‘I was waiting for you.’
‘Okay, well...are you coming?’ She opened the door, giving him a puzzled look when he didn’t move.
‘No. What’s the matter?’
‘Nothing.’
Matt rolled his eyes. ‘Now I know it’s something. If it really is nothing you’d tell me about it.’
She frowned at him but closed the door, walking over to sit down on the sofa. ‘It’s not like my knee, Matt. It doesn’t affect the competition.’
‘So I’m not allowed to care about it? You’ve been crying, Hannah. What’s the matter?’
‘It’s Sam.’ She capitulated suddenly. ‘He left his school project out on the patio last night and it got ruined in the storm. Mum explained to his teacher, but he still got nought out of ten, and he’d worked so hard on it. He was really upset.’
‘I’m sorry.’ Matt reached for her hand, but she didn’t move any closer to him.
‘It’s one of those things. I dare say he’ll have forgotten all about it by tomorrow morning, but he sounded so miserable on the phone. I just wish I’d been there.’
Something else was bugging her, something that she wasn’t admitting to. The thought of the storm last night brought with it the vision of their embrace, and Matt knew suddenly that Hannah would never admit this to him. He had to voice it, the way she’d voiced what he couldn’t.
‘And you were here, having sex. The fact that it was really great sex probably makes it a lot worse.’
She laughed, a tear rolling down her cheek. ‘Yes, it does actually. Sorry...’
‘Don’t be. I know you promised to always be there for him.’ That promise meant a lot to Hannah, after what had happened with her father.
‘I’m learning that I can’t. He’s growing up and he wants to make his own way in the world. When I pick him up from school now, I have to wait at the far end of the playground, I’m not allowed to go right up to the classroom door. He says that’s just for little kids.’
‘It sounds hard. I wouldn’t be able to do it. But he knows you’re there when he needs you Hannah, and that you’d do anything for him. That’s what really matters.’
‘Unless I have something else I have to do.’ She turned the corners of her mouth down.
‘That’s just not true. I might not know how to raise a child, the way you do, but I have first-hand experience of this. Kids understand exactly who loves them.’
‘Thank you.’ She heaved a sigh. ‘I’m sorry Matt, after what happened to you this must seem so trivial and stupid.’
‘It seems loving. And after what happened to me, it’s a joy to see it. Sam’s got a happy, stable home and he doesn’t know anything about the kind of fear that I felt. That’s really important.’
Hannah took his hand, squeezing it. ‘I think it might be really important that you can say that, Matt. Thanks for talking.’
She seemed about to stand, and Matt pulled her towards him in a hug. First things first. Dinner could wait for another few minutes. ‘If you really want to see him we can go now. I’ll drive you home.’
She laughed. ‘Don’t be crazy. We’ll be disqualified.’
‘It’s like we said before, if we can’t keep our values, then all of this is meaningless. If you really need Sam, or he needs you, then we’ll go, whatever the consequences.’
He felt her lips brush his cheek. ‘Thank you for saying that. I know you’d do it as well. But Sam wouldn’t like it one bit, he’s as keen for us to win as anyone.’
‘Then we won’t disappoint him?’
‘I won’t disappoint you either. Come down to dinner now, and then we can get on with what we have to do this evening.’
* * *
They worked late into the night, and Matt wondered whether he’d be going to his bedroom alone tonight. Maybe after her call with Sam, Hannah would feel too guilty. But when they finally decided that they needed sleep, she took his hand, pulling him towards her bedroom with a whispered promise that sleep wasn’t the only thing she intended.
They were up early, and Matt had gone to his room to dress, his lips still tingling from her kisses. He rescued his shirt from the press, and put on the suit and tie he’d brought. Hannah emerged from her bedroom wearing a slimline sleeveless dress, buttoned at the front, with high heels. She was carrying a matching jacket, and her hair was caught behind her head in a neat, shining fold.
‘I really wish you hadn’t worn that...’
Dismay registered on her face. ‘Why? Do you think I should wear tights? They’re so hot in this weather...’
