Chapter 1
Lily Jones smiled encouragingly at her patient. “That’s it. You’ve almost got it!”
Bettie Clyde, the seventy-five-year-old retired teacher who Lily was currently working with, blew out her lips. “Blimey, this is hard work! Whoever thought putting on a shoe would be so difficult!”
“It’ll get easier,” Lily replied. “This is just part of your rehab. We can’t have you bending over too much right after your operation, can we?”
Bettie nodded and continued diligently working with the shoe horn. Finally, she got the shoe over her foot and sat back, puffing a little. She’d only been out of hospital a few days after her hip replacement and she was doing remarkably well— even if she didn’t think so herself.
Lily clapped her hands together and grinned broadly. “You see! I said you could do it!”
Bettie gave her a weak smile. “Aye, you did, but that’s only one of two. Do I have to put the other one on now?”
Lily laughed. “No, I think you’ve done enough for today. What say we go for a little walk to celebrate?”
Bettie snorted. “Walk? That would be a fine thing! I haven’t walked properly in years!”
Lily flipped her chestnut braid over her shoulder as she knelt and began putting on Bettie’s remaining shoe. “Well, if youcontinue progressing how you are, you’ll be walking in no time. And I’m sure Teddy will be pleased about that.”
Teddy, Bettie’s cute-faced little Airedale terrier, perked his ears up at the mention of his name.
“Oh, you’ve done it now!” Bettie laughed. “We’ll get no peace!”
As if understanding every word his owner said, Teddy jumped down from the couch and began dancing around Bettie’s wheelchair, wagging his tail and barking excitedly.
Lily climbed to her feet. “All right, I give in! You can come too, Teddy.”
In short order she had Bettie bundled up in her coat, Teddy on his lead, and her own long coat on over her uniform. It might be spring, but the weather had been a bit chilly of late. She wheeled Bettie out of the back door of her single-story house, through the arching garden gate, and along the street towards the park.
As she gently pushed the wheelchair, Lily breathed in deeply of the fresh spring air. She loved this time of year. It was so full of promise and excitement, like anything was possible. The fresh green leaves were just beginning to uncurl, and the gardens and parks were full of daffodil, crocus, and sweet-smelling hyacinth.
The park was right at the end of Bettie’s street and it was busy with children playing ball games and clambering on the climbing frames, people walking their dogs, and joggers racing along the many paths. It seemed Lily wasn’t the only one who’d decided to make the most of the bright spring day.
She wheeled Bettie over to one of the benches and put the brake on her wheelchair. Bettie unclipped Teddy’s lead and the little dog raced off, happily sniffing through the flowerbeds and bushes, and wagging his tail delightedly.
“We could all take a leaf out of Teddy’s book,” Bettie said. “It must be nice to be pleased by such simple things.”
Lily laughed. “Well, I know a simple thing that would make me happy right now. There’s a kiosk over there—how about I get us both a cup of tea?”
Bettie grinned. “Ah, now you’re talking, my dear!”
Lily walked over to the kiosk and joined the line waiting to order. She felt a twinge in her back and a hot, sharp stab of pain went all the way down her leg. She winced, doing her best to ignore it.
Perhaps she’d over done it a bit. Bettie was her fifth client of the day, and maybe she shouldn’t have wheeled her to the park. But it was such a nice day and Bettie was making such great progress that she hadn’t been able to resist. After all, she was an occupational therapist, wasn’t she? It was her job to help people and if she wore herself out a little in the process, who was she to complain? The satisfaction of helping others far outweighed her own discomfort.
And besides, she had much to make up for.
She reached the front of the line and ordered two cups of strong tea and a small piece of carrot cake to go with each. So much for watching her figure. Well, she’d earned it!
Carrying the paper cups in each hand and holding the paper bag between her teeth, she made her way back to where she’d left her client. Halfway there, she noticed that someone else was sitting on the bench next to Bettie. It was an elderly woman wrapped up in a thick coat and the two of them were chatting away like old friends. Teddy was dancing around the newcomer’s feet, tail wagging ecstatically, while the old woman absently scratched his ears.
Lily approached and coughed politely. Bettie looked up. “Ah, there you are, my dear! I’ve just been telling my new friend what a godsend you’ve been since I came out of hospital.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that, Bettie,” Lily replied with a shrug. “I just give you instructions—it’s you who does all the hard work.”
“She’s modest too you know,” Bettie said to the newcomer. “As well as beautiful and clever. It’s a wonder she’s still single! I don’t know why some strapping young man hasn’t snapped her up by now!”
Lily resisted the urge to roll her eyes.Here we go again.Ever since Bettie had learned that Lily was single, the older woman had made it her personal mission to arrange Lily’s love life. She’d even gone as far as trying to set her up with her grandson—never mind that her grandson was five years Lily’s junior and gay to boot.
