Page 38 of New Dreams for the Village Nurse
Ottilie detected a triumphant little smile. Lavender was trying to keep it from her face, but she wasn’t doing a very good job.
‘Now,’ she said, a note of caution in her tone. ‘Just because she’s in with Simon doesn’t mean we’ve won that battle.’
‘So you admit you want her to stay too?’
‘Of course I do, but I don’t want it if it isn’t what she really wants. I’d hate that.’
Ottilie reached for the teapot and touched a hand to it. It wasn’t exactly piping hot – Lavender had probably made it twenty minutes before when they were supposed to have broken for lunch – but she was so thirsty it would do.
‘But it’s a good sign she’s gone in to see him.’
‘It might be nothing to do with her retirement plans. She might be keeping abreast of progress for one of her patients. She might be signing some paperwork for the agency. Who knows? We’re jumping to a big conclusion.’
‘But you know Fliss – she doesn’t mess about. When something needs doing she gets on and does it. I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t go home and talk to Charles about it straight after she’d been with us and she’d have made her mind up within the hour.’
‘Usually, yes, but she does have other things to think about. Like Charles.’
Lavender smiled. ‘I see what you’re trying to do there. And I get it. You don’t want to be disappointed, and you don’t want me to be disappointed, and I appreciate that. Let’s see, eh? With a bit of luck we’ll know by this afternoon.’
‘What makes you say that? Surely Simon’s got to think about it too, even if Fliss is talking to him about it right now.’
‘Yes, but you’re pally with him. You can get his early reaction, can’t you?’
‘No pallier than you.’
‘Oh, you are! He’s always popping into your room for a chat.’
‘About patients, yes!’ Ottilie said with a little laugh.
‘It’s more than I get.’
Ottilie poured some tea. ‘Lavender, he comes to reception as often as he comes into my room.’
‘How do you know if you’re in your room?’
‘Because…’ Ottilie paused. ‘I just do.’
‘I’m telling you he doesn’t.’ Lavender had a sudden wicked gleam in her eye. ‘I think he fancies you.’
‘Don’t be daft.’
‘He’s all smiley when you’re around.’
‘He’s like that with everyone. He’s just a nice guy. I was up at Hilltop this morning and he’d been there with a new book for Darryl. Nice guy with everyone – it’s as simple as that.’
‘If you say so.’
Ottilie took her lunch from her bag, trying not to be annoyed at Lavender’s teasing, and then noticed the plastic container with Ann’s millionaire’s shortbread in it. She hadn’t been able to see Simon that morning to pass it on. Seeing it now reminded her that she needed to do that before he left for the day.
‘Do you think Fliss will pop in after she’s done with Simon?’ Lavender asked. ‘Maybe I should reboil the kettle just in case.’
‘I would imagine so, assuming they’re done before afternoon session starts.’
‘She’ll have to be done because Simon will have patients to see to.’
‘Maybe not with much time to spare, though.’ Ottilie narrowed her eyes and regarded Lavender over the rim of her mug before taking a sip. ‘You want to know what’s gone on, don’t you?’
‘No,’ Lavender replied, looking sheepish anyway. ‘I only wonder if she’ll have time to say hello. Anyway, don’t pretend you don’t want to know because you absolutely do.’
