The Best Medicine

by Charlotte Fallowfield

  ‘I’ll do it. You go and clean that cut and put a plaster on it. Can’t have this author’s million dollar hands damaged, now can we?’

  ‘Million dollar,’ I laughed. ‘In my dreams.’

  ‘You’re one step closer,’ he reminded me as we walked into the kitchen to find Tibbs sitting in her dining room bed with two large slices of pizza, purring and picking off the best bits. I shook my head and smiled to myself. If only humans were so easily pleased. Well, I was for once, that was for sure, but what could I do to cheer Kitt up?

  I went up to my office when Kitt left and opened the email from Kristy with my proposal, then pressed print. While the printer was shuddering and churning out the various pages, I quickly dialled Georgie.

  ‘Hello,’ she answered with a yawn.

  ‘Sorry, did I wake you up? I know it’s late.’

  ‘Just caught me as I was climbing into bed. Is everything ok?’

  ‘Great. I just wondered if you’d spare Weston one Saturday soon?’

  ‘Overdosed on pizza tonight, did you? I saw Kitt’s car outside.’

  ‘Well yes, but that’s not why I need him, not yet anyway. Kitt’s having a hard time at the moment, and I’d like to do something to cheer him up.’

  ‘And you’re thinking of a threesome with my boyfriend? I’m open minded, Charlie, but even I have my limits.’

  ‘And they say authors have dirty minds,’ I teased. ‘No, I’d like to book one of those adventure days for Kitt. You know, quad biking, archery, clay pigeon shooting, followed by a few beers down at the pub. He doesn’t really have any male friends I can ask to go with him. I thought maybe it would be nice if Weston and Miller went with him, give them all a chance to get to know each other.’

  ‘Are you and Kitt moving past the friend zone?’ she asked, her voice perking up.

  ‘No, but Abbie and Miller are getting married and you’re getting serious with Weston. We’re bound to do things as a group. I’d like to be able to include Kitt now and then, if you don’t mind. He’s such a nice guy and his life is really restricted with everything he does for his mum. He needs a bit of fun injected into it.’

  ‘Much as I don’t want to lose one of my few precious days with Weston, it would do him good to spend time with my friends. Find out when Miller’s next home and let me know a date and we’ll set it up. We could all go for dinner after at The Fox.’

  ‘Perfect. Thanks, Georgie. Sleep tight.’

  ‘You too,’ she yawned as she hung up. Sleep? There was no way I was going to sleep tonight. I was too amped up on excitement. I snatched up the contract, skipped over to my bedroom, and snuggled in to read it in bed.

  ‘Charlie Faulkner, please,’ came Dr. Fitton’s voice.

  ‘Great,’ I said under my breath. I’d wanted nothing better than an excuse to see him again, but not when I was squinting with a bright red and teary eye. I made my way over to him and tripped over the outstretched plaster cast leg of a random patient in the waiting room as I did. I managed to right myself, but not before I let out an unattractive girlish shriek.

  ‘I’m seriously considering dedicating a bed to you here,’ McFitty said, one eyebrow raised as I finally made it to stand in front of him.

  ‘You remember me?’ I asked, slightly stunned.

  ‘You’re hard to forget,’ he smiled, flashing some impossibly perfect teeth that wouldn’t look out of place in a dental advert.

  I was so dazzled by the movie star smile that sent a ripple of attraction through my body, I didn’t have a comeback to remind him just how often he actually had forgotten me. Instead, I followed him like an eager puppy into the bay and hopped up onto the bed as instructed. I’d always chuckled when reading historical romances full of “burning loins,” but at that moment, I totally got it. Mine were scorching as I drank him in.

  ‘So, you’ve managed to injure your eye this time?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes,’ I grimaced, as I tried desperately not to keep winking at him.

  ‘What caused the injury?’

  ‘The duvet.’

  ‘I’m sorry, did you say the duvet?’ he asked, looking as surprised as I was when it happened.

  ‘Yes,’ I sighed, swinging my feet backwards and forwards as I perched on the edge of the bed and he put on some gloves. ‘I was reading in bed, and when I turned over, for some reason my eyelid didn’t close as the duvet dragged over my eyeball. It’s really stinging and well, you can see how red it is.’

  ‘Ok, I’m going to put some dye on your eye, then take a look if that’s ok?’

