‘Thank you, sir. I’m sure Hannah and Ben are very grateful for all you’ve done.’
Elliot nodded, clamping down on the feeling of warmth that filled him. It was years since he had felt such a connection to a patient and their family and it threw him completely off balance. Was it a good thing? That morning he had decided that he needed to open up a bit but now he wasn’t so sure. After all, if he was personally involved in a case then he couldn’t remain detached and that was what he had sworn he would do after he and Marianna had divorced. Never again would he allow his emotions to be trampled on. Never again would he fall in love and run the risk of being let down. Oh, he would love Joseph and love him enough to make up for the fact that the boy didn’t have a mother, but he wouldn’t give his heart to anyone ever again. Was he really prepared to change all that, to open himself up to more heartache?
Elliot took a deep breath then switched on the computer. He would write up his case notes and then he would go home. Home to his son, the only person he needed, the only person he would ever love.
CHAPTER FOUR
POLLY WAS JUST heating some soup for Joseph’s lunch when she heard a car drawing up outside. The morning had flown past as she and Joseph had found various things to do. It turned out that he was an accomplished artist and he had spent some time in the garden drawing a picture of the surrounding countryside. Polly had helped him manoeuvre his chair outside, no easy task as the ground was rather rough. She intended to mention it to Elliot before she left. Now she glanced around when she heard his footsteps coming along the hall.
‘Good timing. I’ve just heated some soup for lunch. There’s enough for two so sit yourself down while I fetch Joseph. He’s outside, finishing off his picture.’
‘Outside?’ Elliot’s expression darkened as he glanced towards the garden. ‘It’s far too cold for him to be out there.’
‘Nonsense,’ Polly said firmly. ‘It’s a beautiful day and the fresh air will do him good. It’s far better than spending the day in front of a television screen, if you want my opinion.’
‘I don’t. I shall decide what’s best for Joseph, and sitting outside in the cold is the last thing he should be doing.’
He didn’t say another word as he strode out of the back door. Polly pulled a face at his retreating back, not caring if it was childish. There was something about Elliot Grey that seemed to bring out the worst in her. She spooned the soup into bowls and set them on the table then took a loaf of bread out of the bread bin. There was butter in the fridge and she put that on the table as well. She had just finished when Joseph came whizzing back into the kitchen and came straight over to her to show her the picture he had drawn.
‘I’ve finished it, Polly. What do you think?’ he asked eagerly.
‘That you are one very talented little boy.’ Bending down, she gave him a hug. ‘I absolutely love it, Joseph. It’s brilliant, isn’t it, Elliot?’ she added, glancing up in time to see the strangest expression cross Elliot’s face. The best way to describe it was a kind of wistful sadness, although it disappeared so fast that she found herself wondering if she had imagined it.
‘Yes, it is. Although, as I said before, Joseph should never have been allowed to sit outside in the first place.’
Joseph’s face fell. He didn’t say anything else as he manoeuvred his chair next to the table, but Polly could tell how disappointed he was by his father’s reaction. Had Elliot really needed to spoil the moment for him by saying that? she thought angrily. It was on the tip of her tongue to remonstrate with him but she knew it would be wrong to say anything in front of Joseph and risk upsetting him even more. She settled instead for pouring Joseph a drink of juice and switching on the kettle, although Elliot could make his own coffee. She certainly didn’t intend to stick around and pander to him!
‘Right, I’ll leave you to it then.’ Polly picked up her coat, feeling her heart suddenly sink. Looking after Joseph had proved the perfect distraction but now she needed to think about what she was going to do. It was only midday and there was still time to catch the train to London; however, the thought of spending the coming week wandering around on her own wasn’t appealing, but what choice did she have? She couldn’t face going back to Martin’s parents’ house—it would be too awkward for all of them. There was always the cottage, of course, but she had no idea if Martin was planning to stay there once he came back home. Panic gripped her as the true precariousness of her situation hit her. She simply didn’t have anywhere to go!
