A Courageous Doctor

Donald was smiling. ‘You sound adventurous, Maggie.’

‘You only live once,’ Maggie responded with a quick grin. ‘Life’s supposed to be fun, isn’t it?’

‘Oh, indeed it is.’ Donald’s own smile broadened noticeably. He looked set to continue the conversation but Maggie’s attention was already elsewhere.

‘I’d better go. I’ve got a mountain of paperwork before I can go home. What time will you be leaving, Hugh?’

‘Any time you’re ready.’ Hugo was quite aware of the speculative glance Donald shot in his direction. He almost enjoyed the assumption the cardiologist was clearly making. ‘I just want to check on Nancy and make sure she’s still doing well and then I’ll be finished.’

It was no surprise that Donald waited only until they had moved on a few paces before seeking clarification.

‘I thought you and Joan Pringle were…?’

‘Yes.’ Hugo didn’t expand on his confirmation. He might have a professional relationship with Donald but they were hardly more than acquaintances. ‘We are.’

‘But you’re taking Maggie home?’ Donald’s eyebrows rose. ‘Lucky man.’

The innuendo was unexpectedly grating. Hugo disliked what it suggested about Maggie as much as any slur on his own morality. ‘Maggie’s staying with me at the moment because she’s an old family friend. I’ve known her since she was two years old.’

‘Really? How old is she now?’

‘Thirty.’

‘And she’s not married, is she? She’s not wearing a ring, anyway.’

‘She’s not married.’

‘Attached?’

‘Not that I know of.’ They hadn’t discussed their love lives at all. Maggie had clearly known about Joan’s existence before she’d arrived and Hugo hadn’t tried asking Maggie any such personal questions. There had been quite enough to discuss just catching up with their professional lives over the last decade. Maggie’s nursing background, as well as their common interest in emergency medicine, had provided a wealth of conversational material. So had Hugo’s quick guided tour of Maggie’s new location over the weekend. So far, by tacit agreement, they had not delved too deeply into their shared past. It had to come, of course, but right now Hugo was happy to renew their friendship and simply enjoy Maggie’s company.

He was less happy with Donald Hamilton’s company right now but he’d be able to leave him at the airport terminal in less than a minute.

‘How long will she be staying with you?’

‘As long as it takes her to find a place of her own, I guess.’ Hugo pitched his tone to suggest it was none of Donald’s business. He had been a little more forthcoming in fielding a similar question from Joan earlier that day, but it had been annoying nonetheless.

‘That won’t be easy at this time of year.’ Donald stopped just short of triggering the automatic doors of the small airport terminal.

‘There’s no rush.’ As far as Hugo was concerned, Maggie could stay as long as she liked, even if Joan did disapprove.

‘Indeed.’

Hugo had had enough of this conversation. ‘How’s your wife, Donald? And the kids?’

‘Don’t see much of them these days, old chap. We’ve split up.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that.’

‘These things happen.’

‘Indeed.’ Hugo unconsciously echoed Donald’s speech mannerism, and his light tone belied the faintly disturbing possibilities the information conveyed. He pushed his hair away from his eyes as he took his leave and strode back towards the hospital complex. He had no idea he was frowning quite so heavily until he passed Joan in the corridor.

‘Goodness, Hugh. What’s up?’

‘Nothing. Why?’

‘You look as though you’re on your way to tear strips off someone. Not me, I hope?’

‘Of course not.’ The thought of Joan ever doing something that might require a severe reprimand was amusing and Hugo smiled.

‘Was that Donald Hamilton I saw you talking to outside?’

‘Yes.’ Hugo shook his head. ‘He’s taken quite a shine to Maggie.’

‘Really?’ Joan’s tone suggested surprise rather than disapproval. Then she frowned. ‘I thought he was married.’