The Doctor's Engagement

‘Because we’ve always told each other everything.’ He shook his head slowly, his face alight with amusement and incredulity as he looked at her. ‘I can’t believe some lucky man hasn’t swept you off your feet.’

‘Well, they haven’t,’ Holly said flatly, and Mark’s smile faded.

‘So is that what’s wrong?’

Holly stiffened and turned to look across the bay. Anything rather than meet the sharp look in his eyes. Mark was far too perceptive.

‘Nothing’s wrong—’

‘You’re a lousy liar,’ he said softly, suddenly serious. ‘Holly, you’ve lost weight and you’ve got dark circles under your eyes. And don’t turn your back on me.’

She hesitated and then turned to face him, her expression haunted. ‘It isn’t anything—’

‘Holly!’ his voice was a threatening growl and she gave a wry smile that cost her a great deal in terms of effort.

‘Well, let’s just say it isn’t anything you can do anything about.’ She coloured slightly under his intense scrutiny. She didn’t feel ready to tell him yet.

‘Is it work or a man?’ His tone was blunt.

‘Mark, it really doesn’t matter—’

‘Work or a man?’ he persisted, and she sighed in exasperation.

‘You don’t ever give up, do you?’

‘No.’ His gaze was steady. ‘So now you’ve remembered that, perhaps you’ll answer my question. Work or a man? Surely it wasn’t—what was his name? Simon. Are you still seeing Simon?’

‘No.’ Holly shook her head, securing strands of blonde hair behind her ear. ‘No, I’m not.’

‘Good thing, too,’ Mark growled, dark eyes narrowed. ‘He wasn’t right for you. His eyes were too close together.’

‘So were his affairs.’ Holly’s voice was quiet and Mark stared at her.

‘He had affairs? While he was with you?’ His jaw tightened and his expression was ominious. ‘Give me his address—’

‘Mark, no,’ Holly interrupted him hastily, knowing that Mark was more than capable of tracking down Simon and defending her rather too vigorously. ‘I don’t need you to intervene—but thanks for the thought.’

Mark’s anger was still evident. ‘Were you in love with him?’ His voice was sharp. ‘Is that why you’ve got the shadows under your eyes? Did he hurt you?’

Holly shook her head and gave him a wan smile. ‘No, I wasn’t in love with him. And, no, he didn’t hurt me—not really, so you can dismount from your white charger.’

Mark watched her for a long moment, his eyes intent on hers. ‘OK,’ he said finally, a frown touching his brows, ‘but if he isn’t responsible for your drawn appearance, who is?’

‘No one!’ Holly wrapped her arms round her waist and paced over to the far side of the deck. ‘It was nothing like that. Drop it, Mark. Please.’

She heard the chair scrape on the decking and the sound of his footsteps behind her, then strong hands curled over her shoulders.

‘Which means it must have been work.’

‘Please, Mark.’ Her voice was barely a whisper and her eyes were closed. ‘I really can’t face thinking about it.’

He swore softly and she felt his hands tighten protectively on her shoulders.

‘You know I’m always ready to slay your dragon,’ he said gruffly. ‘You only have to say the word.’

The memories came crashing down on her like the waves on the rocks below and she took a deep breath.

‘Can we change the subject?’

‘OK,’ he said finally, his voice soft, ‘on the condition that you put that weight back on and lose the shadows round your eyes. And on the condition that you remember that I’m here for you whenever you need a friend. We’ve never had any secrets from each other. Don’t forget that, Holly.’

How could she forget? He was her oldest and dearest friend. She turned to face him and for a wild moment she was tempted to confide in him. But she wasn’t ready to talk about it yet. Not even to Mark. The truth was, she didn’t want to think about it at all...

She lifted her chin and tried to lighten the mood. ‘You’re worried about the shadows under my eyes? You’re saying I’m not glamorous enough to be your fiancée?’

He lifted a hand to stroke her hair away from her face, staring down at her with an odd expression on his face.

She tipped her head to one side. ‘Mark?’

He stirred himself. ‘You look great. I’m just worried about you that’s all.’ He turned away from her and walked back towards the French windows. ‘OK, back to practicalities. We’re going to the yacht club for supper with Ian, but we’re not meeting him until eight-thirty so how about having a snack?’

She nodded and followed him inside, through the spacious lounge and into the kitchen.

‘Mark Logan, you’re a slob!’ She surveyed the dirty dishes strewn around the work surfaces with mock disapproval. ‘You have a perfectly good sink with a view to die for and you can’t be bothered to wash up.’

‘I told you I needed a fiancée,’ he teased, his smile dying as he saw the look on her face. ‘Just joking—truly!’

‘Don’t do your chauvinist act with me,’ she scolded, tugging open doors in the kitchen. ‘I can’t believe this state-of-the-art kitchen doesn’t have a dishwasher.’

‘Last cupboard on the right,’ Mark said meekly, watching as she pulled it open and started clearing the worktops and loading the dishwasher. ‘Can I get you a drink? Wine? Gin and tonic?’

‘Actually, just a cup of tea would be great, thanks.’ Holly straightened and glanced round the surfaces which were now clear of dirty crockery. ‘No wonder you need a fake fiancée. No one in their right mind would take on the role in real life.’

‘I’m sorry. What with work and the boat, I’ve been busy.’ He looked sheepish as he made the tea and handed her a mug. ‘Sandwich? Biscuit?’

‘Nothing, thanks.’ Holly sipped her tea and wandered back into the living room. ‘This place is amazing. It’s like being part of the ocean.’

‘Glad you approve. When you’ve finished your tea, I’ll show you the upstairs.’

Once she drained her mug, they made their way up an unusual spiral staircase and Mark pushed open a door. ‘This is the spare room. Your room, I suppose.’

It was a bright, cheerful room, decorated in blue and white, with a very nautical theme. Holly fingered a piece of driftwood thoughtfully. ‘This is nice. Where did you find it?’

‘On the beach. I go for a run most mornings before the rest of the world is awake. It’s surprising what you find.’ He turned and walked back onto the landing. ‘Come and see my room.’

Holly gasped as she entered the master bedroom. Again the architect had made the maximum use of windows and the room was drenched in the soft early evening sunlight.

‘Oh, Mark!’ She paced across the bleached wooden floor covered in a soft rug and gazed around the room. ‘It seems a waste to use this room for sleeping.’