The Midwife's Christmas Miracle by Jennifer Taylor

Author:Jennifer Taylor [Jennifer Taylor ]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781408918432
Publisher: Harlequin Mills & Boon Ltd.

Chapter Nine

MAX wasn’t planning on going to the Christmas party, even though he had bought a ticket months ago. After his last disastrous date, he had given up on the idea of socialising for the moment. However, as the day wore on, the prospect of spending the evening on his own held even less appeal. He knew what would happen. He would spend the time thinking about Lucy and it wouldn’t help one little bit. The Christmas party could turn out to be the better option.

He went home to shower and change then drove back to the hospital. The party was being held in the staff canteen and there was quite a crowd in there when he arrived. He got himself a drink from the makeshift bar and went to find the others, stopping en route to speak to various people he knew. Everyone was in high spirits and he only wished he felt as cheerful as they did. However, he was suddenly very conscious of the fact that this would be the last Christmas he spent in Dalverston and the thought weighed heavily on him. It was hard to appear his usual happy-go-lucky self when he joined the staff from the maternity unit.

‘We didn’t know you were coming, Max!’ Anita Walsh exclaimed. ‘You should have said and then we could have picked you up in the minibus to save you driving.’

‘I wasn’t sure if I could make it,’ he hedged, not wanting to explain why it had been a last-minute decision. He held up his glass, wanting to deflect any more awkward questions. ‘OK, guys, I’d like to propose a toast. To everyone who works on the maternity unit. May we all enjoy the fruits of other people’s labours!’

Everyone laughed as they clinked glasses. Max was relieved that he had managed to divert attention away from himself. There were several former members of staff there that night and he decided to have word with them. If he kept circulating, hopefully no one would notice that he wasn’t his usual ebullient self.

He was just heading over to speak to Maria, who had retired recently, when he saw Lucy crossing the canteen and his heart seemed to leap right up into his throat. He’d had no idea that she would be there that night. Tickets had sold out months ago, long before she had moved to Dalverston. Now the shock of seeing her so unexpectedly turned his limbs to stone. He could only stand and stare as she drew closer.

Lucy felt shock scud through her when she spotted Max. She’d never dreamt that he would be there that night and wasn’t sure what she should do. She paused, wondering if she should beat a hasty retreat, but just at that moment Cathy spotted her.

‘There you are!’ Cathy exclaimed as she came hurrying over to her. ‘I thought you must have changed your mind and decided not to come after all.’

‘I…um…I’m sorry I’m late but the bus didn’t turn up so I had to find a taxi.

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