Chapter 37
London
Rick had spent over a week holed up in his London apartment, waiting for news on Beth’s progress from Rose. Once Rick knew that his warrior queen was well enough to be discharged from hospital and was even making progress on her well-being centre project, he felt able to move forward with his own issues.
Stood outside Five Oak Surgery in the growing dusk, he could feel his heart thudding in his chest.
Stop dithering. Just go in.
Clinic had finished for the day. The door was locked. It was the only way to stem the constant stream of patients arriving. A physical full stop, indicating the transfer of overnight care to the out-of-hours team. Inside, however, Rick knew his colleagues still had hours of work ahead of them, catching up on phone calls, referrals, prescriptions and making sure that the day’s care decisions were fully implemented.
He pulled out his key and inserted it in the lock.
Stood in the empty reception, he heard Gita’s voice coming from the back office. ‘Did I hear the door? Sam, have you forgotten to lock up again?’
‘No way, I definitely… Chuffing hell!’ Sam dropped the glass of water he was carrying. It bounced on his shoe, sending a wave of liquid up his trouser leg, before rolling towards Rick. ‘Rick! You’re alive.’
‘Last time I checked.’ Rick bent to pick up the glass.
‘What’s going on? Oh!’ Gita stopped short at the sight of Rick.
‘Hi, Gita.’
‘You’re not dead.’
Rick shoved his hands deep into his trouser pockets. ‘Definitely not dead. Thought about it. Decided against it.’
She threw her arms around him. Rick wasn’t sure which of the two of them was more surprised. Equipped with a well-developed no-nonsense attitude to life, Gita didn’t hug people, especially not professional colleagues. ‘Why the hell didn’t you answer my emails? No, don’t answer that. I don’t care. I’m just glad you’re okay.’ She stepped back and glared at him. ‘I’m sorry. You do know that, don’t you?’
‘Sorry for what?’
‘For that morning. The way I handled things. When I told you to leave, I didn’t mean it the way it must have sounded. I was genuinely trying to think of you, not just the business. I don’t think that came across.’
‘No, it didn’t.’
She tucked her chin down, her mouth tightening. ‘Well, like I said, I’m sorry. But I am also really cross with you.’
‘Why?’
She tutted. ‘For jumping out of a window, for starters. And then for going dark on me. I’ve been worried sick. Michaela has, too. But we couldn’t call the police because that would just make things worse for you because everyone would think you’d cracked up and then you’d lose your licence for ever.’ She grabbed his arm. ‘Come on. Come through to the back. Sam, get him a drink and don’t let him leave. Sit on him if you have to. I’m getting Michaela.’
‘I’ll keep him away from the windows,’ muttered Sam.
Before he knew it, Rick was parked on a stool in the staffroom while Sam clattered cups in the sink.
Gita returned, towing Michaela by the hand. ‘See? Look, love. I told you. He’s back.’
Michaela stopped just inside the door and stared at him. Tall and slim, with greying brown bobbed hair and kind eyes behind round, gold-rimmed glasses, she looked like a tired, mildly surprised owl. Rick was shocked to see how gaunt she’d become in only a matter of weeks.
Sam placed three steaming cups of tea on the small table. ‘Right, you three, get your chops round those. I’m off to sort out today’s scripts.’ He closed the door behind him when he left.
Silence fell.
Eventually, Michaela spoke, ‘Are you good?’
Rick dipped his head a fraction. ‘I wasn’t, but I’m getting there.’
‘And the window? What were you thinking?’
Gita grabbed the biscuit tin and shoved it under Michaela’s nose. ‘He wasn’t thinking.’
Michaela rummaged in the tin and pulled out a custard cream. ‘As escape routes go, it was fairly ingenious, I suppose. The number of times I’ve wanted to disappear halfway through clinic. It never occurred to me to hop out the window.’
‘It was pretty undignified, if I’m honest. I wrecked a perfectly good suit. I vote we swap the roses for something less prickly.’
‘Noted.’
‘I didn’t plan it, you know. I just snapped. I had to get away. I’m sorry I left you in the lurch.’
‘You did more than that.’
‘Michaela! Don’t—’
‘What, Gita? Don’t tell him what a total cock-up he caused?’
Rick lurched to his feet, his heart racing. He paced over to the window.
‘You planning to jump out again?’
‘Michaela! Stop it or so help me… Rick, she doesn’t mean it.’
Rick looked from one to the other. He’d worked with them for more than twenty years, been best man at their wedding. He’d never seen them at odds before.
‘Fine, I’m sorry.’ Michaela sighed and held up both hands. ‘She’s right. I don’t mean it. I know Gita made a hash of telling you to take a break. And I’m sorry if you thought we didn’t want to help you. We did. We do, but…’ She didn’t seem to know how to go on.
‘You’ve got to want to help yourself.’ Gita finished for her. ‘Not stick your head in the sand like you usually do.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘You push yourself too hard. How many times have I asked you to slow down and take a break so you don’t burn out? You don’t take any notice. You were running on empty way before the Markwell case.’
‘I thought I could handle it.’
Michaela reached for another biscuit, muttering, ‘That’s because you’re an arrogant prick.’
‘Michaela! Don’t.’
‘Don’t what? Don’t tell him the truth? I don’t know which is worse. Him sodding off in the first place or him thinking we wouldn’t want to help.’ Michaela looked at the biscuit as if she didn’t know what to do with it, then chucked it back in the tin. ‘Do the last twenty-five years mean nothing to you, Rick? I thought we were friends.’
‘We are.’
‘Well, newsflash, friend. We’re all struggling. The whole bloody NHS is struggling. We’re holding this practice together on a wing and a prayer. Do you know how hard it was to find a locum to cover your shifts?’
Rick shook his head.
‘Bloody impossible. And don’t get me started on how much it’s costing. There aren’t enough doctors and those that are out there can pick and choose where they want to work. Why would they come here? I wouldn’t. I’d go to Cornwall, work part-time and spend the rest of the day surfing. Even in winter. I’d prefer to freeze my tits off there than slog my guts out in London for a grumpy-arse business partner who doesn’t trust me.’
Gita nearly spat out her tea. ‘Michaela!’
‘I’m sorry,’ said Rick.
There was a long pause. Michaela scrubbed at her face with a tissue. ‘I’m sorry, too. Anyway, having said all that, we actually have a much bigger problem on our hands.’
‘Michaela.’
‘Stop saying “Michaela” like that, Gita. He needs to know.’
‘But he’s ill.’
Rick held up both hands. ‘Stop arguing. Please. Both of you. What do I need to know?’
Michaela leaned back against the wall. ‘You’re not the only one who’s going to get screwed over by Cora Diamond. As your business partners, Gita and I stand to lose everything, too.’
‘I don’t understand.’ Rick looked at Gita for confirmation.
She refused to meet his gaze. ‘It’s true. If you lose your case, whether you like it or not, you’re going to take us down with you.’