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‘So you said.’

‘I mean, I’m only a locum here while Tom and Julie are on sabbatical. While I figure out what I want to do next in life.’

‘I know.’ Evelyn nodded.

‘I’m just watching Callum to try and get a bit of advance warning . . . in case we’re about to be called into work or something.’

‘Do you think that’s likely?’

Liv studied Callum’s profile. His jaw was tense, his shoulders square, but she didn’t see any urgency in his movements. If anything, it was the opposite. She watched as he sagged slightly. ‘I’m not sure, but I don’t think so.’

‘I wonder who would be calling him on the surgery line at the weekend, then,’ Evelyn pondered. ‘Maybe it’s just a patient with a query.’

‘Maybe.’ Liv pursed her lips, unconvinced.

* * *

Callum sighed as he ended the call and tried to unclench his jaw. Angry, disappointed tears filled his throat and he forced them down with a gulp of his beer that nearly choked him. The anger surged back, leaving him with a bitter taste in his mouth. He was angry that he’d failed, angry that he felt led on, and that he was going to let everyone down. But most of all, he was angry that he’d actually let himself believe — for a few days — that it might actually have worked. His parents were stupid to have trusted him, and he was stupid to have trusted himself, or to believe that he could have pulled this off.

‘Callum?’ Liv’s gentle hand on his shoulder sent another wave of misery through him. He’d wanted to succeed for her, because somewhere in the parts of his mind that he didn’t even want to give conscious thought to — let alone voice — he’d hoped that if everything worked out the way he’d planned, and hoped, and even bloody wished for in that stupid well, then Liv would have been able to stay. And maybe she could have been part of his and Sarah’s life going forward.

But that had all been blown away like leaves in the wind with that single call. What was being asked of him just wasn’t possible. And no amount of coins thrown into a wishing well would change that.

He screwed up his confidence and turned to face her.

‘I was going to ask if you’re all right, but I can see you’re not. How can I help?’ Her kindness somehow made it worse.

‘You can’t.’

‘Are you sure?’ she persisted. ‘It can’t be that bad.’

‘It is,’ Callum argued. ‘It really, really is.’

‘What’s wrong?’ Evelyn joined them. ‘Do we need to go? I can grab my bag if you need me.’

‘It’s nothing like that.’ Callum ran his hands through his hair. ‘Just admin stuff. Nothing to worry about.’

‘Why don’t I feel reassured?’ Evelyn pursed her lips as she watched him.

‘Because he’s a terrible liar.’ Liv glared at him too.

‘OK, it’s not totally nothing, but it’s not anything I want to talk about today and ruin the party. You just got engaged, Evelyn.’

‘You’re right, I did.’ She studied the ring that sparkled around her finger. ‘Which means I’m going to be your sister in-law soon. And family don’t keep secrets from each other. Right, Liv?’

Liv shrugged. ‘If it’s something we can help with, please let us.’ The sincerity in her hazel eyes cut into him, making him feel guilty for trying to withhold the news from them both.

‘I really don’t want to spoil your day.’

‘Cal, I’m already worried and thinking the worst. You not telling me what’s bothering you isn’t going to make things any better,’ Evelyn argued.

He recognised her tone of voice. He could argue with her for the rest of the day, and she’d still get her own way. He glanced at Liv, hoping that she might be on his side, but he was met with a calm concern as she gave the slightest shake of her head. She wasn’t going to help him either. ‘OK. But can we keep this between ourselves?’

Evelyn nodded. ‘Summer, look after Sarah please. We’ve got some boring adult-type stuff to do.’

‘No probs. We’ve got dresses to design.’

‘Thank you, sweetheart. We won’t be long.’