by Jill Mansell
She was pretty much spot on; he knew he was going to miss Daley more than he’d miss Christina.
‘You don’t need to say anything,’ she continued wryly. ‘Look at the way you greet him when we turn up. Then look at the way you greet me.’
Feeling bad, Luke apologised again. But in truth, the overwhelming sensation was one of relief. He’d said it at last; the deed was done.
‘Never mind, can’t be helped. I noticed you’ve been a bit more distant over the last few weeks.’ Christina’s sleek hair fell forward as she took another look at the photo in her hand. ‘Sure it isn’t her?’
The early evening sun was streaming in through the windows, reflecting off the glossy photographic paper that bore the image of Dr Tess Hannigan with her frizzy hair, beaming smile and plump pink cheeks.
‘I promise you it isn’t,’ said Luke.
Silence, followed by one last disparaging glance at the photo.
‘Well, good,’ said Christina. ‘Because she’s definitely not your type.’
Chapter 51
If Luke had imagined he’d need to make a welcoming speech and introduce Dr Tess Hannigan to the villagers who’d come along to this evening’s get-together at the pub, he’d been wrong. Tess had stood up on the stage and made her own speech, welcoming herself to Carranford and expressing her joy at being here. She’d then gone around and started introducing herself to everyone present, pausing to chat to each person in turn. It had been a triumphant PR exercise; within minutes even the most dubious potential patient had been visibly charmed and won over.
Approaching the bar for a refill, Luke found himself next to Hallie. ‘Well?’ He indicated Tess at the other end of the room. ‘What’s the verdict?’
‘She’s fantastic, so warm and friendly.’ Hallie gave him a sympathetic look. ‘And to think you used to be the popular one. You do realise what’s going to start happening now, don’t you?’
‘You mean all my regular patients are going to abandon me and want to become her regular patients instead? I know.’
‘Think of all the extra free time you’ll have.’ Hallie’s eyes sparkled. ‘You’ll be able to take up golf.’
Luke smiled, because she knew how much he hated the idea of golf; it had been a running joke between them for years. ‘You’re looking well.’
‘Thanks. Feeling well. Still getting used to being out and about without my oxygen. I keep doing this.’ She mimed adjusting a set of nasal specs and tucking the plastic tubing behind her ear.
‘You’re doing brilliantly,’ said Luke. Appearance-wise, the difference was dramatic: the dark shadows beneath her eyes had vanished, her eyes were brighter, her hair shinier. She exuded new-found energy and joie de vivre.
‘I ran 5K on the treadmill at the club yesterday, and swam twenty-five lengths. I’m very smug about it.’ Hallie paused for a second. ‘We passed Christina outside your place yesterday. I thought she might be here tonight. Will she be along later?’
Luke prevaricated; was now the time to say it? ‘No . . . she won’t. Not tonight.’
‘Oh, OK. It’s just that she wanted to watch the Les Mis DVD and I said I’d lend her my copy.’ Hallie unzipped her shoulder bag and rummaged around in its depths. ‘That’s why I brought it along with me. But if I give it to you, you can pass it on to her, can’t you? You can watch it together!’
Looked like he was going to have to say it after all.
‘Actually, not much point giving it to me.’ He shook his head as she finally, with an air of triumph, produced the DVD from her bag. ‘I won’t be seeing Christina for a while . . . well, for quite a while . . . um, probably never, to be honest.’ Oh yes, that was cool, handled like a pro. Well done you.
Hallie was staring at him. ‘What? Why?’
Because she’s tied up and locked away in my attic. Aloud, Luke said, ‘It didn’t work out. We . . . broke up.’
‘Oh no! That’s a real shame. I’m sorry.’
She sounded as if she meant it. He shrugged. ‘It’s OK. I mean, things weren’t great.’
‘Oh right, I didn’t know.’ Her gaze was focused on his face, switching from his eyes to his mouth as if searching for clues. ‘We all thought you two were . . . you know . . .’
Luke wiped a dribble of condensation from the outside of his glass. ‘Yes, well, turns out we weren’t.’
‘Are you upset?’
‘Honestly? No.’
‘That’s all right, then.’ A flicker of a smile. ‘Shame about Daley, though.’
