Trust Me - Sheryl Browne Page 0,35

painful a reminder that the foundations beneath it were crumbling.

‘I was hoping to have a word with Jake sometime today about the never-ending budget problems,’ Tom went on, loitering annoyingly. ‘Do you know if he’s free after evening surgery? About six … ish?’

‘Well I assume he’ll be here,’ Emily said curtly. ‘But then I’m not always privy to what his movements are. Why don’t you ask him yourself?’

‘Right. Yes. Will do.’ Tom now sounded puzzled, as he would be. Emily didn’t rate him, as a father, or as a man, all things considered, but she didn’t usually allow her personal feelings to affect their professional relationship.

‘Sorry, Tom,’ she apologised, noting his perturbed expression. ‘I’m feeling a bit off colour.’

‘Not a problem.’ Tom smiled reassuringly. ‘You have a lot on your plate. I wonder how you manage to keep all the balls in the air sometimes. Let me know if I can help.’

She blinked at him, surprised. She and Tom weren’t close, for obvious reasons, but was that sympathy she could see in his eyes? ‘Thanks, Tom.’ She managed a smile. ‘There is one thing I could use a bit of help with, actually.’

‘Fire away,’ he said, plainly keen.

‘I’ve decided to organise a party for Edward’s seventieth birthday, and with one thing and another, I haven’t been able to do much about it yet.’

‘Splendid idea.’ He rubbed his hands together enthusiastically. ‘The man’s a pillar of the community. We ought to do something special for him. How can I be of assistance?’

‘You could put the word out,’ Emily suggested. ‘I’ll be sending invitations, but as I’m a bit pushed for time, I wondered if you could mention it to your patients. I think pretty well everyone knows him.’

‘No sooner said than done.’ Tom nodded, looking pleased to have been asked. ‘I’ll drop those I have email addresses for a quick line too. I’m sure they won’t mind, given the occasion.’

‘Thanks, Tom.’ Emily breathed a sigh of relief. Despite her own initial enthusiasm, she hadn’t done anything towards making the party happen, other than check the village hall itinerary and have a quick word with Sally, who thought she might be able to get hold of a Beatles tribute band. It wouldn’t be much of a party without people … and catering … and decorations. And then there was the bar to organise. Realising she might have bitten off more than she could chew now that her life seemed to be spiralling out of control, she was beginning to panic.

‘Any time,’ Tom assured her. ‘I’d better get on. I’ll have a word with Jake about the budget later.’

‘I’ll bring you some tea in, Tom,’ Fran offered as he headed for his office.

‘No need, thanks, Fran. I was just off to make one anyway. I imagine Emily could do with one. Strong and sweet, hey, Emily?’

‘Please. That would be lovely.’ Reaching for her vitamin pills, along with the pills Jake had prescribed for her iron deficiency, in the hope that they might boost her energy levels, Emily smiled after him. That was the third cup he’d made her in as many days. He seemed to be trying to look after her somehow, as if he truly cared about her. Was it possible he wasn’t so bad after all?

‘I’ll do it, Tom,’ Fran insisted, making to follow him. ‘I’m sure you have more important things to do.’

‘Nothing at present,’ Tom assured her, looking awkward as he glanced back at her. Fran plainly had a soft spot for him – she couldn’t do enough for him. Emily suspected she quietly fancied him and wondered how long she’d felt that way. Tom obviously didn’t have any reciprocal feelings. He couldn’t seem to get away from her quickly enough whenever she gazed longingly in his direction.

‘Oh,’ said Fran, looking deflated.

Emily glanced up at her, actually feeling quite sorry for her. It couldn’t be easy bringing a child up single-handed on a low income.

Reminded of her own children, who imagined they were adults but still had so much growing up to do, she pictured their stricken faces when they’d overheard her and Jake arguing, and her heart dipped heavily in her chest. When Millie had come home from Anna’s this morning to get changed, her complexion had been unhealthily pale. Concerned, Emily tried to ask how she was, but Millie’s responses to her questions were monosyllabic. It was clear she didn’t want to speak to her.

‘You’re looking nice today,’ Fran observed, as Emily toyed with the idea of