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‘Just finishing up some admin. Nothing too urgent.’ While she was glad about that, she’d definitely seen an increase in the gaps between her appointments in the last couple of weeks — and she wasn’t entirely sure how she felt about that.

‘Good, because I need your help with something that is. Urgent, I mean.’

‘What?’ Liv was on her feet in an instant.

‘You, me, lunch.’ He held his hand out to her. ‘Come on, I can guarantee what I’ve got planned is better than whatever sandwich or leftovers you’ve got in the fridge.’

‘What did you have in mind?’

‘Something fun.’ He tucked her hand into his. ‘I think we deserve to spend some time together, away from here, away from funding bids and worries, and — if you’ll forgive me for saying it — away from Sarah too.’ He looked down into her eyes. ‘Just you and me, Liv, what do you say?’

‘It’s the middle of the day,’ she pointed out.

‘Exactly. The perfect time for a picnic.’ He stepped closer to her. ‘Tell me, Liv, when was the last time you had a picnic in the countryside? Here’s a hint: if the answer is that you don’t know, then it’s been too long. Your paperwork will still be here this afternoon. Or maybe even tomorrow.’

‘Tomorrow, huh?’ She reached down and grabbed her bag.

‘Yeah, I hear the surgery manager can be a real pushover.’

‘Oh, can he, indeed?’

‘Apparently so. Especially when it comes to smart, beautiful blondes. Come on, what do you say?’

‘Nice walk, get some vitamin D, and then some shade and lunch. Might be just what the doctor ordered.’

‘I can write it up as a ’script if it convinces you,’ he offered.

‘What’s for lunch?’

He gave her a cheeky grin and held up a rucksack. ‘Falafel and hummus salad wraps, raspberries picked freshly from the garden this morning. And cake. What do you say? Come have a picnic and laze in the sun with me for a bit?’

‘Depends . . . What type of cakes?’

‘Brockle cakes, of course.’

‘Next time you should lead with that.’ Liv grinned and tucked her hand back into his. ‘So, where are we going?’

‘Not too far. I’m not expecting anything to come up, but . . . just in case there’s anything the others can’t handle, I thought we should stay close by.’

‘Makes sense. Even on a quiet day you can’t really trust it will stay that way.’ Liv knew neither of them were off duty.

‘Nope. So, how about the recreation ground? I’ve got a blanket we can spread out under one of the trees.’

‘Sounds perfect.’

* * *

Callum polished off the last of the chocolate, vanilla and cherry Brockle cake and leaned back, tucking his hands behind his head. ‘Well, that was delicious. Even if I do say so myself.’

‘It really was. And this is lovely.’ She looked around the park. ‘Thank you for thinking of it.’

‘I’d like to pretend it was entirely altruistic, but in reality I felt like we both deserved a bit of downtime.’ He rolled onto his side and propped himself up on an elbow to look at Liv. ‘This was one of my favourite places growing up. I spent hours here.’

‘Right here?’

‘Well, maybe a few feet to the left.’ He laughed.

‘You know, I think I can picture it.’ Liv turned to face him. ‘You, Jake and Kimberley sat under here, planning your lives out and dreaming great things.’