Chapter Eleven
“Well,I have the results of the x-ray and thankfully you haven’t broken any of your ribs. This is just a nasty bruise and you should feel much better in a week or so,” Dr Salahan says as Hudson and I sit in heroffice.
“That’s a relief,” Hudson says. “Is there anything we can do for Louisa to help herrecovery?”
“Not particularly. Rest, painkillers and sympathy are pretty much what Louisa needs.” She looks at me and smiles kindly. Probably in her mid-fifties, Dr Salahan has greying brown hair and steel blue eyes and yet, despite the obvious kindness, she’s the kind of woman who doesn’t miss atrick.
“And it looks as though you have a pretty sore lip there,” she says, stating theobvious.
“Uh huh,” I reply. I’ve never been very fond of doctors. Over the years I haven’t had the best interaction with them. Unless I’m sick, I avoid the medical profession like theplague.
“Though fortunately it is a superficial wound and will heal in a couple of days. Mr Freed,” Dr Salahan says, turning to Hudson. “I’d like a moment alone with Louisa,please.”
Hudson looks from Dr Salahan to me and backagain.
“Why?”
“In case Louisa would like to speak to me inprivate.”
“Do you want to talk in private with the doctor?” Hudson asksme.
I shrug. “Notparticularly.”
“Then I’ll think I’ll stay,” Hudson saysfirmly.
“Fair enough,” Dr Salahan says. “But I’m always available if you need me,Louisa.”
“Sure, thanks,” I say, not feeling very thankful atall.
“I’d like to see you in a week’s time, just to check you over and make sure you’re healing. Would that beokay?”
“I guess so…” I say, waiting for her to fill the silence. She considers me with her intelligent eyes and it’s making me feel even more uncomfortable. “Is that everything then? I mean, I appreciate your time, but I’d like to get back home now.” It comes out sounding rude but honestly, I’m getting the distinct impression that Dr Salahan is trying to insinuate that Hudson had something to do with my injuries and it is pissing meoff.
“That’s everything,yes.”
I stand, and Hudson gets up too. He holds his hand out to Dr Salahan. “Thank you. Please send the bill direct to ouroffice.”
Hudson leads me out of the surgery and into the waiting car outside. Calum holds the door open for us both. He’s looking particularly attractive this afternoon. Nisha had practically fallen off the kitchen stool earlier when he had walked in the kitchen. I’ve never seen her so tongue-tied. Poor Nisha, I don’t think she knows quite what to do with herself aroundhim.
“Cheers, Cal. We’re going to head back homenow.”
“Would you like me to run by the office, pick Bryce and Max up?” Calum asks as he pulls out into the flow oftraffic.
“No, they’ve got another meeting scheduled now. They said they’d catch a cab homelater.”
“What time do they finish? I can collectthem.”
“Cal, it’s Friday night and you’re off duty in an hour. They’re happy to call acab.”
“Fairenough.”
We settle into the warm leather seats as Cal drives us back home.Home.It’s slightly worrying that I am already calling their place home. I’ve only been there twenty-four hours and already I want to stay forever. I shake those thoughts away. This is my heart talking, not my head. Be sensible, Louisa, I scold myself. One day at atime.
When we get inside, loud music is coming from upstairs. I can hear Nishasinging.
“What isthat?” Hudson asks, covering hisears.
“Sounds like someone’s happy,” Calum says with a grin. I catch his eye and his face is serious oncemore.