‘You look beautiful, and very businesslike. I just want to muss you up a bit again, and those buttons...’ Matt leaned in, his hand hovering over the top button on her dress. ‘Far too much of a temptation.’
‘Ow!’ She was clearly pleased with his assessment. ‘Keep your hands off my buttons, Matt. You can do whatever you like with them later.’
They had a quick breakfast, drawing enquiring looks from some of the other contestants, who were mostly wearing jeans or sweatpants. The production assistant who was going with them to ensure they didn’t do anything that broke the rules bundled into the back of Matt’s car, her phone in her hand, and an outside broadcast van followed them out of the underground car park.
‘Thank goodness for air-conditioning.’ Hannah stretched her legs out in front of her, looking at the sun beating down on the pavements. ‘Our first stop is Streatham. They supply specialist lights, and they’re only open in the morning, so we’ll have to pop in there on our way.’
It took fifteen minutes for Hannah to look at the lights she wanted, and they left with an armful of brochures and some photographs. Then they drove out of London, picking up the motorway before turning off into winding country lanes. Sir James Laurence’s home was nestled in four acres of sunlit garden just outside a pretty village, and they drew up outside the large country house at just before ten thirty.
Matt took their jackets from the hanger inside the car, pulling his on despite the heat. The house was spectacular, a grand entrance at the front and topped by a couple of round turrets and a flag.
‘Here goes nothing...’ Hannah murmured the words, putting on her jacket and walking uncertainly across the gravelled driveway in her high heels. Matt caught her arm to steady her in pretty much the same way that he would have done if they were scaling a climbing wall, but when she tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow, it felt like something very different. The kind of thing a woman might do after the kind of night last night had been.
A woman in a designer suit, not a hair out of place, was waiting in the large, cool hallway. Hannah stepped inside, smiling. It occurred to Matt that she was so used to walking into different homes and different situations that even this didn’t faze her.
‘I’m Helena, Sir James’s secretary.’ Matt recognised the well-modulated tones from when they’d spoken on the phone yesterday. ‘You have a film crew with you?’
‘They couldn’t keep up.’ Hannah grinned at her. ‘I dare say they’ll be here in a minute. This is the production assistant, Cecile.’
‘I’ll show you where you can set the cameras up, Cecile. Sir James will be on the terrace, so there’s no need for extra lighting.’ Helena was clearly used to dealing with everything and anything.
An older woman, dressed in sneakers, jeans and a flowery shirt, hurried towards them. Her blonde hair was perfectly styled, and she carried a pair of gardening gloves, which she laid on the hall table.
‘Hannah and Matt!’ The woman exclaimed, grabbing Hannah’s hand. ‘I’m so pleased you could come.’
If Hannah was taken aback by the greeting she didn’t show it. She beamed at the woman, giving her hand a friendly squeeze.
‘I’m Patti Laurence. I just love Hospital Challenge!’
‘You’ve been watching?’
‘
Oh, yes. Every episode. That little victory dance you do, is that with your son? He’s very cute.’
‘Thank you. Sam’s six—I’d show you the proud mother photos, but they’ve confiscated my phone for the duration.’
‘Oh, really.’ Patti shot Cecile a stern look, which she didn’t deserve. ‘I hardly think you’d cheat. Not after giving up your chance to win to help that man.’
‘I’d be tempted to. I really miss Sam, I’d be calling him ten times a day to find out what he’s doing if I could.’
‘Yes, I can understand that. I was exactly the same with my two when they were Sam’s age.’ Patti turned to Helena. ‘I’ll make the tea, dear, the tray’s ready in the kitchen. Why don’t you deal with the cameras?’
‘Yes, of course.’ Helena smiled, shepherding Cecile away.
‘And, Matt...’ Patti smiled at him, shaking his hand vigorously, and then turned back to Hannah, taking her arm. ‘This way, dear.’