* * *
Elliot wasn’t sure what was going on but there was definitely something wrong if the expression on Polly’s face was anything to go by. Even though he knew that he shouldn’t get involved, he couldn’t help himself. Walking around the table, he slid his hand under her elbow and steered her to a chair. ‘Sit down before you fall down,’ he said gruffly because acting the part of the Good Samaritan didn’t come easily to him. The kettle clicked itself off so he went to the counter and spooned instant coffee into a mug. ‘Sugar?’ he asked, his heart lurching when Polly stared blankly back at him.
‘Polly doesn’t take sugar,’ Joseph told him helpfully. ‘She just has milk in her coffee.’
‘Right. Thank you.’ Elliot smiled at his son and Joseph smiled back, making it clear that he had forgiven him for his over-the-top response before. It had been OTT too, Elliot admitted as he went to get the milk from the fridge. Although it was a bit chilly outside, Polly had been right to say that Joseph would gain more from being in the fresh air than being stuck in front of a television screen.
Elliot felt his hand start to shake as he added milk to the mug. It was the first time he had ever conceded that anyone else might be right when it came to what was best for Joseph and it unnerved him. Up till now he had been the one to make all the decisions concerning his son; he had been the one to make all the rules too. And yet here he was, admitting that this woman who he had met only that morning knew more than he did about what was good for Joseph.
The thought disturbed him so much that it was a miracle he didn’t spill the coffee as he took it over to the table. He had sworn that he would do his best for Joseph after he was born and that every decision he made would be in his son’s best interests too, but what if he had been fooling himself? What if the decisions he had made weren’t the best he could have taken? There was only him to make any decisions, after all. Marianna had made it clear from the outset that she’d wanted nothing to do with their child, not when, as she had put it, he was so hideously damaged. Elliot hadn’t realised before how much he would have liked to discuss the choices he’d had to make. He had simply done what he had thought was right, but what if he could have consulted someone else, someone like Polly, who saw the situation through fresh eyes?
Elliot took a deep breath, tamping down the panic that threatened to overwhelm him. He mustn’t go down that route, no matter how tempting it was. As he knew to his cost, allowing people into his life was a recipe for disaster.
* * *
Polly felt her stomach churn as the smell of the coffee hit her. She swallowed hard, afraid that she would embarrass herself even more by throwing up. That Elliot had realised something was wrong was obvious and she hated to think that she was making a fool of herself, only she couldn’t help it.
Where was she going to live, not just now but in the future? Could she even remain in Beesdale or would she have to move somewhere else? Martin’s family were well-known in the town. Martin’s father had founded the local solicitor’s office, and Martin had gone to work there with him after he had finished university. The firm handled all the legal work in the area and both Martin and his father had a reputation for being completely honest and trustworthy. Although her brother, Peter, had decided that it would be better to tell everyone it had been a mutual decision to cancel the wedding, as Martin had suggested in his letter, would they believe that? After al
l, she and Martin had known each other for years and there was bound to be a lot of speculation as to why they had decided to call off the wedding at the very last moment. The thought of everyone finding out that Martin had left her for another woman was more than Polly could bear. The last thing she wanted was to be seen as an object of pity!
‘Here. Drink this.’
A large hand pushed the mug towards her and Polly jumped. She had been so lost in her thoughts that she had forgotten where she was for a moment. Picking up the mug, she took a gulp of the coffee then gasped when it scalded her throat.
‘Careful!’
The same hand moved the mug out of her reach and she frowned. First he wanted her to drink it and now he didn’t—couldn’t he make up his mind? Opening her mouth, she went to tell him what he could do with his wretched coffee then suddenly thought better of it. She certainly didn’t want to create a scene in front of Joseph.
‘If you’ve finished your lunch then would you mind giving me and Polly a few minutes on our own, Joseph? We need to have a chat and you’ll only get bored.’
