‘She has a natural talent. Everyone says so.’ Gloria leaned over and fussed with her daughter’s hair. ‘She takes after me, you see. I was a ballet dancer, although I never had the advantages Lauren has had.’
Maggie didn’t say anything. She had seen the shadow that had crossed Lauren’s face and couldn’t help wondering if the girl believed that she’d been so lucky. Had Lauren been pushed by her mother into choosing ballet as her career? It seemed a distinct possibility.
It wasn’t her place to ask, however, so she carried on getting Lauren settled. She was just showing the teenager how to operate the radio when the sound of footsteps made her glance round, and she felt herself colour when she saw Luke. She hadn’t expected him to appear so soon and felt a little flummoxed by his early arrival.
‘I…um…this is Lauren Atkins, Dr Fabrizzi.’ She quickly gathered her wits and made the introductions. ‘You’ll be operating on her ankle tomorrow morning, I believe.’
Before Luke had a chance to reply, Mrs Atkins cut in. ‘You look very young to be performing such a skilled operation. I must say that I expected someone more experienced. I don’t know if I’m happy about you treating my daughter. Lauren’s whole future is at stake here!’
‘I understand your concerns, Mrs Atkins.’ He smiled politely at the woman. He didn’t appear at all perturbed by her comments, although Maggie knew that a lot of doctors would have taken a very dim view of being spoken to that way.
‘However, I assure you that I’ve performed this operation a number of times in the past and each time the outcome has been entirely successful.’
‘You’re American!’ Mrs Atkins visibly brightened.
‘That’s right. I’m from Boston. I was fortunate enough to be offered a placement on the exchange scheme so I shall be working in Dalverston for the next six months,’ he explained calmly.
‘And you’re a surgeon back in Boston?’ Gloria persisted.
‘I am. I’m working here as a senior registrar. However, when I return home I shall be taking up a consultant’s post.’ He shrugged modestly as he continued outlining his qualifications. ‘I’ve done a lot of research into the causes and problems of sports-related injuries, including publishing a number of papers on the subject. It’s an area that I am extremely interested in.’
Maggie was amazed by what she’d heard. She’d had no idea that he was so highly qualified. It made her wonder why he’d decided to accept the post on the exchange scheme. Most of the doctors who did so weren’t nearly as high up the professional ladder as he was.
There was no time to dwell on it, though, not with Luke waiting to examine Lauren and take her case history. That was another strange thing he did, now that she thought about it. Most of the senior staff left it to the junior housemen to take patients’ medical histories but Luke preferred to speak to those he would be operating on himself. It made her realise that there was a lot she didn’t know about Luke Fabrizzi and that was worrying, even though she wasn’t sure why it should be.
It took a bit of persuasion to remove Mrs Atkins from her daughter’s bedside but Maggie was firm. She ushered the woman into the day-room then went back to the ward. Luke had drawn up a chair beside the bed and was chatting to Lauren. Maggie was pleased to see that the girl looked far more relaxed now, although that was probably due to Luke’s presence, of course!
Her mouth set into a prim line. Most women would find it hard not to respond to a man as good-looking as Luke was, whatever their age. However, she hoped that he wouldn’t lay on the charm with too heavy a hand. She had seen cases before where patients had developed crushes on their doctors and they were always tricky to deal with. The thought of having to cope with a love-sick teenager wasn’t one that appealed at all.
He looked round and his brows rose when he saw her set expression. ‘Nothing wrong, I hope, Staff?’
‘Not so far,’ she replied with a smile that could have drawn blood. She turned her attention to Lauren and smiled more warmly this time. ‘We need to take a few details, Lauren, if you will bear with us. I know it’s a bind, having to answer all these questions, but we’ll get them done as quickly as we can.’
‘There’s no rush!’ Lauren laughed self-consciously and Maggie sighed as she realised that her suspicions had been correct. Obviously, the girl wasn’t in a rush to get the formalities over with if it meant prolonging the time she spent with Luke.
‘The longer you can keep Mum away from me the better, although I know that sounds an awful thing to say.’ Lauren grimaced. ‘She means well but I wish that she would let me get on with my life, instead of interfering all the time!’
Luke laughed softly although his gaze had sharpened. ‘A lot of mothers tend to be over-protective, Lauren. It comes with the job.’
‘Oh, I know that! But it’s more than that. Mum seems to want me to do all the things she wanted to do. She doesn’t understand that I’m not her.’ A tear slid down her cheek. ‘I don’t know how to make her understand that I want to lead my own life, not the one she has mapped out for me!’
There was a wealth of anguish in the girl’s voice. Maggie glanced at Luke and could tell that he was as concerned as she was. It was obvious that the situation was causing Lauren a great deal of distress and that was the last thing they wanted.
‘It isn’t easy to make parents understand that you know what you want, Lauren,’ she explained sympathetically. ‘I know that only too well.’
‘Do you?’ The teenager looked expectantly at her and Maggie sighed as she realised that she had to explain what she’d meant. It made her feel a little uncomfortable to talk about her own situation with Luke there, but maybe it would be for the best, in a way. It was about time he realised that he’d made a mistake when they’d met in Milan.
‘I do. My family’s dearest wish is to see me married, you see. And they’ll go to almost any lengths to make it happen, too.’ Her tone was rueful. ‘I can’t count the number of times they’ve tried to set me up with some suitable man. It’s got to the point where I won’t tell my mother that I’m going to visit her because I’m terrified there will be another prospective candidate sitting on her sofa!’
Lauren groaned in sympathy. ‘Really? Oh, poor you! But what are they like, all these men? Or shouldn’t I ask?’
‘Definitely not! I wouldn’t want you having nightmares.’
She smiled as the younger girl laughed. However, she couldn’t help glancing at Luke and was surprised by the expression on his face. What was it that she could see there? Regret? Apology? Neither seemed quite right.
She looked away, not wanting to fall into the trap of letting her mind start wandering again. ‘Anyway, Lauren, I do know how hard it is to make a stand, but it’s something you have to do. You can’t live your life for other people, you have to live it the way you want to.’
‘I know that. It’s just that I’m such a coward. I hate arguments and the thought of telling Mum that I don’t want to dance any more terrifies me because she’ll be so upset.’ Lauren sighed. ‘That’s why I was glad that I hurt my ankle. I was hoping that it might mean I wouldn’t be able to dance again.’
‘It would be a rather drastic solution to your problems, Lauren.’ Luke’s
