And if she got wet, that was only going to get in the way of the job. It was a first principle. Stay safe, stay dry, because your ability to help others was compromised otherwise.
‘All right. Thanks.’ She kept her eyes fixed on the ground, feeling her muscles tense in stiff, silent protest. He tried to pick her up, but had to set her back down again.
‘Hey. Loosen up, will you. You’re going to need to bend your legs.’
‘Yeah. Sorry.’
‘One medical professional assisting another to the scene...’ He muttered the words under his breath and Mimi wondered if he believed that any more than she did.
She laced her fingers together behind his neck and he picked her up. It was actually more like taking her in his arms, holding her close. Mimi hung on tight, squeezing her eyes shut and burying her face in his shoulder.
‘That’s better.’ He started to walk, the sloshing sound of water accompanying his slow strides.
Mimi clung to him, trying to think of anything else. The shopping list for Charlie. The forms she had to fill in for her new job. That was just making things worse. Every time she went to the supermarket now, the stronger image was going to take hold and she was going to have to deal with remembering this moment.
He was walking carefully, testing each step, but a sudden eddy of water made him pause, instinctively holding her tighter. Mimi felt herself move against him, her cheek brushing his neck.
No, no, no... She felt her face redden in anguish. She hadn’t done that, had she?
She had. Without thinking, and entirely by instinct, her lips had formed the shape of a kiss when she’d jolted against him. When he’d started walking again the kiss had been planted on his neck.
He hadn’t felt it. He couldn’t have. One quiet murmur of approbation told her that he had.
By the time they got to the farmhouse her cheeks were flaming. He leaned over the row of sandbags, protecting the small flower garden in front of the house, and let her down on the other side.
Maybe his hand was just travelling in that direction, in a movement of uncharacteristic awkwardness. But his fingers brushed against her cheek and Mimi looked up into his face.
The cocky grin she’d expected wasn’t there. Instead, a look of silent pain and uncertainty. Had she been so caught up in her own feelings of rejection that she’d missed his unspoken feelings?
‘Rafe, I’m...I’m sorry.’
‘What for?’ He glanced round at the farmhouse behind her. They had a job to do and right now the people inside were probably watching them.
‘Whatever it is, it’s all right.’ He straightened up. ‘You’re standing in a puddle.’
‘Oh. Thanks.’ Mimi stepped to one side quickly.
‘Got your phone?’
‘Uh?’ She felt automatically in the pocket of her trousers. ‘Yes.’
‘I’ll go back to the car and get the bag. Have a quick look at the patient and call me if there’s anything else I need to bring over.’
‘Okay. Will do.’ Mimi turned and saw that a woman was opening the front door of the farmhouse, smiling at her. She smiled in return, walking towards her without looking back at Rafe.
* * *
Mimi had wanted to keep going, but when she’d received a call from the ambulance controller saying they were no longer needed tonight Rafe had stopped her from arguing.
‘She said they were managing, right? We need to pace ourselves; we both have another week’s work ahead of us. Isn’t there something you need to do?’ Rafe couldn’t think of a single thing that he wanted to do more than spend time with Mimi. Certainly not a meal, eaten alone, and a bed at the hospital. But he supposed that she might have a greater range of options.
‘Not really...’ She turned away from him and got into the car. As she did so her phone rang.
‘Charlie?’ Something seemed to be going on because she frowned. ‘Yeah, okay; that’s fine. I’ll do it. Text me the address, will you?’
She turned to Rafe. ‘I don’t suppose you could give me a lift to the hospital, could you? I need to pick up my car.’
‘Yes, of course. What’s up?’ Rafe had been planning on going back to the hospital. Last night had been an exception.
‘Couple of friends of Charlie’s. Their house is in an area that’s prone to flooding and he told them to come and stay with him if they needed to.’
‘And they need to?’
‘Yes. He’s getting a room ready for them, and he wanted to know if I could go over there and pick them up. My car’s got a much bigger boot than his.’
