before she, too, climbed from the Land Rover. After checking that Aidan had left his window open for air for the dogs, she made her way into the surgery.
Bronwen was seated at her desk behind the reception counter and was typing, while Gwynneth appeared to be filing notes. They both looked up as she came in.
‘Oh, there you are,’ said Gwynneth. ‘We were just talking about you. Here she is, Bronwen. She’s back.’
‘Yes, Gwynneth, thank you,’ Bronwen replied frostily. ‘I can see that. Where’s Dr Lennox?’ She eyed Lindsay up and down as if she suspected her of spiriting Aidan away somewhere.
‘He’s gone across to the Red Dragon to see someone called Tom.’
‘Tom’s the landlord,’ explained Gwynneth. ‘He was very poorly in the night. He’s got emphysema—’
‘Yes, all right, thank you, Gwynneth,’ said Bronwen sharply. ‘We don’t discuss patients’ details in Reception where we can be overheard, do we?’
‘No…’ Gwynneth looked around. ‘But there’s only Dr Henderson here.’
‘Nevertheless, it does well to refrain at all times, otherwise we get into bad habits. Now, Dr Henderson,’ Bronwen went on briskly, ‘your flat is ready. Would you care to see it now?’
‘Yes, I may as well,’ Lindsay replied. ‘I don’t seem to be required for anything else at the moment.’
‘Very well.’ Bronwen stood up and walked briskly round the counter to join her, but as they began to walk towards the staircase at the end of the hall a sudden cry from Gwynneth stopped them.
‘Dr Henderson! Oh, Dr Henderson!’ She ran round the counter, flapping her hands. ‘Oh, your beautiful suit!’
‘My suit?’ Lindsay stopped. ‘What’s wrong with my suit?’
‘It’s covered in dogs’ hair.’ Gwynneth reached them and began trying to brush down Lindsay’s suit with her hands.
‘Dogs’ hair,’ said Lindsay flatly. ‘Now, why doesn’t that surprise me?’
CHAPTER SIX
LINDSAY was half expecting the flat to be awful—in fact, she was secretly hoping it would be just so that she could have the pleasure of telling Aidan so—but as Bronwen showed her around Lindsay was reluctantly forced to admit that it was ideal for her needs. Both the sitting room and the one bedroom had mountain views, with the peak of Snowdon itself as the focal point. There was a well-equipped kitchen with a small dining area and an adequate bath and shower room. The fittings and furnishings were basic and in mainly neutral tones.
‘I’m sure you’ll want to add some personal touches of your own,’ said Bronwen.
‘I didn’t bring very much with me,’ Lindsay replied, ‘because, of course, I thought I would be staying with Dr and Mrs Llewellyn. But, yes, you’re right, I like a few bright colours about the place so I’ll buy some bits and pieces. Speaking of which, there are a few other things I need—maybe you can point me in the direction of some shops.’
‘What sort of things?’ Bronwen frowned.
‘Clothes, really.’
Bronwen’s gaze travelled briefly over her suit and stylish black shoes. ‘I doubt we have anything round here that would appeal to you,’ she replied stiffly.
‘Oh, I don’t mean anything like this,’ Lindsay replied. ‘I mean something more suited to life in Tregadfan. It’s already been pointed out to me that my attire is totally unsuitable, or at least my shoes are.’
‘In that case, you could try taking a trip into Betwsy-coed. There are several clothes shops there that sell good, serviceable clothes and shoes.’
‘Thank you, Bronwen. I’ll do that.’ She paused. ‘Now, can I move in here right away?’
‘I don’t see why not.’ Bronwen shrugged. ‘The bed is made up and the place has been kept aired.’
‘In that case, I think this afternoon if Dr Lennox doesn’t need me. I’ll pop back to the house and fetch the rest of my things then do a bit of shopping.’
‘Don’t worry about Dr Lennox,’ said Bronwen. ‘I’ll tell him where you’ve gone.’ She spoke in a way that implied she could more than handle any problem with Aidan.
Not for the first time it crossed Lindsay’s mind that the rather formidable Bronwen might have a soft spot for Aidan Lennox. It would certainly explain why she’d appeared hostile to Lindsay’s appearance on the scene. No doubt she would appear hostile to any woman who was about to claim any part of Aidan’s attention.
While she wa
s driving back to the Llewellyns’ house Lindsay’s thoughts returned briefly to Bronwen. She wondered if she was right about the receptionist’s feelings toward Aidan and if that were the case whether they were in any way reciprocated. Somehow she found that hard to imagine. There hadn’t been the slightest indication on Aidan’s part that there was any relationship between himself and Bronwen other than that of employer and employee, but on the other hand maybe he insisted on that professional-type approach at the surgery.
