The day of Maggie’s hen night arrived, but Alison decided to give it a miss. Sam was still being difficult, and she didn’t want to leave him with a babysitter, plus she didn’t feel in the mood for partying. Gemma tried to change her mind but she stuck to her decision. She’d much prefer a quiet night at home.
The day flew past, although it wasn’t as busy as it had been. The bug was running its course, and there were far fewer phone calls and home visits. Consequently, it was only a little after her normal time when she collected Sam, and to her delight he seemed more like his usual sunny self. They had tea, then played a game before bedtime. Alison read him his favourite story and tucked him in, sighing in relief when he immediately closed his eyes. It seemed the crisis was over in more ways than one. If only her problems with Jack could be resolved so satisfactorily she would feel so much better. Should she phone him and ask him to call round? Or should she leave him to get in touch with her—if he ever did?
She spent ages thinking about it, but couldn’t make up her mind. In the end she went to bed with the problem unresolved, and woke up the following morning still worrying about it. Part of her wanted to make the first move, but another part of her was terrified of inviting a rebuff.
Saturday was another glorious day, so she decided to forgo the usual household chores and take Sam out. Once again, she headed to Rock, trying not to think about what had happened the last time she’d been there. She intended to enjoy this day with Sam and not keep thinking about Jack all the time.
She made for a sheltered stretch of the bay that overlooked the Camel estuary. There were quite a few people already there when she and Sam arrived, mainly family groups with small children who were playing in the sand. Alison chose a spot close to the water’s edge and helped Sam take off his shoes and socks so he could paddle. She had a spare set of clothes in the car so it didn’t matter if he got wet. As long as he was having fun, that was the main thing.
They’d been there about an hour when she spotted two familiar figures walking along the beach. Her heart leapt into her throat when she recognised Jack and Freddie. Had Jack guessed that she would be here and come looking for her? she wondered as she scrambled to her feet. All of a sudden the doubts that had plagued her all week long seemed so stupid that she laughed out loud. The only reason Jack hadn’t been in touch with her was because he’d been too busy!
She lifted her hand to wave to him, then suddenly realised that he and Freddie weren’t on their own. There was a woman with them, the tall woman with auburn hair she remembered from the christening. Alison felt her stomach roll with sickness as she saw Jack turn and reply to something Alex Ross had said to him. The tilt of his head and the smile that played around his mouth were all too familiar. He was looking at Alex the same way he had looked at her the other night, and she couldn’t bear it. She simply couldn’t bear it!
It was far too late by then for her to run away and hide. She had to stand there and wait as they approached. Her heart ached when she saw Jack’s expression alter when he spotted her. She turned away, not wanting to witness his discomfort. It wasn’t difficult to imagine how awkward he felt. He may have been happy enough to sleep with her, but she wasn’t the sort of woman he would normally be interested in. That honour went to someone like Alex Ross, someone who was beautiful and sophisticated and worldly-wise. What would Jack want with a little nobody like her?
‘Hi! I had no idea you’d be here,’ he said quietly as he and Alex stopped. Freddie spotted Sam and immediately ran over to him. Alison shrugged as she watched the two children laughing together.
‘It was just a spur-of-the-moment decision.’
‘Oh. Right. I see.’ A frown darkened his face for a second before he turned to Alex. ‘You remember Alison, don’t you?’
‘Of course.’
Alex gave her a brief smile, but Alison could tell that she wasn’t keen to prolong their meeting. She didn’t blame her. If she’d been in Alex’s shoes she wouldn’t have wanted to share even a second of the time she had with Jack with some other woman. The thought brought a rush of tears to her eyes, and she quickly bent and gathered up Sam’s shoes and socks.
‘Actually, we were about to go home. It’s been nice seeing you again, Alex,’ she added politely.
‘You, too,’ Alex replied graciously. She carried on walking, but Jack hung back.
‘You’re not rushing off on our account, I hope.’
