She checked that the pacemaker was running properly, listening to what Danny said and adjusting it accordingly. ‘Yep, this will do.’She removed the magnet. ‘Right, all done. You’ve been absolutely brilliant.’ She smiled at him. ‘Don’t do any vigorous exercise for three weeks in case you move it out of position, but try and keep your shoulder mobile. You need to do some gentle movements on the side where I fitted the pacemaker; the physio will show you what to do a bit later, when you’re back on the ward.’
‘Can I still play footy?’ Danny asked.
She glanced at James; to her relief, he picked up the unspoken message that this might be something that was better coming from someone who played football and understood just how much of a wrench it would be to stop playing. ‘Contact sports are out, I’m afraid,’James explained. ‘You need to avoid getting hit or kicked on the area around your pacemaker—so I’d avoid football, rugby and kickboxing.’
‘And I suppose tennis and cricket have a risk of me being whacked, too,’ Danny said glumly.
‘I’m afraid so.’
The boy looked devastated. ‘So what does that leave me? Walking the dog? Or is that banned, too?’
‘Walking’s fine. Or athletics. Swimming. And I’d wear a pad over the area where your pacemaker is, to be safe.’
‘Oh.’ He digested the news. ‘Am I still allowed to kiss my girlfriend?’
Maria looked shocked. ‘Danny, since when do you have a girlfriend? And how come I don’t know about her?’
‘Mu-u-um, I’m not going to tell you, am I? That’s gross!’ The boy shuffled on his seat. ‘It’s not as if I’m having sex with her.’
‘I should hope not!’
‘We just hold hands and kiss, that’s all,’ Danny said. ‘It’s cool. Really.’
‘Hmm. We’ll talk later,’ Maria said, clearly not wanting to embarrass her son by discussing it in front of the doctors.
‘Can I still use my games console?’ Danny asked, looking worried.
‘Yes. Pacemakers are built so they shouldn’t interfere with equipment. You don’t have to worry about avoiding the microwave or a computer—though you do need to make sure you keep your mobile phone away from the pacemaker. Use your right ear as it’s on your left, and don’t put your phone in your left pocket. And you also need to carry your pacemaker registration card with you in case you set off security system in airports or shops.’ She grinned. ‘It has been known to happen.’
‘So I can use my games console on the ward?’
‘Provided you take things easy and don’t use any wireless connections.’
‘Or my mobile phone.’ He nodded. ‘Mum’s already told me about it interfering with stuff.’
Maria rolled her eyes. ‘Believe it or not, Danny, I was your age once.’
‘Tell you a secret, Danny,’ James said. ‘Mothers always know best.’
‘You can go back to the ward whenever you feel like it,’ Charlotte said. ‘I’ll come and see you later, and then give you an X-ray tomorrow before I let you out.’
‘Cool.’ Danny smiled at her.
‘You might be a bit sore, but just tell the nurse if you are, OK? And I meant it about the antibiotics—it’s to make sure you don’t get any infections. When you get home, if you notice any redness, swelling or discharge, or you get a fever, see your family doctor or come back to us straight away.’
‘What about his stitches? When do they need to come out?’ Maria asked.
‘They’re dissolvable ones,’ James said. ‘Before you go tomorrow, we’ll give you a letter to take to your GP.’
‘But you’ll be back in a month to see us, to check everything’s OK, and then in three months’ time, and eventually you’ll go down to just an annual check to make sure the battery’s still working,’ Charlotte added.
When Danny returned to the ward, James said, ‘I’m impressed. I like the way you work.’
She inclined her head in acknowledgement. ‘Thank you.’
‘I think it’s a good idea, too, to see how each other works. Maybe you’d like to sit in on one of my operations.’
‘Maybe.’
‘How about the Ebstein’s case you were telling me about—Ellis, wasn’t it?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good.’ He smiled at her. ‘By the way, I really was telling the truth about my car—I cycled in today, but the car’s in my garage. I’m dying to explore the Cornish coast. How about you come with me on Saturday and show me around a bit?’