Maybe, away from work, it was a different matter. Maybe then Bronwen would let her hair down and Aidan would relax and laugh…And perhaps that was the reason for that huge bed in his cottage…
As an image of Aidan and Bronwen together in an intimate situation flitted through her mind Lindsay found that, far from being amused at the idea, she found it oddly disturbing and she dismissed it before it had time to take hold.
Henry had gone home to have lunch with Megan. Lindsay met him in the hall on his way back to the surgery.
‘Lindsay, my dear.’ He looked harassed. ‘Is everything all right?’
‘Yes, of course. I’ve just come back to collect my things.’
‘You’re going to move into the flat?’
‘Yes…’
‘Have you seen it?’ Henry looked anxious. ‘Do you think you’ll be comfortable there?’
‘Yes, I have seen it. It’s fine, Henry. Please, stop worrying. I’m sure I’ll be perfectly all right there. I’m going into Betws-y-coed to buy a few bits and pieces.’ She paused. ‘How’s Megan?’
‘About the same. You’ll go in and see her before you go?’
‘Of course.’
‘Well, I’d best get back. I have an antenatal clinic this afternoon.’ Henry turned to open the front door then he stopped, one hand on the latch. ‘Oh, Lindsay how did your first morning go?’
‘OK, I think.’ She shrugged. ‘Although maybe you’d better check with Aidan about that.’
‘Why?’ Henry frowned.
‘Well, his opinion may well be vastly different from mine,’ Lindsay replied with a tight little smile.
‘Lindsay, you mustn’t let Aidan bother you,’ said Henry slowly. ‘He can appear rather aloof at times and, like I told you, he’s a bit of a loner, but—’
‘He really is very nice when you get to know him…’ With a laugh Lindsay finished the sentence for him. ‘I know, Henry,’ she added gently when she saw his expression change to one of anxiety again. ‘Don’t worry about Aidan and me. I’m sure we’ll get along.
‘Eventually,’ she added under her breath as she watched Henry climb into his car and disappear down the drive.
She found Megan quite tearful at the fact that she wasn’t to be staying with them.
‘It doesn’t matter, Megan, really it doesn’t,’ Lindsay hastened to reassure the older woman. ‘I’ll be quite all right in the flat.’
‘But it isn’t at all what we’d planned. We wanted you to be one of the family during your stay in Tregadfan. It would have been like having one of the children home again…And now…now, because of me…it’s all ruined. I know Henry is disappointed. It isn’t what he wanted at all.’
‘You mustn’t worry, Megan. I’m sure all Henry is concerned about is your health and having you well again.’
‘But he saw this as a way of repaying your father. He was very good to Henry in the past—’
‘Megan, whatever it was, my father won’t want to be repaid. Henry is his friend. Now, come on.’ Sitting on the side of the bed, Lindsay put her arm around Megan’s shoulders in a further attempt to comfort her. ‘You mustn’t upset yourself like this. I’m perfectly all right. The flat is fine, I’ll come and see you as often as I can and I’ll still be doing my training, even though it’s with Aidan…’
‘Do you get on all right with Aidan?’ Megan lowered her handkerchief and looked anxiously at Lindsay.
‘Get on with Aidan? Well, it’s early days yet but, yes, I’m sure it’ll be all right. Besides, why shouldn’t I?’
‘Well, he can be a bit difficult at times, I know…’
‘I won’t let that bother me. It’ll be fine, Megan. Really, it will. You’re not to worry about it.’ She paused, hesitating, then as casually as she could she said, ‘Talking of Aidan, he’s not married or anything, is he?’
‘No.’ Megan shook her head. ‘He isn’t married, neither, as far as I know, is there anyone in his life at the moment. There was someone…once, but that was a long time ago…’
‘You’re getting tired, Megan,’ said Lindsay in concern. ‘I’d better go and let you sleep.’
‘Yes, in a moment. I’m fed up with sleeping. I want to talk to you for a bit. Tell me, Lindsay, dear, there isn’t anyone in your life at the moment, is there?’
Lindsay shook her head. ‘No, not now,’ she said. ‘But how did you know?’
‘I think your father mentioned it when he spoke to Henry. He said the reason you’d postponed your training was because of your relationship with…with…what was his name…?’
‘Andrew,’ Lindsay replied quietly.
