Sheltered by Her Top-Notch Boss. Joanna Neil

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       CHAPTER TWO

      ‘THANKS FOR THIS, Ellie.’ Noah folded the cheque Ellie had given him and slid it into his wallet. ‘I’ll pay you back as soon as I can, I promise.’

      Her brother looked earnest, his youthful features lit with relief. ‘It’s just that things are difficult for me right now, with the magazine closing down—it was my best source of income. But I’ll make a go of this freelance work, I know I will.’

      ‘I’m sure you will, eventually.’ Ellie finished off the last slice of toast and brushed the crumbs from her fingers. It was worrying, the way things had been going for him lately. They’d been through a lot together, and she’d always looked out for him. If only there was some way she could help him get out of this mess.

      ‘Perhaps you could look for something a bit more secure in the meantime? There must be some regular jobs in photography—in advertising, maybe, or even something like illustrating medical books. I know it’s not what you’re used to.’

      He pulled a face, his hazel eyes troubled. ‘I’ll try, honestly I will—I know I need to sort something out. I’ve spent the whole weekend looking for alternatives. But photojournalism’s what I’m really interested in.’

      She nodded, and began to clear away the breakfast dishes. ‘Did you want any more tea, or shall I empty the pot?’

      ‘I’m fine, thanks. I should go and try to appease the landlord.’ He patted the wallet in his pocket. ‘This will keep him off my back for a while at least.’

      ‘And I must get ready for work.’ Her green eyes clouded momentarily and Noah gave her a thoughtful look. ‘Is something wrong? You don’t look too happy about that. I thought you loved your work?’

      ‘I do … mostly.’ Her patient’s death still haunted her, and the whole episode with Mel’s unsettling reaction had thrown her off balance somehow. It would take her some time to get back into her stride.

      But that wasn’t it.

      ‘The new consultant’s starting work today.’ She winced. ‘I met him at Zoe’s party—turns out he’s Lord Birchenall’s son.’

      ‘Birchenall?’ Noah bit out the word with distaste. ‘No wonder you’re out of sorts. I thought we’d seen the last of that family.’ He frowned. ‘Perhaps I should have guessed. I read in the paper that he was back home to take care of his father—the old man is suffering from some kind of heart condition, apparently.’

      ‘Is he? James said he was unwell, but he didn’t go into detail.’

      ‘James? You’re on first-name terms with him?’ Noah’s lips tightened. ‘I wish you didn’t have to deal with him at all. How do we know it won’t turn out to be like father, like son? You could go along with him thinking everything’s fine, and then when something goes wrong you find he’s turned against you. It’s all in the genes.’

      ‘You could be right,’ she acknowledged thoughtfully. ‘We’ll see. I suppose I’ll just have to be cautious around him until I get to know him better.’

      ‘Yeah, well, it’s a pity you have to know him at all. I’m sorry you’ve ended up having to work with him.’ He frowned. ‘I’d better go. Thanks for breakfast, and good luck.’

      ‘You, too.’

      After he’d gone, Ellie finished tidying the kitchen and glanced at the clock on the wall. It was about time for her to set off for work, but just as she reached for her jacket, the doorbell rang.

      ‘Lily.’ Ellie was startled to see her neighbour standing there. Lily was heavily pregnant, and right now she looked flushed and her breathing was fast, making her struggle to drag air into her lungs. Her face appeared a little puffy, and when Ellie glanced down at her hands, she saw that there was some swelling there, too. Her brown curls were faintly damp around her face, and Ellie became increasingly concerned. ‘Are you all right? Is it the baby? Are you having contractions?’

      Lily shook her head. ‘No, but I have to go to hospital—the ambulance will be here any minute. The midwife sent for it. I have a terrible headache, and my ankles are swollen. She said something about hypertension and pre-eclampsia—she thinks they’ll keep me in for a few days.’

      ‘I’m so sorry, Lily.’ Ellie put a comforting arm around her. ‘Do you want to sit down? Shall I get you a chair?’

      Lily shook her head. ‘No, thanks. But I do need to ask a big favour.’ She gave her a worried look.

      ‘It’s okay. Anything. What is it? What can I do for you?’

      ‘It’s Jayden—he’s at nursery school right now, and my friend will pick him up and look after him after school, but I wondered, just in case they do keep me in, if you would have him stay with you for the next few nights? I know it’s an awful lot to ask, but Harry’s away in Switzerland, trying to sort out some problems with the company, and my parents are on holiday abroad. I don’t know what else to do.’

      Ellie thought about the small guest bedroom upstairs. She’d have to bump up the heating in there and get in a few provisions to satisfy a four-year-old’s diet, but otherwise there shouldn’t be a problem. ‘That’s okay. I can do that for you. I’ll be glad to help. And Jayden often comes here to see me, so he’s used to being around the place. Don’t worry about it. Just concentrate on getting yourself well again.’

      ‘Oh, thanks, Ellie,’ Lily said in a relieved tone. ‘I don’t know what I’d have done without you. Here, have my key—you’ll need to pick up some clothes for Jayden and some of his toys.’ An anxious look crossed her face. ‘He always takes his teddy to bed with him. He won’t sleep without it.’

      ‘I’ll make sure he has it. Rest easy, and take care of yourself.’

      The midwife came to help Lily back to her house across the courtyard as the ambulance arrived, and Ellie went with them, waving her neighbour goodbye before setting off for the hospital. It was worrying, seeing her in that situation, but at least the paramedics were with her and would take care of her.

      The A and E department was busy as usual when she arrived there a short time later. СКАЧАТЬ