Free His Perfect Bride? by Louisa Heaton Page B

arrived—Arthur Cross. He’d developed a nasty cough, so she listened to his chest and it sounded quite crackly. Concerned about a possible infection, she wrote a prescription for some antibiotics and said goodbye. Next was a young mother with a baby, who wanted to know whether she could go back on the contraceptive pill. Her husband wanted more babies—she didn’t. Lula suggested they have a discussion with each other, but wrote a script for it anyway and hoped it wouldn’t cause a huge marital argument between the two of them.
    She saw a steady influx of patients all morning and was busy. The work kept her mind off her mother, and most definitely off Olly. It was onlywhen it got to about eleven o’clock that she noticed the time, because Olly brought her through another drink.
    ‘Made you a tea.’ He put it down on the desk and she took it gratefully.
    ‘Oh, thanks. Busy morning, isn’t it?’
    ‘It is. I was wondering if you’d come out with me on a house call later?’
    ‘Oh?’
    ‘Can you remember yesterday we had Ruby’s mum in? The teenage girl who was being a bit weird?’
    Yes, she remembered.
    ‘Well, the mum’s more concerned and has asked us to come out and talk to the girl. If she is the mother of the baby left on your doorstep I think I’d quite like some female backup, if that’s okay?’
    She nodded. ‘Sure. You really think it might be her?’
    Olly shrugged. ‘I don’t know Ruby very well. I’ve only seen her for vaccinations when she was a baby herself. But she’s the only possible I’ve got at the minute.’
    ‘Okay. What time are we going?’
    ‘About two? She’s not at school. Refusing to speak or come out of her room for the last day or so.’
    Oh, dear. Lula hoped it was her, so that theycould get her urgent medical attention, but she also didn’t want to think that a scared thirteen-year-old had had to go through labour and birth on her own—and then dispose of a baby…
    ‘Get me when you’re ready to go. And thanks for the tea.’
    He winked as he left and she smiled, finding herself wishing he would come back and talk to her some more.
    Oh, my goodness! What am I doing to myself?
    Olly could only be a friend. There was no point in having those sorts of feelings or thoughts.
    As two o’clock approached Lula hid in her room, eating her lunch and trying to stay out of Olly’s way as much as she could. But when he came to collect her she could put it off no longer. She would have to be in the car with him and go on this house call.
    But that’s fine. It’s just a ride out. It’s work, not pleasure. There’s nothing to be afraid of.
    She got in his car, highly aware of how close his hand came to her thighs every time he had to change gear or adjust the heating, but thankfully it wasn’t for long. Ruby’s family didn’t live too far from the surgery.
    There was a deep drift of snow beside where Olly parked, so she had to climb out of his side. He held the door open for her as she clambered over the gearstick and proffered his hand for herto steady herself before getting out. Blushing, she took it, hoping he assumed her cheeks were going red from the cold and nothing else. And then they were both tramping through the snow to Ruby’s front door.
    Olly knocked and they waited.
    When Ruby’s mum answered the door she invited them in and they went inside, happy to be in the stifling warmth of the house. Lula and Olly removed their snow-caked boots in the hall and padded into the lounge in their socks. They sat down.
    ‘Ruby’s still in her room. I told her you were coming but she still won’t speak or open the door.’
    ‘Do you want me to go up to talk to her?’ Lula offered.
    ‘If you want…but mind the mess. I’ve not had a chance to tidy up.’
    Lula smiled sympathetically, then left Olly to talk to Ruby’s mum as she went upstairs. At the top of the stairs were three doors. One had a giant yellow ‘ Danger! Keep Out!’ sign on it, which she presumed