‘I love these old fitments. They were made to be used, weren’t they? Unlike the bathroom suites you get nowadays.’
He went to the sink and turned on the tap, talking over his shoulder. ‘My hotel room has everything you’d expect but the bath is minute. I’ve given up all hope of having a lovely, long soak while I’m staying there because it’s just too uncomfortable.’
Maggie laughed as she closed the lavatory lid and sat down. ‘I suppose it’s difficult when you’re tall. I never gave much thought to how long a bath needed to be, to be honest.’ She frowned as a thought struck her. ‘But why are you staying in a hotel? I should have thought you would prefer to rent a place of your own while you’re over here.’
‘I would. But it’s not been easy finding anywhere suitable.’ He took a pack of sterile gauze from the first-aid box and ripped it open. He wetted the gauze with warm water then crouched in front of her and washed her heel. His hands were so gentle that she barely flinched despite how sore it was.
‘I’ve not had time to look around since I got here because I’ve been too busy working. I called a couple of agents and they’ve sent me details of various properties but it’s actually finding the time to go and see them that’s proving difficult.’
‘It must be awkward. I’m surprised that Roger Hopkins wasn’t able to find you a place to stay, though,’ she said thoughtfully, referring to the hospital’s manager. ‘He’s usually so helpful and I know that he’s found accommodation for people in the past.’
‘He did offer when he first contacted me about taking up the post here, but nothing came of it.’ Luke got up and went to rummage through the first-aid box. ‘I haven’t mentioned it to him since because he’s got enough to do with the rebuilding programme the hospital is undergoing.’
She sighed. ‘That’s true. We’ve been waiting for the area health authority to give the go-ahead for ages. There’s no doubt that Dalverston General needs to have its facilities upgraded. The trouble is that it’s going to cause such upheavals.’
‘It is. But look on the bright side—you’ll have a wonderful state-of-the-art hospital to work in once the programme is completed. I’ve seen the plans for the new surgical wards and, believe me, they are going to make a big difference to everyone’s lives—patients and staff alike.’
‘I know and I’m not really moaning. It’s about time this town had the best facilities available to it.’
‘Amen to that.’ He suddenly frowned as he opened the bathroom cabinet and took out a small bottle of antiseptic. ‘Mind you, the best facilities in the world aren’t worth a cent unless you have the best staff to work in them.’
‘You’re thinking about what happened at lunchtime, aren’t you?’ She saw his surprise and sighed. ‘Robin told me what had gone on with that motorcyclist. He said that it was only thanks to you that the poor fellow made it.’
Luke’s face was set as he poured a little of the antiseptic onto a fresh pad of gauze. ‘It was touch and go, all right, but it should never have happened. Something is going to have to be done about Dr Jefferson soon. The hospital can’t afford to take any more chances like that.’
Maggie agreed, although she didn’t say so. She sat quietly while Luke deftly swabbed her heel with the antiseptic. He taped a lint pad over the blister then stood up. ‘Right, that should help but you won’t be able to put your shoes back on.’
Maggie sighed as she looked at the dainty sandals with their wickedly high heels. ‘I should have gone for sensible rather than glamorous. It’s not really me, is it?’
‘Oh, I wouldn’t say that. You look fabulous tonight, Maggie. I love your hair like that.’
His tone was so warm that she felt a tide of heat sweep through her in response to it. ‘Oh…well, thank you,’ she murmured. ‘I don’t often wear it loose because it tends to get everywhere!’
He laughed as he picked up a long dark curl and gently ran it through his fingers. ‘I guess that’s because it’s so fine and silky.’
She couldn’t possibly have felt him touching her hair! It was a scientific impossibility. Yet there was no other explanation for the tingle that seemed to race right up the curl and across her scalp.
She took a steadying breath and moved towards the door, effectively forcing him to release her. ‘I suppose we’d better get back to the fray before they send out the cavalry.’
‘Or start wondering if we’re having a party of our own, perhaps?’
There was something in his voice that made her pause and she sighed ruefully. ‘Don’t take any notice of Angela, will you? She was only teasing.’
