By My Side

by Wendy Lou Jones

  Kate panicked. Had he heard the words Kirsty had said? It wasn’t true, any of it. Well not exactly. Not anymore. She promised herself there and then that she was never going to do something so stupid ever again but that did nothing to help her current situation. What could she do? Should she chase after him and throw herself on his mercy? Should she pray that he hadn’t heard anything and was just waiting to catch her on her own? But he had left after Kirsty had left her on her own. She felt sick. She hurried out into the hall to look for Sophie.

  She found her chatting to a couple of junior doctors. Sophie took one look and excused herself. She took Kate by the hand and walked her round the hotel until they found a quiet corner where they could talk. “Okay, talk to me. What’s happened?”

  Kate didn’t know where to start.

  “Take a deep breath,” Sophie said, “let it out slowly and then tell me what’s gone wrong. It’s obvious he’s attracted to you.”

  Kate shook her head, unwilling to face up to her fears.

  “Really? Because it definitely looked that way to me.”

  “I thought he was,” Kate said. “I even thought he was going to kiss me at one point. That was when Jenny butted in.”

  “I knew something like that must have happened,” Sophie said. “But that’s good, isn’t it? At least now we know he does like you.”

  “But I went to the bar a few minutes ago and on my way out I was collared by Kirsty and she went on and on about what I thought of Elliott, at least what she thought I thought, that night at Helix, and… he was there.”

  “Where?”

  “Behind her, in the doorway.”

  “He overheard?”

  “I think so.”

  Sophie pondered this for a few seconds while Kate stood there, fidgeting anxiously, her heart aching and her spirit in turmoil.

  “What are you going to do?” Sophie asked at last.

  “I don’t know,” Kate told her. “I was hoping you’d know what to do. You’re always so much better than me at this sort of thing.”

  “You need to talk to him,” Sophie said. “See how he is and then judge for yourself if he’s upset by what he may or may not have heard. Do you care enough to fight for this one?”

  Kate knew she was right, but could she be that brave? She nodded.

  “Do you want to get back in there? Get it over and done with? Or do you want to have another drink first?”

  “Now, I think,” Kate said.

  “Come on then. Let’s strike while the consultant is hot.”

  Chapter 4

  Wandering back through the corridors towards the dining room, Kate’s heart rate was rising with each step that she took. She scoured the rooms, but there was no sign of him. Sophie looked over and Kate gestured that she had no idea where he could be. She walked out into the drawing room and looked for him there. Still nothing. She searched the corridors and back into the dining room with increasing unease and still he was nowhere to be found. Bravely, she decided to ask at Reception. “Excuse me,” she said. “Have you seen a dark-haired gentleman with a dark blue bow tie and cummerbund passing through here recently?”

  The lady behind the desk smiled as best she could, considering the whole place was full of similarly dressed men. “A gentleman fitting that description did take a cab from the front steps just a few minutes ago, miss,” she said. “Would you like me to order a taxi for you too?”

  Kate walked back into the dining room and downed the rest of her drink. He had heard. Her chance had passed her by and it would never be coming again.

  Sophie found her a short while later, sitting in a dark corner, drowning her sorrows. “No luck?” she asked.

  “He’s gone,” Kate told her.

  “Really?”

  She nodded.

  Sophie sat down next to her. “I’m sorry, Hun. I don’t know what to say.”

  Kate shook her head. “What the hell was I thinking of, losing it over him anyway? If only Peter was here to ogle at.”

  Sophie opened her mouth to say something, but the look on Kate’s face seemed to halt her in her tracks and so she just put her arm around her friend and rested her head on Kate’s shoulder. “Do you want to get out of here?” she asked.

  Kate nodded.

  “Come on then.”

  ~

  Out on the road, Mr Elliott loosened off his bow tie and let out a big sigh. That had been too close, he thought to himself. He did find Kate very attractive, but she was a difficult one to fathom. Some days he would swear there was a kind of spark between them and some days not. The girl was complicated, or maybe he was out of practice. He didn’t pay any mind to what he had heard. It was what it was, gossip.

