Autumn Dreams at Mermaids Point, page 9
With the treatment room surfaces disinfected, Nerissa moved on to check Doc’s surgery. Not too much to do, not that there ever was because he was pretty neat and tidy, just a journal and the top sheet of his jotter to remove because he liked to start the day with a fresh page. She removed the sheet carefully before folding it small enough to tuck in her pocket. When she had a few spare minutes later, she’d check it over in case there was anything he’d noted down that needed to go on the system. Tucking the journal under one arm, she was just turning away when she noticed the box of disposable gloves on the corner of the desk was almost empty. She reached for it, forgetting the magazine under her arm, and it spilled onto the floor. ‘Damn.’ How was it possible to forget something she’d done literally seconds before?
Crouching down to retrieve the journal, she froze, one hand grasping at the arm of Doc’s chair for balance. Staring back at her from a creased page of the journal was a picture of the surgery she’d taken herself earlier in the year when the hanging baskets had been in full bloom. Her gaze shifted to the text beneath, and she slipped from her haunches to her bottom as the significance of what she was reading sank in. Doc really was ready to retire at last. She stared, unseeing, at the journal as she wrestled with duelling emotions. Relief, more for him than herself, because even though she was irritated with him, she’d not missed how tired he looked. Out-of-hours work was getting harder for him to shake off, especially after a full day in the surgery like the one they’d had yesterday. Worry about what it would mean for her own future was followed by a swift blast of anger at him for not bothering to even talk to her about the advert he’d placed.
She checked it again, the sneaky thing had put his mobile number down rather than the main number for the surgery. She didn’t know how long she sat there trying to process the implications of his actions before the sound of Doc’s whistling came echoing down the corridor. Nerissa scrambled to her feet, closed and replaced the journal on his desk just in time.
Doc’s whistling cut short as he spotted her beside his desk. ‘Everything all right?’
‘Yes. Fine.’ She hesitated, knowing she needed to tell him she’d seen the advert, but not sure where to start that didn’t involve kicking off a row between them.
The ring of the doorbell signalled their first patient, giving her the perfect excuse to escape.
She grabbed for the almost empty box of gloves and held it up. ‘I’ll get you a fresh box of these, and then I think you’ll be all set.’ She didn’t look him in the eye as he stepped aside to let her through the door, afraid he’d see more than she was ready to admit to.
The morning was busy enough that Nerissa was able to fend off Doc’s repeated attempts at friendly conversation without being rude. Not that she owed him any politeness after he’d gone behind her back like this. The first rush of anger had quickly faded. Doc was Doc and he’d always do things his own way. Even though she didn’t like the way he’d gone about things, it was a positive step in so far as he seemed more interested in passing on the surgery to another doctor rather than let Michael sell it off to a developer.
She might have given him more of a chance to explain himself, but each gambit was yet another attempt to sing Tom’s praises. Oh, she had more than a sneaking suspicion of why another doctor just happened to have shown up in the village, but until Doc got to the point, she wasn’t going to fall in line. Maybe he was trying to soften the blow by presenting his replacement to her as a fait accompli, but she was not some child or witless ninny that needed to be managed like that. He owed her honesty, and it was disappointing to think he’d exclude her like this after all the years they’d been together.
Besides, it mattered not one whit what she thought about Tom; if he was going to come in and take over, then her feelings about the man were immaterial. There was no guarantee he, or anyone else, would be interested in maintaining the cosy little set-up she and Doc had made for themselves. She didn’t think keeping her job would be a problem, but the odds on her keeping the lovely little flat tucked away under the eaves of the sprawling building she’d called home for more than a decade? Sadly, those were likely to be a lot longer.
As she turned the lock on the front door after seeing their final patient of the morning out, Nerissa decided she couldn’t face smiling politely at Doc across the kitchen table over lunch. Toby wouldn’t mind an extra walk and a bit of fresh air might help clear the muddle in her mind. She locked her computer and stuck her head around the door of Doc’s office. ‘There’s a pork pie in the fridge, and plenty of salad too. I’m going to take Toby out, I’ll be back by two.’ And with that she turned on her heel and headed out.
