It’s probably more trouble than it’s worth.”
Lyn stood up. “There’s hope for us working women yet then. I must get on.” She tapped her notebook. “This stuff’s really interesting, by the way.”
“Yes. Yes, it is. Sometimes I’m overwhelmed by the potential we’re exploring.”
“Aiming for a knighthood?” She teased him so frequently he never took offence.
“I wish! I suppose I could always borrow you from your husband to accompany me to Buckingham Palace - even buy you a posh hat for the occasion.”
His PA paused at the door as if about to say something.
An internal call cut short the banter. Realising how sad he’d sounded, even though making a joke, he grabbed the phone with a sense of relief. He’d no wish to discuss the lack of a ‘plus one’ in his life. His attentive PA might decide to help him find someone.
Lyn left the room, quietly closing the door behind her.
Keir finished his phone call. He’d been awake since five a.m., firstly out jogging round the park then practising his talk while he got ready for his nine-thirty start at Hartnett General. His suspicions about an undercurrent linking Richard Bailey and Andrea Palmer were unfounded. He’d tried to be as diplomatic as possible when sounding out the Prof who’d laughed at him. Laughed out loud and told him much as he found Keir’s assumption flattering, he doubted whether Andrea would be equally pleased, given her boss’ midriff bulge and flat feet.
“We’re none of us perfect, Richard,” Keir had protested.
The Prof totally understood Keir’s concerns. He’d mentioned how fond he and his wife were of Andrea’s family. He seemed to be on the verge of saying something else but their conversation had been interrupted. First Richard, and then Lyn. Twice in one day someone had backed off. Well, if these matters were of any importance, the Prof and his PA each knew which door he sat behind. Keir was fairly sure Lyn had been about to urge him to resurrect his social life. This he could deal with. She meant well, but you’d think she’d know better by now. As for Richard, whatever it was bugging him would doubtless surface, if he meant it to.
At least he hadn’t been stupid enough to enquire about Andrea’s marital status. Her rings told a story, even if she didn’t radiate contentment as he himself had done back in his early days of coupledom. How could someone at the top of his professional game have been so ignorant? How could he have let his own job satisfaction and self-delusion cocoon him from the truth? His failed marriage, if he allowed himself to think about it, still burdened him like a pair of diving boots. His former wife and small daughter were making a new life in Australia with a man who made time for them. He wondered what Andrea’s husband did for a living.
***
Andrea sat across the table from the psychiatric nurse who’d carried out Rosemary’s assessment. “Well, that’s a relief,” she said, clasping her hands beneath her chin.
The tall young man nodded. “I wouldn’t be surprised if loneliness had a lot to do with Rosemary’s state of mind.” He watched the corners of Andrea’s mouth droop. “I know you spend as much time with her as possible,” he said gently. “Don’t feel guilty. You have other priorities. So, how about this brilliant idea you began telling me about?”
“I’ve had a long talk with Lizzie and put forward my idea. It could be beneficial for all of us.”
“And how do you think your neighbour feels about moving in here?’
“At first she was stunned at the idea of letting her house but she soon began to see it might make sense. She’d been dreading putting her property on the market and moving. We’ve got a lot to sort out but it’d take a load off my mind and Lizzie obviously would prefer to stay around. She really enjoys her job and she’s fit and energetic. One day she says she can see herself moving closer to her daughter. Hopefully not for a
Lyn stood up. “There’s hope for us working women yet then. I must get on.” She tapped her notebook. “This stuff’s really interesting, by the way.”
“Yes. Yes, it is. Sometimes I’m overwhelmed by the potential we’re exploring.”
“Aiming for a knighthood?” She teased him so frequently he never took offence.
“I wish! I suppose I could always borrow you from your husband to accompany me to Buckingham Palace - even buy you a posh hat for the occasion.”
His PA paused at the door as if about to say something.
An internal call cut short the banter. Realising how sad he’d sounded, even though making a joke, he grabbed the phone with a sense of relief. He’d no wish to discuss the lack of a ‘plus one’ in his life. His attentive PA might decide to help him find someone.
Lyn left the room, quietly closing the door behind her.
Keir finished his phone call. He’d been awake since five a.m., firstly out jogging round the park then practising his talk while he got ready for his nine-thirty start at Hartnett General. His suspicions about an undercurrent linking Richard Bailey and Andrea Palmer were unfounded. He’d tried to be as diplomatic as possible when sounding out the Prof who’d laughed at him. Laughed out loud and told him much as he found Keir’s assumption flattering, he doubted whether Andrea would be equally pleased, given her boss’ midriff bulge and flat feet.
“We’re none of us perfect, Richard,” Keir had protested.
The Prof totally understood Keir’s concerns. He’d mentioned how fond he and his wife were of Andrea’s family. He seemed to be on the verge of saying something else but their conversation had been interrupted. First Richard, and then Lyn. Twice in one day someone had backed off. Well, if these matters were of any importance, the Prof and his PA each knew which door he sat behind. Keir was fairly sure Lyn had been about to urge him to resurrect his social life. This he could deal with. She meant well, but you’d think she’d know better by now. As for Richard, whatever it was bugging him would doubtless surface, if he meant it to.
At least he hadn’t been stupid enough to enquire about Andrea’s marital status. Her rings told a story, even if she didn’t radiate contentment as he himself had done back in his early days of coupledom. How could someone at the top of his professional game have been so ignorant? How could he have let his own job satisfaction and self-delusion cocoon him from the truth? His failed marriage, if he allowed himself to think about it, still burdened him like a pair of diving boots. His former wife and small daughter were making a new life in Australia with a man who made time for them. He wondered what Andrea’s husband did for a living.
***
Andrea sat across the table from the psychiatric nurse who’d carried out Rosemary’s assessment. “Well, that’s a relief,” she said, clasping her hands beneath her chin.
The tall young man nodded. “I wouldn’t be surprised if loneliness had a lot to do with Rosemary’s state of mind.” He watched the corners of Andrea’s mouth droop. “I know you spend as much time with her as possible,” he said gently. “Don’t feel guilty. You have other priorities. So, how about this brilliant idea you began telling me about?”
“I’ve had a long talk with Lizzie and put forward my idea. It could be beneficial for all of us.”
“And how do you think your neighbour feels about moving in here?’
“At first she was stunned at the idea of letting her house but she soon began to see it might make sense. She’d been dreading putting her property on the market and moving. We’ve got a lot to sort out but it’d take a load off my mind and Lizzie obviously would prefer to stay around. She really enjoys her job and she’s fit and energetic. One day she says she can see herself moving closer to her daughter. Hopefully not for a
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