  He hated gossip of any kind and hospital gossip was the worst: people meddling and prying into your life, never leaving you alone. He’d had enough of that for one lifetime. All he wanted now was to be left alone.

  He stared out of the window as the bright city lights came back into view and thought of Ali. He remembered the way she had looked at him when he had done something wrong. He leant his head back against the seat and tortured himself some more. Soon he would be back in his bachelor pad, his sanctuary, his home, with no one else to trouble him and no-one now to care. Whatever he felt for Kate, he wasn’t prepared to take things any further. It had been the wake-up call he had needed and he determined to put some distance between the two of them, to give him time to forget about her, while the yearning ebbed away.

  ~

  Monday morning Kate was back in work and still sore from the events the night of the ball. She couldn’t face seeing Adam Elliott again so soon. She had no idea what to say to him, so she kept a low profile in the hope that she would not be seen. And as a plan, it worked. Nothing big came in to A&E and the morning passed without drama. Tuesday, however, she wasn’t nearly so lucky.

  A patient in A&E needed to be escorted up to the trauma ward and try as she might, Kate could not find anyone else free to take him. It was mid-afternoon; chances were that Elliott would not be roaming the hospital at that time of day, so reluctantly she headed off to Ascot Ward, more subdued than usual.

  She buzzed at the ward entrance to be let in. Walking slowly down to the nurses’ station, Kate found herself suddenly face to face with Adam Elliott. He looked at her, without a hint of acknowledgement and then walked straight on.

  Kate was crushed. It was obvious he had overheard Kirsty the other night and against that, Kate felt she would be hard pushed to defend herself. Her frame sagged as he strode out of the ward, leaving her heart pounding so fiercely in her chest it made her body physically ache. He hated her.

  She didn’t see him again for the rest of the week and several people asked her if anything was wrong, but she could tell them nothing.

  Saturday evening, Sophie persuaded Kate to go to Vin-Deux, a new wine bar that had opened up on the other side of town. They had heard it was a dressy establishment, so had made an effort. Kate was wearing a deep green cocktail dress and heels and Sophie was in a little black top, some smart trousers and sparkly earrings. It was just the two of them. Rich was out with his mates that night and had arranged to meet them at the monument around half past ten. Until then, their nights were their own.

  The atmosphere was buzzing in Vin-Deux. The music was good, not too loud so they could still hear each other speaking, yet still upbeat enough to keep the place lively.

  After a few drinks, the girls moved upstairs to the dance floor and headed in and a short while later, Sophie spotted the much swooned after Dr Florin. Poor old lovelorn Flis still hadn’t managed to meet him properly, so Kate pulled out her mobile, moved away from the blare of the music and gave her a ring, but there was no answer.

  “She must be working,” she said.

  “Poor Flis, always in the wrong place at the wrong time. She’ll be gutted when she hears we went out without her and bumped into him.”

  Kate caught his eye across the room and he spoke to one of his frie
nds briefly before making his way towards them.

  “Don’t look now, but he’s on his way over,” Sophie hissed.

  “Ladies, you’re both looking very lovely tonight. I’m Pete. Can I get either of you a drink?”

  Kate shook her head, having a full glass already in her hand.

  “I’ll have a white wine, if you’re offering,” Sophie said and handed him her glass. He paused for a second, looking from Sophie to Kate and back again and then walked over to the bar.

  The girls huddled closer. “I don’t think he recognises us,” Sophie said.

  “I know.” They watched him at the bar.

  The gorgeous Peter Florin returned, passed Sophie her drink and turned back towards Kate. “You know, you look very familiar,” he said. “You haven’t by any chance been in hospital recently, have you?” Now this was too much fun to pass up. Kate had the upper hand here and was going to use it. She nodded.

  “I thought you had. An operation, perhaps?” Kate held a straight face. “Or maybe an injury? Have you been into accident and emergency?”

  Kate had to struggle hard to hold a straight face. “That’s amazing. How on earth did you know that?”