The gorgeous hot spell they’d been enjoying was still in full force, drawing crowds to the beach. Keeping Toby on his lead, Nerissa jogged down the steps and turned left, away from the busy area between the two sets of steps. There were too many rocks at this end for people to spread out their towels, chairs and other paraphernalia, though she spotted a couple of families rock pooling with their little ones. Once they were well clear of everyone, she unclipped Toby’s lead and he dashed away to explore. Watching him bounce around, eyes bright and tail waving, never failed to lift her spirits usually, but even his unfettered joy couldn’t chase off the black cloud hanging over her today.
Toby was Doc’s dog in theory, and getting him had been another thing he’d done without speaking to her first. Doc liked the idea of a dog more than dealing with the practicalities of actually having one, especially one as energetic and full of personality as Toby. As a result, it had fallen to Nerissa to do the bulk of the work taking care of him – not that it was any hardship because she adored having him around, but what would happen if – when – Doc retired? Would he want to take Toby with him wherever he was thinking of moving to? And where was he thinking of moving to? Or was he planning on staying on in the accommodation and just passing on the practice to Tom or whoever else took over from him? So many unanswered questions, it was enough to make her want to scream!
With her mother’s long ago advice ringing in her ears, Nerissa jogged to the edge of the water line, opened her mouth wide and let forth a long howl of frustration until she’d emptied every bit of air from her lungs.
Though he was a fair distance away, Toby rushed straight towards her, barking frantically until he reached her side and she bent to curl her arms around him. ‘I’m okay, boy. I didn’t mean to worry you.’ He whined and stuck his cold nose into her neck, a reprimand and a demand for more attention. ‘Did I scare you? Poor Toby, I’m sorry.’ She scrubbed her hand through the thick fur around his neck. The dog rewarded her with a slobbery lick on her cheek. ‘Gee, thanks,’ Nerissa said, fumbling in her jeans pocket for a tissue. As she wiped the doggy kiss away, Toby prompted her to glance around, his attention caught by something behind her.
Nerissa froze, mortified to see Tom not five feet away. How long had he been standing there? Not long enough to have heard her, surely?
Straightening from her crouch, she decided to brazen it out. ‘Oh, hi!’
‘Hi.’ He raised his hand in an awkward half-wave before letting it drop back to his side. ‘I… We called to you, but I think you were too far away to hear us.’
At his use of the word we, Nerissa glanced past him to see Emily and Max waiting a little further away. Neither one was smiling. Oh dear God.
‘There’s not usually anyone down this end of the beach,’ she offered lamely, wishing a sinkhole would open and swallow her up, because the way the three of them were staring at her made it clear they’d heard her screaming like a banshee at the sea.
‘It’s a good spot for a scream,’ Tom said, a grin suddenly spreading across his face. ‘I might try it some time.’
‘I can highly recommend it.’ Nerissa tried but failed to hide her own grin, hoping her face wasn’t as red as she feared.
‘Is there any special technique you would recommend? Do you count down, or just go for it?’
She laughed because it was impossible to stay embarrassed when he was being so sweet. ‘Just go for it, that’s what works for me anyway.’ The next thing she knew he sprinted down to the edge of the water, paused and cast her a knowing grin. What was he doing? She hadn’t expected him to take her words as an instruction!
Throwing his arms wide, Tom turned to face the sea and yelled at the top of his voice. Nerissa couldn’t help but giggle, wondering if she’d looked half as ridiculous.
‘Oh my God, Dad!’ Emily’s horrified voice only made Nerissa giggle harder.
Tom turned to his daughter, hands raised in a what’s-the-problem gesture. ‘Don’t knock what you haven’t tried. I feel amazing.’ That was more than enough of an invitation for Max, who ran to join his dad, hollering at the top of his voice. ‘Nice!’ Tom said with an approving nod, but you really need to throw yourself into it. Like this.’ He thrust his chest out and let forth another bellow.