Polly frowned as she processed what Elliot had said. What did they need to talk about? Surely he wasn’t still harping on about her allowing Joseph to go outside, was he? The thought was like the proverbial red rag. Maybe she wouldn’t have reacted quite so strongly if she hadn’t been feeling so keyed up but, the minute Joseph left the room, she rounded on him. ‘If you’re still banging on about Joseph going outside—’
‘I’m not. You were right. The fresh air probably did him more good than sitting in front of a screen,’ Elliot said flatly, stopping her in her tracks.
‘Oh. Well, I’m glad you agree,’ Polly muttered, not sure what to make of his reply. It seemed so completely out of character for him to admit that she’d been right and he had been wrong that it threw her.
It was left to Elliot to continue, which he did with his customary bluntness. ‘It appears that something has upset you. If it was what I said before then I apologise.’
It was another concession she had never expected him to make. Polly stared at him in surprise. ‘You’re apologising? To me?’
‘If I’m at fault, then yes.’
‘I…ahem…thank you, but it has nothing to do with you.’
Polly stared at her hands as a fresh wave of panic hit her. Even if she did decide to move away, it would take some time to make the necessary arrangements. First of all, she would have to find herself another job so that meant she would have to stay in Beesdale for now. Where was she going to live in the meantime? Perhaps she could go and stay with one of her friends from the surgery, but who exactly? Beth’s cottage was tiny and she simply didn’t have the room now that she had baby Beatrix to look after. And Ellie and Daniel were busy preparing for the birth of their first child in a couple of months’ time. Although Polly knew they would find room for her if she asked them, it didn’t seem fair to land herself on them…
‘Look, if there’s anything I can do to help,’ Elliot began then tailed off as though he was already regretting the offer.
‘You?’ Polly didn’t mean to sound quite so incredulous but the idea that he would want to help her was laughable.
‘Yes, me,’ he replied a shade grimly. ‘It’s obvious that something’s upset you so why not tell me what it is? Then we can see if we can put it right.’
‘Why?’ She stared at him. ‘I don’t mean to be rude but you don’t strike me as the sort of person who’s overflowing with the milk of human kindness, so why do you want to help me?’
‘Because you helped me this morning by looking after Joseph.’ He shrugged. ‘I prefer to pay my debts, so if there’s anything I can do then tell me.’
‘You don’t need to worry,’ Polly said flatly, dismissing any ideas she might have been harbouring that he might actually be worried about her. On the contrary, Elliot was simply making sure that she didn’t have an excuse to ask him for help in the future. ‘As far as I’m concerned there’s no debt to repay.’
She stood up abruptly because she wasn’t achieving anything by sitting there. She would have to catch the train to London—there was nothing else she could do. The hotel was paid for so at least she had somewhere to stay for the next week. Once she came back, however, it would be a different story. She would have to find somewhere to live, if only for the time it would take to find another job. A sob caught in her throat at the thought of moving away from the town she loved, but she knew it would be the best decision in the long run. Running into Martin all the time, as was bound to happen, would be too difficult, especially if everyone found out that he had ditched her. Folk would wonder why she hadn’t realised what had been going on and she couldn’t bear to think that she would become the subject of gossip. No, it would be better if she left—better for her, better for everyone.
Polly’s heart was heavy as she made her way along the hall. It had been a day for shocks and changes and it was hard to imagine that life would get better. Joseph was in the sitting room and he came rushing out in his wheelchair when he heard her.
‘You aren’t leaving, are you, Polly? I thought we could play another game this afternoon,’ he said when she paused.
‘I wish I could, sweetheart, but I have to catch the train.’ Bending, she kissed him on the cheek, feeling her emotions bubbling up to the surface. Even though she had met him only that day, she had already grown fond of him. He was such a plucky little boy, making light of his disability in a way that she found both touching and humbling. She tousled his hair, forcing back the ready tears. ‘Maybe your dad will play with you.’
