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‘I’ve missed you, Mum.’

‘I’ve missed you too. We both did. We missed you all, and especially Sarah.’

Callum’s eyes automatically tracked back to where she sat in Liv’s lap, still happily laughing and chatting with the woman who had so effectively slipped into his life and turned his world topsy-turvy.

‘She’s changed a lot,’ his mum added.

‘I know. I feel like I’m buying new shoes or clothes every other week.’

‘Children grow. It’s one of the things they’re best at.’ She laughed. ‘But she’s a lot more confident too. And she seems really happy.’

‘Yeah, she is.’

‘Our new doctor seems to have had a lot to do with that.’ They watched as Sarah whispered something to Liv and they giggled together. As if feeling his eyes on her, Liv glanced up and their gazes locked, and the rest of the room faded away. He was vaguely aware that his mum was still talking to him, but he couldn’t focus on anything but Liv’s smile. When she looked away, he found himself smiling.

‘Sorry, what was that, Mum?’

‘I was just saying you seem happy too, and I asked if Liv had anything to do with that. But I think I’ve got my answer.’

‘We’re just friends.’ Despite how many times he’d said them, the words felt wrong.

‘If you say so, love. If you say so.’ Her sharp eyes watched him, and darted back to Liv. ‘But if you were something more than “just friends”, would it be such a bad thing? It’s been a long time since Trixie. It might be good for you, and Sarah, to have someone in your life.’

‘She’s not going to be here permanently. You know that as well as anyone: you and Dad hired her.’

‘But with the surgery expanding, you’ll need more staff. There’s no reason Liv couldn’t be one of them. Have you thought about asking her?’

‘More than once. But she’s never intended on staying in Broclington long-term.’

‘Because she doesn’t want to, or because her contract was initially temporary?’

Callum sighed, wishing he didn’t already know the answer. ‘She said she views Broclington as a bit of a break from her life. Just a temporary role while she figures out what she wants to do with herself. She was thinking of private practice. She’s certainly skilled and driven enough to do it. Who am I to stand in her way?’

‘People change their plans all the time, just look at me and your dad. Our first sabbatical with the medical mission was only supposed to last a matter of weeks, and now we spend as much time abroad as we do here at home.’

‘Don’t I know it.’ Callum pulled a face.

‘You are happy for us, aren’t you?’

‘Of course. We just miss you. And you enjoy it, don’t you?’

‘More than that. We love it. We hadn’t expected to fall in love with the African continent and people, and the work we’re doing out there, but we did. And that’s the thing, there’s no limit to the things people will do for love. There’s no obstacle that can’t be overcome, and no change you won’t make for love. It’s the most powerful force in the world.’

‘I know, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for Sarah. Just like Jake raised hundreds of thousands of pounds and travelled across continents and oceans for Summer and Evelyn.’ He sighed. ‘You know, I never really felt that way for Trixie, maybe that was the problem.’

‘Maybe. When love is there, and true, it can heal and soothe great wounds.’

Callum’s mind drifted back to the recent morning he’d spent with Liv, and he felt a smile spread across his face. Liv had given him her trust, and let herself be vulnerable as she displayed her scars and pain. The fact that she trusted him so deeply touched him, and made him feel ten feet tall.

‘But when that love is missing,’ his mum continued, ‘its very absence can cause those wounds.’

‘I learned that the hard way.’

‘I know you did, love.’ She squeezed his hand. ‘But don’t let your past experiences dictate your future, or ruin your chances of something special.’ Her eyes flicked to Liv again, and Callum followed her gaze. He wished he could take his mum’s advice, and take a chance, but he couldn’t — wouldn’t — risk Sarah’s happiness too.

Chapter Eleven

‘Hey.’ Liv looked up as Callum peered into her office. ‘Busy?’