Buch lesen: «Reunited: A Miracle Marriage»

CHAPTER ONE

IT WAS stuffy in the lecture theatre, and the professor of cardiac medicine had a monotonous, droning voice. Sally Lawson smothered a yawn and looked around the room, amused to see that a few people had given up the unequal fight and were quietly nodding off to sleep. She knew exactly how they felt.

Her gaze wandered over the audience, wondering if she recognised any of the people there besides Jean Cornwell, her colleague, who was sitting next to her.

Suddenly she blinked, jerked out of her lethargy as she noticed a man several rows below her, or rather the back of a man’s head. Of course it wasn’t…it couldn’t possibly be him, could it? She shifted in her seat to try and see the man from a different angle as from where she was sitting he looked amazingly like Jack McLennan. A funny little tremor of apprehension fluttered through her even thinking of his name. Odd how just seeing the back of a stranger who had the same thick russet hair and broad shoulders of a man she used to love long ago could kick-start all kinds of memories…

Sally leaned forward to get a closer look at this guy’s profile. Of course Jack McLennan was hundreds of miles away in Australia and had been for years—he was probably director of the Australian health service by now, or something equally imposing, she thought wryly. She gazed into space, the professor’s lecture a mere background drone to her thoughts. It had been six years since she’d last seen Jack, the love of her life—six years since he’d told her out of the blue that he wanted to finish their affair and concentrate on his career. And she’d thought she’d known the man so well after their year’s passionate affair—they had even discussed marriage. She would never have guessed that he had been using her, had just wanted a fling before he finished his training and disappeared….at least, that was how it had seemed to her.

The lecture was drawing to a close, and the professor’s voice rose slightly, bringing Sally back to the present.

‘And so, ladies and gentlemen, I hope I’ve given you some insight into the challenges of treating hypertension and the benefits of tackling a major cause of cardiovascular disease as early and aggressively as possible.’

He beamed around the hall and there was enthusiastic applause from the audience, glad of the chance to stretch their legs at last. People began to get up from their seats and hurry away from the hall, amongst them the man who’d caught Sally’s eye. It was extraordinary—even the way he held his head slightly to one side as he listened to the person talking to him was so like one of Jack’s mannerisms. He was laughing, his deep-toned voice carrying over the crowd, and it could have been Jack’s voice—that easy laugh reminding her that, despite everything that had happened, they’d had a lot of fun together.

Sally picked up her handbag and started to follow Jean out of the lecture hall. Of course, it was neither here nor there that a strange man at the other side of the room should remind her of Jack and their long-ago affair. After all, she was engaged now and going to be married very soon.

‘What time do you want to be off tomorrow, Sally?’ Jean asked. Sally was contemplating the figure now moving towards the exit of the hall.

Jean waited a few seconds for a response then, grinning, dug her friend gently in the ribs. ‘Hey! You’re in another universe, aren’t you?’

‘What? Oh…yes, sorry. I thought I saw someone I used to work with, but it can’t be him—I believe he works abroad now. What did you say?’

‘Tomorrow—when do you want to leave? There’s a lecture in the morning but do you mind if we go after breakfast? If you want to stay, I can always get a lift back to Crachan from someone else.’

‘Suits me to leave early,’ said Sally absently, her eyes drifting back to that tall figure. ‘I think I know all I want to know about cardiac health at the moment, thank you!’

Suddenly the man turned round and Sally gave a quick shocked intake of breath, her whole body stiffening in amazement. Good God! She wasn’t imagining a likeness, no doubt about it—it really was Jack! She looked in stupefaction at the good-looking, strong face and the lock of hair falling over his forehead as it always used to…and the years fell away as she saw the man who’d given her the most gloriously romantic time of her life—and had then broken her heart so cruelly and inexplicably six years ago.

For a second his eyes locked with hers before he turned away, and then suddenly he did a double-take, a frown of uncertainty flickering across his face as he stared at her in puzzlement. Then his eyes widened in recognition and, mumbling something to the person beside him, he began to make his way through the crowd towards her.

Sally stood rooted to the spot, gazing at him in disbelief until he was standing before her and those familiar periwinkle-blue eyes set in a tanned open face held hers in total amazement. The babble in the hall seemed to recede and for a few moments it was as if there were just the two of them alone together.

‘Oh, my God—it’s Sally, Sally Lawson,’ he said softly.

