by Lucy Clark
‘Oh, please. Not now. I’m too exhausted to take another trip down memory lane.’
‘I know.’
Molly closed her eyes and listened to him moving around the room, making her a coffee.
‘Here you are.’ His voice was soft and caring and she knew she’d missed him far more than she’d allowed herself to admit. Just having him near her, his comforting presence, his support. She accepted the coffee with thanks and sipped from the cup.
‘Ah.’
‘Better?’
‘Oh, yes.’
They sat in a comfortable silence for a while, not needing to talk. It was nice. Reassuring. Wonderful.
‘It wasn’t all bad,’ she finally murmured.
‘There was a lot of good,’ he agreed, knowing she wasn’t referring to the events of the morning but rather the events of their past.
Her phone beeped, breaking the bubble around them. She checked the message.
‘It’s Alexis. They’ve arrived with the bus driver,’ she told him, her tone flat.
Fletcher stood and drank his coffee down. ‘Back to work we go.’ He forced a smile as he accepted Molly’s empty cup and washed it before opening the door for her.
She looked up at him and nodded, trying desperately not to focus on his delightful mouth so very close to her own. She had to keep reminding herself that Fletcher now belonged to someone else, and also that she was seeing Roger.
Why was her life so complicated all of a sudden?
The answer was the man who walked beside her, the man she knew she would never stop loving—ever.
CHAPTER EIGHT
IT WAS ONE of those odd days where nothing seemed to go as planned, but such was the life of a surgeon. Clinics and theatre lists could be planned in advance but when an emergency came in, everything else had to get shuffled.
The junior registrars and interns did as much as they could in clinic but all of them, especially the interns, were eager to do as much surgical time as possible.
‘We only had to reappoint ten patients,’ the outpatient sister told her later that afternoon when Molly stopped by for a recap. ‘Everyone else was seen…eventually.’
‘That’s not too bad.’
‘How’s that young teenage boy? I heard you performed a thoracotomy in the street.’
Molly smiled. ‘The patient’s doing very well now and I didn’t perform the surgery. I only assisted Fletcher.’ She stopped and looked down at the ground, smiling a little as she remembered just how confident and assured Fletch had been whilst performing a very difficult procedure. ‘I guess all that experience in the middle of nowhere has definitely paid off because Fletcher was incredible.’
Sister nodded and Molly stretched her arms before drawing in a deep breath. ‘What’s next?’ Sister asked.
‘Off to the ward to check on the patients.’ She waved goodbye to Sister and headed towards the surgical wards. Right at this moment, she had to admit that she was happy. The patients from this morning’s tragedy, except for the woman who had died at the scene, were all alive and, with time, should make a full recovery. But it wasn’t only her patients who were making her happy and she knew exactly what—or rather who—was responsible for her present mood.
‘Heading to the ward?’
‘Fletcher.’ She stopped and looked over her shoulder to see him behind her. ‘Where are you coming from?’
‘The hospital director’s office. He wanted to personally thank me for my assistance with today’s emergency.’
‘Well, that’s nice.’ They both started walking again and for some reason, Molly’s fingers itched to be holding firmly onto his. He really was such a clever man. Not many surgeons would have been able to pull off such an operation, especially in those circumstances. She was proud of him.
‘Actually, I think it was more of a publicity thing.’
‘Oh?’
‘Prestigious doctor, research fellow. Pacific Medical Aid surgeon saves teenage boy’s life on the side of the road.’ He lifted his hand as though he were highlighting tomorrow’s newspaper headlines.
‘Not very catchy. Plus, it will definitely inflate your ego far more than it already is. Ooh, when the journalist gets here, you could do some magic tricks for the camera. Everybody loves magic.’
Fletch chuckled and draped his arm about her shoulders—just as a close friend would. ‘There’s the sassy Molly I adore.’ He winked at her and then dropped his arm, pressing the button for the door to allow them into the surgical ward.