  ‘I’m hardly going to say no when I’ve dragged myself here in the middle of the night, am I?’

  ‘No, I’d imagine not,’ he chuckled as he rummaged in his supply drawer.

  ‘And it’s not like it’s embarrassing. I mean, you’ve already handled my vagina, an eyeball is nothing.’

  ‘Handled your … oh, you mean when I examined your rash?’

  ‘Yes. Don’t worry, you’re off the hook. We haven’t had amazing sex that you forgot all about,’ I reassured him, willing myself to just shut my mouth before I said anything else inappropriate.

  ‘I never have amazing sex and forget about it,’ he replied as he turned to face me. His green eyes locked on mine, forcing me to swallow hard. Was he flirting with me? I’d grown so used to his casual indifference, I wasn’t sure if I was reading him right.

  ‘Ah, but you haven’t had sex with me. I’m so good, I’d blow your mind and leave you incapable of rational thought after.’ Jesus, what had come over me? I was never this forward with a man.

  ‘Is that an offer? As it’s rather frowned upon at work. Human resources doesn’t take kindly to on-the-job extras,’ he grinned as he moved towards me like a predator. A sexy, virile, “hot male doctor” predator. ‘Shit,’ he gasped before quickly backing away, nursing his kneecap.

  ‘Oh God, I’m so sorry,’ I grimaced, realising my swinging feet had just connected with his leg. ‘Does it hurt?’

  ‘Yes,’ he groaned, massaging it.

  ‘It’s a good thing you’re so tall or I could have got you somewhere a bit more tender.’

  ‘Thank goodness for small mercies,’ he agreed, as he straightened up and flexed his knee back and forth. ‘How about you keep your legs still while I come and look at your eye?’

  ‘Eye, eye, doctor,’ I agreed. ‘Sorry, I’m giddy on champagne and excitement. I have no control over what’s coming out of my mouth.’

  ‘Good to know. I take it you didn’t drive?’ he asked as he stepped between my legs, my thighs connecting with his muscular ones and making my breath hitch.

  ‘Andy,’ I murmured, drowning in the scent of him. So musky. So … raw and sexual. ‘Andy the taxi driver dropped me off.’

  ‘Good, now tip your head back for me, the drops will sting a little for a moment.’

  ‘Ok.’ I swallowed hard again as he placed his thumb below my eye and his fingers above and held it open. I could feel his hot breath on my face as he leaned in and squeezed the medication into my eye, which temporarily distracted me as I hissed.

  ‘Blink for me,’ he ordered as he released his hold. I did as I was told, then he moved back in and shone a light into my eye, instructing me to move it up and down and left to right. It was like being at the opticians. You always felt self-conscious having a virtual stranger so close to your face. This was “invasion of personal space” territory. Usually you only let people who were about to kiss you come this close. And I could, I only had to lean forwards a fraction to finally get my lips on McFitty’s perfect pout. ‘Right,’ he said abruptly, quickly stepping away from me.

  ‘No hmmm this time?’ I asked, disappointment at the loss of his closeness rattling me.

  ‘No, it’s a clear cut, excuse the pun, case,’ he advised as he dumped the vial in the bin and proceeded to wash his hands. I watched, transfixed, as he soaped them up and rubbed them over and around each other, imagining how it would feel to have them caressing me like that
. ‘You’ve lacerated the surface of your eye. You’re very lucky that it’s on the white of your eye and not the iris, or I’d be referring you straight to our optometry department for evaluation. I’ll prescribe some antibiotic drops and a soothing eye gel. It should heal within the week with no lasting side effects.’

  ‘Great, thanks,’ I nodded, feeling relieved it wasn’t anything serious.

  ‘What was so distracting?’ he asked as he dried his hands on a paper towel.

  ‘What?’ I asked, dragging my eyes away from his hands.

  ‘Your reading material in bed. Were you reading one of your own books? Distracted by the steam factor?’ he smiled, making me blush.

  ‘Actually no, for once. I just landed a publishing contract. I was reading their offer.’

  ‘Congratulations. What does that mean for you?’

  ‘An amazing advance and the possibility of my worldwide sales rocketing.’

  ‘So I’ll be seeing your books come out on film, will I?’

  ‘Gosh, I’d not even thought of that. I guess there’s always that possibility, if they did well enough.’

  ‘A lady of means, eh? Your boyfriend will be able to retire.’