‘I know.’ He nodded. ‘I thought that too.’
‘He loved you.’
As she said it, there was a burst of laughter from a group of people over by the window. For a split second, Luke thought she had said I love you. The logical part of his brain kicked in almost instantly, but the whoosh of adrenalin had already set off around his body. He swallowed and cleared his throat. ‘I’m going to miss him. A lot.’
Hallie did the automatic tucking-the-oxygen-tubing-behind-her-ear gesture, then caught herself and took a swallow of wine instead. ‘Maybe it’s time to get a dog of your own.’
Luke hesitated. This was a possibility that had crossed his mind earlier. ‘That’d be great, but I don’t know if it’d be fair, what with the hours I have to work.’
‘Well, if you ever decide to go for it, I’d be happy to help out with dog-sitting and walks. Ha, listen to me,’ Hallie marvelled, shaking her head. ‘I can’t believe I’m saying that, offering to take a dog for walks. I still can’t get over being able to go for walks myself . . . it’s like a miracle.’
Her eyes were bright, the corners of her mouth lifted. How he longed to touch her face.
‘Thanks, I’ll bear it in mind if—’
‘Oh for God’s sake, can you believe it?’ Bea bounced up to them, huffing with frustration. ‘Ross just called. He’s not able to make it tonight after all. Some stupid client can only view the property at nine o’clock this evening and he wants Ross to show him round.’
Hallie looked sympathetic. ‘That’s a pain. Couldn’t Ross say no, book it for another night?’
‘It’s a three-million-pound Georgian manor house in Winchcombe.’ Bea pulled a face. ‘At that price, the customer calls the shots. Ah well, can’t be helped. Work comes first, I guess.’
Hallie didn’t want another drink, but buying one for Bea gave her a minute or two’s leeway in which to think. It was hard to concentrate on what her best friend was saying when her brain was in a complete flat spin with the news that Luke and Christina had broken up.
‘Here.’ She handed Bea a big glass of Pinot Noir. ‘Shall we go and get some more food? Have you had any Scotch eggs yet?’
‘No. Oh, who am I kidding? It’s the third time it’s happened in two weeks.’ Bea heaved a sigh, slumping on to a stool and abandoning the pretence. ‘He says he’s coming over, then cancels at the last minute.’ Now that Luke had moved away and it was just the two of them, she could admit the truth. ‘I’ve checked his company website, too. They don’t have a Georgian manor house in Winchcombe on the books.’
‘Oh dear.’ Poor Bea; Hallie felt for her. It wasn’t the first time this had happened to her.
‘Shall I call him back?’
OK, it wasn’t the first time this had happened either. Hallie shook her head. ‘No, don’t.’
‘I could get a taxi and go over to his place.’
Yet another familiar ploy. As if it had ever worked before. ‘Listen to me,’ said Hallie. ‘It wouldn’t be a good idea.’
‘But—’
‘Really.’ It was time to get firm. ‘No.’
‘OK, this is a teeny-weeny bit embarrassing,’ said Bea.
‘It is?’ Tess Hannigan looked intrigued. ‘Why’s that, then?’
Hallie deftly slid a couple of empty glasses out of the way before Bea and her alcohol-fuelled arms accidentally sent them flying. It was now ten thirty, and their turn to have a chat with the new doctor.
‘Because
I’ve had a few drinks and I’m a little bit tipsy . . .’ When she was like this, Bea had a habit of blinking like an owl; she was doing it now. ‘And you’ve come over to talk to us and you’ve never met us before, so now you’re going to think I’m the village drunk, but I promise you I’m not. It’s true, isn’t it?’ She turned to Hallie for confirmation. ‘I’m a very moderate and sensible drinker as a rule, but tonight’s been a bit crappy, to be honest. I expect you’ve already heard about Hallie and her brand-new heart? Well, mine’s old and broken.’ Bea clapped both hands over her left breast. ‘Right here. Shattered into little pieces. By my boyfriend. Well, ex-boyfriend now. Bastard.’
Hallie pulled an apologetic face at the new doctor. It was her own fault; if she’d confiscated Bea’s phone, Bea wouldn’t have been able to lock herself in one of the toilet cubicles and call Ross. Hallie, on the other side of the cubicle door, had heard Bea say shakily, ‘Ross, just tell me the truth, are you seeing someone else?’