It felt wonderful to joke and tease with him again. It felt natural and right and her smile increased even more. Maybe they could find a level of friendship they were both comfortable with. They headed towards Ward Sister for an updated report before completing a quick and very belated ward round then heading up to the paediatric intensive care unit to check on Davis. The passengers of the parked car that the bus had crashed into were being kept in the medical ward overnight for observation but were otherwise fine.
Davis’s mother sat by his bedside, looking ashen and scared. Molly headed over and put her hand on the woman’s shoulder. ‘Hello. I’m Molly Wilton and this is Fletcher Thompson. We met after Davis came out of surgery.’
‘Oh. Oh, yes.’ The woman smiled vaguely at Molly. ‘Sorry. You look different out of your theatre clothes.’
‘Can I get you a drink of something?’ Fletcher asked.
‘No. No.’ She returned her attention to watching her son lying there, no doubt looking so very different. ‘He looks so small and yet so grown up all at the same time.’
‘His vital signs are excellent,’ Fletch told her softly. ‘It’s going to be a long and bumpy road for a while but, in time, there’s no reason why Davis shouldn’t make a full recovery.’
‘Do you know what happened? The police said he was hit by a bus but that they’d know more when he regained consciousness and they could question him further. Is that right because it sounds so…unreal?’
‘His injuries are certainly consistent with someone who has been struck by a vehicle,’ Fletch explained. ‘But beyond that, it’ll be up to the crash investigation team to piece together exactly what happened.’
‘For now,’ Molly said, smiling encouragingly at the distraught mother, ‘just concentrate on the fact that Davis is doing very well. The nursing staff have our phone numbers if you need to talk to us or to clarify things.’
‘We’ll be around to see him in the morning,’ Fletcher remarked as they headed to CCU to see Jerry. With his profusely bleeding leg, it was a wonder they’d been able to save him as well as his limb.
‘Is it true that if the accident had happened further away from the hospital, I’d be dead?’ Jerry asked, his words slow and slurred.
Fletch glanced at Molly, both silently communicating with how to answer this rather sticky question. Playing the ‘what if’ game when you’d just come through a major trauma was nothing new but the last thing Jerry needed now was to speculate on what might have been.
‘But it didn’t. You’re here. You’re patched up and before you know it, you’ll be heading home to your wife.’
‘Hmm.’ Jerry frowned. ‘She’s going to put me on another diet, be even more fussy about my cholesterol intake and bug me to exercise more.’
‘Well, if it’s any help, the physiotherapists who’ll be around to see you tomorrow morning will be starting the same chant.’ Molly smiled at Jerry’s groan. ‘Watch what you eat and start gentle exercises.’ She placed her hand on Jerry’s shoulder. ‘I think you’re going to do just fine.’
‘And it’s all thanks to you and your teams.’ Jerry’s smile dimmed as he stared at both Molly and Fletcher. ‘Alexis has already been to see me and now you two. The people here really care about their patients. It’s…it’s humbling. Makes me want to be a better person.’
‘I like it when patients say things like that,’ Molly remarked after they’d said goodbye to Jerry and left the ICU.
‘Gives you a sense o
f accomplishment,’ Fletcher added. They both collected their jackets and bags from the surgical lockers then headed out of the hospital.
‘I presume it’s OK for me to walk you home?’
Molly grinned up at him. ‘Well, given we live next door to each other, I can hardly stop you.’
He was very pleased with this answer and as they walked along he was hard pressed not to put his arm about her shoulders, just as he’d used to. ‘Mr Majors is doing exceptionally well,’ he commented and she agreed, the two of them discussing their patient for a minute or two.
‘He’s a bright character, isn’t he? Always excited and happy. It’s rare to see people happy when they’re in hospital,’ she said.
‘Except if you’re in the paediatric ward and the clown patrol is out to make your day.’
‘The clown patrol and visiting magician,’ she pointed out. ‘Do you do jungle magic when you’re in Tarparnii?’
He laughed at her question but shook his head. ‘Just normal magic.’
‘Do you remember Paris?’ she asked and Fletcher immediately smiled.
‘Lots of magic there—but of a different kind.’ He grinned. ‘Are you talking about the Eiffel Tower or Louvre?’
