Page 90 of Fundamentals in Flirting

“Are you ok?” I asked, surprised by his curt tone.

“Fine. You can see yourself out, right?”

I nodded mutely as he stormed away after Henry and Clara, so that I was left with only a deep-rooted ache for his company, and the debilitating feeling that I’d unknowingly broken something truly rare and beautiful.

ChapterTwenty-Seven

“There’s someone here to see you. She says it’s important.” Betsy announced, as she skipped into the back office where I was having my lunch.

It had been a very busy Monday morning surgery, and this was my first break since I’d started the clinic several hours ago. My attention was still drawn to the unopened letter that I’d been turning over and over in my fingers for the last five minutes. The stamp had been franked in Bristol and the university crest graced the top corner of the envelope. I couldn’t escape the knotty, sick feeling in my stomach.

I waved my sandwich at Betsy. “If it’s an emergency, Giles is about somewhere.”

“It’s not, but she says she has to speak to you. It’s urgent.”

“What’s it about?”

“She didn’t say, but was very insistent that she sees you.”

“All right, give me five minutes and then show her into consulting room one.”

Betsy gave me a little salute and backed out of the room. I glanced at the envelope again. Taking a fortifying and exaggerated deep breath, I ripped it open and quickly read the letter, typed neatly on headed paper, my sandwich now forgotten in its wrapper.

As I skimmed the words, key phrases jumped out:

…vacancy in the equine hospital and research team…

…your academic record speaks for itself…

…always a valued member of the department…

…by mutual agreement Professor Pierce has stepped down from his post…

…left the university with immediate effect…

I stopped and read this part again. And once more for luck. Jonathan had left. Gone from Bristol. I let this sink in for a moment. I wondered what he’d done this time. Had he got his comeuppance, finally?

Oh, I bloody well hope so.

The letter ended with an invitation to interview for the job of heading up the research group – Jonathan’s vacated position. Obviously this wasn’t a cast-iron offer, just the chance to throw my hat in the ring, but they had asked me specifically to apply so the chances were good. Stuffing the letter back into the envelope and tucking it safely in the pocket of my jeans, I headed down the corridor, almost running straight into Clara outside the consulting room.

“Clara? Come through.” I gestured ahead of me and closed the door behind us.

“Hannah, thanks for seeing me. I hope I haven’t disturbed you?”

“No, not at all. Is everything ok? You don’t have any pets, do you?” I asked, looking around for a cat carrier or a dog.

“I have a cat, Spencer.” Her eyes glazed over with a look of devotion and she smiled. “He’s a bit grumpy but I love him. He’s actually very fond of Henry though, the disloyal little git.”

“Right. Is he ok? Have you brought him? Do you need me to take a look at something?”

I was a little agitated, probably being overly curt, as my mind ran away at a million miles an hour, the letter burning a hole in my back pocket. I was desperate to read it again to make sure it was real.

“Oh, no! I’m not here about Spencer. He’s fit and healthy, but thanks.”

Clara blushed a little and her eyes darted away.

“Ok, so what is it I can do for you?” I said, aiming for contrite. I liked Clara a lot, and I didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable.

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