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CHAPTER THREE

TO MAKE matters worse, Penny sat Gabe and Beth together. She was super-aware of him as they took their places at the table. His body heat radiated towards her, stroking hot fingers across her skin. The occasional brush of his arm against hers caused unwanted flashbacks.

Rilla and Hailey sat opposite, grinning at her. She frowned at them. John and Penny sat at each end of the table, oblivious to any odd vibes.

‘So, where in the UK are you from?’ Penny asked.

‘I grew up in Reading. My mother still lives there. I studied in London. But I live in Oxford at the moment.’

‘Oh, Beth worked at the Radcliffe in Oxford for years, didn’t you, darling?’ Penny supplied.

‘It was a long time ago,’ Beth said evasively.

‘How long have you been back for?’ Gabe asked.

Beth concentrated on Penny’s divine roast lamb. ‘Eight years.’

‘Beth’s been all over,’ Rilla boasted.

It was true. Beth had left on her travels as soon as her training had been complete. Being welcomed into the loving arms of the Winters clan had been her saving grace but memories of her baby boy had haunted her and she’d been desperate to escape them. A decade of wandering the world had helped put them into some perspective.

‘How long have you been theatre NUM?’ Gabe asked politely.

‘Five years.’

Gabe could tell from her tight replies that she’d rather he didn’t talk to her. Knew that she’d rather he wasn’t here at all. And he did plan on eating his meal and leaving but it seemed rude to ignore her in the meantime.

As if he could have anyway. Given their close proximity, his body was excruciatingly conscious of hers. Every movement she made brought her body into contact with his and he was reminded of the way her skin had felt on that night.

‘So, Hailey, you’ve been to the UK too?’ Gabe asked, smiling at Beth’s younger sister.

Beth let out a relieved sigh and let the conversation flow around her, participating only when required.

‘Are you OK, Beth?’ John asked, as he stood to clear the dishes, ‘you seem very quiet tonight.’

Beth could see the concern in the older man’s eyes and could tell he was anxious about the recent anniversary. She gave him a reassuring smile. ‘Just preoccupied by the Fisher case. There’s so much to organise.’

As Penny served dessert the conversation swung to the case that had captured worldwide media attention.

‘You must be under a lot of pressure, Gabe,’ Penny said. ‘Two successful separations under your belt is quite an impressive precedent.’

Gabe shrugged. ‘I suppose so. I try not to worry about other people’s expectations though. My own are high enough.’

‘What are their chances, do you think?’ John asked.

‘It’ll depend very much on their shape going into the operation. If we can get the twins to the ten-kilo mark and Bridie and Brooke are healthy, their chances will be much better.’

‘And if everything is as you hoped?’ John pressed.

Gabe really hated predicting outcomes even though he knew it was the one thing people most wanted to know. Certainly Scott and June were eager for the figure. ‘Two healthy girls going in still only gives them about a fifty per cent chance of both of them pulling through. It’s a massive operation…too much potential for catastrophe.’

‘How does it compare to your other cases?’ Hailey asked.

‘Well, all three sets of twins have been joined in different parts of their heads so in essence each operation is completely different. I think the Fisher case, however, looks the most technically difficult.’

‘Oh, I so hope those little girls pull through,’ Rilla said softly.

‘Yes,’ Hailey agreed. ‘They’re quite a fixture on the kids’ ward. Scott and June pop in for a visit every week when they come to the General. The twins are always so happy and placid, they have this dear thing they do where they hold hands. It’s so sad that they’re joined at the backs of their heads and can’t see each other.’

Gabe had thought so too. ‘Well, hopefully they’ll be able to look into each other’s eyes before much longer.’ Gabe smiled. ‘I’m going to do everything in my power to make it happen.’ And Fallons didn’t fail