She quickly typed a reply asking what time bingo was and when Bridget would need to leave, and after some back and forth, they came to an agreement that Zoe would do her best, but that they would leave the front door unlocked if Bridget had already gone and Zoe could let herself in. Then Lavender came back with her coffee, and Zoe was thankful that her working day had begun in earnest. At least it would take her mind off things she wasn’t ready to think about.
Zoe looked up at the knock on her door. Lavender hadn’t yet sent the notification through that her next clinic attendee had arrived, and if it was their receptionist, she would normally just come in if she knew Zoe was alone.
‘Yes? I’m free – no need to knock.’
Simon opened the door. ‘Sorry, I like to check. It can be awkward if you have a patient…well, you’d know better than most about people simply barging in.’
‘That’s all right. Did you need something?’
‘A word, actually. I hope I’m not speaking out of turn and…well, please don’t take this out on Lavender because she mentioned it to me from a place of concern…’
Zoe stiffened. ‘Mentioned what?’
‘You’ve been quite desperate to see Emilia.’
‘Not desperate, exactly, but I could do with seeing her about something.’
‘Something I can help with?’
‘I’m not sure…’ Zoe paused then shook her head. ‘No, I ought to wait until she’s got a minute for me. It’s nothing really…’
‘It doesn’t sound like nothing. It’s a personal matter?’
Zoe nodded.
‘In that case’ – Simon began to back out of the door – ‘I’ll butt out. I thought it might be a professional matter, or perhaps a medical one that I could help with so you wouldn’t have to wait. If…and I’m sorry again if I’m overstepping the mark…you seem…well, Lavender says you don’t seem quite yourself. Don’t say I came in to tell you that because she asked me not to. But it wouldn’t be right if I was given the information and did nothing with it.’
‘I’m fine. I’m sorry if Lavender was worried.’
‘I’m sure that’s not the point of her telling me. She doesn’t want you to be sorry – none of us do. We’re your colleagues and, I hope, friends. We look out for one another. I’m sure you’d dothe same if the tables were turned and one of us seemed out of sorts.’
‘I suppose so…Thanks for asking.’
‘It’s not a problem. I’ll leave you to it. I only wanted to see if there was anything I could do.’
He seemed so disappointed that Zoe was tempted to call him back and apologise for not confiding in him. It wasn’t even that she didn’t want to; she simply didn’t feel able. He took his work and his oath to help others so seriously that Zoe could picture him going back to his desk and deciding he’d somehow failed someone, and the thought of it made her sad. He was a wonderful doctor, and he was right, they were friends, even if she sometimes felt she didn’t really know him. He’d always been there for anyone who needed it, and there was a reason Ottilie held him in such high regard.
‘Simon…’
He stopped and turned back.
‘Would you have five minutes to spare before lunch? I think there is something you could help me with. I’ve got to pop out on a house call, but I can make it back for then if you could be free.’
His deep frown cleared into a small smile. ‘Of course. As soon as you’re back, come and see me in my room. I won’t tell Lavender we’ve had this chat, if it helps.’
Zoe gave a small smile of her own. ‘You won’t need to – she doesn’t miss anything.’
‘True. But I can be as discreet as you need.’
‘I know, and I do appreciate it. I’m sure you’ll think it’s something and nothing.’
‘If it’s something to you, that’s all that matters. I’m not here to judge; I’m here to help. Working to care for others as we do, it’s easy to forget that sometimes we need someone to care for us too.’
5
‘He’s certainly not backwards at letting us know when he’s not happy…’
Zoe smiled at Maisie. Ezra was screaming as if his life depended on it as he lay on the scales so Zoe could track his progress. The expression Maisie sent back was anything but relaxed.
