3 The Surgeon's Blade

by Faith Mortimer

  “There’s a fabulous Thai that I know of. Robert, don’t let us detain you while we make up our minds where to go. Since Libby’s stay in hospital, we have a lot of catching up to do.” He broke in on her conversation.

  Robert gave Nigel an amused look, and Libby thought she knew what was going through his mind. Nigel was being a pompous ass – possessive and autocratic. Perhaps he was a little too overbearing for her liking sometimes.

  “Well goodbye, Libby. Take good care of yourself.” He nodded at Nigel and turned to go towards the house.

  “I’ll just see you out.” Libby hurried to catch up with him. Once out of earshot, she whispered to Robert.

  “I’m sorry about that. Nigel is…well he’s very over-protective. It’s just his way, I’m afraid.”

  “I understand. If you were mine, I’d probably be the same. So long, Libby. I won’t say goodbye, as I’m certain we’ll meet again,” he murmured giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Remember, you know where to find me if you need anything.”

  Closing the door behind him, Libby leaned against it as she thought for a moment. She was confused. She was with Nigel. He was handsome and charming. He was a top surgeon and apparently came from a wealthy family. All the desirable qualities a woman could wish for. Why did Robert with his warm, hazel eyes make her feel so strange? She would have to put him out of her mind once and for all. Her fiancé, Nigel, should come first.

  Chapter 7

  Libby couldn’t sleep. She tossed and turned for hours, got up, went to the bathroom, made a hot drink, and even read a chapter or two from the book she was reading. She kept telling herself it had nothing to do with the huge row that erupted with Nigel after Robert had left. In her heart, she knew it wasn’t true.

  After saying goodbye to Robert, she had walked back out to the garden, only to find a fuming Nigel pacing up and down the lawn. Once he realised she had rejoined him, he turned to greet her with a furious expression on his face.

  “Can I ask just what is going on behind my back?”

  Libby stopped before she reached him with a look of complete astonishment. “Nigel what on earth are you on about?”

  “Him!” He waved a hand in the direction of the French windows. “That bloody pilot! Why do I get the impression he’s chasing you? Are you encouraging him?”

  “No, of course I’m not. And you’re wrong on both accounts. It was an innocent lift home. He was visiting a friend and called in on the off chance. He actually said—”

  What had he said? Libby tried to remember. “I realise you’re engaged. But I like your company, and there’ll be no strings attached. I’m not one for stealing another man’s woman. I promise you.” But had he meant it? She also recalled him saying, “I’m not sure I’m looking for a full-blown relationship anyway.”

  “Well? What did he say?”

  “He said, he realised I was engaged. He wasn’t trying to chase me. Oh Nigel, why are you so uptight? I’m with you, aren’t I? The whole thing was perfectly innocent.”

  “I sincerely hope so. I don’t want to come here and find him here with you. In fact, I don’t want him anywhere near you. And I noticed you’ve entertained him with lunch.” Nigel still looked incensed and agitated.

  “It was something simple – a sandwich and a salad. I felt obliged. It was nice of him to give me a lift home. Remember, you couldn’t. I’m not complaining, I’m just saying. Look, I really doubt I’ll see him again. Southampton’s a big place. Will you please stop making holes in my turf? Come and sit down and have the tea while it’s still hot. By the way, have you seen Rommie? She was here earlier.”

  “Who’s Rommie?”

  Libby couldn’t help staring. Nigel must remember her. “Rommie, my cat.”

  “Oh yes, of course. I don’t know. I think she wandered off through there.” He vaguely waved a hand in the direction of the garden hedge. “Going back to that pilot, he’s making a nuisance of himself.”

  Libby couldn’t see why, but refrained from saying so, as she knew it would do nothing to dispel his anger. She held out a hand to Nigel, and he reluctantly moved towards her. Giving a huge sigh, he suddenly pulled her into his arms and held her tight. She breathed in the citrus smell of his aftershave, which was beginning to become familiar.

  “Darling, you know you mean the world to me. I just can’t bear the thought of another man around you. Promise me you won’t be tempted to see him again, innocent or otherwise. I love you so much, and I don’t want to share you with anyone. Look – I’ve got your ring back from the jewellers. Let’s see if it fits properly now.”

  Triumphantly, he produced a small box from his pocket with a flourish. Hesitating, Libby looked at Nigel before she took it from him. With trembling fingers she lifted the lid. Inside, nestling on a bed of gold velvet was a perfect solitaire diamond. She stared at it for a moment. With a deep feeling of dismay, she realised she couldn’t recall the ring. She couldn’t remember wearing it. Why not?

  “Well? Are you going to put it on where it belongs?”

  She hesitated. “Nigel—”

  “What is it?”

  She raised her face to look at him. “I don’t know. I’m sorry but I just don’t remember the ring at all. Why can’t I?”

  An irritated look crossed his handsome features. “Darling, we’ve been through all that before. It’s just your memory. Here let me.” He took the ring from the box and placed it upon her finger.

  “See. It fits beautifully now. It’s back in its rightful place. Darling, aren’t you pleased?”

  “Yeees, I suppose so.”