‘I think I’ve got it.’ Max nodded before puffing out his own chest and trying again. Unable to cope with missing out, Toby ran to join them, splashing into the shallow waves barking all the while. ‘Yes, Toby!’ Max thrust a triumphant fist into the air, then started shouting again.
‘I’m so sorry about my family,’ Emily said, shaking her head as she approached Nerissa. ‘They’re quite mad.’
Nerissa laughed. ‘Not going to join them, then?’
‘God, no! They don’t need any more encouragement to embarrass me.’ She was laughing, too, though.
Nerissa watched for a few more minutes as the shouting session turned into a game of tug of war when Tom picked up a stick and the dog made a grab for it. He wrestled it away, then threw it. Toby set off after it, sending a spray of salt water flying in his wake, which Tom ducked a fraction too late. With another whoop, Max set off after Toby, uncaring of his trainers as he too sent a splash of water flying. Thinking she’d need to offer the use of their tumble dryer again, Nerissa shook her head as she turned to Emily. ‘Your dad said something about you guys calling to me?’
‘Oh, we saw you coming down the steps and wondered if perhaps you wanted to join us for lunch? We were heading towards the café when we spotted you. You didn’t hear us, I guess.’ Emily made an awkward gesture towards the water.
‘I had a lot on my mind, I didn’t mean to be rude and have you guys end up chasing me.’ She offered an apologetic smile.
‘Did the scream help?’ Emily cocked her head, inquisitive hazel eyes fixed on Nerissa.
‘It did, actually. I used to have a bit of a hot temper when I was your age, and as I told you yesterday, my mum used to send me down here to let out my frustrations. Not that I’m down here screaming like a loon every day,’ she hurried on, making Emily grin.
‘You’d get a reputation,’ she giggled. ‘Never mind all that fuss over the mermaid, come and see the Mermaids Point Banshee!’
‘Oh, can you imagine?’ Nerissa covered her face with her hands for a second. ‘At least it would be something new to lure the tourists with.’ She shook her head. ‘No, don’t give me any ideas!’
‘Ideas about what?’ Tom asked, strolling over to join them.
‘Nerissa’s going to be the new tourist attraction – the screaming Banshee of Mermaids Point,’ Emily told him between giggles.
‘Sounds like the perfect job.’
11
The moment the words left his mouth, Tom knew he’d put his foot in it. The amusement dancing in Nerissa’s lovely brown eyes fled as her arms came around her body as though shielding herself.
‘Yes, well, we’ll have to see about that, won’t we?’ The words were said in a tone as brittle as her smile.
Stupid. Stupid! Malcolm retiring was bound to be unsettling for her, and him blundering around the place couldn’t be helpful. He wondered what, if anything, Malcolm had said to her in advance of his visit. She’d certainly reacted without recognition of who he was when they’d been briefly introduced in the pub.
‘That’s actually something we wanted to talk to you about,’ he said, putting an arm around Emily’s shoulders to draw her into the conversation. ‘I guess you know I came here to talk to Malcolm about possibly taking over the surgery?’
‘I figured it out, yes.’
The ice in her tone made him want to wince. Bloody hell, what was Malcolm playing at?
Deciding it was best to plough forwards, Tom offered her an apologetic smile. ‘Anyway, I’ve told Em and Max that I’ll only consider it seriously if they are fully on board, and we thought it was something we should talk to you about as well.’
‘Me?’
‘Of course. You’re probably used to a quiet life with only Malcolm around.’ When Nerissa made a rude noise, he decided best to ignore it. ‘It would be a big change for you to suddenly have the three of us to deal with.’
‘I’m a dream to be around,’ Emily chipped in with a cheeky grin. ‘But I can’t say the same for the other two.’
Tom could’ve kissed her, his sweet, empathetic girl, because she must’ve sensed Nerissa’s unease and was trying to alleviate it. ‘Yes, yes, we’re dreadful, smelly boys who make your life a misery.’ He turned back to Nerissa. ‘So we’d understand if you didn’t want to keep the same arrangement you have with Malcolm – if we do decide to move here, that is.’
‘If you don’t want me to stay on, I completely understand,’ Nerissa said, glancing around as though looking for an escape route.
