Page 52 of Love, Accidentally

‘Do I have to do something? I didn’t realise that was a thing now.’

‘Of course you don’t. I just wondered if you had a better offer, that’s all.’

Will smiles. ‘I know you might find this difficult, Dad, but most things are better than freezing my socks off while you and Bernard wang on about collectives and cyclics and whatnot. Maybe Tilly would like some help with her nephew.’

‘I’m sorry, what?’ I was drifting off, as I often do when they go into these little sparring matches, so the mention of my name has caught me by surprise.

‘I was just wondering whether you’d like some adult company when you take your nephew out on Saturday,’ Will clarifies. ‘The adult, in this instance, being me.’

‘Oh, umm.’

‘Will’s surprisingly good with children,’ Jonathan offers, sensing my hesitation.

‘Probably on account of the fact I used to be one,’ Will retorts with a grin. ‘I mean, I don’t want to impose on your special aunt-and-nephew time, but if you wanted some help, I know what a handful they can be at that age. You might welcome a second pair of eyes, unless you genuinely do have some in the back of your head.’

I consider his offer. If I’m completely honest, I have been vaguely dreading the prospect of my day out with Isaac ever since I made the offer to Tash in a moment of madness. The idea of having someone else there to help is very appealing. The fact that it’s Will, who I’ve really come to like, makes it a no-brainer.

‘OK,’ I tell him. ‘If you’re sure, you’re on. I’d like that.’

‘How on earth could I begrudge you missing flying club when you’ll be on such a noble cause?’ Jonathan says with a smile. ‘Although I’m sure Bernard will miss you.’

‘I dare say he’ll bear the deprivation,’ Will retorts.

Jonathan stares at him in confusion for a moment, before his face clears. ‘Oh, Jane Austen. Very good. Now, why don’t you go and see how the treacle pudding is getting on?’

I start to get to my feet automatically as Will stands and starts gathering the plates together to take out to the kitchen. Normally, this is something we do together, but this time Jonathan stops me by gently placing his hand on my arm.

‘Stay a moment, Tilly,’ he requests. ‘Will will be OK.’

It feels a bit awkward sitting there with him in silence while Will clears the table, but no sooner has he disappeared into the kitchen than Jonathan leans forward and speaks in a hushed tone.

‘Will considers you to be a good friend,’ he begins earnestly.

‘I like him too,’ I reply a little stiltedly. I’m not sure where this conversation is going, but I’m not entirely comfortable with it. The expression on Jonathan’s face leads me to believe he’s going to say a load of things I don’t think I want to hear.

‘Be careful with him, please?’

‘I’m not sure what you mean.’

‘Will is…’ he begins before tailing off. ‘Look,’ he tries again. ‘It’s not my role to interfere, but there are some things that make him a little more vulnerable than other people. I know you find that hard to believe, given the way we are with each other, but he hasn’t always had it easy, and I don’t just mean the business with his mum. You’re a good person, Tilly, and I trust you, but I’m just asking you to be a little gentle with him.’

‘We’re friends, Jonathan,’ I tell him firmly. ‘I’m not going to do anything to jeopardise that.’

‘OK. I can see I’ve said too much. Forget I mentioned it.’

* * *

Of course I can’t forget it. The weird conversation with Jonathan is now jostling for attention with the Luke problem as I make my way to work the next morning. As a result, I’m feeling tetchy and far from my best as the handover briefing begins.

‘Tilly, I don’t believe you’ve met Dr Rutherford,’ Dr Patel says, indicating a dark-haired woman that I completely failed to notice up until now. ‘She’s joined us from the A&E department at Lewes hospital and has replaced Dr Milne. I’m sure you’ll make her welcome, won’t you?’

‘Yes, absolutely,’ I reply even as my mind is scrabbling to digest the information. ‘Umm. Dr Milne…?’

‘Has decided to pursue other opportunities,’ Dr Patel tells me firmly. ‘Right. That’s the introductions over. Let’s see what idiotic injuries our patients have managed to inflict on themselves today, shall we?’

I concentrate hard as the night shift team take us through the current list of patients and their ailments, but a part of my brain is replaying Dr Patel’s words, trying to work out if there’s any way I could have misheard her. Luke has gone? Just like that? Surely it can’t be that simple. I steal a few glances at the new doctor; she appears to be a fairly no-nonsense sort of person on the surface, although I notice the corners of her mouth turning up when she spots me looking at her. I think we’ll probably get on fine. I’m still buzzing with curiosity though. What happened to Luke?

Dr Patel seems to be having one of her cryptic days and is pointedly ignoring my questioning looks every time I see her, which only adds to my frustration. I’m just about to come out with it and ask her directly when she pulls me to one side.

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