‘No. You may find this hard to believe, Jack, but the world doesn’t revolve around you.’
His jaw tightened. ‘You’re angry with me because I haven’t been in touch. I don’t blame you. I should have called you. I almost did—several times, in fact. I just didn’t know what to say.’
‘Really? I wouldn’t have thought it would be that difficult. All you needed to say was that you’d made a mistake. How hard is that?’
‘It isn’t like that!’ he denied hotly. ‘You don’t understand.’
‘Oh, I think I do.’ She stared back at him, bolstering up her anger to stave off the pain that was knifing through her. ‘Making love to me the other night was fine, wasn’t it, Jack? But you’re not interested in making a commitment to me, are you?’
‘No, I’m not,’ he said bluntly. ‘It’s not the right time, for many reasons.’
‘Not the right time, or not the right woman?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I’m not your usual kind of woman, am I?’
‘No, you’re not.’
His voice was husky, and she shivered when she felt it stroke along her nerves, but she was too hurt and too angry to stop. She laughed harshly. ‘That’s what I thought. At least you have the decency to be honest with me. That’s something in your favour.’
She tossed back her hair as the wind whipped it across her face, knowing that she had to end this for good. She mustn’t allow herself to hope that Jack might come to love her one day. ‘I’m not sure why you slept with me. Maybe it was a way to thank me for looking after Freddie for you, or maybe it was just an urge that needed satisfying—who knows? But it definitely won’t happen again. Understand?’
‘I understand. And you’re right, Alison. It would be wrong for us to start something right now.’ His expression was bleak. ‘I need to focus on Freddie. I can’t afford to take any chances where his happiness is concerned. He’s been through too much already, and I won’t risk upsetting his life any more.’
‘And I feel the same way about Sam. I won’t allow his life to be disrupted either.’
Jack nodded. ‘Then it seems we’re in complete agreement, doesn’t it?’
‘Yes.’ Alison left it at that. There was nothing else to say anyway. Jack had made his position perfectly clear, although she wasn’t stupid enough to think that he wouldn’t change his mind if the circumstances were right.
The thought of what might make those circumstances conducive to him reconsidering his stance was very hard to deal with, and she shut it out of her mind. She didn’t want to think about him and Alex, didn’t want to imagine them making plans for their future together. It was none of her business what Jack did. It never had been.
She fetched Sam and dried his feet, then popped his shoes and socks back on. He begged her to let him stay and play with Freddie, but she was adamant that they had to go home. That set off another tantrum, but she didn’t back down. Sam needed consistency in his life; he needed to know that when she said no she meant it.
If only she could make herself understand that concept when it came to Jack, she thought bitterly as she took Sam back to the car. She might have told Jack that she would never sleep with him again, but she knew how hard it would be to stick to that decision if the occasion ever arose. Where Jack was concerned she was as weak as a kitten, and it worried her to think that she might end up doing the one thing she would regret.
It made her wonder if she should leave Penhally Bay and remove herself from temptation, but where would she go? All her friends were here, as well as
her job, and it would mean making a completely fresh start. It would also mean uprooting Sam, and that wouldn’t be good for him either.
She sighed. It wasn’t going to be easy, but she had to forget about Jack and get on with her life as she had been doing before he’d arrived. The problem was that now she’d had a taste of how wonderful life could be, it would be hard to settle for second best.
Jack knew that he’d made a complete and utter hash of things with Alison. He also knew there was nothing he could do at the moment to put things right. The thought weighed heavily on him, so that he found it hard to concentrate as Alex explained about the new clinic.
She had accepted an offer to be the clinic’s director, and Jack knew that she was hoping to persuade him to be her second-in-command, which was why she had invited him to meet her at Rock that day. A site had been chosen and the plans were being drawn up, so it looked as though everything was going ahead. While he was flattered by her faith in his abilities, he couldn’t make a decision while his life was in such a mess.