It was tempting. Seriously tempting. She got as far as starting to say yes—and then she remembered what had happened in the pub and backed off. ‘Sorry. No can do.’
‘You were about to say yes.’
‘I was,’she admitted, ‘but I don’t want to be dragged through the press, James.’ She wanted to keep her private life just that: private. ‘I’m sorry. I don’t do flash. I’m not like the beauty queens you date.’
‘That’s true, though probably not in the way you’re thinking,’ James said. ‘How about if I say just as friends?’
Friends. She tried to think of him sitting in her garden, with Pandora draped round his neck, and failed; apart from the fact that Pandora was even more wary of men than Charlotte herself was, she couldn’t picture James doing anything so domesticated. Couldn’t picture him in old jeans and a faded black T-shirt and bare feet. He was definitely the formal designer suit, handmade shirt and Italian shoe type.
And it would be much, much safer for her if she said no. Keeping temptation well out of arm’s reach.
‘I’m sorry, James. But thank you for asking,’ she said politely.
‘Is it true?’ Steffie asked, coming into the staff kitchen later that day and looking at Charlotte with her arms folded.
‘Is what true?’
‘That James Alexander asked you out and you turned him down.’
‘Mmm,’ she said, concentrating on pouring hot water onto the instant coffee in her mug.
‘Why, Charlotte? He’s gorgeous. And he’s a good doctor.’
True on both counts. Not that she was going to admit it. The last thing she wanted was for Steffie to start matchmaking. ‘Whatever,’ she drawled.
‘Charlotte, just about all the single females in this hospital would be desperate to swap places with you and say yes. Why on earth did you turn him down?’
The truth would involve explanations she didn’t want to give. Instead, she said, ‘He’s too flashy for me. So, now we’ve cleared that up, can I go back to making my coffee and writing up my notes?’
‘You’re mad. Utterly mad.’ Steffie shook her head.
James, who had been near enough to the open kitchen door to overhear half the conversation, made a swift exit. The last thing he wanted was for Charlotte to find him eavesdropping. Not that it had been intentional.
So Charlotte thought he was too flashy.
OK, so he’d overdone it a bit with the James Bond stuff to help stop Danny feeling nervous. But she’d taken it too seriously. He really wasn’t that bad…was he?
But as he left the hospital that night, he had to acknowledge that Charlotte had a point. He might be cycling home, but it wasn’t on just any old bicycle. His was a seriously expensive bike, the latest model with a very lightweight carbon composite frame and carbon forks and top-notch components. He was going back to his rented town-house—which had a sea view and was in the most expensive part of St Piran. And he really did own an Aston Martin…along with several other cars, back in London.
Maybe, he thought, Charlotte had been hurt by an ex who had focused too much on what people earned and not enough on what someone was like inside.
Maybe what he needed to do was find out what made her tick.
And then maybe she’d let him get close enough to prove to her that he wasn’t as vain and thoughtless as she clearly believed him to be. And to teach her that just because you had a serious job, it didn’t mean that you weren’t allowed to have any fun.
CHAPTER SIX
ON THURSDAY, Danny’s X-ray was completely clear. Charlotte was relieved, because one of the most likely complications with fitting a pacemaker was a pneumothorax, where the chest cavity filled with air. Fixable, admittedly, but painful, and she’d rather that the boy didn’t have to go through it. ‘It’s all fine, so you can go home today,’ she told him with a smile. ‘And I’ll see you next month.’
She and James were both too busy in clinic that day for their paths to cross, but on Friday, just after Daisy was transferred to the children’s ward, he sauntered into her office.
‘Can I have a word?’ he asked.
‘Sure. Do you need me to get a file out?’
‘No. It’s not work exactly.’
James was aware the very second Charlotte put the barrier up: a flicker of wariness in her eyes, followed by a super-bright smile. But he pressed on. ‘It’s about Tuesday night. The quiz. I’m on the surgeons’ team.’
‘Uh-huh.’
‘And Steffie said the other day that you’re head of the cardio team.’
