Page 39 of New Dreams for the Village Nurse
‘And I’m sure we’ll find out in good time.’
Lavender folded her arms and grinned at Ottilie. ‘Spoilsport. Play the game with me, would you?’
Ottilie couldn’t help but grin in return. ‘You’re terrible.’
‘I know, but you love it. I bet I’m the best doctor’s receptionist you’ve ever worked with.’
‘You’re the only doctor’s receptionist I’ve ever worked with.’
‘Hey, I’ll take the small victories.’
Ottilie shook her head, still smiling. ‘Daft sod.’
She was about to say more about it when her mobile began to ring.
‘Sorry, got to take this.’
Lavender’s smile faded. ‘Looks serious…’
‘It’s Josh’s old workmate,’ Ottilie said as she hurried from the room.
Out in the surgery garden it was chilly, Ottilie’s skin erupting with goosebumps. This garden had been witness to some intense conversations since she’d been employed here, and Ottilie had a feeling this was going to be another one.
‘Hi, Faith. How are you?’
‘Good. How’s everything there? Still loving the country life?’
Faith sounded cheerful. It was a good sign. Ottilie allowed herself to relax a bit.
‘It’s great, actually. Lovely.’
‘Those Sunday walks must be nicer than they are around here.’
‘I can’t say I go on that many. Too busy most of the time.’
Ottilie waited through a pause. Was there something in particular Faith had called for? They’d promised to keep in touch at the beginning, but contact had tailed off. Ottilie had started to feel that Faith only called when something was happening with the efforts to convict Josh’s killer, and perhaps Faith felt that too, the calls dropping off because she felt they were unwelcome.
‘Anyway,’ Faith said finally, ‘I wondered if you’d had a letter yet about the trial date?’
Ottilie frowned. ‘Trial date? I didn’t even know there was one.’
‘I thought you might not. So much for the grinding wheels of justice, eh? More like ground to a halt. In that case, we’ve got a date. I was wondering if you had plans to come to the trial. I mean, I get it if you’d rather not…and of course, you’re quite entitled if that’s what you’d prefer. But I thought…well, I’d make myself available if I could, like while you’re here.’
‘There’s no way of knowing how long I’d need to be in Manchester for, though, is there?’
‘No, I suppose not. We might get an idea of how long it will last once we’re up and running. But you have family to stay with, don’t you?’
‘I also have a job here and I don’t know how easy it will be to get away from that. When’s the trial?’
‘Next month. That’s if it doesn’t get delayed, of course, and it’s not like that never happens.’
Ottilie was aware of her heart suddenly beating in her ears. Did she want to face the man who’d taken her husband’s life? Could she really be in the same room as him and be OK? She’d always imagined she would stand before him and make certain he knew who she was, because she wanted him to squirm with his guilt, but now that the reality was close at hand, she wasn’t sure she could do it.
‘I expect I’ll get the letter through soon,’ she said, fighting to gather her chaotic thoughts. ‘I’ll see what Dr Cheadle says when I do. I think that’s the best way.’
‘Sounds sensible to me. Listen…’ Faith paused again. ‘I’m sorry I’ve been a bit…well, I’m sorry if you think I’ve forgotten about you. I haven’t; it’s…’
‘I know,’ Ottilie said. ‘It’s OK. I appreciate you keeping me up to date, but it’s weird, right? When we speak like this we’re dragging up a tough time we’d both rather forget. I don’t blame you – in many ways I feel like it’s harder for you than it is for me.’
