Page 34 of Love, Accidentally

‘Well, yes. I see that, given that she’s married to him and expecting his baby, but you’re hardly a bit player. You should get to have your say.’

‘Oh, I will. Don’t you worry about that.’

She smiles. ‘I missed you, more than you can imagine. Let’s not argue like that again.’

‘I know. I missed you too, and I’m sorry I cut you off.’

‘I should never have stuck my nose in. I was being a typical overprotective sister, but I’ve learned my lesson and I’ll never do it again.’

‘Hm. Based on how this has turned out, maybe I should be grateful you stuck your nose in before things with Luke went any further. Can you imagine how much worse this would have been if we’d got more involved? I’m already wondering whether I’m the only one.’

‘You don’t think there are others, do you?’ she says, looking horrified.

‘Who knows? Maybe he’s like the medical equivalent of a sailor but, instead of having a girl in every port, he’s got a nurse from every shift.’ I laugh humourlessly.

‘I want to castrate the bastard.’

‘I do too, but I sincerely hope whatever his wife is dreaming up is worse.’

‘Let’s hope so. Nobody messes with my sister and gets away with it.’

‘Apart from you, of course.’

‘I said I’m sorry. Listen, I’ve got to collect Isaac from nursery before they fine me for being late. Come and have dinner with us tonight. You don’t have other plans, do you? You’re not on shift?’

‘I’m not and I don’t. Certainly none that include bloody Luke.’

‘Give me ten minutes to change. I’ll call Greg and get him to pick up a takeaway on the way home for us all, by way of an apology. It’s the least we can do.’

I smile at her. ‘Why not? You’re on.’

Something about what she’s just said is niggling at me, but it’s not until we get out into the car park that I realise what it is.

‘Tash, you know you called Isaac by his actual name earlier, don’t you?’

‘Did I?’

‘Yes. Not a satanic reference in sight.’

She smiles. ‘I think we might be hitting a bit of a developmental milestone. He’s not being quite as evil as he has been.’

‘I see. And the plans for another baby?’

‘We’re still talking about it. It kind of got bumped down the agenda because I was worried about you.’

‘I will survive this, you know.’

‘I know. But you liked him. Before all this came out, I mean. You were falling for him.’

I sigh. ‘I was. I still can’t believe he made up all that shit about his mother being frail. She thinks he’s delusional, did I tell you?’

‘Really? That’s a pretty big thing to say about your own child.’

‘I know. I’m not sure there’s a huge amount of love lost there, if I’m honest.’

‘Sad. I mean, I know I’ve called Isaac every name under the sun lately, but I’d defend him to the death if I had to. I’ll see you at home, yeah?’

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