Something From Tiffany’s by Melissa Hill Page A

she said, with the hint of a smile on her face.
    ‘Silver lining?’ Ethan asked suspiciously, and he felt Daisy tap him lightly on the leg.
    ‘Well, it made me realise that there are genuinely thoughtful people in the world, like you and your lovely daughter. What a gorgeous dress you have on,’ she said to Daisy.
    ‘Thanks, I like yours too,’ she replied, clearly delighted, and Ethan sat forward, keen to move past the mutual appreciation and get to the real reason they were here.
    ‘Yes, we’re just in the city for a few days ourselves,’ he said. ‘Our flight back to London is later this evening actually.’
    ‘Ours would have been too, if this hadn’t happened. But the airline was great about changing, especially given the circumstances.’
    ‘Of course. So—’
    ‘You live in London? That’s one of my favourite cities, and I love spending time there. Granted, I haven’t been over for a while, what with the restaurant and everything,’ she went on. ‘My friend and I run a bistro and artisan bakery back home in Dublin. We cater too, on occasion.’
    ‘Oooh, do you make cookies?’ Daisy asked, intrigued.
    Ethan smiled fondly at his daughter. ‘Daisy’s become quite the cookie connoisseur on this trip.’
    ‘Yes, although I don’t like to eat too many, of course. Too much saturated fat,’ his daughter pronounced solemnly and Rachel smiled, briefly meeting Ethan’s amused gaze.
    ‘Well, I do make cookies, as it happens – much better than these, if I do say so myself,’ she joked conspiratorially. ‘We only use fresh ingredients too,’ she added, and Daisy grinned. ‘Yep, cookies and pastries and bread and all kinds of yummy stuff – you’d love it! In fact, tell you what, why don’t you give me your address in London, and when I get home I’ll send you a box of goodies for being so helpful to Gary? You don’t have to eat them all at once. How’s that?’ she suggested, and Daisy looked thrilled.
    ‘Yes, well, thank you very much, but on another note,’ Ethan said, trying again to get to the point, ‘I’m not sure if that nurse mentioned this to you, but actually it seems there was a bit of a mix-up that day and in all the melee—’
    ‘Oops, that’s my phone. Sorry about this,’ Rachel interjected, taking a ringing mobile out of her handbag. ‘It must be the nurse. Hello? Is the doctor there now? I’ll just be . . . What?’ Ethan watched her previously animated expression go dark. ‘Oh my God! Is he OK? But what about . . . OK yes, yes, I’m on my way.’ Her brow furrowed, Rachel disconnected the call. ‘I’m so sorry but I have to go,’ she said, jumping to her feet. ‘They changed Gary’s pain medication because they were afraid he was sleeping too much, but now it seems he’s had some kind of reaction. I’m not sure exactly what’s going on. I’m so sorry, but I really have to go.’
    ‘Yes, of course. Shall we go back there with you?’ Ethan asked, completely appreciating her panic, but also not wanting to let the possibility of retrieving the ring slip through his fingers.
    ‘No, but thank you. You’re so kind. Um . . . you have my number, don’t you?’ she added, flustered. ‘Text me your address, and I’ll send those cookies over as soon as I get home, I promise.’
    Standing up too, Ethan ran a hand through his hair. ‘Yes, OK. Well, good luck with everything. Hope he’s all right,’ he mumbled, feeling foolish, and also completely clueless as to what to do. He couldn’t very well say anything now, could he? Not with the poor girl in such a state. Stupidly, he held out his hand to shake hers.
    ‘I hope so too,’ she replied, suddenly throwing her arms around him in a hug that caught him completely off guard. ‘Thank you so much again for all you’ve done – it was wonderful. Bye, Daisy!’ she added, waving, and in a flash she was gone.
    For a long moment, Ethan stared after her, not sure what to think.
    ‘I really like her,