  “Ah, well, I’m a doctor as it happens.” He was obviously used to impressing the girls with this.

  “Really? Goodness, how wonderful. You must be very good with your hands.” She winked at Sophie, who almost lost control of her bodily functions until Kate dug her in the ribs and patted her back.

  “Sorry, went down the wrong way.” Sophie coughed a little and turned her face away.

  “Well it’s a good job we’ve got a doctor in the house,” Kate told her with a big smile. “You'll have to excuse me; I’ve just spotted someone I need to talk to.” Grinning from ear to ear, Kate walked around the dance floor to say hello to an old acquaintance.

  Pete turned back to Sophie, obviously more than a little taken aback that a woman had wandered off on him when he was in full charm offensive.

  “She’s a nurse, you fool,” Sophie told him. “Her name’s Kate. She works in A&E. She was just messing with you.”

  “And you’re a-”

  “Nurse, too. Yes. Sophie.” She held out a hand. “Ascot Ward.”

  Not long after, Kate drifted back across the room, a little surprised that Pete was still standing there. She smiled and he raised an eyebrow in return.

  “I’m afraid your cover’s blown, Kate,” Sophie confessed.

  Kate looked at him. “Sorry,” she said. “I couldn’t resist it.”

  Pete tried his best to smile. “You can’t blame a guy for trying. With such a beauty in the room, I had to give it a go.”

  Sophie’s eyebrows rose and, making an excuse about needing to go to the ladies, she quickly left Kate and Peter alone.

  Kate flushed, flattered, but a little unsettled by Sophie’s disappearance.

  “You’ve gone bright red,” he said, suddenly amused at her expense. “What is it? Aren’t you used to a man telling you how beautiful you are?”

  If possible Kate flushed even harder. “No, absolutely not.”

  “Now I don’t believe that. You must be. You’re just playing with me again, aren’t you?”

  “I am not,” she said. “In fact I think it’s you who is toying with me. Trying to get your own back, I expect. Please don’t take me for a girl who is deluded about her own appearance. I know I’m pretty average and I’m okay with that.”

  “I wouldn’t dare toy with you, Kate. I know when I’ve met my match. But you’re wrong, you know. You’re the most beautiful girl in here, easily. Would you like to dance?”

  The very thought of showing off how ungainly she was in front of a gorgeous guy was hideous. “I don’t dance very well,” she said.

  “Neither do I. We could always be bad together?”

  What was he suggesting? Kate shook her head. “No thanks.”

  “Are you sure I can’t get you a drink?”

  “Well, perhaps a drink. Could I have a bitter lemon, please?”

  Pete pulled a face. “Really? That nasty stuff?”

  “I like it,” said Kate.

  “Are you sure I can’t get you something more exciting?”

  “No, thanks,” she told him firmly. “I’ve put a cap on my exciting drinks lately, after I did something completely stupid under the influence of several of the things.”

  “I’m intrigued.” He smiled. “Does this something have a name I would recognise?”

  Kate laid her most reproachful gaze on him. “Bitter lemon, please.”

  “Coming right up.”

  Sophie returned and looked around. “How’s it going?” she asked quietly. “You know, I think he’s into you.”

  Kate really hoped not. “Maybe, maybe not. He’s probably used the same lines on half a dozen girls already this evening. But whatever you do, don’t let Flis hear you saying that, or she’ll never speak to me again and I’m really not that interested.”

  Sophie sighed. She looked at her watch. “It’s almost time to meet up with Rich. Are you ready?”

  “Oh, I’m ready.”

  “Ready for what?” Pete asked, returning with Kate’s drink.

  “I was just telling Kate that it was nearly time for us to go.”

  He passed Kate her drink. “Really? Not already, surely?”

  “Afraid so,” Kate said. She swigged back her drink. “Got to work tomorrow and I have to get my beauty sleep.”

  “No you don’t.” His face was a picture of charm.

