Page 53 of Doc Hollywood

“I’ll sort it out. Just get yourself to the helicopter. We need to get you in the air.” Ken’s tone didn’t allow for any argument.

“How long have I got?” Taylor’s gaze dropped to Clara.

“They’re landing in twenty minutes. I need you on that chopper,” Ken said.

“No problem. I’ll be there,” Taylor confirmed and hung up. A moment later, a text arrived. He read it before asking, “Do you know where Marsden Park is?”

“Yeah. It’s a couple of blocks away. It’s a five-minute walk.” Clara said, reaching out to her drink and taking another sip.

“So, I’ve got to go,” Taylor muttered but didn’t make any move to leave.

“Yeah. You should,” Clara replied and didn’t move either.

The silence stretched between them, but Taylor stayed holding onto her.

He finally huffed a huge sigh. “I’ll text you.”

“Taylor. Let’s be realistic. You’re a lovely guy. But your life is very, very different to mine. I’ve enjoyed spending time with you. But don’t feel you need to text me.” Clara shook her head.

“I’ll text you,” he said more firmly.

“You should go.” Clara took her free hand and pushed gently against his chest.

“I know. Walk with me,” Taylor requested, staring at her, hope sparking in his eyes.

Clara nodded, letting him draw her to her feet and tuck her back against his side. It felt only natural to sling her arm around his waist, and they walked in silence out of the pub.

Until Taylor said, “Clara, this has been one of the best weeks I’ve had in a long time.”

Clara laughed. “Maybe you should have done medicine and not finance.”

“You know it’s nothing to do with the medicine. I, I just, I’d like to see you again. Take you on a proper date, one not cut short by a helicopter. I like you, I…” Taylor trailed off and pulled her to a stop, looking down at her.

For a minute, Clara’s heart soared, then she quickly pushed it back down. Taylor wouldn’t be coming back to her town to take her on a date, and the hope that he might would drive her mad.

So instead of saying one of the million things she wished she was brave enough to say, she said, “Taylor, we both know that’s not going to happen. You’re going back to your real life and I’m staying in mine. You won’t ever set foot in this town again.”

“I will. I promise I’ll come and—“ Taylor tried again, and Clara cut him off by lifting a hand up to his mouth, gently placing her fingers over it, and shaking her head.

“Taylor, please don’t. I’m still held together by sticky tape. It’ll rip so easily if you make promises to me and they don’t happen. So don’t promise me anything,” she said fiercely.

He pulled her hand away from his mouth. “I—“

“I mean it, don’t promise me anything.”

“Okay,” he finally agreed, and they didn’t speak again until they got to the park, where the helicopter was already waiting for him.

Taylor pulled her into his chest and hugged her tightly, his head dropping down to lean against the top of hers.

“I’m glad I met you,” he whispered into her hair.

“Me too,” she murmured back.

“Mr Anderson.” A voice called from the helicopter. “We need to get in the air, or we’ll miss your connection.”

Taylor pulled his head up and shouted back. “I’m coming.”

Clara tried to pull back from him. “Taylor, you have to go.”

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