Hannah had clearly made an impression. That was okay, Matt was happy to take a back seat and watch her. His love of watching Hannah wasn’t confined to watching her dress or undress, pretty much everything she did fascinated him.
Patti led them out onto a large terrace, chattering to Hannah all the way about Hospital Challenge. She showed them to a set of comfortable wicker seats arranged around a glass-topped table and shaded from the sun.
‘I’ll just get the tea tray. I won’t be a minute.’ Patti turned towards the garden, yelling at the top of her voice. ‘Jamie! Coo-ee! They’re here!’
‘Let me help you with the tea, Patti.’ Hannah took off her jacket, hanging it on the back of one of the chairs, and followed Patti into the house.
Matt sat down, surveying the garden for any sign of Sir James. Just as Patti and Hannah reappeared, Hannah carrying a large tray stacked with what looked like very fine china indeed, he saw a man in a check shirt and corduroy trousers walking towards him across the lawn.
‘There he is.’ Patti walked down to the edge of the lawn, waiting for her husband, and Hannah deposited the tray on the table.
‘Glad I didn’t drop this. It would have been my pay cheque for at least three months.’ She sat down on the edge of one of the chairs, her nervousness suddenly visible. ‘Patti just happened to mention that Sir James likes it when people get to the point. We don’t need to try to persuade him, just show him what we have.’
Matt nodded, taking off his jacket and draping it over the back of his seat, feeling the cool breeze with a sense of relief. This heat wasn’t conducive to formality. Hannah looked cool and calm as she rose to shake Sir James’s hand. White haired, his face lined and tanned, he seemed kindly and welcoming, but his piercing blue eyes were that of a canny businessman.
Patti poured the tea and pushed the plate of biscuits towards them. Helena appeared with a leather portfolio, handing it silently to Sir James, and he smiled and thanked her, glancing towards the camera crew who were standing at the other end of the terrace, waiting for something to happen. Helena turned and signalled to Cecile that they could start filming now. This all seemed effortless but it was organised down to the last detail.
‘Are you staying, dear?’ Sir James turned to his wife.
‘Of course I am. This is Hospital Challenge...’ Patti shot him an outraged look.
‘Yes. Of course.’ Sir James turned to them and his smile faded, replaced by an air of businesslike efficiency. ‘Tell me what you have so far. And what you need.’
Hannah glanced at Matt and he nodded her on. She was doing just fine so far, and he didn’t see any point in messing with perfection.
Hannah started to talk. She pitched straight in, telling him a little about her own experience with Sam, and saying how much she would have appreciated a facility like this. Then she widened it out, speaking about how a sensory room might benefit all kinds of children, and outlining briefly the kinds of activities and therapies that could be carried out there. Her enthusiasm shone through, and somehow she managed to ignore the fact that Sir James was clearly weighing and calculating the worth of each word she said.
‘We have a very preliminary plan...’ She turned to Matt, and he handed her the folder they’d brought, containing the pages they’d printed out at midnight last night.
Sir James studied the sheets carefully. Patti smiled and offered them both a biscuit.
‘It’s taken you under two days to do this much?’ Sir James put the folder back onto the table.
‘I’m a mother, and I’ve been an ambulance paramedic for six years. Matt’s been working as a surgeon for ten. That’s how long this has taken us.’
Great answer. Sir James obviously liked it a lot too, as he allowed himself a brief smile before he turned, looking around him. Helena appeared suddenly at his side.
‘The microphones are off, they’re just filming a few long shots of the meeting.’ She anticipated his question and Sir James nodded.
‘Thank you, Helena. Will you arrange for them to have some tea, please?’
‘Of course, Sir James.’ Helena hurried away and Sir James picked up the leather portfolio from the table, unzipping it.
‘This is what I can offer you. It’s our newest design, and I’m very proud of it. It’s built with a close to zero carbon footprint, and it’s a configurable space that includes underfloor heating and air-conditioning for days like these.’ He handed a glossy brochure to Matt. ‘Page six for the plan and an artist’s impression.’
