“Dr Mortimer, please come in.” Millie ushered him into the conservatory.
“Adam please,” he said warmly.
“This is Laura.” Millie moved to make room for him on the sofa.
Just then, the clouds parted outside and the low afternoon sun slanted into the room landing on the silver tray, the spoons, the cut-glass vase of pretty roses… And on the fair hair of the tall man making it glow like dark gold. It was him, rude seasick man from the ferry. He didn’t look sick now. In fact, with the sun making a halo around his head, he looked like an angel. If angels ever wore cargo trousers and a stethoscope. And if Angels could suddenly stop smiling as they recognized her.
He had turned towards her, his hand out to shake hers, then – just for a split second –his arm flinched back before he schooled his face to bland politeness and made himself shake her hand.
Laura had had plenty of air kisses in the past; she worked in fashion after all. But she’d never had an ‘air handshake’ until now. Their palms didn’t even touch before he took his hand back.
Millie poured him a coffee, and he sat on the sofa next to her, turning slightly to face her which meant he was facing away from Laura.
“You have some questions for me.” His tone was pleasant but serious. Cleary he’d picked up on the note of worry in Millie’s face.
“I know you said he was knocked about on his wheelchair the other day, but he’s still tired, more than usual.”
Adam nodded in agreement. “He’s rather frail and will take longer to recover. It’s common with people his age,” he explained. “I also think he’s been on the wrong pain medication because he refused to see his usual doctor.”
“We didn’t know. Is it serious?”
Laura watched from her armchair on the other side of the central coffee table. He was good; Laura had to give him that. He answered all of Millie’s questions fully and in simple English. There was no arrogance, no patronizing voice; he took her concerns seriously and did his best to put her mind at rest.
What did it matter that he never looked ather. She was not the patient, or a relative.
“We should have the results back early next week.” His voice was warm and reassuring.
“Next week?” she asked. “We won’t be here.” She looked at Laura, including her in the explanation. “You see, George and I won’t be able to have much of a honeymoon after the wedding. Things on the island become much busier from April when the weather improves.” She glanced through the glass walls of the conservatory. It had stopped raining at last.
“So, we’re doing our honeymoon now. But if you think we need to be here—”
“Not at all. Don’t cancel your honeymoon. I don’t think it’s anything urgent. And if it is, I can contact you?” He said it like a question.God, the man was very considerate.
She herself was trying to think how to handle this. Theoretically, she didn’t need Millie much for a few weeks; she’d already taken all her measurements. But she did need her to approve the fabric and to look over the detailed art work and…well …
The truth was she didn’t want to be left alone here without an ally. Over the last two days, holed up at the cottage in Blue-Sage bay, the two of them had bonded. Now she was going to be left in a house full of strangers.
Stop being a ninny! It’s her honeymoon.And hadn’t the housekeeper made her feel welcome? And wasn’t this a wonderful opportunity to grow up and be the lion everyone told her she could become? Even the doctor was being considerate and reassuring Millie all would be well in her absence.
“I’ll be reachable by email,” Millie said. “And Mrs B will have George’s mobile which takes international calls. That’s probably best because we may not have internet access.”
“Where are you going?” Adam asked.
“South Africa. We’re taking the road from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth.”
“The Garden Route?” He suddenly became very animated. No longer the doctor but a warm enthusiastic friend. “That’s a wonderful trip.”
“Have you been?”
“Only to Cape Town for a medical conference, but I’ve always wanted to travel the Garden Route and visit the nature reserves.” He looked like someone who’d never had a holiday finally receiving a travel brochure. She could almost see him making plans in his head.
“And the weather will be perfect,” he said. “It’s the middle of summer in South Africa now.”
“Oh yes.” Millie beamed. “I intend to get a proper tan for my wedding.” She turned to Laura. “I hope that won’t mess up your plans. You see,” She explained to Adam, “Laura is making my wedding dress, but I’ll be two shades darker by the time we get back.”
Grateful to finally be included in the conversation, Laura laughed along. “That’s fine. I was planning on warm colours for the fabric any way. Cream, pale honey, champagne. I’m sure they’ll suit your colouring very much. My worry, though…”
Adam, who had been all smiles and enthusiasm, suddenly withdrew. Literally, as though someone had turned out the lights inside him. His face closed and he stood up awkwardly. “I’d better get back to my patient. Best wishes for the trip, Millie.”