He had a lovely voice, deep and warm, and it brought all sorts of memories tumbling back through Sally’s mind—quite unsuitable memories considering she was engaged to another man now. The first time Jack had kissed her, the feel of his body against hers when they’d danced, the first time they’d… She swallowed hard. She was damned if she was going to go overboard welcoming Dr Jack McLennan. Since he’d left her after a year together, there’d never been a letter or a phone call to ask how she was—not even a Christmas card. He’d treated her abominably and she couldn’t forget that.

She pulled herself together and stood tall, gazing at him steadily. ‘Why, hello,’ she said coolly. ‘I…I didn’t expect to see you here. I thought you lived in Australia now.’

His eyes hadn’t left her face, raking her features as if to convince himself that it was her. ‘Sally Lawson!’ he repeated, ignoring her remark about Australia. ‘What a surprise!’ His lips curved in that slightly lopsided smile of his that used to melt her heart. ‘At least, that’s what you were called six years ago. I guess your name could be something else now.’

Sally swallowed hard, a lot of confused emotions flooding through her. Jack still had that rangy, athletic figure that looked as if he ran ten miles a day, and the power to send any girl’s pulse racing—his physical presence was as potent as it ever had been. But damn him—the man had broken her heart once and led her up the garden path. He was a deceiving rat! She forced a stiff smile.

‘Yes,’ she admitted. ‘I’m still Sally Lawson—for the moment. How are you, Jack?’

‘Just fine. It’s good to see you again. I wasn’t quite sure it was you for a moment because your hair’s different.’ He paused for a second, his glance sweeping over her. ‘It suits you short like that.’

Could Sally see any change in him? Not really. He’d kept time at bay very well—a hint of grey around the temples, a few more lines creasing the corners of his eyes perhaps. She saw his glance flicker over her hands, obviously noting her engagement ring with its enormous glinting diamond. Tim liked flamboyant gestures and wouldn’t have entertained buying his fiancée something restrained. She put her other hand over it almost protectively. Funny how heavy it felt and how huge it looked on her slim finger—almost as if it were shouting, Look at me! I’m getting married to someone who’s loaded! She had to admit that sometimes she felt it was a tad ostentatious.

‘I see you’re engaged,’ he remarked lightly.

She nodded. ‘Yes…I’m getting married in a few weeks.’ She was about to ask him if he was married and then thought better of it. She wasn’t interested in his domestic life, was she? It was better to stick to work-related matters.

She said flippantly, ‘And what brings you to Glasgow? I’d have thought you were running the Australian health service by now. Did you reach the top of the ladder?’

‘What?’ He suddenly looked discomfited, as if reminded of the career he’d told her he’d wanted to follow rather than carry on with their relationship. Then he said briefly, ‘It worked out fine—but my mother died suddenly, and I came back for her funeral. I’ve a younger brother just starting at university so I decided to stay to keep my eye on him.’

Sally flicked a look at his bleak expression. ‘Oh, that’s sad…about your mother I mean. It must have been hard for you.’

She felt a flash of sympathy for him. Obviously his mother had died before he’d been able to see her again. In the year she’d gone out with Jack she had never met his parents—they had lived in a village in the wilds of the Highlands. There was a short silence and the sound of the voices in the room reasserted themselves. Sally suddenly realised that Jean was waiting patiently by her side.

‘Oh, sorry, Jean. This is Jack McLennan, an old… er…colleague of mine from my days at St. Mary’s hospital six years ago. We did our A and E rotation together. Jack, this is Jean Cornwell, the senior partner in the G.P. practice I work for.’

Jack took his gaze off Sally and turned to shake Jean’s hand. ‘So are you local?’ he asked.

‘We’re on the west coast in a town called Crachan. Sally and I thought we’d take up the offer of two nights in Glasgow being pampered at a good hotel with this refresher course in cardiac care,’ explained Jean.

Jack grinned. ‘That echoes my thoughts too. I’m doing a locum job in a practice round here but it comes to an end soon, so I’ll be looking for somewhere else for a few months before I start a permanent job in the autumn.’

Jean turned to Sally with a broad smile. ‘Aha! Hear that Sal? Someone who wants a temporary job! That could be helpful!’

Sally felt her stomach give a nervous little jump of anticipation at what she was sure Jean was going to say next. ‘Oh, I don’t think Jack would be interested in our practice,’ she intercepted quickly.

‘Why on earth not?’ asked Jean, arching an eyebrow. ‘Surely it’s not as bad as all that!’

‘Well, it’s a bit of a backwater…’

Sally bit her lip. It shouldn’t matter to her whether Jack McLennan worked at the practice or not—as long as he was good at his job, that was the important thing wasn’t it? After all, he meant nothing whatsoever to her now. Perhaps a lingering sadness that she’d misread his character and not realised that he was an opportunistic creep underneath that charismatic veneer, regret over the wasted years of sadness after their break-up—but maybe the real reason was that she didn’t feel like revisiting the past if they became colleagues again.

