‘Yeah. Very bad news. He hasn’t seen Isaac for months, even though I’ve asked him time and time again if he’d come.’
Paula snorted in disgust. ‘What kind of slug doesn’t want to see a cute little guy like Isaac? No wonder you want to celebrate. You want to come down to Drake’s tonight? We could crack open a bottle of champagne.’
‘I’d love to. But I’ve got to go and pick that cute little guy up.’
Paula nodded. ‘And the cute big one?’
‘There’s only one guy in my life who’s even remotely cute. And he’s three feet tall...’ Charlotte told herself that you couldn’t really call Edward cute.
‘Yeah, right. You’re either blind, or crazy, or...’ Paula grinned, her words taking on a sing-song intonation ‘...you’re telling porkies.’
‘I’m just out of one bad relationship. I think I’ll take some time to pause for a breath.’ Charlotte shrugged. ‘Twenty years or so.’
Paula leaned towards her. ‘I wouldn’t leave it twenty seconds if I could get my hands on Edward North.’
‘Who says I can?’
Only about half the clinic. And the other half reckoned she already had. Keeping secrets about what you did out of hours was easy enough. Keeping secrets about how you felt about the people you worked with was nigh on impossible in such a small community.
Paula had the grace not to remind her of the gossip. ‘Whatever. But in another four hours’ time it’s going to be the weekend. Tell me you’ll find something to do to celebrate, eh?’
‘Yes, I will.’
Paula nodded
. ‘Life’s too short to worry about what other people say. Even me.’
‘Thanks, Paula.’ Charlotte looked at her watch. ‘I’ve got to go. I’ve a clinic in twenty minutes.’
‘Edward North?’
‘Yes, Edward North—if you must know.’
* * *
‘Two more to go?’ They were in one of the Hunter Clinic’s plush consulting rooms.
‘Yes.’ Charlotte flipped through the notes. ‘April Ashe is next. She’s just coming in for a follow-up visit.’
‘Ah, yes, April. Have you seen her yet?’
‘Yes, she’s in the waiting area.’
‘How is she?’
Charlotte laughed. ‘Isn’t that what she’s here for? For you to say how she is?’
‘You know what I mean.’
Yes, she did. And it was a question that Edward wouldn’t have asked just a couple of weeks ago. ‘She looks great. She’s got a new dress on.’
Edward searched her face for some clue. ‘How would you know that? Or am I intruding into a knowledge base that’s for you to know and the male of the species to wonder about.’
‘You’ll have to wonder.’ Charlotte grinned at him. It was simple, really. When Charlotte had admired April’s yellow and white summer dress her mother had said it was new. But it was good to keep Edward wondering from time to time.
This time April walked into the consulting room alone. ‘Hi, April.’ Edward got to his feet. ‘You look very nice today.’
April nodded. ‘Thanks.’