‘Yes,’ she admitted.
‘Then I’d like to make a bet with you. If my team beats yours then you go out to dinner with me.’
‘And if mine beats yours,’ she said, ‘then you leave me alone.’
‘Agreed.’ He inclined his head. ‘That’s settled. Have a nice weekend, Charlotte.’
‘You, too.’
James strolled out of her office, cool and calm. But inside he was jumping up and down and cheering. Charlotte was bright—very bright—but so was he. And he had no intention of losing. Especially now the stakes were high enough to give him a challenge.
He dropped in to see Jack on Friday night, to have a beer. Jack’s father, Nick, had come over to see the children and was apparently helping Alison with bathtime, judging from the fine baritone James could hear floating through the bathroom window.
‘So how have you settled in?’ Jack asked. ‘Sorry I haven’t had a chance to catch up with you, but you know what it’s like in surgery.’
‘Busy, busy, busy,’James said with a grin. ‘Which is just how I like it. No, it’s fine. And I must say, I’m impressed with your cousin. She’s very good at her job.’
‘She’s brilliant with the kids,’ Jack said. ‘Works too hard, mind. But she’ll pop in and see us and tell a story to Freddie and Sam or sing to Helena.’
For a mad moment, James found himself hoping that she’d drop in to see her cousins that evening. It’d be good to see her outside the hospital environment—and maybe here she might relax with him.
Nick came out, his shirt splotchy with water. ‘Jack, Alison could do with a hand with Freddie and Sam while she puts Helena to bed.’
‘Of course.’ Jack stood up. ‘You remember Dad, don’t you, James?’
‘I do. Good to see you, Nick,’ James said, standing up and shaking his hand. The older man was regarding him coolly. No doubt, James thought, he remembered the fact that he used to party with Jack in London.
‘James,’ Nick said.
An awkward silence stretched between them as Jack went indoors. James was about to break it when Nick said quietly, ‘I overheard you talking about Charlotte. Whatever you’re thinking about her, forget it: she’s not a challenge for you to conquer.’
Jack had always complained that his father was a control freak. ‘With all due respect,’ James said, politely but coolly, ‘that’s between me and Charlotte.’
‘Apart from the fact that she’s my niece and I don’t want to see her hurt,’ Nick said, ‘she’s had a rough time in the last couple of years. She doesn’t need any hassles.’
‘I’m not going to hassle her.’
‘I hope not,’ Nick said. ‘For her sake.’
On Sunday evening, Nick opened the door and frowned. ‘Kate? I wasn’t expecting to see you.’
‘No.’ She paused. ‘Can I have a word?’
She looked terrible, Nick thought, as if she hadn’t slept for days.
‘Sure, come in. Can I get you a coffee or something?’
She shook her head. ‘Thanks for the offer, but I don’t want anything.’
Now he was starting to get really worried. The last time he’d seen Kate look this drawn had been…No. He didn’t want to think about that conversation. ‘Come and sit down.’He ushered her through to the living room. ‘So what can I do for you?’
She dragged in a breath. ‘Nick, I…’
To his horror, he could see her eyes glimmering with tears. Oh, hell. He didn’t want her to start crying on him. He couldn’t cope with that. Last time she’d cried on his shoulder, it had been a huge mistake. For both of them. They’d let the past get in the way and done something so awful that…Well, they’d both paid the price for it. More than paid.
She scrubbed at her eyes with the back of her hand. ‘Sorry, Nick. I’m not going to cry over you.’
Hell and double hell. Surely he hadn’t spoken his thoughts aloud? ‘What is it, Kate?’
‘I…’ She wrapped her arms round herself. ‘I need to ask you something. Something important.’
This sounded ominous. Unsure what to say, he just nodded.
‘Remember the night of the flood? When you promised you’d try, with Jem?’
And he had. He’d even bought Jem a proper Christmas present. Though then that tourist’s comment had caught him on the raw and he’d walked away. Now he could acknowledge just how unfair he’d been. Nick raked a hand through his hair. ‘I’m not good with kids. I made a mess of things with my own.’