Jack looked from one woman to the other. ‘What’s this about, then? Are you looking for someone to work with you?’

Jean nodded. ‘I want to go and help out my sister in New Zealand—she’s in her third pregnancy and her husband is in hospital himself after a bad car crash. I’d like to go over for three months, so Sally’s going to need help in the practice. She just mentioned that she used to work with you at St. Mary’s so at least you’d know each other.’

He flicked a glance at Sally as if aware of her misgivings, his blue eyes slighted hooded. ‘Perhaps you’d better discuss it with each other…’

‘A good idea,’ cut in Sally hastily. ‘There are one or two local people who might do locum work with us.’

‘That’s true.’ Jean nodded. ‘Although it’s mostly a week here or there, nothing very sustained. It would be good to get someone who could do the whole three months and get to know the patients. Anyway, if you’d like to come and discuss it with us, this is our number.’ Jean gave him a card and smiled at Sally. ‘Come on—let’s get some lunch and maybe go for a shop this afternoon to wake us up after that fascinating lecture.’

‘A good idea,’ agreed Sally. She looked coolly at Jack. ‘Goodbye,’ she said in an offhand voice.

They walked out of the lecture hall and Jack McLennan stared after them. He might have gone anywhere this weekend—to stay in London with friends, go walking in the hills—but he had to choose at the last minute to come to this particular conference. He felt as if someone had hit him hard in the solar plexus, He hadn’t realised how devastating it would be to see Sally Lawson again. She was still a knock-out, with those smoky grey eyes and honey-blonde hair cut now in a thick bob that framed her face—and still with the power to knock him sideways. He clenched his fists in his trouser pockets, trying to get to grips with the fact that he’d just come face to face with the girl he could have married six years ago—the girl he should have married if circumstances had been different.

He started to walk slowly out of the hall, heedless of the crowds milling around him, and allowed himself to step back in time as the emotions he’d felt then came back with vivid intensity. He had realised that he had to finish their romance and by a twist of circumstance it had happened at the end of the hospital annual ball. Sally had looked absolutely stunning in a sheath silk dress of ice blue, showing off her curvaceous figure beautifully, and there had been a particular bitter-sweet intensity about their happiness for him, knowing that by the end of the evening he would leave her for ever. Like the rewinding of a film, he could still visualise so clearly her bewildered face as he’d told her that he needed to get away to fulfil his medical ambitions.

At first she’d laughed. ‘You, Jack McLennan? Concentrate on your career? You’ve got to be joking!’ She’d looked up at him impishly. ‘You’re too fond of your sport and…other things,’ she’d said coquettishly, putting her arms around him. ‘You’re not getting rid of me that easily!’

He hadn’t reacted, just looked back at her rather grimly, trying to keep his emotions under control, and her eyes had widened in disbelief as eventually she’d realised that he’d meant what he’d said. Tears had slowly rolled down her cheeks, and it had been unbearable for him to witness her distress. He’d been deliberately brutal because Sally had needed to be under no illusion that things could ever be rekindled between them—he hadn’t been able to tell her what had lain behind his decision.

Oh, yes, his career had flourished in Australia. He’d worked hard, plunged himself into his job heart and soul, trying to put Sally and the nightmare scenario of what had happened in his family out of his mind, and the terror that he might end up like his father—a drunken brute who’d terrorised those around him.

He flicked a glance at his watch and sighed as he went to pick up his key at Reception. He’d have to go to the dinner tonight—there were several old friends at the conference he’d promised to catch up with, but he’d check out of the hotel first thing the next day, and out of Sally Lawson’s life once more. He had no rights over her—she was some other lucky beggar’s girlfriend, and looking at her expression when they’d been standing face to face a few minutes before had told him very plainly that the only emotion she felt towards him was dislike.

‘So, Sally, tell me about this Jack McLennan you used to work with.’ In the steamy atmosphere of the little café, Jean looked at Sally enquiringly. ‘I got the impression you were less than enthusiastic when I suggested he apply for the job. Didn’t you get on, or was he no good?’

Sally shrugged. ‘Oh, he was a good doctor, no doubt about that—very committed.’ She chose her words carefully, unwilling to reveal by any inflection in her voice that he’d meant anything to her at all. ‘He was very ambitious, actually—I’m sure he had a terrific job.’