‘They’ll be bringing as much as they can with them, I imagine.’
‘Yes.’ She was squeezing her fingers together in what seemed like an agony of indecision. Rafe wondered whether she was also wiggling her toes.
‘My SUV can fit a fair amount in. We could fetch your car, dump the medical gear back at yours and go together.’
‘Would you? I...didn’t want to ask... But if the house is flooded...’
Rafe started the engine. ‘That’s what we’ll do then.’
* * *
Mimi could barely see his SUV in front of her on the road, it was raining so hard. It had taken almost an hour to get here, but she’d called Janet and Matthew to let them know that they were on their way. When Rafe pulled up outside the house, the door opened and Matthew ran out and knocked on the window of her car.
‘Better bring your wellies, Mimi.’
‘I’ve got them.’ She slid over into the passenger seat and felt in the footwell for them, pulling them on over her socks. Mimi hadn’t been about to lay herself open for a repetition of the carrying incident.
Rafe was already jogging towards the front door. Matthew led them through to the kitchen, where Janet was drying cups and plates and stacking them in a high cupboard.
It was evident that they hadn’t got here too soon. Water was leaking in under the back door, sloshing around on the kitchen floor. Janet was shaking.
‘Mimi, thank you so much for coming.’ Janet put the tea cloth down and turned to Rafe. ‘And...?’
‘Rafe. It’s a pleasure.’
‘Thanks, both of you.’ Matthew held out his hand and Rafe shook it. ‘We’ve loaded our car up, but anything else you can bring along would be much appreciated.’
Rafe smiled—the smile he kept for emergencies, which showed both his readiness to take on any challenge and his utter certainty that things were going to work out fine in the end. ‘I’ll help you carry your things out to the cars.’
Janet seemed to be sizing Rafe up. ‘Matthew...the cabinet...’
‘It’s too heavy, Jan; we tried it already...’
‘But...’ Janet lapsed into silence, picking the tea cloth up and folding it carefully. She was in shock, resorting to small tasks that were not going to make any difference so she didn’t have to face the one big task ahead of her.
Mimi nudged Rafe. ‘They’ve got a really nice china cabinet in the sitting room. Maybe you and Matthew could manage to get it upstairs?’
‘Good idea.’ Rafe strode out into the hallway, and Matthew followed.
‘We really appreciate your help, Mimi.’ Janet was looking around the kitchen abstractedly, as if to make sure that it was tidy before she received visitors.
‘It’s a pleasure.’ Mimi took Janet’s arm. ‘Are these boxes to go?’ She pointed to the cardboard boxes on the kitchen table.
‘Yes. Our tea service. It was a wedding present.’ Janet’s eyes filled with tears.
‘Right then. We’ll stow that carefully, in the front seat of my car.’
‘Yes.’ Janet didn’t move. ‘Thanks.’
She seemed to be paralysed, dreading what was coming next. Mimi picked up a waterproof jacket that was lying on the table next to
Janet’s handbag. ‘This yours?’
‘Yes. I got it in the sale.’
‘Yeah? It’s a lovely colour. Where did you get it?’ Mimi gave Janet the jacket and she automatically put it on.
‘The place down by the cinema in town. The one that does camping gear...’
‘I’ll have to pop in and see if they have anything that suits me. Yours is really nice.’ Mimi picked up a box and put it in Janet’s arms. ‘Let’s get started.’
Once Janet had something to do, she worked with a will. The necessities had already been packed into Matthew and Janet’s car, and now some of their most precious items could be brought along too, instead of leaving them upstairs and hoping for the best. After a bit of bumping and banging about on the stairs, Matthew and Rafe got the cabinet from the sitting room safely out of the water’s reach and Matthew appeared with a pretty wooden box in his arms.
Janet beamed with joy. ‘My sewing box! Is there room for it?’
‘Of course. We’ve still got my car to load up.’ Rafe strode down the path after Matthew to open the passenger door of the SUV so that the precious box could be placed carefully on the front seat.
