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Liv gasped, a delicious sound that shot straight down Callum’s spine.

‘Sorry. Tickled a bit.’

‘Everything seems to be fine.’

‘Told you it would be.’

After a few long moments that he would have been happy to stretch out for hours, Liv shifted reluctantly in her seat, and pulled her arm away from him. Desperate to end the uneasiness that had thickened the air, he fought to bring back some air of professionalism and find something they could talk about. ‘I’ve been thinking about your suggestions for trying to save the surgery.’

‘Really?’ She leaned forward, eager. ‘What do you think?’

‘I think you’re right. I think we need to expand the surgery to offer more services, and increase how we support our residents in the community. It’s high risk, but I don’t see any other option that’s realistic.’

‘That’s really exciting.’ Liv gave him a reassuring smile. ‘And you know I’ll help however I can.’

‘I’m counting on it.’ He smiled back at her, meeting her eyes.

Eventually, Liv looked away. ‘Callum, about last night—’

‘Oh crap, I’m so sorry about that,’ he interrupted before she could get any further and say something he didn’t want to hear. ‘It shouldn’t have happened. It was unprofessional and yet again I find myself begging your forgiveness and asking you to excuse the inexcusable when it comes to my behaviour. But is there any chance you’ll forgive me — again — and we can go back to being colleagues?’

Liv studied her newly bare arm, running her fingers over the scars.

‘Or even friends?’ The words were out before Callum had thought them through, but any concerns he may have had evaporated when Liv’s gorgeous smile lit up her face.

‘Friends? I think I’d like that.’

‘Me too.’ Callum felt himself grinning back like a fool, but he just didn’t care. Being around Liv nurtured something in him that he thought had been long ago stamped out. He trusted her. More than he did anyone outside his family. And more than that, she made him happy — and making her smile like that made him feel ten feet tall. For that, he’d work out how to be her friend. Just her friend.

* * *

The rest of the week flew by in a blur of consultations, appointments and referrals, and despite her best effort, her mind kept wandering. And it was always the same distraction that stole her attention: Callum. She was inexplicably thrilled that he loved her ideas for trying to save the surgery. Of course professional pride was part of it, but it felt like so much more than that.

She desperately wanted the proposals to be a success and for the surgery to survive. Of course, she recognised the surgery’s importance to the village, but it had rapidly become important to her too. Even though her time there was temporary, she wanted to help ensure it would survive. She owed Tom that much. But if she was totally honest with herself, her desire to help was less to do with her old mentor, or the villagers she’d come to care for: she was doing it for Callum. She wanted to help him secure the surgery’s future for another three generations, and she wanted to see his eyes light up with excitement because of something she’d said or done.

She’d been so relieved when he’d asked if they could still be friends, because even after a short time she didn’t want to lose him from her life. She’d been terrified the kiss would make things impossibly awkward, but they’d found a way to handle it. A mature, sensible way that didn’t disappoint her in the slightest. Not even a little bit.

‘Hey,’ Liv said, looking up when Millie knocked at her door, grateful to be pulled away from her own thoughts. ‘Oh dear, you look a bit rough. Come on in, sit down and tell me what’s wrong.’

Millie winced as she lowered herself into the chair. ‘I’m hoping it’s nothing.’ Her voice was rougher than usual, ‘But I wanted to be sure. Sore throat that’s come on quickly, mild fever and aches, and swelling and tenderness in cervical and occipital lymph nodes.’

‘Oh dear.’ Liv frowned, already understanding Millie’s concerns. If she had a streptococcal infection, she couldn’t safely be around her more vulnerable patients. ‘Does it hurt to swallow?’

Millie nodded. ‘Like razor blades. Just what I didn’t need for half term.’

‘It can’t be helped. Let’s have a look.’ Liv snapped on gloves and reached for a tongue depressor and her torch. ‘Red spots on your palate and swollen tonsils. I can run some cultures, but I’m pretty sure you’ve got strep throat. But even if it’s not, I’m recommending you’re probably not well enough to be working.’

‘I’m fine for admin,’ Millie tried to argue, but her voice broke into a coughing fit that she smothered with tissues.

‘Yes. You sound it.’ Liv pulled a wry face. ‘Look, we both know you’re not feeling well, and that you’re probably going to feel worse before better. You can take my professional advice, or I can sign you off and make you go home and rest.’

Millie sagged in her seat. ‘You’re right. Thank you.’

‘Not that you need to thank me for doing my job, but you’re welcome. I’ll run your swabs on a rapid test. While we’re waiting for the results, I’m going to make you a cup of tea, tell Callum what’s going on, and you can write down anything I need to know about your case list that isn’t in your files.’ Liv tore open a swab. ‘Now open up.’

* * *

By the end of that week, Callum was about ready to collapse. With late spring and early summer colds running riot through the village and surrounding area, Millie at home recovering from her own illness, and Evelyn still not back from Massachusetts, the surgery had been overrun by coughs, burning throats, mild fevers and sniffles as well as all the usual appointments, ailments, injuries and referrals that were the daily business of any GP. He’d given good news and bad that week, reassured, sympathised and mourned alongside his patients, as well as covering the pregnancy and baby appointments that Millie usually handled, while still juggling his life with Sarah.