  “Libby, whatever is the matter with you? Don’t you like the ring? It’s a perfect two-carat solitaire. It’s worth a fortune.”

  “I can see that. But I still can’t see it belonging on my finger. I feel this is unreal somehow. Oh Nigel, what’s happening to me? Why can’t I remember?” Libby wailed, putting her hands to her face.

  He looked put out. “Stop making so much fuss. I’ve had the ring made smaller. You could at least look grateful.”

  Pulling herself together, Libby stared at the ring, wondering why she felt so unsettled and unsure of herself. Was it because she still hadn’t completely regained her memory? Without a word, she removed the ring and put it back in the box.

  “What are you doing?”

  Libby shook her head. “No, it doesn’t feel right. I…I’ll keep it here in the box until I can remember everything properly. I promise you, once I remember, I’ll wear it again.” She looked pale and miserable.

  “And what if you don’t remember everything? What then? Libby, I’m tired of your games today. First I find you entertaining a strange man in your back garden, now you refuse to wear the ring – your engagement ring – I gave you! You wore it with so much pride before your accident. Now you refuse to come and live with me, when we both know it is the simplest and best solution. We haven’t made love since you came home. When is all this nonsense going to stop?”

  Libby blanched even more at his outburst. The truth was she wasn’t ready to climb back into his bed until she could remember how it had been before. She didn’t think she had lost her libido but, for some strange reason, something was holding her back. She put it down to her memory loss and tried to reason with Nigel.

  “Please, Nigel. Be patient with me. I’m still recovering. It will just take a little more time. You must see that. You’re a doctor. Besides, you’ve said yourself – I need to recuperate.”

  “Nothing makes sense with you. You keep using that as an excuse now. I’m sorry, Libby, but I’ve had enough today. I’m going home – back to my place – where you should be, with me by my side. I’ll see myself out.”

  He spun on his heel and strode towards the house. Five seconds later, she heard a terrified howl and the front door slamming behind him. Her cat dashed from the house and made straight for her.

