Page 80 of Toy Boy

“Of course I’m not including you.” She looks up at me and shoots me a full-on smile. “You’re about the only man worth any effort around here.” She moves away from the window and perches herself on the edge of my desk, making herself very much at home. “Have you thought any more about the interview? We really need an answer, Scott. And you know you’d be doing the hospital a huge favour if you agree to do the article.”

I put down my pen and sit back. “Okay. You’ve worn me down, I’ll do it.”

She claps her hands together and bounces her taut arse off my desk like an excited kid who’s just discovered a fridge that makes endless ice cream. “Excellent! I’ll call them this afternoon and we can start arranging a day that suits everyone.”

I can’t help smiling, because her enthusiasm is actually quite contagious. “We don’t usually see you in on a Saturday.” I lean forward and start scrolling through a new batch of emails that seem to have arrived out of nowhere. “Is there something else going on?”

“No, but, I had nothing else planned today, and coming in on the weekend means I can get ahead of myself as far as work’s concerned. Leads to a less stressful week.” She checks her watch. “Anyway, I hear you’re doing two surgeries today, which is unusual. Surgeries like that don’t usually happen on the weekends.”

“You’re not the only one who likes to get ahead of the curve. This morning’s surgery was an urgent procedure that’s been put back far too many times, and this afternoon’s is a time-sensitive issue. The patient is due to leave the country in a month, to start a new job, and he needs time to recover before he heads halfway across the world. I’m also one of those surgeons who’s lost my appetite for weekends on the golf course, I’d much rather be here.”

“Well, you won’t hear me complaining.” She finally vacates the corner of my desk and heads for the door. “I’ll see you tonight, then.”

“Come to mine first, if you like. For a drink, before we head to the party.”

She smiles. “Okay. Around seven?”

I nod, and her smile widens. “Alright. I’ll see you later, then. Oh, and Scott? Thanks, for agreeing to do the interview.”

“My pleasure.”

Not really. I hate the idea of interviews, at least, now I do. I hate talking about myself, I just want to keep my head down and do my job, but the hospital also needs money. And doing this interview, it could be a boost for the Trust.

I wait until the door closes behind Tania before I sit back in my chair, close my eyes, and let out the longest, deepest sigh. I made so many mistakes, and now I fear I’m making another one, by encouraging Tania, despite our “no strings” agreement. I’m starting to feel things for her that I can’t allow myself to feel, that’s why I’ve all but avoided her this past week. And now we’re going to Tim’s party together, and Megan will be there, I know she will, she loves Tim. Megan Flowers… No. I’ve waited too long. Wasted too much time, things have to change. Tonight…

17

Megan

The weather took a turn for the better late afternoon, just in time for Tim’s party. It’s being held in The Swan’s conservatory which, when needed, is used for private functions. It has its own private decked terrace to the side of the pub, sea-views, and enough space for people to move outside if it gets too stuffy indoors. There’s no air-con, so it has the potential to descend into one huge, unbearable greenhouse if the sun’s too strong. Thankfully, the sun’s off this side of the pub now so it’s fairly comfortable, helped by the huge sliding doors that have been left wide open onto the terrace to let the cool evening breeze in.

“You look beautiful!” Tim gushes as he leans in to kiss my cheek, and I squeeze his arm and smile at him. He’s always looked out for me, ever since Josh and I arrived in Beachcastle Bay. He was one of the first people I ever met, and I will always be grateful to him and Greta for helping me settle into a life I love.

“Thank you. You’re not looking too bad yourself, granddad!”

He laughs, because he knows I’ve got my tongue firmly in my cheek, he’s only fifty-six. And, to be honest, he looks younger than that. But then, he’s always kept himself fit, always eaten well, apart from those occasional fried breakfasts he indulges in at the café when Greta’s away. Come on! We all fall off the wagon once in a while. I just wish that only applied to food.

“Can’t believe I’m fifty-six already! Where’s the time gone, huh?”

I glance over at Josh, tall and handsome with his short, dark hair and neat stubbled jaw line, he’s all grown-up now, but he’ll always be my baby boy. “Tell me about it. Doesn’t feel like five minutes since I turned up here with a three-year-old and all my worldly possessions in the back of a Fiat Panda.”

“Yes, well, you’re part of the Beachcastle Bay furniture now, for want of a better phrase.”

“I guess I am,” I laugh, hugging him quickly. “I’d better go find Xander.”

“It’s nice to see you so happy. He’s been good for you.”

“It’s just a summer fling, Tim. I’m really not looking for any kind of relationship just yet, I’m enjoying my life the way it is.”

At least, I was.

Until Scott Warren returned.

Until I let him back in, and I hate that I did that. That I’m still doing it…

“As long as he makes you smile, that’s all that matters.”

“He does.”

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