Matt flipped thankfully past the building specifications, which meant very little to him. When he got to page six, he saw Hannah’s eyes widen. The L-shaped, timber-framed building looked stunning, and there were diagrams showing how the space could be converted to suit practically any requirement.
‘We’re exhibiting this at a show in a couple of weeks’ time. After that it’ll be taken down and we’ll have no use for it. It would be a shame to consign it to a skip.’
‘This is...beyond anything we’d imagined.’ Matt spoke first, because Hannah was still staring, lost for words.
‘Too big? If you can’t fill the space, then...’ Sir James shrugged, the steel in his eyes glinting. Matt saw Hannah sit a little straighter in response to the challenge.
‘We can fill it. And there’s plenty of room for a facility like this, the hospital has a large open space at the back. I suppose we’d need planning permission, but...’
‘I can help you with that.’ Sir James smiled suddenly. ‘Our planning department nurtures an excellent relationship with local authorities around the country, and our building specifications are tailored to exceed the requirements of planning regulations. With any luck, it shouldn’t be a problem.’
Matt doubted that Sir James left anything to good luck. Hannah glanced at him and he nodded.
‘Sir James, this is incredibly generous of you. All we can do is thank you, and say yes. We’d very much like to take you up on your offer.’ Hannah hesitated, staring down at the brochure, and then her back straightened. Matt sensed that something amazing was coming and waited to hear what it was.
‘If we don’t win, then we won’t get the money to fit this building out. But I can raise the money for a less ambitious scheme, and I’ll approach the hospital board and persuade them to accept it. Would it be too presumptuous of me to ask if you’d consider donating this building anyway? Even if we don’t win?’
Matt could have hugged her. Hannah had come a long way in the last six weeks, and had gained the confidence to make her ambitions work. Sir James laughed suddenly, flashing a glance at his wife.
‘I like your plan very much. What do you think, Matt?’
‘I...’ Matt spread his hands in a shrug. ‘I’ve learned one thing over the last six weeks. If Hannah says she’ll do something, she’ll find a way to do it.’
‘That’s agreed, then. Although I’m sure we’re both looking forward to seei
ng you win, eh, Patti?’
Patti rolled her eyes, smiling at her husband. ‘Of course we are. I’m so thrilled we can be a part of it.’
Sir James threw off the persona of a hardheaded businessman, becoming an avuncular host. Patti called towards the kitchen, asking for more tea, and Hannah drank hers thankfully, sitting quietly as Matt answered Sir James’s questions about how the building should be configured to best suit their purposes. Patti joined in with the conversation, obviously keen for them to stay as long as possible, and Matt listened carefully to her suggestions.
‘You’ve both been very generous with your time and hospitality. We should be on our way.’ Finally he drew the conversation to a close, and Patti grimaced in disappointment.
‘Of course you must.’ Sir James squeezed his wife’s hand. ‘We can go and see the project when it gets underway, darling.’
‘Yes, we’d love you to come and see us. I’ll bring Sam along and we’ll show you around.’ Patti brightened visibly at Hannah’s words.
‘I’d love that. Wouldn’t you love it, Jamie?’
Sir James chuckled. ‘Yes, I would.’
There was an unobtrusive movement, from the other side of the terrace, as the camera crew started to pack up their equipment in response to Helena’s chivvying. Sir James walked through to the front door with them, and shook Matt’s hand.
‘Thank you so much. This is an incredible gift, and it’ll help a lot of people.’ Hannah held her hand out, and their host grasped it between his.
‘I should thank you, Hannah. Patti had a heart attack three years ago, in the middle of the night. An ambulance came, and the two young men were...’ He shook his head, as if words failed him.
Hannah nodded. ‘They made a difference.’
‘They were wonderful. So kind and good humoured. They whisked me off to the hospital, and I had a couple of stents put in.’ Patti confided the information to Matt, plainly considering stents as part of his territory.
‘And you’re fully recovered?’
‘Oh, yes! I’ve got more energy than I had before!’ Patti beamed at him.
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