Felicity looked stunned. ‘I’m glad I came now—I almost didn’t because I was so sure it was just chickenpox.’
‘I’m sure it won’t be a problem,’ Ally said firmly, scribbling Felicity’s details on the form. ‘Just take this to Sister next door and she’ll take some blood from you. We’ll ring you as soon as we have the results. But if you go into labour early, you give us a ring.’
‘Will do.’ Felicity stood up awkwardly and patted her lump. ‘Why did I do it? Two was enough really, and I’m dreading the labour.’
Ally checked the notes. ‘You had a forceps delivery last time.’
‘And a ventouse the first time. I couldn’t sit down for a month.’ Felicity bit her lip. ‘They say it gets easier but I’m not convinced.’
‘It’s very unusual to need forceps the second time around,’ Ally told her. ‘I’m sure this time you’ll be fine. The presentation is good and you’re very healthy.’
‘Well, Hugh’s having the snip after this one,’ Felicity said with a mock scowl, and Ally smiled as she left the room.
Lucy bounced in five minutes later. ‘I’ve just taken blood from Felicity Webster—could that chickenpox be bad news, do you think?’
Ally shook her head and smiled. ‘She’s probably immune—most people are.’
Lucy frowned and plopped herself in the empty chair. ‘What if she isn’t?’
‘She has to be given ZIG.’
Lucy laughed. ‘What on earth is ZIG? It sounds like something from outer space.’
‘Zoster immune globulin,’ Ally told her, slipping off her shoes and curling her slim legs under her bottom. ‘Instant immunity.’
‘Well, you learn something new every day. Anyway, enough of that.’ Lucy gave her a curious smile. ‘Who’s this new locum we’ve got?’ The door opened and Lucy turned her head, her jaw dropping as she stared at the man standing there.
‘This is the new locum,’ Ally said quickly, slipping her feet back into her shoes—but not before Sean had taken a long, leisurely look at her exposed thighs. Damn the man! ‘Dr Nicholson, this is our practice nurse—’
‘Lucy Griffiths,’ Sean interrupted with a wry grin, and Lucy gasped and clapped her hand over her mouth.
‘Sean?’ With an unladylike shriek she scrambled off her seat and hurled herself into Sean’s arms.
Sean hugged her back, his hard features softened by affection as he stooped to kiss her on the cheek.
‘You’ve grown up.’
‘Yes.’ Lucy gave him a bright smile and pulled away from him, the warmth she felt for him evident in the glow of her eyes.
Did everyone know him? For a moment Ally felt a stab of emotion she didn’t recognise. Jealousy? Surely not—why would she be jealous of Lucy? It wasn’t as if she herself wanted Sean, and Lucy deserved to find someone.
‘Oh, fancy it being Sean!’ Lucy turned to Ally with a beaming smile which Ally managed to return. ‘I never thought you’d come back here!’
Sean gave a short laugh. ‘I was coerced.’
Lucy giggled deliciously. ‘By Will?’
‘By Will.’
Ally glanced between them. Obviously they knew each other well. She told herself off firmly for minding. Why on earth should she mind? Stupid!
‘Where are you staying?’ Lucy was still beaming and Sean stepped inside the room and closed the door behind him.
‘With Ally.’
Ally dredged up a smile. ‘He’s renting my stable.’
Lucy’s eyes widened. ‘Gosh, you’re honoured. Ally never usually rents to men.’
‘So I gather.’ Sean’s eyes met Ally’s. ‘Let’s just say that she was coerced, too.’
Lucy’s jaw dropped. ‘Will again?’
Ally managed a smile. Just. ‘You guessed it.’
‘He should run a dating agency!’ Lucy giggled and glanced from one to the other. ‘Isn’t he sweet?’
‘Irresistible,’ Sean drawled sarcastically, glancing at his watch with a quick frown. ‘I need to get on but I wanted to talk to you, Ally…’
She stiffened. She had nothing to say to him. Nothing. ‘I’m in the middle of surgery.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘About a patient.’
She blushed and fiddled with her pen. ‘Oh—right. What’s the problem?’
‘That woman you mentioned to me a few days ago…’ He leaned broad shoulders against the doorway and frowned. ‘Wasn’t her name Thompson?’
‘Mary Thompson.’ Ally stared at him. ‘What about her?’