Page 10 of Knotting Hill
“What difference does that make? You aren’t going back there to work for that vicious bitch.”
Ouch. Mum can give you an insult that will make your ears ring for weeks, but she never swears. Ever.
“I have to,” I say gently. “I have rent and bills, it’s close to the flat, which I love, and I like the job.”
She growls.
My heart pounds, but she visibly calms herself and drops her bag back under her desk. “You can work here,” she says.
“No. That is tantamount to moving back in with you and Daddy, and having you pay my way. It’s not happening. I’m staying with the Robb’s until or unless I’m forced to leave.”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better.”
“You haven’t answered my question.”
“You didn’t ask one.”
We lock gazes.
Okay, she has a point. I didn’t.
“Did Mrs Johnson come here as a patient?”
Mum’s eyes narrow to two slits, but her tone is softer now. “You know I can’t answer that, Storm.”
“I know, but please, for me?” I’m asking a lot. I know this.
“Patient confidentiality.”
I sigh.
“You know, if you worked here, you would have all the information you were looking for.”
I roll my eyes. “Nice try. I wouldn’t need it then and wouldn’t tell Angela anyway.”
“So you see my predicament.”
“Of course I do, but do you see mine?”
“Yes.” She darts her gaze to the door. “Close it.”
I leap up and hastily do as she asks before I sit again.
“I could get into so much trouble for this…”
“Then don’t!” I exclaim, feeling terrible. I didn’t even think about this before. I was only thinking about myself and my woes.
“I’m going to tell you the bare minimum, but you can’t tell Devila any of it.”
I frown. Well, what’s the point, then? I’m about to ask when she continues. “Mrs Johnson is currently not registered at this practice.”
It takes a moment, but I can read between the lines. She said ‘patient confidentiality’. She knows exactly who I’m talking about. Daddy is one of the city’s, if not the country’s, best Cardio-Thoracic surgeons. He works out of this practice, where my mum is a private physician, but he is mostly up at the private hospital treating patients. I’m guessing Mrs Johnson is under his care through the hospital. I hope she’s okay, but I can’t ask.
I lower my gaze, feeling awful. “Thanks.”
“I figured this might happen at some point when you started working there, and I’ve made peace with my decision to help you. But this is your one and only, Storm. Do you understand me? I love you, but I don’t oweheranything. Speak so I know we are on the same page.”
“I understand, and I’m sorry. I know this situation is beyond. I’m mortified that she asked me about this. I will definitely approach her with caution from now on.”