He made all the right noises, but he knew that Alex sensed he had reservations. She cut short their meeting, declining his offer of a cup of coffee with a quick shake of her head.
‘Thanks, but I’ll get off home. If there’s anything I haven’t covered, you know where I am.’ She smiled at him. ‘I won’t take offence if you turn me down, Jack. You have to know that it’s the right decision for you. I couldn’t have imagined doing this type of work a few years ago either, but I’ve had enough of the NHS and all its problems. That’s why I’ve accepted this job.’
‘Thanks. I know it could be a great opportunity for me, but I’m just not sure if the time is right for me to make such a move.’ He glanced at Freddie. ‘I need to consider the impact it will have on Freddie’s life, not just on my own.’
‘If it’s that which is bothering you then private medicine would suit you perfectly. No more callouts at the weekend or during the night, regular hours and a top salary.’ She shrugged as she unlocked her car. ‘However, I get the feeling it’s more complicated than that, so take your time. The offer’s there if you want it.’
Jack sighed as he watched her drive away. It would make a lot of sense to take the job at the clinic, yet his gut feeling was to refuse it. He enjoyed what he did, and loved the fact that he could make such a difference to so many people’s lives. He couldn’t imagine giving it all up, even for the benefits of working in the private sector.
It was yet another uncertainty, and he could have done without it right now. He took Freddie home and settled down in the sitting room while they watched a cartoon together. For the first time ever Freddie climbed onto his knee, and Jack’s heart overflowed with happiness. He desperately wanted to share the moment with Alison, but he couldn’t phone her after what had happened that day. He had to let her get on with her life while he got on with his, and the thought took some of the shine away. He simply couldn’t imagine living out the rest of his days without her.
As the end of the month drew near, Jack couldn’t believe how much had happened in the weeks since he’d been back in Penhally Bay. Despite his heartache over Alison, he knew he’d made the right decision when he had moved back to Cornwall. Freddie was slowly adjusting to his new life. Although he still hadn’t spoken, he seemed more content. He had fewer nightmares too, and even smiled at times. He seemed to enjoy nursery and he loved Lucy. He was also devoted to his grandfather, and Jack had to admit that he was surprised at how good Nick was with him. Nick genuinely seemed to care about Freddie, and that helped to smooth some of the rough edges off their own relationship.
When Nick phoned one night and asked if he could pop round, Jack didn’t hesitate. He was happy to agree to anything that would help to build those all-essential bridges between them.
He had a pot of coffee ready when Nick arrived. He showed him into the sitting room then poured them both a cup. Nick smiled when Jack handed him his cup.
‘I see you’ve remembered that I prefer it black.’
‘With two sugars,’ Jack said easily, sitting down on a chair.
‘Spot on.’ Nick sat on the sofa. He took a sip of the coffee and nodded. ‘It’s very good, too. I am impressed.’
‘I’m becoming quite domesticated,’ Jack said, grinning.
Nick laughed. ‘Your mother would have been delighted to hear that. She used to worry herself to death when you were at university in case you weren’t eating properly.’
‘I probably wasn’t, but I survived.’
‘Indeed you did.’ Nick paused for a moment, then carried on. ‘I’m really impressed with how well you’re coping with Freddie, too. It can’t have been easy for you, giving up your life in London, but you’re doing a first-rate job with him.’
‘Thanks,’ Jack said, deeply touched because it was rare for his father to hand out a compliment. ‘I appreciate you saying that.’
‘It’s no more than the truth.’ Nick cleared his throat, then changed the subject. ‘I wanted a word with you about a patient of mine, a ten-year-old-girl called Molly Dingle. She was involved in a horrific accident last year when she was on a school skiing trip. Another skier crashed into her and Molly suffered the most horrendous facial injuries—both eye sockets were shattered and her jaw was broken in two places.’
‘Sounds grim,’ Jack observed quietly. He’d seen those kind of injuries before and knew how difficult they were to put right.
