Doctor and Son by Maggie Kingsley

Author:Maggie Kingsley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-09-24T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

‘IT’S nothing much—just a box of chocolates—but I really would like you to accept them as a thank-you present,’ Carol Bannerman said, pressing the brightly wrapped box into Annie’s surprised hands.

‘But I haven’t done anything,’ Annie protested. ‘Dr Brooke performed your fibroid operation.’

‘I know, and I’ve already given him a bottle of wine, and I wanted to give one to Mr Caldwell, but Sister Baker said he doesn’t usually get back from the operating theatre until half past two on Thursdays.’

Annie glanced down at her watch. ‘It’s only just gone half past.’

‘Yes, but I’m afraid I can’t wait any longer. Brian’s arrived to take me home, you see, and he hates hospitals—can’t abide them.’ Carol dived into her overnight bag and produced a package. ‘Would you give this to Mr Caldwell for me?’

Annie stared at the present uncomfortably. ‘There’s really no need for you to give us anything. I mean, it’s very kind of you—and we appreciate the thought—but—’

‘I want to do it, Doctor,’ Carol declared. ‘You see, when I saw you and Mr Caldwell I thought you were going to recommend a hysterectomy. My GP said you would. He said it was the best thing for my fibroids, but I knew if I had a hysterectomy…’ She came to a halt, scrabbled for a handkerchief, then blew her nose noisily. ‘Oh, cripes, I vowed I wouldn’t do anything silly but the thing is, you’ve given me hope. Hope that I might still one day be able to have a baby, and a measly box of chocolates and two bottles of wine are small enough thanks for that.’

‘I…I don’t know what to say,’ Annie faltered, immensely touched.

‘Just don’t tell me you’re on a diet, and that Mr Caldwell and Dr Brooke are both teetotal,’ Carol said with a shaky laugh, and Annie laughed, too.

‘Have you an appointment for Mr Caldwell’s outpatient clinic in a month’s time?’ she asked as she walked with Carol down the ward.

Carol nodded. ‘He’s lovely, isn’t he—Mr Caldwell?’

‘He’s certainly an excellent consultant,’ Annie replied noncommittally.

‘I’m not talking about his qualifications,’ Carol protested. ‘I’m talking about him. OK, so maybe he’s not drop-dead gorgeous, but there’s something about him, don’t you think?’

Too darned right there is, Annie thought, feeling her cheeks beginning to burn, and being a sensational kisser was just one of them.

‘In fact, I can’t understand why one of you hasn’t snapped him up yet,’ Carol continued. ‘Frankly, I’d have been first in the queue myself if I didn’t have Brian.’

I might have been right there with you after that kiss on Saturday, Annie thought as she waved Carol goodbye, if everything hadn’t gone so horribly and terribly wrong.

Even now, almost a week later, she still couldn’t sleep. The minute she drifted off, she began to dream. Dreams that were so vivid, so terrifying and real, that she had to rush immediately into Jamie’s room to make sure he was still there, that she really had got him back.

David said she was overreacting.

He’d come round on Sunday morning, all agog to discover how her day out had gone.

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