‘It doesn’t bother me in the least.’ He shrugged. ‘Look, Maggie, I told you that I’d had a brainwave, didn’t I? See what you think about it, but to my mind it could be the answer to both our prayers. How about if you and I let it be known that we were an item?’
‘An item?’ she repeated, not sure what he meant. Her heart leapt and she stared at him with huge dark eyes. ‘You mean that we…that you and I…?’
‘Should pair up. Or at least let our families think that we had.’ He laughed deeply. ‘It would be the perfect way to stop them trying to marry us off all the time, wouldn’t it? If they believed that we’d fallen for each other then they would stop trying to run our lives. So, what do you think? Is this the solution to our problems or not?’
‘I don’t know.’ She took a deep breath and tried to think what to say. However, it was hard to deal with the disappointment she’d felt on realising that he meant them to get together only to fool their families. He certainly hadn’t been asking her to go out with him for any other reason!
‘Come on, Maggie, what have we got to lose?’ His tone was persuasive. ‘It’s the perfect solution. We’re both happy with our lives the way they are—or we would be if we could stop our families interfering all the time. So why not let them think that we’ve done what they’ve been hoping we would do—fallen in love and are planning on getting married?’
‘But what happens in the future? I mean, we can only stall them for so long before they’ll start expecting us to name the day. What do we do then?’ she asked, wondering why she had this sinking feeling in her stomach. After all, the plan did make sense and it could be the answer to her problems, at least temporarily. She loved her family dearly but the pressure they kept putting on her to get married was placing a strain on her relationship with them.
‘We’ll just explain that we’ve had a change of heart. People break up all the time so it’s not as though it would be anything out of the ordinary. Even if this relationship only lasts for the six months that I’m in England then that’s six months of breathing space we’ll have had. That has to be a good thing, to my mind!’
Luke was right. Of course he was. Yet still she found herself reluctant to agree. He must have realised that she had doubts because he sighed.
‘Look, I didn’t mean to put you on the spot. Think about it. If you decide it’s a good idea then fine. If not…well, there’s no harm done, is there?’
It seemed reasonable enough and she smiled in relief at being spared having to make a decision. ‘Fair enough. I’ll think about it, although I don’t know if I’d feel guilty about raising my mother’s hopes unnecessarily. It isn’t that I’m against marriage, you understand. It’s just that it isn’t on my agenda at the moment.’
‘It’s not on my agenda, full stop.’ He shrugged when she looked at him in surprise. ‘I don’t have time for it. There is so much I want to do, workwise, that my days are full enough as it is. Nor am I naïve enough now to believe that a woman would be happy to take second place to my job.’
‘That sounds as though you thought it might work once upon a time,’ she observed softly.
His expression darkened. ‘I did. But I learned my lesson the hard way that career and relationships don’t mix. I don’t intend to make that kind of mistake again.’
He opened the bathroom door, making it plain that he didn’t intend to discuss the subject any further.
However, that didn’t mean she forgot about it. Throughout the evening she found herself thinking about what he had said. Luke must have been badly scarred by the experience he’d had and she couldn’t deny that she found the thought rather a painful one even though it wasn’t any of her business. It also disturbed her that he’d allowed it to influence him to such an extent that he’d decided that he would never marry. In fact, it disturbed her a lot.
The party broke up in the early hours of the morning. Maggie was glad that she was off duty for the next two days because it meant that she would be able to catch up on her sleep. She borrowed a pair of rubber beach sandals from Ruth and wore them rather than her own sandals to walk home in.
Luke, Robin and Angela walked with her as they made their way through the quiet streets. It was still warm and hundreds of stars were sparkling in a clear, black sky. Luke sighed as he looked up.
‘And to think that people back home warned me that it always rained in this part of the world.’
‘Slander! We have some of the best weather in the country, don’t we, folks?’ Robin replied glibly, and Maggie laughed.
‘We do if you’ve got webbed feet! Stop trying to mislead poor Luke. You know very well that you can count glorious days—and nights—on the fingers of one hand!’