Then it was time to leave. Janet picked up her handbag from the kitchen, took one last look around and then they walked outside into the pouring rain. Matthew locked the front door, as if in some way that would keep the water out.
Matthew put his arm around his wife’s shoulders. ‘We’ll be back before long, you’ll see.’
‘Yeah.’ Janet smiled up at her husband.
‘No looking back now, Jan. Come with me.’
Janet nodded and the couple walked to their car together. When Mimi looked up at Rafe he was watching them go.
‘It’s such a shame.’ Suddenly the sadness of it all struck her. ‘They’re losing almost everything...’
‘You think so?’ He couldn’t seem to tear his gaze from the couple, walking so close, as if they were in their own little bubble. ‘Seems to me that they’re taking everything that really matters with them.’
* * *
Rafe led the small procession of cars back to Charlie’s house, parking outside, while Mimi backed her car into the sideway, ready to unload it. Charlie had obviously been looking out for them and the garage doors swung open, light flooding out.
‘I thought we could stack everything in the garage and sort it all out tomorrow.’
‘Thank you, Charlie.’ Janet had a hug for him.
‘My pleasure. Dinner’s nearly ready. Jan, come and help me, eh?’ He caught hold of Janet’s hand.
‘I’ll be there in a minute. I want to bring my sewing box into the house...’
Rafe gave her his car keys and she skittered off through the rain to the SUV.
‘Mimi, Rafe, you’re joining us.’ Charlie spun his wheelchair round as if the matter was already settled, making for the door that led from the back of the garage into the house.
‘I should really get going.’ Matthew had followed Janet and they were alone suddenly in the open doorway of the garage.
‘Do you have to? You could have a meal with us and stay with me.’ When Mimi looked up at him, Rafe realised that he didn’t have to do anything. But even though a meal in the hospital canteen and a disturbed night’s sleep in one of the doctors’ on-call rooms didn’t appeal to him very much, it was infinitely preferable to the mess he might get himself into if he stayed.
‘It’s not a good idea, Mimi.’ It really wasn’t. Last night he’d gone to sleep not realising that he was in the same bed they’d made love in, but tonight it was doubtful whether he could ignore that.
‘I hurt you, didn’t I?’
‘It wasn’t your fault, Mimi.’
She tossed her head, her fair hair slipping from the collar of her jacket and streaming over her shoulders. He wanted to touch it so badly, to clear the damp strands from her face. He wanted to touch her.
‘But still...’
Then he realised. He’d hidden his pain from her but she needed it, just the same as he needed hers. Just as he had wanted some small expression of regret that it was all over, so did she.
‘Mimi...’ He took a step closer, and they were almost touching. ‘Leaving you tore my heart out. And yes, it hurt a lot and for a long time. But, looking back now, it was for the best.’
‘You think so?’ There was an edge to her voice, a hint of anger. The final refuge of the broken-hearted.
‘Don’t you?’
Her cheeks flushed. ‘I’ve no idea, Rafe. Not a clue.’
She turned away from him before he had a chance to answer. Walking to her car, she hauled out the heaviest box, staggering a little under its weight, until Matthew rushed to help her.
‘I’m hurting now...’ Rafe walked to his car, murmuring the words under his breath, even now not able to say them out loud.
He unloaded the car, working steadily so that he didn’t have any chance to stop and think, let alone stop and talk. When he was done, he exchanged handshakes and hugs with Janet and Matthew and bade goodbye to Charlie, waving away all of his protests that he’d cooked far too much for four and that only five would do.
Then Mimi. She was hanging back, fidgeting in one corner of the garage.
‘What time shall I pick you up tomorrow?’
‘Eight would be fine. If you get any sleep.’ She seemed determined to leave him in no doubt that he was being petty and that thought was unexpectedly warming.
‘Eight it is. Make coffee.’ He turned, walking away from her to the SUV.