‘Maybe,’ Joseph muttered, making it clear that he didn’t hold out any hopes that he would.
Polly glanced at Elliot and raised her brows. ‘I’m sure you can fit in a game, can’t you?’
‘We’ll see.’ Reaching past her, he opened the door, making it clear that he was keen for her to leave. ‘Thank you for minding Joseph. I appreciate it.’
‘It wasn’t a problem,’ Polly replied politely. She walked down the path and got into her car, not looking back before she drove away. She couldn’t imagine that Elliot was waiting to wave her off. Now that she had served her purpose, he must be glad to see the back of her. Just for a moment her heart ached at the thought of the lonely life he was creating for himself before common sense reasserted itself. It was his choice and he had to live with it, the same as she had to live with any decisions she made about her future.
* * *
‘It was Maureen in the store who saw them. Holding hands, they were, in the middle of the street and her due to get married that very day. If you ask me, there’s more to them calling off the wedding than they’re letting on!’
Polly paused in the doorway to The Larches surgery. It was two weeks since the wedding had been cancelled and she had hoped that people would have found something else to talk about by now, but apparently not. Mrs Barnsthwaite was in full flow, regaling Marie, the receptionist, with what her friend supposedly had seen. Polly had no idea where the story had sprung from; it was just one of many that she’d heard since she had got back from London. It made her see that she was right to start looking for another job. It would be impossible to continue living here when everyone was gossiping about her.
Taking a deep breath, Polly walked over to the reception desk, seeing the embarrassment on Marie’s face when she spotted her. Mrs Barnsthwaite took one look at her and hurried away, probably eager to regale someone else with the latest version of the tale. Polly dredged up a smile, deciding it was better to say something rather than pretend she hadn’t heard. As her brother, Peter, had insisted on telling her before he had flown back to New York, she had nothing to feel guilty about.
‘Another theory as to why we called off the wedding, I take it? That must be the third or fourth version I’ve heard since I got home. At least it’s given everyone some
thing to talk about.’
‘I’m so sorry, Polly. I did try to stop her but you know what she’s like once she gets going.’ Marie sighed. ‘I just wish folk would let it drop. OK, so it was a shock, but you and Martin wouldn’t have changed your minds if you hadn’t had a really good reason.’
‘Thanks, Marie.’ Polly smiled at the other woman. ‘It’s nice to know someone’s on my side. I feel as though I should be walking about with a bell hanging around my neck, shouting “unclean!”’
‘Well, you shouldn’t is all I can say.’ Marie came around the desk and gave her a hug. ‘If there’s anything I can do to help, love, then just tell me. OK?’
‘I will.’ Polly felt her eyes well with tears and turned away before she ended up making a show of herself. However, it was good to know that the people she worked with were on her side.
Daniel was just coming out of his room and he stopped when he saw her coming along the corridor. ‘How are you, Polly? Marie said you’d be in this morning to take the antenatal clinic.’
‘I’m OK. I’m just going to concentrate on work and hope that everyone finds something else to talk about soon,’ she explained wryly.
‘You mustn’t let it get to you,’ Daniel said gently. ‘Oh, I know it was a shock for a lot of folk but it was your and Martin’s decision and no one else’s. If you thought it was the right thing to do then Eleanor and I are behind you all the way.’
‘Thank you. That means a lot, believe me,’ Polly murmured as Daniel sketched her a wave and carried on.
She made her way to the room where the clinics were held and started to get set up. Although she visited a lot of her mums at home, those who lived near the town preferred to come to the clinic. They could be checked and weighed then have a chat with the other mums. Polly also held classes to help prepare them for the birth and they were extremely popular and always fully subscribed. She was holding one that morning so, once she had checked the scales, she laid out the mats they would use to relax on. She had just finished when Leah Culthorpe, the new practice nurse, popped her head round the door.
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