  ‘Actually, I don’t have a boyfriend. I’ve been too busy writing to have much of a social life.’

  ‘Hmmm,’ he murmured as he studied me, cocking his head. I tucked my hair behind my ear and started nervously swinging my feet again as we held each other’s gaze. This was it. This was the moment where he’d ask me if I wanted to go out for dinner with him. It didn’t even have to be dinner, I’d be happy with drinks. Hell, I’d be happy with a coffee in the hospital café. He could even skip the coffee and just introduce me to the wonders of his lips. His noisy pager broke the moment and he glanced down and grimaced. ‘Sorry, I’ve got to run. I’ll send a nurse in with your prescription. Any problems, straight back to your doctor, ok?’

  ‘Ok,’ I agreed, my excitement at the possibility of something happening with him leaving the room along with his delicious scrub-covered backside. Damn it. Foiled again.

  Chapter Ten

  To Friendship

  Three Months Later – A Saturday in December

  ‘SO, WHO BOUGHT IT?’ I asked, beyond impatient. The shop had been temporarily closed for weeks. It looked like there were major renovations going on, judging by the huge skip outside and various workmen’s vans coming and going.

  ‘Well, if you’d stop interrupting, I’d get to the point of the story,’ Daphne said with one of her wilting looks.

  ‘That put you in your place,’ Georgie laughed.

  ‘I’m lucky, I haven’t earned one of those looks yet,’ Quinn grinned. ‘And I don’t plan on it.’

  ‘Well, that all depends on what you do to my cottage, Quinn Garcia,’ Daphne stated. I pulled a face at Quinn, which earned me a cuff from Daphne. ‘Am I that bad? I was joking. It will be her cottage soon, she can do what she wants with it. Memories are just that. They aren’t tangible. You can’t touch them and you shouldn’t need to. The best ones stay in your head and your heart, they’re always with you. I don’t need my cottage staying in a time warp because people are afraid of upsetting me.’

  ‘That’s good, because the bulldozer is booked to tear it down the second we exchange contracts,’ Quinn said in a serious tone. Georgie and I gasped and shot a concerned look over at Daphne, only to see her smiling.

  ‘Really, girls. You’ve spent more time with Quinn than I have and you still haven’t learned when she’s teasing?’

  ‘Of course I’m teasing. Everything in the U.S. is new. Why would I want to erase all those years of history? I mean sure, there’ll be some major work to do on it to make it more my style, but I’m not ripping out the bones of the place. It has character and I kinda like that,’ Quinn smiled.

  ‘You’d better love that, or you will be on the receiving end of one of my looks,’ Daphne warned her.

  ‘So, thrilled as I am to have the whole “Quinn’s moving to Dilbury” talk, I’m still no clearer on who’s bought the shop,’ I reminded Daphne. If anyone needed to know anything, Daphne was the woman. She knew everyone in the village and had a social network to rival Facebook.

  ‘Parlez-vous Français?’ she hinted.

  ‘Is that Welsh?’ Quinn asked. ‘It sounds kinda sexy.’

  ‘She just asked if you speak French, in French. We have a hot and sexy Frenchman moving into the shop?’ I asked, my spirits lifting.

  ‘Oh, I love me a man with an accent,’ Georgie said wistfully.

  ‘Me too,’ Quinn and I sighed at the same time. We high fived each other with a smile. The expression “sister from another mister” could have been tailor-made for the two of us. We’d bonded so fast, and I was thrilled she was going to be moving here and we’d get to spend more time together.

  ‘Then I’m very sorry to disappoint,’ Daphne said. ‘Her name is Fleur, French for flower. Fleur Dubois. She trained as a pâtissier in Paris.’

  ‘She makes French pastries?’ Georgie asked, her eyes lighting up.

  ‘You’re telling me you eat cake?’ I scoffed. ‘With that slim figure?’

  ‘There’s cake and there’s French pastries, and I’m all over that action. My God, Weston’s going to have to work me out big time if I have those on my doorstep.’

  ‘From the noises I heard last night, it sounds like he’s already working you extremely hard,’ I giggled, making Georgie blush. ‘So, no more shop or post office?’ I asked Daphne.