She laughed. ‘Both were equal disasters but I’m referring to what happened outside the Louvre. Your French certainly could have done with a brush-up before you opened your mouth.’
‘Was it my fault I mangled things up a bit?’
‘Yes. If it wasn’t for the fact that the man spoke English, you could have been locked up for wanting to buy illegal drugs.’
‘All I wanted was to buy you some flowers.’ He chuckled and scratched his head. ‘Still not sure how I got so confused.’ He paused on the front porch and reached for her hand. He brought it to his lips and kissed it. ‘Go and have a quiet night. Sleep sweet.’
‘You’re not going to attempt to talk your way in and offer to cook food for me?’
He shook his head, giving her that slow, small smile that often set her heart racing. ‘Not tonight.’
‘OK.’
They stood there looking at each other, the tension increasing between them. The undeniable attraction—the one that had started so long ago—was still clearly present and all she wanted was for him to step forward and kiss her. She wanted to forget all about their past, to pretend that they’d just met, that they were dating, that they belonged together for ever.
‘So…what now? I mean, what happens next?’ she asked softly, still staring up into his hypnotic blue eyes. Neither of them was showing any sign of wanting to leave, of wanting to part.
‘Uh…’ He swallowed, trying to think clearly but it was difficult when her tantalising scent was winding its way about him. ‘What happens next?’ He knew the answer to this question but it took a while for him to filter through the sensual fog surrounding them. ‘With us?’ He clarified.
‘Yes.’ He’d only be here until the end of next week and he was really hoping that they’d be able to cement some sort of friendship so that afterwards, when he left and went back to Eliza, they could at least keep in touch.
‘Well, I’ll be needing that piece of paper from the lawyer, just for confirmation. Can you get Stacey to send it?’
‘Sure. Sure.’ She blinked, the enticing atmosphere beginning to dissipate. ‘Actually, I’m heading to Newcastle this weekend, so I could pick it up then and give it to you on Monday.’
He nodded. ‘Sounds good.’ Still he didn’t move, just stared at her for a moment. ‘Or I could come to Newcastle with you? See your sisters again? Meet your other siblings?’
She was surprised at the suggestion but quickly answered, not wanting him to change his mind. Fletch wanted to come away with her for the weekend? ‘Er…can you take the time?’
‘I don’t have any work planned except to keep an eye on Mr Majors and plan for Alexis’s surgical procedure.’
‘And you want to come to Newcastle with me?’ she clarified.
‘If that’s all right? Would Stacey mind?’
‘No. Not at all, and you’ll be able to catch up with everyone. Stacey and Cora and their husbands.’
‘What did you say Cora’s husband’s name was?’
‘Archer. Archer Wild.’ Molly raised her eyebrows. ‘Do you know him?’
‘Yeah, I do.’ He smiled, now looking forward even more to spending a few days in Newcastle. ‘We’ve worked together in Tarparnii many times before.’
‘Of course. Archer practically grew up there.’
‘Haven’t seen him in years. Wow. He’s married to Cora?’ He shook his head. ‘It’s a small world.’
‘It certainly is.’ The fact that the two of them were standing here proved it. ‘So we’re on, then?’ She raised her eyebrows in question. ‘Drive down to Newcastle on Friday night, drive back Sunday evening?’
‘It’s less than a two-hour drive now, isn’t it?’
‘Oh, yes.’ She giggled. ‘It is a long time since you’ve been back. We can hire a car.’
‘I’ll take care of that.’ He pulled his house keys from his pocket and she followed suit. ‘The weekend is only two days away and I have a lot of preparation to do for my lecture first thing in the morning.’
‘OK.’ Molly opened her door and grinned at him. ‘Goodnight…Fetching Fletcher.’ As she stepped into her place she heard his warm, rich laughter ring out, making her own smile increase. She leaned against the wall, wanting so desperately to return to him, to throw herself into his arms. After all, she rationalised, they were still legally husband and wife.