Max and Toby were quite a long way down the beach, so she’d have to wait for them to come back before she could leave. Further away than Tom liked, actually. ‘Hold on,’ he said to Nerissa, then cupped his hands to his mouth and yelled his son’s name. When he looked up, Tom waved. Only once Max had started to jog back in their direction did he look back at Nerissa. She’d caught her bottom lip under her teeth and was worrying at the same spot over and over. A strange urge to press his thumb to her mouth and soothe the little hurt rose out of nowhere and he hurriedly shoved his hands in the front pockets of his jeans. ‘Sorry, where were we?’
‘You were making a hash of things,’ Emily said with an aggrieved sigh. ‘What he meant to say was that if we do decide to move here, then we hope you’d stay on as the housekeeper as well as working in the surgery, at least for a trial run.’
‘But we’d also understand if you didn’t want to,’ Tom added, not wanting Nerissa to feel pressured into a situation she wasn’t prepared to take on.
‘That’s an awful lot of ifs,’ Nerissa said, still not looking convinced.
‘Yes, absolutely. But we had a chat this morning over breakfast and we wanted you to have a say as well. Over your future, that is.’ God, why was this so difficult? ‘Whatever you choose to do would be fine by us, is what I mean.’
‘If you decide to move here.’ She gave him a hint of a smile, just enough to let him know she’d let him off the conversational hook he’d well and truly hung himself on.
‘Like you said, it’s a lot of ifs.’
Max barged into the space between them and dropped to the sand, panting for breath almost as hard as Toby, who flung himself down next to Max. ‘Is it lunchtime? I’m starving!’ Max declared.
Nerissa checked her watch. ‘I’d better get back.’
‘Oh.’ Tom was surprised at how disappointed he was. ‘We were hoping you might join us for lunch and help answer a few questions the kids have about the village.’
‘I’d really like to, but I have to check on Doc and get everything ready for afternoon surgery.’
Damn, they’d taken up what little bit of lunch break she had. ‘Of course. We’ll leave you in peace. Come on, kids.’ He reached down, hauled Max to his feet and took in the state of him. Not only were his T-shirt and jeans covered in sand, but his trainers were soaking wet again. ‘Lunch will have to wait until we take a detour via the cottage and get you changed, young man.’
‘It’s not that bad,’ Max protested, brushing his hands over the front of his top and depositing yet more sand.
Nerissa laughed. ‘Good luck with that. Come on, Toby.’ When the dog responded to her call, she bent to clip on his lead, sending waves of black curls cascading over her shoulder. It had been her hair Tom had spotted as she was walking down the steps, wild and blowing in the breeze. Straightening up, she tossed the wayward strands back and gave him a smile that sent something fluttering inside him. ‘I really must get back, but why don’t the three of you come to dinner tonight? I can show you around the place and you can ask as many questions as you like.’
‘Oh, can we, Dad?’ Emily grabbed his arm. ‘You did say we should have a proper tour of the surgery.’
‘Yes, sure. As long as we’re not imposing?’
‘Not at all. I’ve got a chicken I can roast, and tons of salad and some new potatoes.’
‘Sounds perfect. What do you reckon, Max?’ Chicken was his son’s favourite, although he tended to prefer it coated in thick breadcrumbs and deep fried.
‘Yes, please! Can I play with Toby, later, as well?’
‘Not if you’re going to get in this state again.’ Tom shook his head. ‘Let’s get you sorted out.’ He gave Max a nudge in the direction of the steps that would lead them off the beach and held out an arm towards Emily. When she tucked herself into his side, he couldn’t help a little sigh of contentment. Though things had been a bit strained between them earlier, fulfilling his promise of cake for breakfast had been something of a breakthrough and she’d been holding his hand or happy to walk tucked under his arm as they’d wandered the length of the beach all morning. It was a blessing to be counted as he wasn’t sure how long it would last.
‘There’s a garden behind the surgery,’ Nerissa said as she fell into step beside them. ‘I’m sure Max can throw the ball for Toby without getting in too much trouble.’