‘You’ll need it. They tell me those mattresses in the on-call rooms are like boards.’ She flung the words after him and Rafe hid a smile. It seemed that cold acceptance wasn’t Mimi’s style any more.
CHAPTER TEN
MIMI WAS ALMOST surprised when she saw Rafe’s SUV draw up outside the cottage at eight sharp. She’d slept last night, but it was only a long day and a very full stomach that had facilitated that. This morning she’d woken early in a fever of uncertainty as to whether Rafe wouldn’t decide that she was surplus to requirements and that he’d be much better off working alone today.
She’d drawn the curtains back carefully, leaving a small chink next to the wall so that she could watch for him without standing at the window. Aware that pulling them straight might produce a telltale curtain-twitch, she left them as they were and ran into the kitchen. It wouldn’t do to let him know that she was anything less than one hundred per cent confident that he would come. Unless he didn’t, in which case she’d decided to text him and tell him that she hadn’t expected him anyway.
It seemed an age before the doorbell rang. She almost took up her position at the window again, wondering if he’d changed his mind and driven off. But he was there, on the doorstep. Unshaven and looking slightly the worse for wear, but a night at the hospital would do that to you.
‘I’m just making breakfast. Care to join me?’ She made the request seem as off-the-cuff as she could manage.
‘Yeah. Thanks.’
He followed her into the kitchen, taking off his coat and putting his phone on the table. Mimi set two places, taking juice from the fridge and setting the coffee machine to brew. The croissants were warming in the oven, and she piled them on to a plate and set it on the table.
‘Charlie bought them for me. He got me some shopping yesterday.’ There was enough for two here, and Mimi didn’t want to give the impression that she’d gone out of her way. In fact, she’d already been out this morning, catching the local bakery when it opened at seven.
Rafe nodded. ‘They smell good. I couldn’t face the canteen this morning; I was going to pick something up when we got on the road.’
‘You can’t work without a good breakfast.’ Mimi wondered whether that sounded as if she was mollycoddling him. Whenever
she wasn’t working, she’d always sent him off in the morning with a good breakfast and a kiss.
‘Neither can you.’ He motioned her to sit. ‘I’ll get the coffee.’
Mimi sat down, watching as he walked over to the coffee machine. He had a kind of grace, an economy of movement that served to emphasise the gestures he did make. Unshaven suited him. Jeans and a sweater suited him. Everything suited Rafe.
‘Aren’t you going to ask me how I slept?’ He was leaning against the countertop, his arms folded, his lips twitching in a half-smile.
‘Do I need to?’
‘Not really. Just thought you might like to make the point.’
‘All right.’ She couldn’t help shooting him her most innocent look. ‘Sleep well?’
‘Nope. I’ve got an ache in my shoulders you wouldn’t believe.’
Time was that she’d offer to massage them for him. But then time was that he wouldn’t have even mentioned it, considering that any aches and pains were his to deal with. It was an odd form of sharing, but nonetheless a break in his stubborn self-sufficiency.
‘I dare say it’ll ease once you get moving.’
He turned back to the coffee, grinning. ‘Dare say it will.’
* * *
It was a busy day again. A good day. As long as they both kept up the pace, working as hard as they could, not leaving room for anything else, they were able to slip into the kind of relationship they’d never enjoyed when they were sleeping together.
Although Rafe was the doctor on the team, he was standing back, letting her take the lead with their patients whenever possible. Mimi could feel her confidence growing, and she was beginning to live for his quiet nods of approval.
By four o’clock she was aching from long hours spent in the car and her head was buzzing with both exhilaration and fatigue. Rafe stopped by a coffee shop, overlooking a pretty village green. ‘Time for coffee?’
‘Definitely. I’ll get it.’
By the time Mimi had queued, passed the time of day with a couple of people and returned to the car, he was gone. She could see him over the road, sitting on a bench under a tree which was usually three feet away from the banks of the river which snaked through the green space but was now on the water’s edge.
Rescued by Dr. Rafe Page 9