Page 20 of A Helpin g Hand for the Village Nurse

‘How long has she got?’

Ottilie blinked. ‘What?’

‘How long? She’s dying, right? So how long? Should we prepare for the worst sooner?—’

‘We only ordered her tests today! Where have you had this information from?’ Ottilie asked, although it was pretty obvious where he’d had it from. What was less obvious was why Florence had told him she was dying. As far as Ottilie was aware, no such event was remotely imminent. And if you asked Fliss Cheadle, it wasn’t likely to happen for many years.

‘There’s something wrong with her heart – that’s what she said. Said you were sending her to the consultant as a matter of urgency. Tests, scans, all that, but she said you feared the worst.’

Ottilie tried not to smile. She had a feeling she might know what Flo was up to. Little minx…

‘She did have a moment today that caused me some concern, and I did take her to see the doctor and we did order tests, and yes, there could be a problem with her heart, but that’s one of the less likely explanations based on the checks we did today. More likely is…Look, I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can discuss this with you.’

‘But Gran said?—’

‘I know, but I’m sorry – I have a duty of confidentiality and I can’t discuss it with you.’

His reply sounded exasperated. Ottilie wondered whether he was close to losing his temper, because it certainly sounded that way. ‘Can you at least tell me whether I have to come to Thimblebury?’

‘I don’t know. If you feel you want to see her that’s up to you, but?—’

‘That’s not what I’m asking. Should I be worried enough that I need to see her?’

Ottilie paused. ‘I suspect she wants to see you, which is why you’ve had this phone call from her. I could be wrong, but I’m guessing this is her way of telling you she misses you.’

‘If that was the case, she’d surely just say so.’

‘Perhaps she feels she can’t. She knows you’re busy and your life is elsewhere and really complicated, so perhaps she feels that, in the scheme of things, she isn’t high on your list of priorities. She probably misses you but doesn’t feel able to say so because she thinks she ought to wait until you have time for her.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean? And what do you mean by my complicated life? What’s she been saying?’

Ottilie knew then she’d already said too much on the subject of his personal life. Right now, she wished she hadn’t been told. The best approach was to pretend she hadn’t heard that particular enquiry. ‘It’s none of my business, but I would say that she won’t always be around and maybe you should make the most of the opportunities you have to see her while she is. One day it will be too late and you’ll wish you had.’

‘I do!’ he shot back, and there was real offence in his tone.

Yep, Ottilie decided, definitely about to lose it.

‘Like I said, it’s none of my business. I’m not trying to tell you what to do; I’m only offering an explanation as to why she might have called you and said what she did because you asked me. But I suppose it might not have been that at all. She might just as easily have got muddled up over what we told her at the surgery. She hadn’t been well, after all.’

‘She doesn’t get muddled up; she’s always been sharp. There’s definitely an agenda, but it’s not what you’re saying. You obviously don’t know her – she’s never been one of these needy types – and if you want to project your own needs onto someone, maybe pick someone other than my gran.’

Ottilie’s hackles rose at his dig, but she wasn’t going to get dragged into a slanging match. ‘Look,’ she said stiffly, ‘I really don’t know what to say, only that I’m sorry but I can’t discuss this any further with you.’

‘But I’m family.’

‘How do I know that? I only have your word for it.’

‘Who else would care enough to phone you? Why would someone ring pretending to be me? For fun?’

‘I don’t know. I’m just telling you how it is. It’s the law, and that’s that.’

‘Then why tell her to give me your number if you had no intention of giving me any information?’

‘As I’ve explained, I didn’t.’

‘Then where did she get that idea? And you must have given her your phone number for something.’

‘In case she needed me! It was for her to call in an emergency and nothing else, and I don’t appreciate you using it to call and insult me! I can assure you that in no universe would I ever give her this number to inform you of her impending demise or otherwise. It would never have happened before, but now that we’ve had a conversation I’m more certain of that than ever! So, Mr Reynolds, as I’m not currently on shift, and as it’s incredibly late, I’d appreciate it if you could leave me alone!’

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