Fairytale With The Single Dad. Alison Roberts

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      ‘I’m not seeing her about Misty. I’m afraid I can’t say why. Patient confidentiality prohibits me sharing that with you.’

      ‘That’s okay.’ She smiled as he began heading to the outskirts of Silverdale.

      It felt good next to him. Comfortable. Was that because this was business? And because he was working?

      The focus isn’t on me. Or us. This is just one professional helping out another.

      She’d never been comfortable with being the focus of people’s attention. Even as a child she’d tried to hide when she was in the school choir, or a school play. Trying her hardest not to be given a main role, trying not to be noticed. At university, when she’d had to give a solo presentation on the dangers of diabetes in dogs, she’d almost passed out from having to stand at the front of the lecture hall and present to her lecturers and tutor. The pressure!

      But here they were, stuck in a car together, music on the radio, and she was much more relaxed. This was much better than being stuck at home, staring at old pictures that broke her heart.

      Glancing at him driving, she noticed he’d rolled up his sleeves and that his forearms were lightly tanned, and filled with muscle as he changed gear. A chunky sports watch enveloped his wrist. He had good arms. Attractive arms. She glanced away.

      A song came on that she knew and quietly she began singing and bobbing her head to the music.

      Nathan looked over at her. ‘You like this?’

      Sydney nodded and he turned up the sound. She began to sing louder as it got to the chorus, laughing suddenly as Nathan joined in. Out of tune and clearly tone deaf.

      They began to drive down a country road.

      Silverdale was Sydney’s whole life. A small pocket of English countryside that she felt was all hers. The place where she’d hoped to raise her daughter. In its community atmosphere where everyone looked out for one another.

      Pushing the thought to one side, she turned back to Nathan. He was concentrating on the road now that the song was over and the DJ was babbling, his brow slightly furrowed, both hands gripping the wheel.

      ‘You need to take the next left. Long Woods Road.’

      Nathan indicated, following the twists and turns of her directions, and soon she was pointing out Eleanor’s small cottage. They turned into the driveway and parked in front of the house. Killing the engine, he turned to her. ‘Thank you. I wouldn’t have got here without you.’

      ‘And I wouldn’t have had my eardrums assaulted.’

      He raised an eyebrow.

      ‘Your singing.’

      ‘I have a lovely voice. I’ll have you know that when I was in my school choir I was the only child not selected to sing a solo.’

      She smirked. ‘You should be proud.’

      ‘I am.’

      Then he grinned and reached for his bag, which was down by her feet. She moved slightly, out of his way, as he lifted it up and past her.

      He was smiling still. Looking at her. She watched as his gaze dropped to her mouth and instantly the atmosphere changed.

      Sydney looked away, pretending that something out of the window had caught her eye.

      ‘Will you be okay for a while? I can leave the radio on.’

      She didn’t look at him, but dug her phone from her pocket. ‘I’ve got my phone. I’m playing a word game against my veterinary nurse.’

      Nathan said nothing, but got out of the car. Once he was gone, she suddenly felt alone. His presence had filled the car, and now that he was gone it seemed so empty. The only reminder a very faint aroma of cologne. She would never have thought that spending time with Nathan would be so easy, after their coffee together. But he’d been just what she needed tonight. Bad singing included.

      In the sky above stars were beginning to filter through the dark, twinkling and shining. She looked for the biggest and brightest. Olivia’s star. The one she had once pointed out to her daughter as her very own special light. Just remembering that night with her daughter made her eyes sting with unshed tears, but she blinked them away.

      I can’t keep crying. I’ve got to be stronger than this!

      She switched on her phone and stared at the game she no longer wanted to play.

      It was pitch-black along the country roads as they followed behind another four-wheel drive that was towing a horsebox. In the back, Sydney could see a large black horse, easily fifteen hands high. Was it the Daltons? They had a horse like that. Though she guessed it could be the Webbers’ horse. They had one like it too. Or maybe it wasn’t anyone she knew. She didn’t get called out to all the horses in the Silverdale area. There was a specialised equine veterinary service in Norton Town. Sometimes she worked alongside it.

      As they drove back along Long Wood Road, Sydney realised she was feeling more relaxed and happy than she had for a few weeks. It was strange. Perhaps it was a good thing not to be wallowing in her memories tonight. Perhaps getting out and about and doing something was the right thing to do.

      I need a hobby. An evening class. Something. Maybe it’ll be better when we start those meetings for the Christmas market and fête.

      What she knew for sure was that she had felt better when she’d seen Nathan returning to the car. Seen his smile. Felt his warmth. Knowing that he wasn’t the type to pry into her past. He made her feel weirdly comfortable, despite the physical response she felt. It was something she hadn’t felt for a long time, and she was really glad she’d agreed to come out with him and spend some more time with him.

      She was just about to say something about it—thank him for earlier—when she spotted something, off to Nathan’s right, illuminated by the lights of the vehicles. It was a small herd of deer, running across the field at full pelt.

      ‘Nathan, look!’ She pointed.

      There had to be seven or eight. Mostly fully grown and running hard. The lead deer had full antlers, like tree branches.

      And they were heading straight for the road.

      ‘I think I’m going to slow down.’

      But as Nathan slowed their vehicle it became clear that the vehicle in front, with the horse trailer, had continued on at a normal speed.

      Sydney leaned forward. ‘Have they not seen them? What can we do?’

      Nathan hit his horn, hoping it would make the driver ahead pay attention, or at least startle the deer into heading in another direction, but neither happened.

      The biggest deer burst through the undergrowth, leaping over the ditch and straight out onto the road—right in front of the other vehicle.

      Sydney watched, horrified, and brake lights lit up her face as the car in front tried to СКАЧАТЬ