Page 53 of New Dreams for the Village Nurse
‘This all looks incredible,’ Lavender said. ‘We must have done something very good to deserve such a treat.’
‘You have,’ Fliss said. ‘I don’t know what I would have done without the support of this wonderful little team over the past few weeks.’
‘Me neither,’ Charles said. ‘Because Fliss was able to have such confidence in you all to take care of the surgery, she was able to take care of me. I’m quite sure I wouldn’t be sitting here with you all now if not for her.’
‘Of course you would,’ Fliss said briskly. ‘Don’t talk rot.’
Lavender let out a giggle. ‘Poor Charles.’
‘I know.’ He rolled his eyes. ‘Pour my heart out, try to give the woman a compliment and what do I get? You see now what my married life is like? People think I must have it made but they don’t see this.’
Ottilie smiled. Despite how they teased or reprimanded or chided one another, she knew that there were few more devoted couples than Fliss and Charles. The villagers of Thimblebury gossiped about them often, speculated on the fact that they’d never shared a home, how they appeared to have entirely separate lives. Some saw what Ottilie and Lavender did – that no matter what anyone thought about it, the way they inhabited their marriage worked for them, and it worked brilliantly. Others couldn’t understand it, and some were convinced it was a marriage of convenience, though Ottilie couldn’t imagine what they thought there was to be gained from such a strange one, where there was no reason to do it.
Ottilie held out her plate and Fliss scooped a ladleful of the pasta onto it. ‘More?’
‘God, yes, please!’ Ottilie grinned. ‘If it’s not depriving anyone else.’
‘There’s buckets of the stuff,’ Fliss said. ‘Eat as much as you like. I’ll be happy if you approve enough to eat more than one plate.’
‘If it tastes as good as it looks, I might run off with the pan,’ Simon said.
Fliss beamed at him. ‘I know it’s not done to blow one’s own trumpet, but I like to think that it does. Should I booby-trap the pot just in case?’
‘I think you might have to.’
Lavender had her plate filled, and then Simon, and then Charles. Finally, Fliss served some for herself and took a seat, reaching for her glass. ‘Bon appétit.’
A chorus of complimentary and contented voices rippled around the table as everyone tucked in and gave their opinions on the dish. Ottilie had expected it to be good, but she was surprised to find it was incredible. She wasn’t sure she could replicate it, and if she tried it would never be as delicious as this, but she quickly decided to ask Fliss for the recipe before she went home so she could make it for Heath.
Despite the relaxed conviviality and polite chatter, Ottilie couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation hanging in the air. Fliss’s decision was the reason they’d all gathered, but as yet, the subject of her retirement hadn’t been broached, and Ottilie wondered whether she’d save it until they’d eaten.
As usual, Lavender was less inclined towards tact and jumped straight in with both size sixes. ‘So, are you are going to tell us your plans?’
Fliss exchanged a look of amusement with Charles.
He smiled. ‘Nothing changes, I see.’
‘Sorry, but I thought…’
‘Yes, there’s an update,’ Fliss said. ‘I was going to wait until we were on the pudding course and a bit more wine, but as you seem so eager to know, I’ll tell you.’ She glanced at Simon, who smiled. It was obvious he knew what was coming. ‘I’ve decided not to retire just yet, but I am going to cut my hours. And Simon has kindly agreed to stop on.’
‘For how long?’ Ottilie asked.
‘I’m looking into making him a partner. There are some details to iron out, but…’
Lavender sat up. ‘That’s brilliant!’
‘It is!’ Ottilie agreed. ‘Congratulations, Simon. I’m so happy you’re both going to be staying at the surgery.’
Simon inclined his head, his smile growing. ‘Thanks. I’m happy too. I wasn’t sure about being in such a small village at first, but it’s weird how Thimblebury grows on you. I had to think about it for a bit?—’
‘For far too long,’ Fliss cut in. ‘A woman could be offended by that, you know.’
Simon’s smile turned into a grin. ‘Sorry about that. But now that it’s all sorted, I’m really looking forward to getting started properly.’
‘When will that be?’ Lavender asked.
‘Well, I suppose I’ll have to serve some sort of notice to the agency, but the good thing is I can do that while I continue to work here, so the transition ought to be so smooth nobody will even notice it. The only thing that will really change is who pays my salary.’