‘It was—very grim indeed. The surgeon managed to put everything back together but the results are less than perfect. Molly desperately needs another operation, but there’s a waiting list and it could be over a year until it’s her turn. She’s due to start secondary school in September, and she’s terribly upset at the thought of the other kids making fun of her.’
‘Kids can be very cruel,’ Jack sympathised. ‘Is there any chance of her going private?’
‘No. Her father’s a fisherman and her mum’s a dinner lady at the junior school. It took them months to save enough to send her on the skiing trip, and private medicine is way beyond their means.’ Nick pinned Jack with a look. ‘That’s why I was hoping you might be able to help.’
‘You’d like me to take her on as a pro bono private patient?’ Jack said slowly.
‘Yes. It’s the only way Molly will be able to get the treatment she needs in time for her to start at her new school after the summer.’
‘I’m not in a position to set myself up in private practice just yet,’ Jack pointed out. ‘I’ve still got eighteen months of training to complete before I’m fully qualified.’
‘I realise that,’ Nick said impatiently. ‘However, I know for a fact that you’re more than capable of helping Molly.’ He shrugged when Jack looked at him in surprise. ‘I’ve spoken to a lot of people, and I can’t count the number of folk who’ve told me that you’re top of the league when it comes to this type of surgery. As far as I’m concerned, you’d do a better job than anyone else.’
‘Thank you,’ Jack said, somewhat stunned by the praise. He frowned as he considered the issues surrounding Molly’s surgery. ‘The main problem with this type of surgery when it involves a child is that they’re still growing. Usually titanium plates and metals screws are used to hold the bones in place, but they can move as the child grows and that means further surgery is necessary. However, a technique has been developed recently which uses biodegradable implants. Over a period of time, the bone regrows and the implants disintegrate.’
‘That would be marvellous!’ Nick exclaimed. ‘Have you seen this type of operation done?’
‘Seen it and been trained in its methods.’ Jack smiled. ‘I managed to blag my way onto a training course in Germany last year where they pioneered the treatment. There were ten of us there and we spent three days learning how to operate the equipment.’
‘How does it work?’ Nick asked eagerly.
‘The implants are made from a hydrocarbon material called poly-lactide. The plates are made to fit the p
atient’s face and hold everything together. Holes are drilled in the bones and the plates are attached to them by means of plugs made from the same hydrocarbon material. An ultrasound device is then used to weld the plugs to the bone.’ He shrugged. ‘It’s highly effective. We were able to talk to a couple of patients who’d had the procedure done and the results were excellent.’
‘And you think Molly could have this treatment?’
‘I think so. There’s a couple of hospitals in the UK that have the equipment now. I could find out if they would let us borrow it. Of course, a lot would depend on whether the management of St Piran’s would agree to let us use the facilities there. It would have to be after normal working hours, of course, but I’m sure I can get Alex to back me up.’
‘I’ll write to the board,’ Nick said immediately. ‘There’s a few favours I can call in if they refuse.’
Jack chuckled. ‘I don’t think they would dare refuse if you got involved as well.’
‘There’s strength in numbers,’ Nick said with a wry smile. He drained the last of his coffee and stood up. ‘Thanks, Jack. I appreciate this, especially as I know I don’t have any right to ask you for favours.’
‘Of course you do!’ Jack exclaimed, getting up. ‘You’re my father, and if you can’t ask me for a favour I don’t know who can. Anyway, I owe you for all the time you’ve given up to look after Freddie.’
‘That’s been a pleasure, not a chore,’ Nick said firmly as he went to the door. He turned. ‘I may not have been around as much as I should have been when you were growing up, Jack, but I always cared what happened to you.’
‘I know you did,’ Jack said with a lump in his throat. Stepping forward, he gave Nick a hug. ‘Thanks, Dad. For everything.’
Caroline Anderson, Sara Morgan, Josie Metcalfe, Jennifer Taylor Page 62