‘Spoilsport! Here I am trying to improve our image so that Luke will tell all his friends what a wonderful place Dalverston is,’ Robin declared in disgust.
Luke laughed. ‘You don’t need to improve the town’s image. I think it’s great just the way it is.’
‘Obviously a man with taste.’ Robin looped an arm around Angela’s shoulders. ‘Anyway, we’ll love you and leave you. Enjoy the rest of your night, you two.’
Maggie shook her head in despair as the other couple went on their way. ‘Looks like Angela lost no time spreading gossip. Sorry. I’ll have a word with her and put her straight.’
‘Don’t worry on my account,’ he said at once. ‘It doesn’t worry me in the least what people think, but if it’s a problem for you then certainly have a word with her.’
‘It isn’t a problem at all.’ She frowned, wondering what had caused the edge in his voice. ‘I just don’t want people getting the wrong idea about us. You know what hotbeds of gossip hospitals are.’
‘So you aren’t worried about it creating difficulties between you and any prospective boyfriend?’ Luke’s tone was level once again. He started walking, shortening his stride so that she could keep up with him.
‘No, because I don’t want a boyfriend at the moment.’ She shrugged when he glanced at her, feeling uncomfortable under the intent scrutiny. Why did she have the feeling that her answer really mattered to him?
It was impossible to work it out so she concentrated instead on answering his question truthfully. ‘I want to concentrate on my job right now. I was only promoted to Staff Nurse two months ago and I find it very demanding. There will be time enough for boyfriends once I get settled in,’ she added, not wanting him to think that she’d sworn off men for ever.
‘I see and I know exactly what you mean. The work we do is so exacting that it doesn’t leave much time or energy for anything else.’ He stopped and turned to her. ‘That’s why it makes sense that we should team up, Maggie. We’re under enough pressure from our jobs, without having to fulfil our families’ expectations as well.’
‘Mmm,’ she murmured. She still wasn’t sure that it would be wise. Apart from the guilt she would undoubtedly feel at deceiving her parents, there were other things to consider, like the fact that she and Luke would need to spend time together to make it work. How did she feel about that? She wasn’t sure.
‘Sorry. There I go again, trying to push you into a decision.’ He laid a hand over his heart. ‘I promise on my honour that I won’t mention it again.’
Maggie laughed because it was just so ridiculous to see him standing there swearing a solemn oath like a grown-up Boy Scout. ‘You are forgiven. Now I don’t know about you but I’m ready for my bed.’ She pointed across the road. ‘I only live down that road so I’ll say goodnight.’
‘I’ll walk you to your door.’ He shook his head when she went to protest. ‘No arguing. My mother told me always to see a lady safely home after a date. You wouldn’t want her thinking that I’ve forgotten my manners, would you?’
Her heart had flipped at the word date even though it hadn’t meant anything. He had used it as a generalisation, that was all. However, that didn’t mean her pulse wasn’t racing like crazy at the thought of being on a date with him.
Oh, grow up, Maggie! she berated herself as they crossed the road. Stop acting like an idiot and start acting like a mature woman.
It did the trick because she had herself firmly under control by the time they reached the house where she lived. She rented the top floor of a large Victorian terraced house that overlooked the river and had lived there for almost a year now. Luke stopped outside and stared rather wistfully up at the building.
‘Nice place. It’s the sort of place I’m looking for, in fact. I wanted somewhere with a bit of character.’
‘Would you like to come up and look around?’ she offered immediately, then blushed. ‘I meant that exactly how it sounded in case you’re wondering!’
‘I’d only have wondered if you’d offered to show me your etchings,’ he replied drolly. ‘Not that I imagine I’d be that lucky.’
Her laughter was a trifle forced. She was glad of the darkness because it hid her confusion. Had he really meant that? She had no idea!
She fumbled in her bag for her key then glanced at him with a deliberately nonchalant smile. ‘Well?’
‘I think I’d better pass for now. It’s late enough as it is, without me keeping you up any longer, Maggie.’ He bent and kissed her lightly on the cheek. ‘Sweet dreams.’
