A Mother for His Family. Alison Roberts

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      The lanky teenager’s face lit up in a grin. The kit was open in a flash and three sizes of bandage were produced for Ben to choose from. Josefa ran off just as eagerly when Ben explained the need for an ice pack. Tori supported Marjorie’s ankle while Ben did an expert job of the bandaging. Sarah wondered if he noticed, as she did, how often Tori’s hand seemed to get just a little in the way.

      ‘Now, let’s get you back to your bure for a rest,’ Ben declared finally. To Marjorie’s evident delight, he effortlessly picked the elderly woman up in his arms.

      ‘I’ve been swept off my feet,’ she cried happily.

      ‘I thought I did that,’ Stanley grumbled.

      ‘It’s OK, Stanley.’ Ben grinned. ‘I’m not half as handsome as you and I promise I’ll give her back. Now, which direction is your bure?’

      ‘Oh, no, you don’t,’ Marjorie said firmly. ‘I might have to sit but I’m not going to waste the rest of my day. I want to sit by the pool where I can look at something more interesting than my foot.’

      ‘We could have some lunch.’

      ‘And champagne, Stanley. Don’t forget we’re on our honeymoon.’

      ‘Lunch sounds like an excellent idea,’ Ben said. ‘I’m heading that way myself so I’ll be able to keep an eye on you, Marjorie. I don’t want to see you dancing on any of those tables.’

      Marjorie actually giggled and Sarah fell back behind the group as she shook her head imperceptibly. Ben Dawson was clearly a hit with ladies of all ages. If she had been feeling unkind she would have labelled him a flirt but it was hard to feel unkind with the sunshine and warmth and laughter all around her.

      Tori fell back to keep step with Sarah. ‘Lunch,’ she murmured. ‘Told you my idea was the best.’

      ‘It was the sprained ankle that worked,’ Sarah whispered back. ‘Just lucky it didn’t have to be yours.’

      ‘Yeah.’ Tori laughed and her voice rose unconsciously. ‘Nothing to stop me dancing on a table or two, is there?’

      Stanley and Ben both turned. Both men had an identical appreciative expression and Sarah almost groaned aloud.

      ‘I sincerely hope you won’t,’ she muttered.

      ‘Don’t worry.’ Tori ducked to sweep up some hibiscus blooms lying beneath a nearby bush. ‘I’m far too hungry.’ She handed one of the flowers to Sarah and then poked another behind her ear.

      ‘Is it the left ear if you’re single?’ she asked nobody in particular.

      ‘Couldn’t say for sure,’ Ben responded. ‘But I think that’s how it goes.’

      ‘You’ve lost yours,’ Tori told him. ‘Would you like another?’

      ‘Sure.’ Ben’s pause allowed Tori to stand on tiptoe and position the flower.

      ‘On the left for you, too?’

      ‘Absolutely.’

      He turned to cast a meaningful look at the flower Sarah held. She blushed, trying to wipe off any ‘here we go again’ expression she had been unconsciously adopting as she watched Tori. She poked the stalk of her bloom through a buttonhole on her soft shirt, the tails of which she had knotted loosely around her waist.

      ‘Ah...a woman of mystery,’ Ben said.

      ‘Keep it that way, honey,’ Marjorie piped up from his arms. ‘Keep ’em guessing and you’ll keep ’em interested.’

      The laughter covered what could have been an embarrassing moment and then they were in the main complex. Josefa was waiting, having gathered a bag of ice from the bar. A lounge chair was found, as well as cushions to raise Marjorie’s foot, a matching chair for Stanley and a bottle of complimentary champagne from a resort manager who was upset to learn of the accident.

      Finally Sarah and Tori were settled at a table shaded by a bougainvillea-draped pergola, plates piled high with samples of the chargrilled chicken and fish from the outdoor barbecues and a range of the most delicious-looking salads. The view was just as enticing, with the pergola framing a section of the lagoon where a group of new arrivals was being welcomed with necklaces of tropical flowers and a traditional song with a guitar accompaniment.

      ‘Mind if I join you?’

      Tori, her mouth full of chicken, kicked Sarah under the table.

      ‘Please, do,’ she said politely to Ben.

      He sat down, immediately spearing a mouthful of perfectly grilled fish from his plate. ‘Mmm,’ he said, seconds later. ‘You made the right choice of resort. They have the best cooks here.’

      ‘Do you cover all the resorts?’ Tori queried.

      Ben shook his head. ‘I happen to live quite close to this one so I’ve become a kind of honorary GP. I do visit a few islands that have larger villages to run the occasional clinic and I’m on call for emergencies, of course.’

      ‘Like sunburn?’ Sarah wished she had kept her mouth shut as Ben flicked her a surprised glance.

      ‘It’s quite easy to get seriously burnt in this climate,’ he said. ‘I hope you’re both being careful.’

      ‘You weren’t here for an emergency today, though, were you?’ Tori was clearly making an effort to distract Ben from any acidity Sarah’s comment might have contained.

      ‘No. I’m popping in every day to keep an eye on a patient whose blood pressure needs monitoring.’

      ‘The one due to have the baby?’

      Ben looked surprised again. ‘How did you know that?’

      ‘We heard about you.’ Tori sounded perfectly innocent but her smile suggested that the information had all been good.

      Ben returned the smile. ‘You have an advantage over me, then.’ He ate in silence for a minute. ‘So...tell me about you.’

      The glance was intended to draw Sarah into the conversation and she was happy to comply.

      ‘We’re both nurses,’ she reminded him. ‘I’m in paediatrics and Tori’s in the emergency department at the moment.’

      ‘Where are you from?’

      ‘New Zealand. Auckland.’

      ‘The largest city, right?’

      Sarah nodded. ‘And you? You sound English.’

      Ben mirrored her nod. ‘I’m a Londoner through and through.’

      ‘Bit of a change working here, then.’

      ‘A dream job,’ Tori declared. ‘Do you need any nurses?’

      Ben laughed. ‘It’s not all free lunches at СКАЧАТЬ