‘Yes, Andrew. That was it. And that as the relationship had now ended he wondered if Henry would still be interested in taking you on as a trainee.’ Megan paused. ‘So what happened between you and Andrew?’
‘It didn’t work out,’ Lindsay replied with a little shrug. She tried to appear nonchalant but inside it felt as if her heart had twisted, the way it always did at any mention of Andrew. ‘It was just one of those things,’ she said. ‘It wasn’t meant to be. It was as simple as that.’
‘Never mind,’ said Megan gently, her lovely eyes full of concern. ‘There will be someone else for you, Lindsay, and very soon, I should think—just you wait and see. Why, who knows, maybe even you and Aidan—?’
‘No, Megan, no.’ She spoke more sharply than she’d meant to and Megan’s eyes widened. ‘No,’ she said again, but less emphatically this time. ‘We’re complete opposites and, besides, the last thing I’m looking for at the moment is another relationship.’
She left Megan to rest after that and drove to Betwsy-coed. The rain and cloud of earlier had cleared, giving way to the sort of May day that gave one that good-to-be-alive feeling. The sun was warm, the trees resplendent in their new fresh growth and in the fields that season’s lambs leapt and played. The hillsides were a mass of purple rhododendrons and the moorland verges thick with heather and yellow broom.
As she drove, Lindsay played the latest CD by The Corrs and, humming along to the music, she felt her spirits lift at last. Maybe things wouldn’t be as bad as she had feared. It seemed she had no choice other than to get used to Aidan Lennox and his ways, but at least the flat was nice and she would have her independence.
The shops in Betws-y-coed were quite obviously geared to the tourist trade, but in a way that suited Lindsay very well because, after all, wasn’t that what she was—simply a visitor to the area? A visitor who needed to gear herself to the demands of the location. She found a rather nice shop that sold practical clothing, where she bought herself a couple of pairs of hard-wearing trousers, two cotton sweaters and a waterproof waxed jacket. She’d brought skirts with her which she could team up with the sweaters for work, but for good measure she also bought a couple of shirts. In the adjoining shop she found a pair of sensible walking shoes, smiling to herself as she tried them on, tying the laces and wondering what her friends in London would have thought if they could have seen her.
Well pleased with her purchases, she was on her way back to the car park when she passed a shop selling home furnishings. On a sudden impulse she went inside and half an hour later came out with a lampshade, two throw-overs, a framed print, a selection of brightly coloured vases and an assortment of dried twigs, flowers and driftwood. Somehow, laden with huge carrier bags, she staggered back to the car.
Gwynneth seemed even more nervous than usual when Lindsay arrived back at the surgery. ‘Oh,’ she said as Lindsay carried her purchases in
to Reception, ‘there you are. We wondered—’
‘That’s enough, Gwynneth.’ Swiftly Bronwen intervened. ‘I trust you found what you required in Betws-y-coed?’
‘Yes, thanks.’ Lindsay nodded. ‘I think you’ll find I’m better equipped now for whatever Tregadfan flings at me, whether it’s rain, mud, hail, sleet or snow.’
‘We don’t very often have snow at this time of the year,’ said Gwynneth seriously.
‘Get on with your work,’ Gwynneth,’ snapped Bronwen.
Upstairs in the flat Lindsay unpacked her shopping, sorted out her clothes and hung them up in the large oak wardrobe in the bedroom or laid them in the drawers of the matching chest. On further exploration she found that the flat was very well equipped with linen and towels and she spent the next hour happily rearranging things to her taste, positioning the brightly coloured throw-overs on the sofa and armchair, replacing the rather gloomy picture in her bedroom with the print she’d bought and filling the vases and containers with the dried arrangements of twigs and flowers.
At last everything was as she wanted it and she gazed around the flat in satisfaction. It was only then that she realised she had no food and that really she should be thinking of going to the village shop. She’d not yet explored the possibility of other alternatives, such as eating out, although somehow she doubted whether Tregadfan had much to offer in the way of night life. There had been several veiled allusions to the fact that things would change drastically with the coming of the May bank holiday and a sudden influx of tourists, but until then she couldn’t see there was much in the way of local excitement.
If she’d been at home she would have been looking forward to an evening out, clubbing with friends from the hospital or visiting a wine bar with Annabelle. As she thought of her friend she decided to call her.
Annabelle answered on the tenth ring. ‘You sound breathless,’ said Lindsay with a chuckle. ‘What have I interrupted?’
‘Lindsay!’ Annabelle’s shriek could probably have been heard in Betws-y-coed. ‘What a lovely surprise! Where are you?’
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