  Libby sunk down onto the grass as the tears fell. Gathering her cat up into her arms, she began to shake. She didn’
t want this. She never meant to upset and hurt Nigel. If he could only be more patient and realise how she felt. She was so mixed up inside. She needed someone to talk to. If Jem were here, he would know what to say. He was strong and dependable, but he was away on holiday in Crete. Libby soothed the cat gently and placed her onto the grass. She wiped her tears away with the back of her hand and stood up, clutching the ring in its box. She had to do something physical to stop brooding. Clearing the remains of the picnic away, she thought of Robert. He seemed so solid and calm. If things had been different, she knew she could have called on him for advice and he would have willingly lent her a shoulder to cry on. She was sure that was the wrong thing to do. There had been a feeling, a bond between them, but getting another male involved was definitely the wrong thing to do.

  ~~~~~

  Libby switched on the bedside lamp. It was only five-thirty. She had been awake for three hours! She didn’t want another hot drink or a glass of water. She rolled over onto her side and watched the lights from a passing car travel across the mirror on her wardrobe. The door was slightly ajar, and she remembered the dress she had put there just before going to bed.

  After Nigel had stormed off, Libby tidied the garden and kitchen. Feeling jaded and depressed, she decided to treat herself to a deep, hot bath. As she walked through to her bedroom, her eyes fell on the bag containing Nigel’s present to her. She opened the bag and found a box. Inside, folded between layers of white tissue paper, she found the dress. To her horror, it was one of the frumpiest things she had ever seen and completely denigrated the name on the carrier bag, Mode Sensations. Whatever was Nigel thinking of? she pondered, as she gazed at the purple creation in her hands. Apart from not being her colour at all, the material was thick and heavy and hardly something to wear during the summer. No one in their right mind would wear a dress with long sleeves and buttoned up to their neck. Libby replaced the dress into the tissue-layered box and shoved it to the back of her wardrobe. It was nothing like anything she would have chosen, and she doubted whether anyone else her age would wear it. Libby felt unsettled over the incident, thinking it showed a dictatorial trait in Nigel that she hadn't noticed before. Hopefully, he would forget about the dress.

  She sat up, contemplating what she should do, and her gaze fell on the little white business card lying next to the black jeweller’s box containing the ring. Ignoring the box, she picked up the card and read the words printed there.

  Robert Cheesman. Mobile 07860 43292. Home 0044 (0)1489 89126.

  The home number puzzled her. It seemed familiar, yet it definitely wasn’t a Southampton number. It suddenly clicked. The area code was for Bishop’s Waltham. That was miles away from inner Southampton! Robert had said that her place was on his way home. It wasn’t. It was completely in the opposite direction.

  Leaning back on her pillows, she allowed a smile to slide across her face. What a nice man. Despite him saying he had been visiting a friend in the hospital, she suspected he had given up his free day to come and see her and then went out of his way to drive her home. She gave a chuckle. Well, Mr Nigel St John, you might be right. Robert could well be ‘chasing her’, or he could simply have acted out of kindness. So, should she obey her fiancé or for once in her life act out of character? What if she did see him again? Surely it wouldn’t hurt. She would give this matter more thought. Feeling more relaxed, she snuggled down in the bed, rolled onto her side, and fell into a deep sleep.

  Chapter 8

  A week later, Libby was feeling much better. She was still on sick leave and enjoying lots of free time. Jem was back home and full of talk about Crete, where he and his partner, Simon, had spent their holiday.

  That evening, the three of them were to attend an open-air concert in the Royal Victoria Country Park, and Libby was looking forward to it. She had put together a picnic, and Jem was supplying their drinks. Inspecting the contents of the picnic box, she wondered if she had overdone it. There was enough food to feed six people, not three. She smiled to herself. She needn’t worry really; long-legged Jem could easily eat his way through at least two people’s share of food.

  She gave a sigh. Nigel hadn’t been invited. When Jem had proposed their evening out, he had made it quite clear Nigel wasn’t welcome. Libby was puzzled. She knew Jem didn't have a lot of time for Nigel. He considered him overbearing and arrogant, but why Jem was quite so antagonistic, she couldn’t say. Libby knew better. Yes, some people, who didn’t know him as well as she did, could be forgiven for thinking him condescending, but that was only show. Nigel wasn’t exactly a humble man, but Libby never considered him conceited. When they were alone together, Nigel was kind and very loving – almost too loving, she thought. Nowadays, he was constantly asking her to move in with him, and apart from his possessiveness, she was happy. She just needed a little more time…

  The park was situated alongside Southampton Water. It was a popular place for families to spend a day. When the weather was fine, the park was full of people taking a walk, exercising their dogs, or playing a ball game. Watching everyone having fun, Libby found it hard to imagine that this was once the site of the British Army’s first purpose-built hospital.

  Simon and Jem insisted on picking Libby up shortly after six o’clock, saying it was important to get there in good time to pick the best spot. As they drew into the car park she saw why – it was already over half full.

  Simon parked the car and took charge. “Right! We need to be quick to get our favourite spot. Jem, you carry the food and blanket, as they’re the heaviest; I’ll take the wine; and Libby, can you manage the three fold-up chairs? They’re pretty light. If you can’t, just say, and Jem’ll come back for them. Right, got that? Sorted. Let’s go!”

  Libby caught Jem’s eye and stifled a giggle. Simon was renowned for coordinating Jem, and she too was included in his organisation this evening. Simon knew exactly where he was headed: a favourite grassy knoll that was protected by a large oak tree. Libby hoped the spot was vacant, because she knew Simon would get in a sulk if someone else had dared pitch their belongings on his patch.

  The chairs weren’t heavy, just cumbersome, and after a few paces, Libby trailed behind the others. Within a minute, the two men were swallowed up by the crowd surging towards the open-air stage. Bother! Why couldn’t they go a bit slower? Libby thought she had the chairs balanced in her arms, but as soon as she was jostled she ended up dropping them. As she crouched to pick them up, she knew she would have a devil of a job finding Simon and Jem.

  “Let me help,” said a familiar voice, and Libby found herself gazing into an equally familiar pair of deep hazel eyes. “I never could resist a fair damsel in distress.”

  “What are you doing here?” she asked.

  “Well, I could ask you the same question. But as it happens, I love classical music, especially outdoors in the summer.”

  Libby stood up and gazed at him, feeling happy and dizzy for some insane reason. He appeared to be alone.

  “I saw you arrive, actually. I wondered who your friends were. No fiancé today?”

  “No. No Nigel”

  Robert lifted one eyebrow – she always admired a man who could do that – and gave her a wicked grin. “Then I’ll not be in trouble this time.”

  Libby smiled back. “What makes you so sure you were in trouble last time?”

  Robert gave a laugh. “Well, you didn’t see his face when he first walked out into your garden. I felt as if I had tainted your reputation. He’s mighty jealous of you.”

  “It’s just his way. He doesn’t mean anything.”

  “So, where is he, your illustrious surgeon fiancé?”

  “He’s in America. He’s the guest speaker at a gathering of world-wide surgeons.”

  “Hmm. A gathering of surgeons. I bet the collective noun is an incision of surgeons.”

  Libby gave a laugh. “I’ve never heard that before. But you’re right, it does seem appropriate. Who are you here with?”

  “I’
m supposed to be meeting my sister and her husband, but I haven’t found them yet. Who are your friends?”

  “Oh, you mean Simon and Jem? Jem works at Southampton General, same as me. Only he’s in Accident and Emergency. Simon works from home. He’s a…I don’t quite know what you’d call him really. He keeps house for them both and writes poetry and paints.”

  “I see. Well, we’d better go and find them before they get worried and come looking for you. Where were you headed?”

  “Apparently for a large oak tree with a small hillock beneath it. It’s supposed to be in this direction.” Libby pointed.

  “I’ll give you a hand, as I’m going more or less the same way.” He took the chairs from her and hoisted them onto his shoulder.

  “You don’t have to, I can manage. What about your family? Won’t they be looking out for you?”

  “I expect so. If I can’t find them, I can always ring Stephanie’s mobile. She’s bound to have it with her.”