catches on that we’re an item, it’ll be all over town.’
‘I’ve seen stories in the papers of doctors being struck off for having relationships with their patients, but it seems highly unlikely that anyone would chaseit up to the extent that it would jeopardise your career.’
‘The risk is there and I’ve worked so hard to achieve my registration, I don’t want to lose it.’
‘You’re right,’ he sighs. ‘Eat up,’ he adds, changing the subject.
Later, we walk back along the waterfront in the dark, the reflections of the streetlights dancing on the water. On the way to Matt’s car we pass the massive black iron rings where the ships used to be moored and the historic Customs House.
He reaches out. I step away but he catches my hand and interlinks his fingers through mine, squeezing them tight. He stops walking and turns so he’s facing me. ‘Nicci,’ he breathes, his eyes shining in the shadows, and I’m almost lost when he presses his lips to mine, an exclamation of desire catching in his throat. My heart is saying yes and my head is saying no.
‘You do want this? If it wasn’t for the doctor-patient thing?’ he adds huskily. ‘Can I register with another doctor?’
‘Yes, but it’s a bit awkward, isn’t it?’
‘Well, I’m not going to give a reason, am I?’ He smiles. ‘Leave it with me. I suppose another kiss is out of the question?’
‘I think you’d better take me home,’ I say, afraid that one more kiss will lead to another and sweep away any resistance I have left.
‘Okay,’ he says.
He drops me outside my house. He leaves the engine running, and if I’d thought of throwing caution to the wind I would have been disappointed because he says,‘Before you invite me in for coffee, I have to decline, I’m afraid.’
‘Oh?’
‘There’s no need to sound so—’ he inclines his head towards me ‘—disappointed. It isn’t you. As you’ve said, it’s probably better that I’m not seen emerging from your house late at night, but I’ve also got to get home to let the dog out.’
‘I didn’t know you had a dog.’
‘I’m just getting used to the idea myself.’
At first I think he’s making excuses, but Matt is a vet so it’s understandable that he would have a pet, I think, as his hand sidles towards mine, his fingertips touching my skin. My pulse quickens and my lips tingle with anticipation, but there is no kiss.
‘When can I see you again?’ he says gently.
‘I’m not sure.’ I reach out for the door handle, reminding myself that I have a choice. ‘I think it’s best to leave things as they are for a while. I don’t believe I can do the “just friends” bit with you.’
‘Same here,’ he whispers, running his fingers down the inside of my wrist. It’s an erotic gesture, highly charged and I have to summon all my resolve.
‘Thanks for a lovely evening,’ I say, opening the door. ‘Goodnight, Matt.’
‘I’ll be in touch,’ he insists. ‘I’ll get something sorted soon, I promise.’
I let myself into the house, turn and wave before he drives away, waving back. I go to bed, but I can’t sleep. I used to wonder why on earth doctors left themselves open to accusations and threats to their livelihoods byentering relationships with their patients, but now I understand. I toss and turn and watch the moon and stars over the church roof opposite my bedroom through a gap in the curtains. Why did I have to go and fall for a patient?
A few days later I walk straight into Ben when I arrive at work.
‘Hi,’ I say. ‘How are the girls?’ and that’s as far as our conversations normally go. Ben is quite reserved, aloof even, and doesn’t like to partake in gossip like me, Claire and Janet. The price of fish and chips at Mr Rock’s, Steve’s daughter’s recent engagement to the local animal welfare officer, and teasing Claire about PC Kevin’s frequent visits to the surgery are not matters that hold any interest for him.
We’ll
‘I’ve seen stories in the papers of doctors being struck off for having relationships with their patients, but it seems highly unlikely that anyone would chaseit up to the extent that it would jeopardise your career.’
‘The risk is there and I’ve worked so hard to achieve my registration, I don’t want to lose it.’
‘You’re right,’ he sighs. ‘Eat up,’ he adds, changing the subject.
Later, we walk back along the waterfront in the dark, the reflections of the streetlights dancing on the water. On the way to Matt’s car we pass the massive black iron rings where the ships used to be moored and the historic Customs House.
He reaches out. I step away but he catches my hand and interlinks his fingers through mine, squeezing them tight. He stops walking and turns so he’s facing me. ‘Nicci,’ he breathes, his eyes shining in the shadows, and I’m almost lost when he presses his lips to mine, an exclamation of desire catching in his throat. My heart is saying yes and my head is saying no.
‘You do want this? If it wasn’t for the doctor-patient thing?’ he adds huskily. ‘Can I register with another doctor?’
‘Yes, but it’s a bit awkward, isn’t it?’
‘Well, I’m not going to give a reason, am I?’ He smiles. ‘Leave it with me. I suppose another kiss is out of the question?’
‘I think you’d better take me home,’ I say, afraid that one more kiss will lead to another and sweep away any resistance I have left.
‘Okay,’ he says.
He drops me outside my house. He leaves the engine running, and if I’d thought of throwing caution to the wind I would have been disappointed because he says,‘Before you invite me in for coffee, I have to decline, I’m afraid.’
‘Oh?’
‘There’s no need to sound so—’ he inclines his head towards me ‘—disappointed. It isn’t you. As you’ve said, it’s probably better that I’m not seen emerging from your house late at night, but I’ve also got to get home to let the dog out.’
‘I didn’t know you had a dog.’
‘I’m just getting used to the idea myself.’
At first I think he’s making excuses, but Matt is a vet so it’s understandable that he would have a pet, I think, as his hand sidles towards mine, his fingertips touching my skin. My pulse quickens and my lips tingle with anticipation, but there is no kiss.
‘When can I see you again?’ he says gently.
‘I’m not sure.’ I reach out for the door handle, reminding myself that I have a choice. ‘I think it’s best to leave things as they are for a while. I don’t believe I can do the “just friends” bit with you.’
‘Same here,’ he whispers, running his fingers down the inside of my wrist. It’s an erotic gesture, highly charged and I have to summon all my resolve.
‘Thanks for a lovely evening,’ I say, opening the door. ‘Goodnight, Matt.’
‘I’ll be in touch,’ he insists. ‘I’ll get something sorted soon, I promise.’
I let myself into the house, turn and wave before he drives away, waving back. I go to bed, but I can’t sleep. I used to wonder why on earth doctors left themselves open to accusations and threats to their livelihoods byentering relationships with their patients, but now I understand. I toss and turn and watch the moon and stars over the church roof opposite my bedroom through a gap in the curtains. Why did I have to go and fall for a patient?
A few days later I walk straight into Ben when I arrive at work.
‘Hi,’ I say. ‘How are the girls?’ and that’s as far as our conversations normally go. Ben is quite reserved, aloof even, and doesn’t like to partake in gossip like me, Claire and Janet. The price of fish and chips at Mr Rock’s, Steve’s daughter’s recent engagement to the local animal welfare officer, and teasing Claire about PC Kevin’s frequent visits to the surgery are not matters that hold any interest for him.
We’ll
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