Hallie had held her breath until the ensuing pause was broken by Bea declaring, ‘Oh I knew it.’
After that, the drowning of the sorrows had begun in earnest. And now, fairly predictably three sheets to the wind, Bea was earnestly informing the new doctor that she really didn’t have a liver the consistency of a bath sponge.
Bea finally reeled off into the garden, leaving Hallie with Tess Hannigan.
‘She’s telling the truth,’ said Hallie.
‘I know, I can tell.’ Tess nodded easily. ‘It’s OK, I’m here to help people, not judge them.’
She really was different from her predecessor. Hallie relaxed. ‘That’s good to hear.’
‘And you’re Hallie Kingsley. I’ve obviously heard all about you from Luke.’ Tess paused and smiled. ‘You’re looking very well.’
‘Thanks. Feeling it too. It’s quite weird, getting used to not being ill. I mean, like now, look at me.’ Hallie gestured to her legs. ‘Standing up! No oxygen, no wheelchair, no endlessly having to clear my lungs. I’ve been so lucky. It’s like a miracle.’
‘A whole new life ahead of you.’ Tess’s voice was warm.
‘Yes.’
‘Boyfriend?’
‘No.’ Hallie shook her head.
‘Love life’s been pretty rubbish, has it?’
‘You could say that. Well,’ she managed a rueful smile, ‘it wasn’t exactly a priority.’
Tess’s grey eyes sparkled. ‘So that’s something else to look forward to. It’s all going to start happening for you now. Anyone you might have your eye on?’
Honestly, talk about up front. Definitely not backward in coming forwards. Praying she wasn’t going pink, Hallie said, ‘Not yet, no.’
‘Ah well, plenty of time,’ said Tess.
By eleven forty-five, everyone had left the pub. Luke and Tess made their way outside to Tess’s car; she’d offered him a lift home.
‘Well that was a success,’ said Luke as she drove out of the village towards his cottage. ‘They all loved you.’
‘That’s because I’m a fabulous person.’ Tess swung the car expertly around a hedgehog that was ambling across the road. ‘I’m also a perspicacious one.’
‘Perspicacious?’ It was an impressively long word for this time of the evening. Amused, Luke said, ‘In what respect?’
‘Body language. Micro-expressions. Bit of a speciality of mine. I notice things other people don’t see. Left or right?’
They’d reached a fork in the road. ‘Left,’ said Luke. ‘And that’s my cottage up there . . . the one with the blue gate.’ He waited until she’d pulled up outside the cottage, then added, ‘Go on then: this perspicacity of yours. So what is it you’ve noticed?’
Tess smiled slightly. ‘I was watching you and Hallie earlier, talking to each other. There’s quite a connection between you two.’
Luke tensed. ‘I’m her doctor. She’s my patient. Hallie’s been through a lot. And she never complains.’
‘She’s a lovely girl.’
‘Nothing’s ever happened between us.’ He felt the need to come straight out and say it. Tess wasn’t making idle conversation here.
‘But you have feelings for her.’
God, this was embarrassing. There was such a thing as being too perspicacious. Stiffly, Luke said, ‘I’d never do anything that might jeopardise my career.’
‘Oh Luke, relax, I’m not accusing you of anything! I’m just saying you like her. I mean, really like her.’ Tess paused, then added, ‘And she really likes you too.’
He did a double-take; this was something he hadn’t expected to hear. ‘What?’
‘Come on, you heard me. The interest is mutual. Did you genuinely not realise that?’
‘No.’ He shook his head, numb with shock. ‘Are you making this up?’
‘Absolutely not. Like I said, body language and micro-expressions. It’s all there, as plain as day. To me, anyway.’ Entertained, she added, ‘Clearly not to you.’
‘Shit, shit. But no one else has ever spotted it. And I know they haven’t,’ said Luke, ‘because if they had, trust me, it wouldn’t have stayed a secret. Not around here.’
‘They’ve all known Hallie for years. They’re used to her being chronically ill. It isn’t something that’s ever occurred to them to consider. Whereas I’m a fresh pair of eyes,’ Tess explained. ‘Plus, like I said, I have my magical observational skills.’ Her eyes danced. ‘Sometimes it’s an interesting talent to possess.’