  Kate cast him a cynical smile and knocked back the rest of her drink. “Thanks anyway,” she said. “Come on, Soph, we’d better be off. It was nice to meet you, Pete. Thanks for the drink.”

  “Wait. Won’t you give me your number?”

  Kate looked across at Sophie. If Flis hadn’t been so besotted with him she might have considered it. Might. He could have been just what she needed to help her forget about Adam. But no. “I’ll see you around,” she said and they made their way out to the door.

  Sophie had been right, of course, the night out had done Kate the power of good and the fun of meeting Peter Florin had lifted her spirits immensely.

  Kate wandered into work on Monday morning no less uneasy about the way things had been left with Adam, but knowing now that he was just one man. It was a good place to be in for her. Things were unlikely to be able to get any worse and there was a chance they may actually get better, so she decided to ride out the storm of Adam’s disapproval and try not to let it bother her any more than it should.

  She began to see light on the horizon when she managed to organise three full days of therapy. Anna had been Kate’s friend since school days and she was about to get her PhD and Kate was definitely going to be up there to help her celebrate. She managed to swap a couple of shifts, which meant she was working almost ten days straight, but it was going to be worth it. She had been longing to see Anna ever since the situation with Adam had blown up in her face.

  On Wednesday afternoon she bumped into Pete in the corridor at work and he asked to take her out the following night. Kate gave him marks out of ten for persistence, but told him she was busy, finally promising to think about it, to get him off her back.

  The next morning she was off on the train to meet up with Anna. The taxi pulled up outside the last house on the right and she rang the bell. A minute later the yellow door flew open and Anna came rushing out, throwing her arms around her.

  “Katy. You’re here. Come in; come in.”

  Kate walked inside and was introduced to Anna’s housemates, two of whom she’d met before. They chatted for ages, catching up on what everyone had been up to and in the evening they went out to one of Anna’s friend’s parties where Kate was finally introduced to John, Anna’s boyfriend. She had heard a lot about the guy in their phone calls, but hadn’t yet been able to meet him.

  “So what did you think about John?” Anna asked at the end of the night. They were sitting in their pyjamas on t
op of Anna’s bed, each with a blanket around their shoulders and a hot cup of tea in their hands.

  “He’s lovely, Anna.”

  “He is, isn’t he?”

  “And he’s obviously very into you.”

  “And why wouldn’t he be?”

  “Absolutely. So what’s going to happen to you both now?” Kate asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, you’re leaving, aren’t you?” she said.

  Anna hung her head. “Ah, yes.”

  “So…?”

  Anna looked back up, her eyes alight with excitement. “Can you keep a secret?”

  “Of course.”

  Anna hushed her voice. “He’s asked me to marry him.” Her face split with happiness.

  Kate was stunned. “Well, that’s… wonderful.”

  “He’s just the best thing that’s ever happened to me. He’s gorgeous and kind and thoughtful and I just know I can trust him. I love him.”

  Kate looked at her and couldn’t help but smile. “Wow.” Then she threw her arms around her friend and hugged her, careful not to spill their tea. “I’m so happy for you. I’m jealous, obviously, but…”

  “You can’t tell anyone. Not yet,” she said. “He’s going to talk to my parents after the ceremony tomorrow.”

  “Of course.” Kate was quiet for a minute. “This doesn’t mean I’m going to lose you, does it?” she asked, suddenly worried that John was bound to take up her place in Anna’s life.

  “As if. I’m going to need a bridesmaid for starters and then I’m going to need my best mate to keep me sane when I come to my senses and realise I’ve turned into a nagging wife and need to get out of there for a bit.”

  Kate laughed. “Glad to see you’ve got realistic expectations, anyway,” she said.

  “And, of course, I’m going to be closer to you when I move to Brisely.”

  “You got the job?” Kate chirped.

  “Yes.”

  She squealed with delight. “And John?”

  “He’s got an interview for a job in the area too.”

  “You’ve got it all planned out, haven’t you?”

  “And what about you?” Anna asked her. “You’ve got a good job you enjoy.”