That thought, however, was enough to sober her wayward emotions. They were husband and wife—and Fletcher was with someone else. Molly knew that by ignoring the past she was probably setting herself up for a mound of heartbreak but just being with Fletcher and having fun with Fletcher and flirting with Fletcher was exciting and thrilling and a whole host of other delightful emotions she hadn’t felt in so very long.
‘You’re playing a dangerous game with him,’ Stacey said later when Molly called her to check it was all right for her to bring Fletcher home.
‘But it’s an exciting game,’ replied Cora. It was how it had always been. Stacey was the sensible one and Cora was the adventurous one. Molly had always thought she was the mad, mischievous one but lately she was starting to question that. Studying surgery left her little time for dancing and going out and doing all the things she used to love to do. At least she was able to participate in the clown patrol and, of course, her recent dates with Roger had certainly brushed away a few cobwebs.
‘What are you going to do about Roger?’ Stacey asked as though she could read Molly’s thoughts.
‘The sexy physician,’ Cora added with a purr, making them all laugh.
‘There’s nothing going on between Fletcher and myself other than two friends reconnecting.’
‘And signing divorce papers,’ Stacey pointed out.
‘And that.’ Molly frowned. ‘But—’
‘But you know what you have to do,’ Stacey continued. ‘You can’t string Roger on, not when you feel that way about Fletcher.’
Molly knew there was no use denying it, especially when Roger had left a message on her voicemail, asking her out for a celebratory drink after her surgery, and Molly’s text-message reply had been to simply say she was too tired.
‘He’s certainly fun to be around,’ she told her sisters, ‘but I just can’t picture myself sitting on the lounge, watching a movie with him.’
‘He’s been good for you in the sense that he’s made you actually leave your place, to go out and socialise with others, to have a bit of fun,’ Cora pointed out.
‘But perhaps your “going out and being the life of the party” days are over,’ Stacey added. Molly pondered her sisters’ words, knowing they weren’t being mean but more matter-of-fact. ‘We’ll be thirty-five soon.’
‘Grown-ups,’ Molly agreed.
‘But what about Fletcher?’ Cora wanted to know.
‘Fletcher’s with someone else. I can accept that,’ Molly answered. ‘And I hope we can be friends but with regards to Roger, you’re right. It’s a dead-end relationship and Roger definitely deserves to find someone else to have fun with.’
‘Breaking it off with Roger?’ Cora asked.
‘Breaking it off with Roger,’ Molly confirmed. That way at least her own conscience would be clear when she teased and laughed with Fletcher.
‘You like flirting with Fletcher,’ Stacey stated. ‘It’s natural because you know each other so well. Just…be careful.’
‘Of course. I’m always careful because I have the two of you—’
‘Watching my back,’ the three of them said in unison.
‘Love you, sis. See you in two sleeps’ time.’
Molly ended the Internet chat session and, as it was still quite early, she called Roger, letting him know the situation.
‘We were always casual,’ he told her. ‘But I completely understand. We can still be friends, right?’
‘Definitely. Friends sounds good. Thanks, Roger.’
With a clear conscience, Molly made herself a light dinner and, for the first time since he’d moved in next door, purposely listened for signs of Fletcher moving about. When he’d first arrived a few days ago, she’d been aware of every move he made, but now as she listened she couldn’t hear anything.
When she went to bed, she ensured her alarm was set and closed her eyes. Tonight she wasn’t going to try to stop the wonderful memories of the times she’d spent with Fletcher from infiltrating her dreams, and as she lay there she could well remember the way they’d walked hand in hand along the Seine, and how they’d gazed in wonder at the pyramids in Egypt and how they’d played the roulette wheel in Las Vegas before running off to the chapel to get married.
‘Are we doing the right thing?’ Molly had laughed as they’d both stood in the waiting area of the small wedding chapel.
‘Yes.’ Fletcher’s answer had been filled with determination and love. ‘I have never felt about anyone the way I feel about you, Molly.’ He’d kissed her, the feel of his lips on hers helping to give her courage. ‘Besides, what was it your sister said?’
