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‘Really?’ Without seeing his face, Liv knew Callum’s eyebrows would be raised in surprise, his blue eyes widening and smoothing out the laughter lines around them. ‘You didn’t say.’

‘Your father didn’t want to worry you,’ Julie soothed. ‘And it wasn’t necessary, because Liv has been just perfect.’

‘That she has,’ Tom agreed, and Liv found her cheeks heating again. ‘Not only have you fitted into the surgery brilliantly — and I know because I’ve been hearing stories about you — but you’ve also saved our family business.’

‘It was just the idea . . .’

‘The idea that’s turned into a proposal that will save the surgery,’ Nick argued.

‘If we can raise the money.’ Liv was still worried that too much hope was being pinned on an idea that might not come to fruition.

‘We will. Have a little faith in me.’ Nick shot her a wink.

‘I wish you’d told us you were coming back early,’ Jake grumbled. ‘We’d have met you at the airport.’

‘We weren’t expecting you for a couple more weeks,’ Callum agreed. ‘Is everything OK?’

‘Of course,’ Julie reassured them all. ‘We always planned to be back in time for Summer’s Christmas, but when we read the proposal, we decided to come back early and help.’

‘You still could have told us.’

‘We could have.’ Tom grinned. ‘But if we did, it wouldn’t have been a surprise, would it?’

‘I’m glad you’re back, Grandma and Grandpa. I missed you.’ Sarah wriggled her way between them both.

‘We missed you too, fairy.’ Tom tousled her hair.

‘I should be going . . .’ Liv headed towards the door.

‘Nonsense. This just became our welcome home party!’ Tom grinned.

‘You should stay,’ Evelyn insisted. ‘It won’t be the same without you. You’re part of the surgery family now. You have to stay.’

* * *

Callum struggled not to agree as Sarah bounced up and down by Liv’s side, pleading with her to stay. He watched as his family enveloped her, and he found himself wishing again that a locum contract could last forever. After a moment of wallowing, he shook his head to try and banish the thought: he and Liv were just friends who were enjoying each other’s company for as long as possible. And he had to be happy with that. And he was going to be happy with that.

Resolution made, he pushed himself back into the middle of the party and draped his arm around his mum’s shoulders. She smiled up at him, squeezed his waist and placed a fond kiss on his cheek. ‘I’m so proud of you.’

‘Of me? How come?’

‘You’ve looked after things so well. You always do. Your dad and I wouldn’t be able to keep travelling and supporting the communities we work in if it wasn’t for you. We know it’s a lot harder for you to pick up in our absence than Jake: he doesn’t have to take responsibility for running the surgery while looking after a rambunctious six-year-old. Who I’m convinced has grown four inches since I last saw her.’

‘Well, she has cost me new shoes, so she’s definitely growing.’ He laughed.

‘Seriously, your dad and I don’t say it often enough, but thank you for everything you’re doing. For all the times you’ve taken over at the surgery, and for everything you’ve done with the proposal to save it. It really is quite inspired. We couldn’t have left the place in better hands.’

‘You’re welcome.’ Callum dropped a kiss onto her cheek. ‘But the proposal was mostly Liv’s idea.’

‘Her idea, but you — and Nick — have put in the hard work. I can see your work throughout it.’

‘It’s good, isn’t it?’ Callum had to ask.

‘Yes. It really is something special. Just like you.’

‘Awww, Mum.’ He was reduced to being Sarah’s age again.

‘What? I can’t make a fuss of my son when I’ve not seen him for months?’ She reached up to tousle his hair like she’d done for most of his life.