on the first night, she’d been told, was always an informal affair and casual clothes were the order of the day. She showered and changed into white cotton jeans and a vivid blue T-shirt then ran her fingers through her short blonde hair until she’d achieved the spiky look which the hairdresser had told her suited her so much. She’d had her hair cut only the previous week and she still wasn’t used to the new style, although it was certainly easier than the shoulder-length bob she’d had before. A quick wash and her hair was done!
Stepping in front of the mirror, she studied herself critically. She had to admit that the end result was rather pleasing. The vivid blue of the T-shirt was the perfect foil for her colouring although she experienced a momentary qualm when she read the logo that was printed in sequins across its front.
Telling herself that it was just a bit of fun, she let her gaze move on and nodded in satisfaction when she saw what a difference the new make-up she’d purchased had made. Her eyes looked enormous thanks to the mascara and shadow whilst the lipgloss made her mouth look seductively full. The only flaw she could spot was the tiny mole at the corner of her mouth but there was nothing she could do about that. Anyway, Liam had always said that it made him want to kiss her…
Sophie blanked out that thought. She’d promised herself that she wouldn’t look back but focus on the future and at the present moment that meant dinner. She left her cabin then paused when she saw that the door to the cabin opposite hers was open. She hadn’t heard the doctor arriving but she could have been in the shower at the time. It was a shame that she’d missed him because she would have liked to have broken the ice by introducing herself.
She glanced at her watch but there were still ten minutes to spare before she needed to be in the dining room. She tapped on the door and grimaced when she heard a muffled voice calling from the bathroom to come in. She hadn’t realised he was getting ready for dinner but she could hardly walk away now that she’d knocked on the door.
She looked curiously around as she went inside but the cabin was an exact replica of her own, apart from the fact that it was nowhere near as tidy. It looked as though the doctor must have unpacked in rather a hurry because there was a heap of clothes tossed onto the bed and a stack of books piled haphazardly on the bedside cabinet.
She wandered over to look at them, grinning when she saw the eclectic mix of paperback thrillers and weighty medical tomes. Obviously, her new colleague believed in being prepared for every eventuality.
‘Sorry to keep you waiting.’
Sophie felt the shock hit her like an actual physical blow when she heard the man’s voice. She rocked back on her heels and had to grab hold of the cabinet to steady herself. She knew she should turn round but it was impossible to move a single muscle. It couldn’t be him! a small voice was screaming inside her head. It was just her mind playing tricks…
‘Are you all right, Sophie?’
There could be no mistaking who he was now that he’d called her by name, even though he’d spoken to her in a tone she hadn’t heard him use for a long time. Their last conversations had been so angry and bitter that it still made her feel sick whenever she thought about them. It felt as though a lifetime had passed since she’d heard such concern in his voice.
‘For pity’s sake, say something, Sophie. Don’t just stand there looking as though your worst nightmare has come true!’
There was a catch in that deep voice now, an echo of pain that made her ache as well. She was actually trying to think of a way to comfort him when it struck her what she was doing.
This man had broken her heart and he most certainly didn’t deserve her pity!
Anger gave her the strength to turn and face her ex-husband at last. ‘What are you doing here, Liam? Exactly what is going on?’
Liam could feel the waves of antipathy flowing across the cabin and suddenly found it impossible to think clearly. Why hadn’t he allowed for the fact that he would feel so…emotional? he wondered dazedly.
‘I’m the new ship’s doctor,’ he said tersely, struggling to keep a grip on himself. He’d known when he’d accepted the post that Sophie might be upset by the thought of them working together, but he’d told himself that he would find a way to convince her it would be all right. All he wanted was a chance to set matters straight and it had seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so. The last few months had convinced him that he needed to lay the past to rest, once and for all.
‘Th-the new doctor?’
Liam’s hands clenched when he heard the tremor in her voice. It was obvious how shocked she was and he suddenly found himself wondering if he was being selfish. Maybe Sophie had come to terms with the past and he was in danger of opening up wounds that had already healed? Just because he hadn’t been able to rid himself of the memories, it didn’t mean she’d had the same problem. He only had to look at her to see how much she had changed, in fact.
His slate-grey eyes skimmed over her as he drank in the differences two years had brought about. The new hairstyle suited her, he realised in surprise, even though he would never have expected her to opt for such a funky style. Sophie’s choice of hairstyle and clothing had been very conservative in the past but there was nothing conservative about that spiky halo of blonde wisps or about the outfit she was wearing, for that matter.
Liam’s mouth curved into a reluctant smile when he read the logo on the front of her T-shirt. Treat me like a princess! it implored, and it amused him greatly although he couldn’t for the life of him imagine the old Sophie wearing anything like it. Ditto the snug-fitting jeans which hugged her pert little bottom like loving hands.
His smile faded abruptly as his gaze travelled on. Although she was of no more than average height, she had incredibly long legs and the tight jeans set them off to perfection, highlighting their shapeliness. Liam felt a funny buzzing sensation in the pit of his stomach and hastily lowered his eyes another few inches. He just managed to bite back his gasp when he saw her bare toes peeping through the straps of her sandals.
She’d painted her toenails bright blue to match her T-shirt but Sophie had never worn nail polish in the past. Even if she had, she certainly wouldn’t have dreamt of wearing such a crazy colour. Adding up everything he’d seen—the funky hairstyle, the trendy clothes, the nail polish—and he was more convinced than ever that he’d made a massive error of judgement. Sophie had moved on with her life and the proof of that was clear from her appearance. How could it be fair to rake up the past when it would be bound to upset her?
‘Let’s get this straight, Liam. Are you saying that you’re going to be working on board this ship?’
Liam took a deep breath when he heard the mounting anger in her voice. Maybe he had made a mistake but there was little he could do about it now except to try and make the coming weeks as easy as possible for both of them.
‘That’s right. I’ve signed on for the summer season,’ he explained, trying to disguise his hurt when he saw her mouth thin with displeasure. Surely he hadn’t been foolish enough to hope that she might be pleased to see him?
‘Dr Hampson has decided to retire,’ he continued hurriedly before the idea could take root. He knew why he’d taken the job and it had nothing whatsoever to do with winning Sophie over. ‘Apparently, he’s been having chest pains and his consultant has advised him to take things easy. I was hired at the last minute as his replacement.’
‘So you had no idea I would be working on this ship when you took