‘Goodnight, Luke,’ she said softly as he strolled away. She took a deep breath then hurried inside, not allowing herself to dwell on what had happened as she ran up the three flights of stairs to her flat. Luke had kissed her goodnight in much the same way that he might have kissed his cousin. That certainly wasn’t anything to get excited about!
The light on her telephone answering machine was blinking when she opened the door. She tossed her bag onto a chair and went to listen to the message. It was from her mother, phoning to invite her to lunch that Sunday. It seemed an innocent enough request but Maggie knew without a shadow of a doubt that there was an ulterior motive behind it. Had her mother lined up another prospective bridegroom for her inspection?
She sighed as she turned off the machine. Luke’s idea about them teaming up was starting to sound very tempting.
‘That was excellent, Alice! Well done.’
Maggie carefully helped Alice Bradshaw into a chair and made her comfortable. They had just walked the full length of the ward, with Maggie supporting the old lady on one side and Doreen on the other. It couldn’t have been easy for her, because Alice was still in some discomfort after her operation, but she hadn’t uttered a single complaint.
‘I wasn’t too bad, was I?’ the old lady declared proudly. ‘Although I don’t think I could have managed on my own, dear.’
‘And you mustn’t try, not yet awhile at least,’ Maggie warned, tucking a blanket around the old lady’s legs. They were on the veranda and although it wasn’t cold, there was a bit of a breeze that day and she didn’t want her catching a chill.
It was three days since the night of the party and Maggie had come back on duty that morning feeling refreshed after her break. It had been particularly busy, too, with four new admissions and three discharges. The work on the floor above them was also creating problems. Dust and flakes of plaster had showered down from the ceiling. The cleaning staff had needed to be called back to the ward twice to deal with the mess and there had been a lot of grumbling.
Maggie had been more concerned about the patients’ safety and comfort than anything else. She was waiting for Roger Hopkins to assess the s
ituation and, in the meantime, had moved as many people as possible onto the veranda. At least they had the benefit of dust-free air out there!
‘I’ll get Angela to bring you a cup of tea,’ she told the old lady, who smiled gratefully.
‘That would be lovely, dear. Thank you. I am a bit parched.’
No wonder, Maggie thought ruefully. Breathing in all that dust would make anyone dry! She hurried back to the ward and went to see if Lauren would like to sit outside as well. She was surprised to find David Garner at the girl’s bedside. They were both laughing their heads off and didn’t notice her approaching.
‘Sounds like you two are having fun,’ she observed lightly as she stopped by the bed.
‘Oh!’ Lauren pressed a hand to her heart. ‘You gave me such a fright. I thought you were my mum for a second!’
Maggie’s brows rose. ‘And would that have been a problem?’
‘Too right it would!’ Lauren sighed as David quickly excused himself and hobbled off down the ward on his crutches. ‘She’d have a fit if she saw me talking to David.’
‘Really?’ Maggie glanced down the ward and smiled to herself when she saw David staring wistfully in their direction. It was obvious that he was completely smitten with Lauren.
She turned back to Lauren. ‘David’s a really nice man. I can’t see why your mother would object to you two being friends.’
‘Oh, she would, believe me!’ Lauren’s pretty face clouded as she looked at the attractive young rugby player. ‘Mum doesn’t believe that anyone is good enough for me, you see. Whenever I’ve brought anyone home she’s always found fault with them. That’s why I don’t want her to know about David. She would only say something horrible about him.’
Maggie sighed. ‘I know it can’t be easy but you must stand up for yourself. It’s your life when all is said and done.’
‘I know, but it isn’t easy. I love Mum and I don’t want to hurt her.’
Maggie understood only too well how hard it was for the teenager. Wasn’t she in much the same position herself? She didn’t want to hurt her mother by being forced to tell her to stop interfering. That naturally brought her thoughts squarely back to the coming weekend. She still hadn’t phoned her mother back about the lunch invitation. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see her family, but she couldn’t face the thought of having to be polite to another new man.
The Italian Doctor Page 5