Page 41 of Welcome to the Cornish Country Hospital

‘Really, are you sure?’ Danni had forgotten all her earlier doubts about being able to tell whether it really was Trevor and, as soon as she saw him, she knew. ‘Look how big he’s got!’

‘He has and he looks really well.’ Charlie’s face was the picture of joy and, even without looking in a mirror, Danni knew for certain that hers was too. She hadn’t felt this way in a very long time; in fact, she wasn’t sure she’d ever felt quite like this.

‘Do you think we can stay and watch him for a bit? As long as we don’t get any closer?’

‘I don’t think he’ll even notice.’ Charlie laughed again as Trevor spread himself out on a rock, making the most of the autumn sunshine while it lasted. ‘I brought a blanket and I got some cheese scones from Mehenick’s Bakery, when I was down in Port Agnes first thing this morning. I thought I’d put them into the rucksack just in case.’

‘You might be the best person I’ve ever met.’ It was as close as Danni was going to get to telling Charlie how she really felt about him and they settled down side by side on the blanket, with Brenda and Maggie stretching out next to them. ‘I’m so glad Trevor is okay.’

‘Me too.’ Charlie turned to look at her. ‘I just wish you were. I can tell something’s bothering you. I know you said it’s about work and I don’t want you to feel like I’m pressurising you to talk about it, but sometimes it helps.’

She looked at him for a moment, trying to decide whether sharing her worries would help, but then it all just came tumbling out. ‘You know we saw Lucas’s picture on the online dating app, and I told you before that he said that he was having doubts about getting married?’

‘I remember.’

‘What I didn’t tell you was that he’d said he was having those doubts because he was in love with someone else. He never said he didn’t love Esther, just that he wasn’t sure about marrying her if he felt that way about someone else.’ Danni sighed. ‘I know you said he needs to tell her, but I kept hoping it might not be true. But I was called to an accident at Penwick Point today. One of the nurses from Connie’s ward was there looking after the patient until the critical care team arrived. When I asked her later, she said she just happened to be out there walking. But, when we were almost back to the ambulance, Lucas suddenly appeared and, watching the two of them together, it was obvious.’

‘She’s the one he’s in love with?’

‘Oh well, yes.’ Danni hated the fact she was having to lie to him, in the midst of confiding in him. But she couldn’t tell Charlie that Lucas had confessed to being in love with her, otherwise she’d have to tell him everything. And she couldn’t bear him knowing she’d spent more than seven years wanting her best friend to end a relationship that meant everything to her. ‘I mean, I don’t know if he’s actually in love with her – maybe. But what I do know, for sure, is that there’s something going on between them.’

‘You’re 100 per cent sure of that?’

‘I couldn’t be more certain.’

Charlie sighed. ‘In that case, I’ve changed my mind about not interfering. Lucas thinking he might be in love with someone else is one thing, but if he’s acting on it… I keep thinking about what it must have been like for Fiona, trying to make a relationship work but knowing she was always Richard’s second choice. No one deserves that. At the very least, Lucas needs to tell your friend he’s having doubts and admit what’s been going on. She might be able to forgive him, if confessing makes him realise she’s the one he really wants. But no one should be put in Fiona’s position, unless they know what they’re getting into.’

‘I’ve got to tell her, haven’t I?’ It felt as though someone was sitting on Danni’s chest just saying the words.

‘Maybe give him an ultimatum and one last chance to do it, because I still think it would be better coming from him. Then, if he doesn’t, you’ll have to, because I don’t think you’ll ever forgive yourself if you let her go into this marriage with no idea of how Lucas really feels.’

‘How about I do that, if you talk to Richard?’ It wasn’t the same thing at all, but she wouldn’t feel so bad about leaning on Charlie for support if he needed her too.

‘He’s back from Devon, but I still haven’t managed to see him in person. I don’t want to have to leave him a note, but I thought if I told him I needed to speak to him, he might put two and two together and realise I’m his son. He’s not stupid and I know my name’s fairly common, but he must realise I’m about the right age and I can’t help thinking that’s why he’s avoiding me.’

‘He doesn’t know what he’s missing.’ Danni traced her fingers across Charlie’s palm.

‘Ever wondered how you’ve been left to clean up so much mess that’s all other people’s making?’

‘Mmm.’ She couldn’t tell him that she was slap bang in the middle of the mess that Lucas was making, and that at least part of it was very much her fault. She didn’t want Charlie to ever think differently of her, even when he was no longer a part of her life. ‘I think you’re right about leaving a note for Richard. Maybe you can tell him that you understand he might not want to talk to Connie, but you hope the two of you can meet to talk, even if it’s only the once.’

‘That would be enough for me. It’s all I ever wanted from Connie when I set out to find her, just to know my story. Now, I think she and I can have something more. I’d like to hope Richard and I could too, but I really will be okay if I just him meet him once, as his son and not the tenant of his holiday rental.’ Charlie took hold of her hand again. ‘I’ll write the letter when I get back if you promise to speak to Lucas, because I know it’s going to make you really unhappy until you have.’

‘I promise.’ She looked at Charlie as she spoke, but she wasn’t just making the promise to him; it was for Esther too. This could be the catalyst that made Lucas see sense and gave him and Esther the happily ever after she deserved. Either that, or the whole thing could blow up in Danni’s face. Whatever happened, Charlie was right: no one deserved to be in Fiona’s situation, least of all Esther.

* * *

Danni looked at her phone for what must have been the hundredth time in the last ten minutes. Richard had agreed to a meeting, and Charlie had promised to update Danni as soon as it was over. That had been over two hours ago and there was still no word yet. She just hoped that whatever happened, Charlie really would be okay with it. As much as his childhood had clearly been wonderful, and he had never felt rejected as a result of being adopted, the idea that Richard might not want him in his life hurt Danni’s heart. Charlie was such a wonderful person and it really would be Richard’s loss if he couldn’t see that. But the thought of Charlie feeling any pain made her want to run out of The Cookie Jar café in Port Agnes and all the way to Trengothern Hall.

‘I’m so glad you asked to meet.’ Danni jolted in response to the sound of Lucas’s voice. It wasn’t like she hadn’t been expecting to see him – after all, she had asked him to come to the café. But it was like she no longer knew him, and she felt as awkward as she might have done meeting a stranger for the first time, knowing she was about to have a difficult conversation with them. Meeting Lucas in Port Kara had felt too risky. They weren’t doing anything wrong, but that didn’t make her feel any better about getting together behind Esther’s back.

‘I’m glad you came.’ Danni gestured for him to take the seat across the table, but when he reached out for her hand, she snatched it away.

‘What’s wrong? I thought you finally wanted to talk about us,properly.’ There was a sort of sleaziness to his tone she’d never noticed before, an assumption that she’d be only too willing to give him whatever it was he wanted. Danni didn’t know whether she’d suddenly changed, or he had. Or whether she was only just able to see the person he’d been all along, but she couldn’t believe she’d ever have loved someone like that.

‘There is no us.’ She still couldn’t get over the fact that it hurt so little to say those words. It was as if the idea of them being together had always just been a fantasy and that as soon as the prospect of it becoming real had come about, she’d realised she didn’t want it at all.

‘Come on, Dan, you know that’s not true. I’ve loved you for years and you can’t say you don’t feel the same way.’

---