‘Jem is yours,’ Kate said tightly.
Hell. He was digging the hole even deeper. ‘I meant, my kids with Annabel.’
She shrugged. ‘Things are better between you now.’
‘But it’s still new. I can’t…How are they going to feel if they find out I was unfaithful to their mother?’
‘They’re adults now. They don’t see the world in black and white, the way children do. They understand that sometimes people act in ways you wouldn’t normally do.’
And how.
‘OK, so you were hard on them,’ Kate continued, ‘but that’s the past. You have to draw a line some time. And you’re good with your niece.’
‘Charlotte?’
There was a hint of bitterness in her smile. ‘Well. You would be. She’s the spitting image of Annabel, whereas Jem…’ She exhaled sharply. ‘Sorry. I didn’t come here to have a go at you.’
‘Then why did you come, Kate?’
She moistened her lips. ‘There isn’t an easy way to say this.’
She was getting married to Rob? Well, it was obvious that was the way the wind was blowing. He’d heard the rumours. Everyone in Penhally had. And hadn’t he seen it for himself, the night he’d gone over to her house? The two of them, kissing in full view. He’d walked away that night, too.
‘I’ve got cancer.’
As the words sank in, Nick’s legs gave way and he sat down heavily. ‘Did you just say…?’ He found he could hardly say the word. ‘Cancer?’
She shivered. ‘Yes. Breast cancer. I found a lump.’
It was just like learning of Annabel’s death all over again. The shock of hearing something so shocking, so appalling, that he couldn’t believe it. He forced himself to ask the question. ‘Do you know what stage?’ Please don’t let it be stage four. Or even stage three. Please don’t.
‘No. Dr Bower…she thinks it’s going to be OK with a lumpectomy. But we won’t know for sure until…’ Her voice faded.
Until Kate was on the table. Yes. He knew that. ‘So when do you go in?’
‘Monday next week.’
‘Monday next week?’ He stared at her in disbelief. ‘How long have you known?’
‘A few days.’
‘A few days, and you didn’t say anything?’
‘Apart from the fact that you’re not my GP, I didn’t,’she said with quiet dignity, ‘think you’d be that interested.’
‘Not be…?’ He shook his he
ad, trying to clear it. ‘Kate, how have we got to this point?’
She looked suddenly old. ‘I’m not here to rake up the past. I thought I’d be OK with this. Thought I’d…’
Nick moved then. Sat next to her on the sofa. Held her close. ‘It’s OK. And now I know, I can pull some strings and—’
‘No.’ Kate wriggled out of his arms. ‘No need, I’ve sorted it myself.’
‘You always did do things your own way.’
Her eyes glittered. ‘What was I supposed to do, Nick? If I’d told you about Jem when I first realised…You were happily married to Annabel. It would’ve wrecked your marriage and devastated her.’
‘And it didn’t devastate me, finding out the way I did?’
She wrapped her arms round herself again. ‘I knew it was a mistake coming to see you.’
‘Then why did you come here, Kate?’
‘Because,’ she said quietly, ‘it’s occurred to me. I go under the knife next week. God only knows what Dr Bower will find. With luck, she’ll have caught it. But if she hasn’t…if I’m not going to make it…there’s Jem. I need to know that he’s going to be all right.’ She shivered again. ‘I need to know that you’ll take care of him. Be his guardian. Take your place as his father.’
‘You want me to—’
‘I’ve thought it through, Nick,’ she cut in. ‘You and I have known each other for years. Worked with each other for years. Been friends for years.’
Friends? They’d hardly been that recently. And he was still so angry with her about Jem. Angry with himself, and taking it out on her, he acknowledged wryly.
‘So nobody’s going to bat an eyelid about me asking you to be his guardian. You’re the obvious person. And,’ she said, holding his gaze steadily, ‘like it or not, you’re his father. If I don’t pull through, he’s going to need you.’
Nick swallowed hard. ‘I need time to—’
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