Page 84 of New Dreams for the Village Nurse
‘Came here from Africa…’
‘Yes.’
‘And nobody knows anything about him. What on earth was he doing in Africa?’
‘Working,’ Ottilie said, unable to keep the tartness from her voice now. ‘Looking after disadvantaged people who don’t have access to proper healthcare. Is that the answer to the riddle you were hoping for, or did you want to hear something juicier than that?’
Heath turned to her now. ‘There’s no need to get defensive. Gran’s only saying what everyone is thinking.’
Ottilie raised her eyebrows. ‘Including you?’
‘No, but…well, you’ve got to admit he’s a bit too good to be true. Nobody is that good and pure.’
‘Aren’t they?’
‘I’m only saying.’
‘Well, don’t. It’s mean-spirited and it doesn’t suit you to be mean-spirited.’
Heath held up his hands and pretended to back off. ‘All right…’
‘And don’t patronise me.’ Ottilie’s voice had a warning edge now. ‘I’m going to talk to Corrine – I might actually get a sensible conversation over there.’
‘Ott, wait…’
She didn’t wait. She marched across to the table, smoothing her expression as Corrine turned to greet her. She wanted to enjoy the evening, but at the same time she wasn’t going to stand by and allow unkind speculation about Simon, even when that came from Heath. She didn’t want an argument with Heath, but when he was wrong she was going to say so, even if it did end up causing an argument.
‘Hello.’ Corrine, Victor and Ann all turned as she reached the table. ‘This is all very nice and civilised, isn’t it?’
‘The party?’
Corrine nodded. ‘We don’t get invited to many parties these days,’ she continued, and Victor gave a short nod.
‘True enough.’
‘I can’t remember the last party I went to,’ Ann said. ‘It’s nice to be out.’
‘I bet,’ Ottilie said.
Darryl looked up and she smiled at him. ‘All right there in your corner?’
He nodded vaguely, glanced once at his mum and then went back to his books.
‘When are you coming up to Daffodil Farm?’ Corrine asked. ‘Seems like we never see you up there these days.’
‘You’re not the first person to tell me that,’ Ottilie said ruefully. ‘It’s making me wonder if I’m neglecting a lot of people.’
‘I expect you’re busy,’ Corrine added.
‘Yes, but also wondering how I ever managed to visit anyone before, because I’ve been busy from the first day I arrived in the village and it didn’t stop me back then. I will make an effort to come up next week. After all, I’d like to see how Alpaca Ottilie is doing.’
‘Oh, settling in brilliantly,’ Victor said. ‘Just like her namesake did.’ He chuckled as he reached for a mini sausage roll. ‘Good to see the new doctor keeping it simple,’ he added, popping it into his mouth. ‘None of that rubbish fancy food. You know where you are with a sausage roll, don’t you?’
‘Hmm…’ Corrine gave a sceptical look, and Ottilie couldn’t help a little laugh.
‘You do,’ she agreed. ‘Though I don’t ever say no to the fancy stuff either.’
‘He seems nice,’ Corrine said, angling her head at Simon, who now had Mackenzie in his arms as Chloe went to get a drink. ‘Ann has been telling us all about when he came up to see to her when she had her infection.’
