Not really. But it was one of life’s rich ironies that there were occasions when the only thing possible was to fall down and then get up again.
‘Yeah. Fine. I was thinking about something I forgot to do... It’s okay, it’ll wait until tomorrow.’
‘Maybe you need a break, Ross.’
What he really needed a break from was this place. ‘I guess I can ask Sam and come back another time.’
‘Or we could just text her.’ Laurie’s gaze was searching his face.
‘Okay. Do you mind doing that? I’ll go and pay for the first trolley load and take it out to the car.’
‘Good idea. That’ll save a bit of time.’
* * *
Something was up. It was as if an invisible hammer had knocked Ross for six, and he was trying to piece his wits back together again. Laurie watched him go and then decided that the best thing she could do was to hurry up and get this shopping trip out of the way.
She texted Sam, who seemed to know exactly what she was talking about, and texted a yes back almost straight away. Then she grabbed one of the boxes, along with a few more stuffed toys, and made for the
checkout. By the time Ross arrived back from the car, she was already halfway through the queue.
Something was definitely the matter. He was smiling and affable, but the smile seemed pasted on. She wondered whether he’d seen that in her when she’d been trying to avoid his questions.
‘Are you hungry?’ Sam looked at her watch as they finished packing the rest of their purchases into the car. ‘It’ll be nearly five o’ clock when we get back to the clinic, so we could stop off for something to eat. My treat, since you got me fish and chips last night.’
Warmth flickered in his eyes. Maybe he realised that she was trying really hard to cheer him up. ‘Yeah. There’s a nice pub about halfway between here and the clinic. They have a garden at the back which looks out over the lake. If that’s not too much of a temptation for you...’
‘You can throw as many lakes as you like at me, I’m a glutton for temptation these days.’ Laurie smiled up at him. ‘I might even buy you a pint, and then drive you home.’
Ross grinned suddenly. ‘Now that’s an offer I can’t refuse.’
The pub served great food, and they sat outside to eat. Ross’s mood had improved, and he seemed in no hurry to get back to the clinic so Laurie suggested they take a walk.
‘It really is beautiful here.’ They strolled together by the side of the lake.
‘Everything a woman could possibly want? Big empty stretches of water...’
He was teasing. But Laurie was fast coming to the conclusion that there was something she wanted a bit more from her stay here.
‘Someone to talk about things to.’
Ross nodded. ‘I’m glad you think so.’
She had to ask. He’d been there for her, and she wanted to be there for him. She didn’t believe for one moment that his sudden change of mood had been anything as trivial as something he’d forgotten to do at the clinic.
‘One thing I’ve learned is that the things you feel that you can’t say actually aren’t so bad after all.’
‘That’s true.’ He didn’t take the bait.
‘You’ve been here for me, Ross. I’d like to return the favour.’
He puffed out a breath. ‘I’m sorry if I was a little short with you earlier. It’s nothing...’
‘I could throw your own words back at you, Ross, and remind you that the more you say that something’s nothing, the less believable it sounds.’
‘It’s something.’ Their pace had slowed to a crawl and he stopped suddenly, stuffing his hands into his pockets and gazing out over the water.
‘Okay. That’s all I wanted to know.’