‘God, I had no idea. Are you sure?’
‘Oh yes. Everything you feel for her, she feels for you. It’s right there, I promise.’
Luke couldn’t speak; he was still mentally reeling. His chest felt as if it were trying to contain far too much emotion. He looked across at his new colleague. ‘I swear I didn’t know.’
‘Then I’m happy I told you. Maybe I could take over her care. Then you wouldn’t be her doctor any more. And when the time feels right . . . well, you can broach the subject with her.’ Tess pulled a face. ‘God, sorry, broach the subject sounds unbelievably stuffy and legal. It can be far more romantic than that.’
‘What if she turns me down?’ said Luke.
‘Life’s all about taking risks. You’re an adult. You’d get over it. But in my opinion, I sincerely doubt that would happen. The feelings you two have for each other are mutual. Have a little faith,’ said Tess with a broad smile. ‘And trust me. I’m a doctor.’
Chapter 52
Luke’s heart was racing. OK, this was crazy, but taking the plunge now felt easier than waiting and plucking up the courage to say it at some unknown point in the future.
And since sleep currently wasn’t an option, he might as well do it now.
It took fifteen minutes to walk back into the village. The sky was clear, a crescent moon hung above the church spire and the stars were out in force. Hallie was still awake. Luke knew this because he could see that she was currently chatting on Twitter to a female friend in Tempe, Arizona.
No one else was around as he crossed the ancient stone bridge and approached Hallie’s house. He looked up and saw that the light was on in her bedroom window.
On his phone, he saw that she was still exchanging messages with her friend. He tapped in: Hi, I’m outside. Wondered if I could have a word about something?
Five seconds later, Hallie’s face appeared at the window. Spotting him, she waved and beckoned for him to come to the front door. The next moment his phone pinged with the reply: Of course! Come on in.
Luke mentally braced himself; the next few minutes could either turn out to be the very best of his life, or the worst so far.
God, Tess Hannigan and her self-styled intuitive skills had better be right.
Hallie briefly checked her face in the mirror, raked her fingers through her hair and brushed a couple of biscuit crumbs off the front of her T-shirt. It was half past midnight; why on earth did Luke want to see her now? Not that she was unhappy about it – the thought of seeing him was having its ha
bitual adrenalin-inducing effect on her bloodstream.
As she skipped down to answer the door, taking the stairs two at a time, it occurred to her that maybe he was here to talk about Christina. Perhaps he was having second thoughts with regard to the break-up . . . he might be wanting Hallie’s advice on whether he and Christina should get back together . . .
Urgh, please don’t let it be that.
Then she pulled open the front door and her heart did that little dolphin flip of joy. Even though it was a different heart, it had instinctively learned to react in exactly the same way towards him. She beamed and said, ‘Hello!’
‘Is this OK?’ Luke looked worried. ‘Not too late?’
‘It’s fine, I’m wide awake. And Mum’s staying over at Pete’s, so it’s just us.’ She gestured for him to follow her into the kitchen, adding flippantly, ‘So we can play wild music and dance and make as much noise as we want.’
‘Well I wasn’t planning on that, but it’s an idea.’
‘Drink? Tea, coffee? Scotch?’
Luke hesitated, then nodded. ‘Scotch would be great, thanks. No ice.’
Hallie sploshed some of her mother’s Glenfiddich into a tumbler. Turning to hand it to him, she saw that her fingers were trembling. In order to distract Luke from noticing, she said hastily, ‘So is this about Christina?’
He said, ‘No,’ then shrugged and went on, ‘Well, not really. More about Tess.’
‘Oh.’ Tess? Good grief, where was this going?
‘We had a chat this evening. About various . . . things.’
‘You and Tess.’ Hallie was still having trouble assimilating this scenario, springing as it had out of nowhere.
‘I think she’s great,’ said Luke. ‘Don’t you?’
There was a new light in his eyes. Oh my God . . .
‘She is great.’ Hallie nodded, bracing herself for yet more disappointment. It looked like Luke wasn’t intending to hang around. First Christina, now this. And she hadn’t imagined Tess would be his type.