‘But what about working with him again?’ persisted Jean. ‘Any objections?’

Sally stirred her coffee slowly and stared at the swirling liquid. ‘We…well, I suppose you could say we had a difference of opinion just before he left.’

‘A pity,’ observed Jean, ‘But perhaps you could learn to overlook your differences now. After all, it’s a few years ago since you worked together. I must say he looked rather pleasant.’ She laughed. ‘Actually, he looks absolutely gorgeous! I’m surprised you didn’t fall for him, Sal.’

‘Oh, everyone fell for Jack McLennan,’ said Sally offhandedly. She put her cup down on the table rather abruptly and stood up and stretched. ‘Now we’ve had lunch, I think I’ll go and have a run in the park before we meet this evening, Jean, if you don’t mind—need to get rid of a few cobwebs. See you later.’

Jean looked thoughtfully after Sally as she left the restaurant, then shrugged her shoulders as her mobile started ringing. Sally didn’t notice Jean answer her mobile phone, or see her expression as she answered it.

Sally unlocked the door of her room and went straight to the bathroom, peeling off her tracksuit as she went. After an hour’s run on a sunny afternoon, she was hot and dripping, but she felt invigorated and more positive—all that exercise after the unsettling meeting with Jack had helped to calm her down. It had been a shock—no, she corrected herself quickly, more a surprise, meeting him again, but her life had moved on and now she was embroiled in the excitement of getting everything ready for her wedding. It was going to be fun, albeit her instinct had been to go for a low-key ceremony, but Tim was very keen to invite everyone he knew, including business acquaintances, ‘because it will help enormously in getting my name known in the right circles, Sally,’ he’d explained.

She turned on the shower and stood under the hot water gratefully, turning her body so that the little sharp needles of spray reached all over her, and then she stepped out, her skin tingling. She grabbed a towel, wound it round her wet hair and put on the towelling robe hanging up in the bathroom. She would make herself a cup of tea and watch the news on television before getting ready for the evening’s dinner, then probably ring Tim and tell him she’d be home by lunchtime the next day.

Just as she was picking up her mobile to make the call, a peremptory knock on the door made her jump—it was probably room service, she decided, although she hadn’t ordered anything.

‘Yes?’ she called out. ‘Who is it?’

A short silence and then a deep voice replied, ‘It’s Jack—Jack McLennan. I’ve got a message for you.’

Jack McLennan? What on earth was he doing here? Six years with no contact, and suddenly he thinks it’s OK to buttonhole her in her hotel bedroom! Sally drew the bathrobe round her body tightly and walked to the door, glancing at her flustered image in the mirror as she passed. A feeling of unease flickered through her. She didn’t want to see Jack again—she simply had no interest in the man, and she resented the fact that for some reason his appearance had disturbed her.

She certainly didn’t want to see him when she was dressed in a skimpy bathrobe with a towel over her hair…once upon a time it might have been only too wonderful to be dressed in next to nothing with Jack McLennan in a hotel bedroom, but not now, not now… Coming to see her just had to be curiosity on his part, an excuse to see her again so that they could have a cosy chat about past times…and that was the last thing she was going to do with a man who’d treated her so badly.

She didn’t open the door, but called out crisply, ‘Who’s the message from?’

‘Your colleague, Jean Cornwell.’

‘Jean? Why should she give you a message—why not give it me herself?’

‘She’s had bad news and hadn’t time to get it to you. If you open the door, I can give you her note.’

Anxiety fluttered through Sally and she opened the door. ‘OK. Pass it to me.’

A pair of deep blue eyes held hers for a moment then swept quickly over her attire.

‘Sorry—rather an inconvenient time I guess,’ he apologised.

Sally pulled the robe even more tightly round herself, acutely aware of how close they were to each other. The last time they’d been this close, she thought fleetingly, had been when Jack had been finishing with her and he’d looked so stern…so implacable. Was he reminded of that time, or had it meant so little to him that he’d forgotten that episode completely? He’d probably had many affairs since then and their liaison had been long forgotten. She took the note from him, pushing those silly thoughts to the back of her mind.

‘Do you know what this is all about?’ she asked curtly, tearing open the envelope.

‘Yes—Jean bumped into me in the foyer in a very distressed state. Apparently she’d just had a phone call to say that her sister in New Zealand has been admitted to hospital with pre-eclampsia, and with her husband still in hospital himself the situation is very difficult. She tried to ring you on her mobile, but couldn’t get a signal.’

Sally looked at him in distress. ‘Oh, no! Poor Jean! She must be worried sick. What’s she going to do?’

