By eleven forty-five, everyone had left the pub. Luke and Tess made their way outside to Tess’s car; she’d offered him a lift home.
‘Well that was a success,’ said Luke as she drove out of the village towards his cottage. ‘They all loved you.’
‘That’s because I’m a fabulous person.’ Tess swung the car expertly around a hedgehog that was ambling across the road. ‘I’m also a perspicacious one.’
‘Perspicacious?’ It was an impressively long word for this time of the evening. Amused, Luke said, ‘In what respect?’
‘Body language. Micro-expressions. Bit of a speciality of mine. I notice things other people don’t see. Left or right?’
They’d reached a fork in the road. ‘Left,’ said Luke. ‘And that’s my cottage up there . . . the one with the blue gate.’ He waited until she’d pulled up outside the cottage, then added, ‘Go on then: this perspicacity of yours. So what is it you’ve noticed?’
Tess smiled slightly. ‘I was watching you and Hallie earlier, talking to each other. There’s quite a connection between you two.’
Luke tensed. ‘I’m her doctor. She’s my patient. Hallie’s been through a lot. And she never complains.’
‘She’s a lovely girl.’
‘Nothing’s ever happened between us.’ He felt the need to come straight out and say it. Tess wasn’t making idle conversation here.
‘But you have feelings for her.’
God, this was embarrassing. There was such a thing as being too perspicacious. Stiffly, Luke said, ‘I’d never do anything that might jeopardise my career.’
‘Oh Luke, relax, I’m not accusing you of anything! I’m just saying you like her. I mean, really like her.’ Tess paused, then added, ‘And she really likes you too.’
He did a double-take; this was something he hadn’t expected to hear. ‘What?’
‘Come on, you heard me. The interest is mutual. Did you genuinely not realise that?’
‘No.’ He shook his head, numb with shock. ‘Are you making this up?’
‘Absolutely not. Like I said, body language and micro-expressions. It’s all there, as plain as day. To me, anyway.’ Entertained, she added, ‘Clearly not to you.’
‘Shit, shit. But no one else has ever spotted it. And I know they haven’t,’ said Luke, ‘because if they had, trust me, it wouldn’t have stayed a secret. Not around here.’
‘They’ve all known Hallie for years. They’re used to her being chronically ill. It isn’t something that’s ever occurred to them to consider. Whereas I’m a fresh pair of eyes,’ Tess explained. ‘Plus, like I said, I have my magical observational skills.’ Her eyes danced. ‘Sometimes it’s an interesting talent to possess.’
‘God, I had no idea. Are you sure?’
‘Oh yes. Everything you feel for her, she feels for you. It’s right there, I promise.’
Luke couldn’t speak; he was still mentally reeling. His chest felt as if it were trying to contain far too much emotion. He looked across at his new colleague. ‘I swear I didn’t know.’
‘Then I’m happy I told you. Maybe I could take over her care. Then you wouldn’t be her doctor any more. And when the time feels right . . . well, you can broach the subject with her.’ Tess pulled a face. ‘God, sorry, broach the subject sounds unbelievably stuffy and legal. It can be far more romantic than that.’
‘What if she turns me down?’ said Luke.
‘Life’s all about taking risks. You’re an adult. You’d get over it. But in my opinion, I sincerely doubt that would happen. The feelings you two have for each other are mutual. Have a little faith,’ said Tess with a broad smile. ‘And trust me. I’m a doctor.’
Chapter 52
Luke’s heart was racing. OK, this was crazy, but taking the plunge now felt easier than waiting and plucking up the courage to say it at some unknown point in the future.
And since sleep currently wasn’t an option, he might as well do it now.
It took fifteen minutes to walk back into the village. The sky was clear, a crescent moon hung above the church spire and the stars were out in force. Hallie was still awake. Luke knew this because he could see that she was currently chatting on Twitter to a female friend in Tempe, Arizona.
No one else was around as he crossed the ancient stone bridge and approached Hallie’s house. He looked up and saw that the light was on in her bedroom window.
On his phone, he saw that she was still exchanging messages with her friend. He tapped in: Hi, I’m outside. Wondered if I could have a word about something?