Page 29 of Only for Christmas

Chapter Seven

Monday, 12th December

It was fair to say that in all her time working at the hospital, Sarah had never walked into her office on a Monday morning and been greeted with cheering and a round of applause. Talk about embarrassing.

Georgia was balancing precariously on an office chair and punching the air. Jafrina had her hands clasped and was looking all doe-eyed and wistful, and Tyler had a grin splitting his face that was almost as wide as his dreadlocks.

She knew exactly why her colleagues were looking so excited, and it filled her with dread.

‘Go, Sarah!’ Georgia yelled, followed by an ear-piercing whistle.

‘We’re so happy for you,’ Jafrina said, exchanging an awkward high-five with Tyler, who laughed and said, ‘You’re a dark horse, Sarah Haynes. You kept that quiet.’

Sarah tried to shush them. ‘For goodness’ sake, calm down, will you. This is a hospital, not a children’s play park. Get off the chair, Georgia. You’ll break your neck.’

Georgia saluted and climbed down. ‘Whatever you say, boss.’ She shimmied over, her creased shirt untucked from her skirt. ‘Someone’s got a boyfriend,’ she sang, thrusting her hips forwards. ‘Someone’s getting some action… someone’s getting—’

‘Stop that!’ Sarah tried to look stern. This was why she kept quiet about her private life. She hated all this intrusion and attention. ‘It’s completely unprofessional.’

‘We’re just so pleased you’ve found someone,’ Jafrina said, looking pristine in her uniform. ‘And Doctor Moore seems so lovely.’

‘He’s smokin’, all right.’ Georgia fanned her face.

‘He seems like a cool bloke,’ Tyler agreed.

‘I think you mean hot,’ Georgia said, followed by more hip thrusting.

‘Will you please stop!’ Sarah raised her hand. ‘Apart from the inappropriateness of discussing this at work, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but there’s nothing going on between myself and Doctor Moore.’

‘Bullshit.’ Georgia shoved her shirt inside her skirt. ‘We saw you Friday night, smooching. All that crap about not wanting to go to the bar? And then ten minutes later you’re snogging Doctor Moreish and leaving the venue with him. That was fast work, by anyone’s standards. Even mine.’

‘I was doing nothing of the sort,’ Sarah objected, checking no one had entered the office and could overhear. ‘There was a brief… hug, after which he walked me home, and then left. That’s it.’ She tried not to dwell on hugging Lucas Moore; the memory still had the ability to befuddle her thinking.

‘That’s it?’ Georgia looked confused. ‘But he stayed the night, right? Please tell me you didn’t squander the opportunity to get your kit off?’

‘Keep your voice down,’ Sarah shushed, moving towards her office door in the hope of cutting short the conversation. ‘I assure you, nothing happened. And nothing’s going to happen. It was a momentary lapse on my part, and something that won’t be repeated.’

Georgia slumped onto her desk. ‘Why the hell not?’

‘Yes, why not?’ Jafrina repeated. ‘He seems so lovely.’

Sarah looked at her colleagues’ expectant faces, their previous delight rapidly fading. ‘I’m sure he is; I’m just not looking for a relationship right now. We’ve agreed to go our separate ways.’

Georgia thumped the desk. ‘Well, hell, Sarah! What’s wrong with you?’

‘Nothing’s wrong with me; I’m content remaining single.’

Jafrina came towards her. ‘I know getting back out there is scary, but would it really be so terrible to give love another go? Couldn’t you go on a few dates? I’m sure once you get over the initial fear, you’ll realise that being with someone can be really quite magical.’

Georgia padded over in her bare feet. ‘A little Disney for my taste, but the woman’s got a point. Listen to your fairy godmother; she knows her stuff.’

‘He seems like a decent bloke,’ Tyler interjected, keeping a safe distance. ‘I was chatting to him at the bar on Friday and he’s a straight arrow. No alarm bells.’

They didn’t need to tell her Lucas was a decent bloke; she was painfully aware of that herself. Add in his handsome face, broad shoulders and confident bluster, and he was just the sort of man who could cause a woman serious damage. Tyler might not be hearing alarm bells, but she certainly was.

Jafrina took her hand. ‘Everyone knows Tyler’s an expert at reading people, so if he says Lucas is okay, then there’s nothing to be afraid of.’

‘That’s as may be.’ Sarah withdrew her hand, unwilling to hear any more comments about how wonderful Lucas Moore was. ‘But I’m still not interested in getting romantically involved with him. Or anyone else, for that matter.’

---