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‘What worries me, is I think you’re only half-kidding.’ Kimberly shook her head. ‘Anyway, enough about my horrible love life. Am I right about you?’
Jake didn’t feel the silly smile that must have lit up his face, but the others saw it.
‘Ha! Look at that stupid expression.’ Cal laughed.
‘You do look happy, love.’ His Mum put the joint of beef on the table. ‘Are you seeing someone?’
He blew out a long sigh. ‘Yes, maybe. I think so.’
‘Oh, Jakey, do Daddy and I need to give you the talk about when boys and girls like each other?’
‘Stuff off!’ He stuck his tongue out at his brother. ‘I just meant it’s really early days.’ He ran his hands through his hair. ‘There was something I did want to talk to you about, but if you’re just going to be a jerk, I’ll risk asking Dad.’
‘Ask me what?’ Tom sauntered into the big kitchen and placed a kiss on his wife’s cheek. ‘Smells wonderful, love.’
‘A medical question, but it’s sort of about one of your patients.’
‘Don’t bother then. You know the answer. It’s confidential.’ He helped his granddaughter onto her booster seat. ‘Ask your brother – in the abstract if you can. And preferably wait until I’m out of hearing until you talk about it please. I’m not comfortable with it, and it’s a conversation I would prefer to avoid.’
‘Of course.’
‘So what’s this all about?’ Kimberly asked. ‘Why’s it so important that we’re all here today?’
Jake watched as his parents shared a loving look, and felt a twinge in his stomach. He hoped that one day he’d be in the type of relationship where he could share so much with someone with a single glance.
‘Julie and I have an announcement to make.’ Jake’s dad grinned round the table at them all, while his mum glowed with happiness. ‘We’ve made a decision. We’re going to Africa.’
Confused silence descended over the table, eventually broken by Kimberly. ‘I’m sure we’re all really glad to hear that, but does a holiday really need a family meeting?’
Tom laughed. ‘Not for a holiday, but we’ll probably fit in a safari and some sightseeing at some point. We’ve signed up for Doctors Without Borders. Me as a doctor, obviously, and your mother will be running the clinic.’
‘When? For how long?’
‘What do you mean you’re going to Africa?’
‘What’s going to happen with the surgery?’
‘All right, all right.’ Julie held up her hands. ‘Initially we’ve been asked to go to Eswatini. They’ve got viral pandemics, including HIV and TB, and are setting up a new clinic. They need help, and we’re it. The actual building is still under construction, and we’re expecting it to be finished by autumn. We’re aiming to get there as they’re bringing in equipment, which should be around mid-September. We’ll be there for a few months, after that, we’re not sure. We might end up staying longer, if it agrees with us.’
‘But what about the surgery?’ Callum asked. ‘You’re not closing it down?’
‘The family legacy? Of course not.’ Their father was aghast.
‘Actually, Callum love, we were thinking it might be time that you took a more active interest in managing the surgery. You’re already a partner, but we think you’re ready to take on more. Like all the management.’
‘Me? Really?’
Kimberly tutted in annoyance. ‘Obviously you. My degree hardly sets me up to run a medical practice. And while I’m sure Jake could manage it, I don’t think Dad’s patients would be too happy with his approach to taking temperatures. Tails up!’
‘Enough!’ Tom held up the knife he’d started carving the beef with. ‘Your mother has cooked this lovely meal for you all, and I’d thank you to remember the family rule – no medical procedure discussion at the table. And how Jake takes his patients’ temperatures is definitely straying into that territory.’
‘To be fair, I do use auxiliary and aural methods too.’
‘Jake. Change the subject please. No work talk at the table.’
‘Sorry. Can you pass the horseradish please?’
Callum caught him by the door as they were pulling on coats and Sarah was having extra hugs in the kitchen with her grandparents and aunt. ‘What was that “medical question sort of” about one of Dad’s patients?’