‘She’s gone to Glasgow to get a flight, I think, but the thing is, Sally, she was extremely concerned that you would be on your own and begged me to take on the locum job at your practice. Anyway, I guess it’s all in the note.’

Sally frowned. ‘As we said before, there are other people who can help out—I can ring them when I get back to Crachan. There’s no need for you to…trouble yourself.’

‘Apparently she did ring your contacts but none of them can start immediately. However, it’s up to you, Sally. Do you think we could work together…again?’

‘Possibly,’ she replied coldly, suddenly angry that he should imagine she would be in any way affected by what had happened years ago. She had a fiancé, she was getting married soon. It didn’t matter to her who she worked with as long as they were competent.

Her eyes scanned Jean’s note quickly. Jean was obviously in a state, worrying about her sister’s family and indeed her sister’s health.

‘So sorry to land you in it like this,’ Sally read. ‘Gail is very ill, and although neighbours are looking after her children for the time being, I feel I must get over there as soon as possible. I’m going to try and catch a flight from Glasgow to Heathrow tonight and get to New Zealand from there. Do you think you could possibly work with Jack McLennan for a few weeks? After all, he’s available immediately, unlike everyone else, and he seems to have lots of experience. He was rather reluctant to take on the job without your sanction, but it really would rest my mind if I thought there was someone to help you out—and we don’t seem to have many takers. Text me when you can. Love, Jean.’

Sally stuffed the note in her pocket. There didn’t seem to be much choice in the matter—it was true she needed help and she knew Jack was a good doctor.

Jack watched her reaction. ‘I wouldn’t want to put you in an awkward position if you have any reservations about working with me,’ he said gently.

‘Why should I?’ remarked Sally rather tersely. ‘It was a long time ago when we went our separate ways, and a lot’s happened since then.’

‘That’s true.’ He nodded. ‘You’ve got engaged, for one thing. When are you getting married?’

‘In two months—that’s one of the reasons we need a locum who will know the practice quite well, because I’ll be going on my honeymoon for a week after the wedding.’

Jack’s brows lifted slightly. ‘Only a week?’ he remarked teasingly, ‘Why doesn’t he grab the chance for longer than that?’

‘Tim’s got a very busy schedule with his business at the moment.’

‘Ah, I see. He’s a businessman, then?’

‘Yes—he can’t be away from work for too long,’ replied Sally rather defensively. The thought flickered through her head that Tim might be just as career-orientated as Jack was—but he did at least want to commit to her! ‘Anyway,’ she added briskly, ‘about you joining the practice…’

She paused for a second as a feeling of anxiety flickered through her. Could she really work with this man who had once meant so much to her? She took a deep breath. She was engaged and what had happened between her and Jack was completely irrelevant now. The fact was that in weeks of advertising for a locum to help at the surgery, no one suitable had come forward so she had to be sensible.

‘I guess we can stand each other for a month or two until Jean gets back,’ she said.

‘I guess we can,’ he commented lightly. ‘When do you want me to start?’

‘Come in two days and I’ll have sorted out your accommodation…’ She paused for a second. ‘You didn’t tell me if you have a family. The flat I’m thinking of isn’t suitable for children.’

He smiled faintly. ‘No…no children or wives accumulated over six years—just a teenage brother at university in Glasgow.’

He was probably still too focussed on his damn career, Sally reflected scornfully. A man who refused to be tied down in a relationship. But an odd feeling of satisfaction flickered through her at this information.

‘Well,’ she said briskly, ‘you’ve got our card with the address on—it should take you about an hour to get there.’

‘I’ll look forward to it,’ he murmured, and walked off down the corridor.

He smiled grimly to himself. He was under no illusions about Sally’s feelings towards him. She didn’t like him, but she was in a tight spot and needed help—and though his first instinct had been to get out of her life again now she was engaged, somehow the opportunity to work with the woman he knew he’d never really stopped loving was irresistible. Not, he thought sadly, that the situation had changed. He still couldn’t offer her a future. And as usual when he thought about the reason he was still single, he felt a tremor of horror, which, even after six years, hadn’t diminished.

Sally went back into the room, peeled off the towel round her head and sat down in front of the dressing table. She stared at herself in the mirror and a pale, worried face stared back at her. It must be because she was tired that her heart was banging against her rib cage like a drum and her mouth was so dry. She should be mightily relieved that someone she knew who was good at their job was going to fill in at the practice. It was just that working with someone she’d once been so close to would be rather…strange, but she would keep her distance and soon get used to it. Then she picked up the hairdryer and began to dry her hair.