  ‘Oh yes, she’s converting the upstairs into a self-contained, two-bedroomed apartment, then the downstairs will be open-plan to a certain degree. She’s having a custom kitchen and bakery built, with a small area for tables and chairs so she can sell cake and coffee and people can watch her work. She’s calling it French Fancie. Then there’ll be a new layout for the shop and post office. She’s already put out an advertisement for someone to run that side of it for her.’

  ‘How do you know all of this stuff?’ I asked, astonished at her investigative skills.

  ‘I talk to everyone and I listen in return. You ought to apply, Quinn. It would be a great way to meet all of the villagers and integrate yourself into village life.’

  ‘I’m going to have my hands full with the renovations in January. Plus, I’ve already talked to Severn Manor to offer my event planning services exclusively to them. We’re having a meeting next week.’

  ‘Wow, you move fast,’ I told her.

  ‘I’m still working at the frantic New York pace. I haven’t adjusted to the Dilbury tortoise way of life yet.’

  ‘I’ll get it,’ Georgie said, shooting up when there was a knock on the door. ‘It’s probably James and Caroline, the photographers.’

  ‘Is it rude for me to network while I’m acting as a bridesmaid?’ Quinn asked. ‘I had a huge list of wedding connections in New York. It’s going to be hard work setting them all up from scratch again here.’

  ‘As long as Abbie’s needs come first today, I don’t think that would be a problem at all, dear,’ Daphne reassured her. ‘She wants you settled here as much as Miller does.’

  ‘Loving the hair, by the way,’ I added as I eyed Quinn’s new do. She’d forgone her usual multi-coloured tips for a deep purple to match our bridesmaid dresses.

  ‘Well, a girl’s got to make an effort to be normal now and then.’

  ‘Humph,’ Daphne trumpeted, making us both look her way. ‘Normal would be getting rid of that ring in your nose. Why a man would find that attractive is beyond me.’

  ‘Well, from what I’ve seen, it doesn’t scare any guys off.’ Quinn was a bona fide man magnet, even with that slightly cold, moody, and insular vibe she seemed to give off around strangers. That actually wasn’t her at all. I’d already learned that she was as sweet and generous as her brother, but she didn’t like people to know it. She wasn’t exactly an open book, but from the time I’d spent with her, I’d already realised it was a self-defence mechanism for a woman who’d
experienced so much rejection in her life. I had a feeling moving to Dilbury, being surrounded by love from her brother and new sister-in-law, not to mention being part of this circle of great friends, was going to melt her icy defences and heal her from the inside out.

  James and Caroline headed upstairs to take some candid and relaxed shots of Abbie as she got ready. I made us all a whiskey coffee on Daphne’s orders. As I sat drinking it, soaking up the pre-wedding excitement, I wondered if it would ever be me. The rate I was moving with McFitty, I was going to be Daphne’s age before we were at the marrying stage.

  It was soon time for all the bridesmaids’ photos to be taken in Abbie’s lounge, and Quinn chatted the couple up, explaining her possible job role and asking for their business card, which they happily gave her.

  ‘Ok, I’m coming down,’ Abbie called, making us all jump to attention. We helped Daphne up and gathered at the bottom of the stairs, letting out a collective gasp as Abbie appeared in her beautiful gown, the widest smile on her face.

  ‘Oh, Abbie,’ Daphne exclaimed, blotting her eyes with a handkerchief as Abbie slowly made her way down to join us in the hall. We stood in a circle, all five of us girls holding hands.

  ‘I’m getting married!’ she whispered.

  ‘The curse is well and truly lifted,’ Georgie nodded, never having looked prouder of her best friend, which was so touching. ‘You look just … wow, Abbie.’

  ‘I’ve never seen you looking more radiant or beautiful, Abbie Carter,’ Daphne murmured, sniffing back some tears.

  ‘Stunning,’ I agreed.

  ‘I really don’t want to imagine how my brother’s going to react when he sees you, as it will scar me for life, but I’ve got a feeling he’s going to be dragging you up to the hotel suite the second you arrive,’ Quinn laughed. Abbie blushed and swatted Quinn’s arm. ‘I’m so happy, Abbie. I’ve been alone for so long, and now I have an amazing brother and a new sister too!’

  ‘Hey, how about me, Daphne, and Charlie? Are you saying we’re not much cop?’ Georgie scolded.

  ‘I have no idea what that means. You really need to give me a British expressions prep course,’ Quinn said with a confused look on her face.