Page 41 of Doc Hollywood

“Umm. Unfortunately, it’s going to be boring. I’ve got some big bills this month, so it’s going towards them.”

“Clara, you should treat yourself. Get something nice,” Sadie agreed.

Mike began to boo her, “No, you’re a consultant anaesthetist. You earn good money. This has to be spent on something fun!”

“Yeah. Well—“ Clara sputtered.

The debts Jack had left her flashed in front of her eyes again. He had racked up well over two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in her name. She shuddered every time she thought about the total. So she lived frugally, desperate not to lose her house, which she had managed to buy just after he left and before the mountains of debt had come to light. She still wasn’t sure how the banks had missed all the credit cards, but she didn’t question it; she just worked hard to keep herself afloat and pay the mortgage.

In the two years since he had left, she had managed to pay half of Jack’s debts off. However, it hadn’t been without sacrifice. Her holidays were non-existent. She hadn’t been to the hairdresser since before she had split up with Jack.

But it would all be worth it. In another two years, she would be free from his debt and able to live her life as she wanted.

“I’ve had a great idea. You should take us all out for dinner!” Mike yelled in delight.

“Oh, um, right, I—“ Clara stuttered.

“Brilliant. Next week, we’ll meet an hour before the pub quiz, and Clara will shout us dinner,” Mike whooped, thumping her on the back.

“Yeah. Great,” Clara replied, wishing she could think quicker on her feet, as she would have loved to put the money towards her debt, not fritter it away on her colleagues getting drunk and eating too much food.

She tried to fake enthusiasm, which she knew was very muted, and sadly put the money into the centre compartment of her handbag to ensure she didn’t spend it before next week.

“Okay all, I’m feeling pretty tired. I’m going to head off.” She put her head down to avoid everyone’s eyes, knowing that shecouldn’t hide the upset in them, but she felt Taylor’s arm pull tighter around her shoulder.

And while her friends were distracted, all chatting happily about their win and the fantastic time they would have the next week spending the proceeds of the bonus round, Taylor leaned down to her, his breath tickling the side of her face.

“Are you alright?” Taylor murmured into her ear.

“Yes. Totally fine,” Clara said but didn’t look up. She was a crap actress.

Slipping out of his grip, she mentally shook herself and put the disappointment about not being able to use the money against Jack’s debts aside and gave them all a final wave. “I’ll see you all later.”

Sadie dashed forward and pulled her into a hug. “Are you okay?” she questioned.

Clara hugged her back and made sure her face was cheerful when she pulled away. “Of course.”

She hadn’t even told her best friend about the financial mess that Jack had left her in, too embarrassed that she had been so easily fooled.

“Are you sure?” Sadie checked again.

“Of course. I was on call Monday. I’m still knackered from that. I just need a bit of sleep,” Clara said, trying to make her voice as convincing as possible. “I’m going to head out.”

Stepping away from her friend, she gave her a small reassuring look before she called to the rest of the group. “I’ll see you all for dinner at seven next week.”

A cheer rang around the quiz team.

“I’m going to head off too,” Taylor declared. “It was great to meet you all.” He reached over to shake hands with the men and gave the women chaste kisses on their cheeks.

Clara giggled at the expression of sheer ecstasy on Sadie’s face and the fact Hel had no idea that her ‘imaginary boyfriend’ had just kissed her on her cheek.

“You don’t have to leave,” she whispered to Taylor.

He shrugged and murmured back, “I came here to spend time with you, and you’re leaving. So I’m leaving too.”

Clara’s heart did a funny flip in her chest, then beat painfully fast. She knew a blush would be rising up her cheeks, so she turned away from him to hide it and, after a last wave to her friends, strode toward the door.

“I’ll walk you to your car,” Taylor said, falling into step beside her. “Where are you parked?” He held the pub door open so she could walk out first.

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