Just before they reached the workroom, Laura’s phone rang
ADAM flashed on the screen.
She tried not to answer it. She really tried. This was not the time. It didn’t help that Millie, waved a hand, smiling to indicate that she should take the call. The wicked gleam in her eyes made it clear she’d heard the gossip about them. Bloody small island!
Laura’s finger swiped across the screen to accept the call, prepared to tell him she was busy with work and hang up. “Hi,” she answered with an almost believably relaxed voice.
“Laura.”
Just the one word, and instantly she remembered his voice last night in her ear, the mixture of need and relief.
Jesus! She was beyond help.Toughen up woman! You can’t fall in love so fast.
“Do you have time to talk?”
No. The bride is here and this is a really important fitting. I can’t be distracted.
“Of course.”
Yep, completely beyond help.
“I think Millie is on her way to you this afternoon.”
OK, that was an odd thing to say to the woman you slept with last night.
“Yes.”
“Can you do me a favour?” He sounded troubled. “I was hoping to talk to George about his father’s condition but Lord M made me promise not to say a word about his health. Not to anyone.”
The fog cleared instantly. “That’s ridiculous. You have to.”
“I can’t break a patient’s confidentiality. It’s against our code of ethics.”
“Bollocks to the code of ethics.”
“No, I can’t, Laura.”
“So?”
“Well, this is the thing. George is probably the last person the old man would listen too, anyway. He calls him ‘my interfering son’ and Nurse Ann often talks about it, says they used to have a terrible relationship. Apparently, things only got better after he and Millie were engaged. Pierre always says that Millie is the only person who can get to the old man and she can make him do anything.”
Laura could see where this was going. “You want me to tell her what you think is—”
“No.” he interrupted. “That would still be a breach of confidentiality.”
“Then—”
“Don’t tell her what I think. Tell her whatyouthink, what you saw, your own suspicions.”
“And that would preserve your code of ethics.”
He sighed. “Something like that.” He sounded torn.
“Is it still…She stopped herself in time, aware of Millie standing nearby. “Like yesterday?”
“No, but…I can’t talk about it.” Then he added in a grim voice, “For now.”
“OK.”
