The Doctor

Chapter Thirty-Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirty-Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirty-Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirty-Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Forty (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Forty-One (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Forty-Two (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Forty-Three (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Forty-Four (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Forty-Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Forty-Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Forty-Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Forty-Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Forty-Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifty (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifty-One (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifty-Two (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifty-Three (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifty-Four (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifty-Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifty-Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifty-Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifty-Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifty-Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixty (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixty-One (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixty-Two (#litres_trial_promo)

Author’s note (#litres_trial_promo)

Suggested topics for reading group discussion (#litres_trial_promo)

Acknowledgements (#litres_trial_promo)

Keep Reading … (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Author (#litres_trial_promo)

Books by Lisa Stone (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)

We all want to live forever, don’t we?

Chapter One (#ulink_5a5c509a-bfe1-5407-8320-95bcda9bfcba)

It was pitch-black outside except for the small light coming from the outbuilding at the very end of their neighbours’ garden. Emily could just make out the slither of light through the tall shrubs and trees that flanked their boundary fence. No moon or stars shone in the cloud-laden sky and no wind stirred the foliage. She liked their secluded garden, it had been one of the reasons she and Ben had bought the house, but sometimes it felt just a bit creepy. Especially at night.

‘What do you think Dr Burman does in that outbuilding so late at night?’ she asked Ben as she stood at their bedroom window, gazing out, before drawing the curtains. ‘He’s in there most nights, often until very late.’

‘It’s his man cave,’ Ben replied. ‘His escape. It can’t be easy being a doctor all day, only to come home and have to look after your sick wife.’

‘I suppose,’ Emily said. ‘But I do find him and his wife odd. We’ve been in this house over a year now and they just about manage to say hello. I’ve tried to be neighbourly, but she doesn’t want to know.’

‘He says a few words to me in passing,’ Ben said, joining her at the window.

‘I would have thought she’d be grateful for some company. I never see her go out or have any visitors.’

‘Not everyone is sociable like you,’ Ben said, kissing her cheek.

‘And all those CCTV cameras at the front of their house,’ Emily continued, reluctant to let the matter go. ‘It’s completely over the top for these houses. I mean, none of us is rich or famous.’

‘Perhaps they’re secret millionaires,’ Ben laughed, then looked seriously at Emily. ‘Em, are you sure you don’t want to go back to work when your maternity leave ends? Is being at home really enough for you?’

‘Yes, I’m sure,’ she said, and turned to him with a smile. ‘Thank you for giving me the chance. I want to stay with Robbie a while longer. I know money will be tight, but I really wouldn’t be happy leaving him with a childminder all day until he’s a bit older.’

‘OK, I just wanted to make sure. I should be due a rise soon.’ He kissed her cheek again. ‘It’s late, love, I’m going to hop into the shower now.’

As he left their bedroom, Emily turned again to the window and began to close the curtains. The light went off in Dr Burman’s outbuilding, plunging their garden into complete darkness. Eleven thirty. The same time as the night before. Why she should make a mental note of the time, she wasn’t sure. It was something she found herself doing, as well as looking into their house and garden at any opportunity. It seemed important to keep watch. A gut feeling that it felt safer that way. Although had she told Ben, she was sure he would have laughed.

Chapter Two (#ulink_77839b36-060c-5f93-804f-d2a34184efe4)

BACK FROM THE DEAD!