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‘Actually, we don’t.’ Evelyn shrugged. ‘Jake’s already gone to get pizza to celebrate. He always orders too much, so there will be plenty to eat. You and Sarah are more than welcome to join us.’ She shot him a knowing smile. ‘Or, Sarah can come with us, and you can drop a bag round later. If, say, you were planning to head out and share tonight’s news with a certain doctor who I noticed was missing tonight?’

‘Yes, she took the community rounds this evening. Late call out to the care home. It didn’t sound too serious, but she didn’t want to leave it until next week. And I think she might have been a bit glad of the excuse.’

‘Well, it is all a bit nerve-wracking.’

‘You’re really sure a sleepover tonight is OK?’

‘I wouldn’t offer if it wasn’t. Just drop Sarah’s bag in later. And go enjoy an adult evening with Liv.’

‘I don’t know what you mean.’

‘I think you do.’ Evelyn winked over the heads of their two giggling girls. ‘I’ve seen the way you look at each other.’

‘And how’s that?’

‘Like you’re completely and one hundred per cent aware of each other. I noticed it at the party. When you weren’t checking on Sarah, you were checking on Liv. Even when you were playing with the kids or talking with others, you’d still look for her and when you found her your eyes would lock. Just for a moment or two.’

‘What’s your point?’

‘That I recognise that look.’

‘Really? Where from?’

‘Your brother.’ She rested her hand on his and drew him a little way away from their girls. ‘I don’t want to speak out of turn, but . . .’

‘But you’re going to anyway.’ He grinned. ‘You’re as good as family, Evie. Just say it.’

‘I’ve never seen you so happy, and relaxed, as when you’re around Liv. She brings something out in you that other people don’t. And she chases away the sadness that I so often see in your eyes. You’re less guarded when you’re around her.’

Callum shook his head, struggling to understand her point.

‘She’s good for you, Callum. Jake and I can both see it, even if you can’t. Don’t let her get away.’

‘She’s only here on a locum contract.’

‘Initially. But with the surgery expansion, we’re going to need more staff. She could be perfect.’

‘But she’s only here temporarily,’ Callum argued, not wanting to admit that he’d already imagined Liv as a permanent part of their team — and his and Sarah’s life.

‘Then that’s all the more reason to stop wasting what time you do have. Let me and Jake take Sarah tonight, and you go and spend some time with Liv. If there’s nothing there, then there’s nothing there. But I think you owe it to yourself and her to try and find out. Without interruptions. Besides, the girls will have a great time together. I can’t promise they’ll sleep all that much, but they’ll have fun.’

‘OK. Thank you.’ He went over and knelt down next to Sarah. ‘You really want to sleep over tonight? Without me?’

‘Yes, please!’ She threw her arms around him tightly.

He picked her up and buried his face in her hair and inhaled the smell of her bubblegum shampoo as he hugged her hard. As much as he was glad that she was finding her independence, he sometimes wished he could keep her young — and safe — forever.

She whispered in his ear, ‘When you bring my PJs, can you bring Dr Cuddlington? It’s not for me. But he gets scared in the dark sometimes, and I wouldn’t want him to be scared.’

‘No, we wouldn’t want that.’ Callum tried not to grin in relief. For now at least, she was still his little girl. ‘Have fun with Summer, be good for Jake and Evelyn, and I’ll see you later. And if I hear you’ve misbehaved in any way, what will happen?’

‘You’ll build a tower in the garden and lock me in it like Rapunzel?’

‘Well, I was just going to take you home and confiscate your tablet, but a tower could look good at the bottom of the garden.’ She giggled as he carefully dropped her back to her feet. ‘Be good, munchkin.’

‘Yes, Daddy.’

* * *