Chapter Four
Jessica was lucky that it had been a slow night in the Accident and Emergency department so she’d been seen fairly quickly. She considered herself very unlucky however that an X-ray showed one of the middle bones in her foot was broken. The doctor had the foot put in plaster and told her she’d be out of action for at least three months. She was devastated. How could this have happened only two days after she’d been given the opportunity of a lifetime? Jessica was suddenly very, very glad that her mum and dad were both away and she had the house to herself for a week and a half. A week and a half in which she could wallow and work out what on earth she was going to do.
It was just after nine that evening when she was wheeled by a young nurse into the waiting room. “Is there anyone here to pick you up, love?” the nurse asked. “You’re welcome to use the wheelchair to get to their car if you like? Remember, it’s best that you try to keep your leg elevated as much as you can to help with swelling.”
“Thank you. I’ll call myself a taxi. I’m happy to wait outside.” Jessica was desperate to be out of the light and noise of the hospital.
“All right, if you’re sure. Let me at least wheel you out there.”
The nurse pushed Jessica through the automatic doors. She handed Jessica a pair of crutches and was about to help her out of the wheelchair when a figure came running over.
“I’ll take her from here,” said Nathan, stopping beside them.
The nurse threw Jessica a look which clearly conveyed that she approved of her rescuer, and handed the wheelchair containing Jessica over to Nathan.
“There was no need for you to stay.” Jessica knew she sounded rude and ungrateful, but she hadn’t asked Nathan to hang around. She didn’t need him to do some kind of knight in shining armour routine. She barely knew him, he didn’t owe her anything, and she didn’t want to feel beholden to him. And she couldn’t be around anyone right now.
“I know,” said Nathan, an edge to his tone. “I was worried about you managing to get home by yourself.”
“You think I couldn’t manage to catch a taxi by myself?”
“I wasn’t sure if a taxi driver would help you in and out of their car. They certainly wouldn’t help you into your house, and make sure you’ve got everything you need before they leave.”
He began pushing Jessica’s wheelchair across the car park.
“What are you doing?” Jessica hissed. “I said I didn’t want your help!”
Nathan stopped, and then pushed the wheelchair to the edge of the car park, away from any oncoming traffic. He put the brakes on and moved in front of Jessica.
“I am more than happy to leave you here,” he said bluntly. “I’m hungry, and frankly I had more interesting things to do with my evening than waiting around a hospital car park for you for hours. But I have waited around and I’m here so I may as well drive you home and check that you’re all right. Then you never have to see me again. But I will literally be driving past the end of your parents’ road to get to my own house.”
He stood waiting with his arms crossed for her to respond.
Jessica’s first reaction was to insist he push her back to the hospital entrance and leave her alone. But it was dark now. And he did make a good point that he’d be driving right by her parents’ house. And he would help her into the house. And her foot really hurt.
“A lift would be lovely, thank you,” she said.
“See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” Nathan said. He received a glare in response.
A couple of minutes later, Jessica was comfortably ensconced in the front passenger seat of Nathan’s Land Rover, with Dennis attempting to lick her ear from the back seat while she watched Nathan push the wheelchair back into the hospital. He was certainly handsome, she admitted to herself. There was no denying that. But he was also incredibly bossy. And kind, she supposed. She guessed he must be single; a girlfriend or wife wouldn’t be too impressed with him spending the evening with some random woman. Or maybe he’d called and explained how pitiful Jessica was lying in the dirt with her broken foot. And how stupid she’d been to let herself get into that situation in the first place.
She was brought back to the present when Nathan opened up the driver’s door and climbed into the car.
“You ready?” he asked.
“Yep.”
They sat in silence. Jessica was too upset, and still a bit cross with Nathan, to want to talk.
“Would you like some music on?” Nathan asked.
“Only if you do,” she responded.
Not long after, Nathan pulled into Jessica’s parents’ driveway.
Before she could arrange herself and her crutches to climb out of the car, Nathan was round by her door. “Would you like me to carry you in?” he asked, gruffly.
“I think I can manage with the crutches,” Jessica found herself saying, although actually she really would have liked to have been lifted up and carried again.
“Can Dennis come into the house?”
“Yes, of course.” She didn’t even bother arguing that there was no need for Nathan to come in — he’d end up coming in to help her anyway, and she was done with fighting for the day.
Walking with the crutches was an awful lot harder than Jessica remembered from other brief periods when she’d had to use them. Maybe because this injury was more painful than any of the others she’d had and so she was being extra careful with it.
“Why don’t you get comfortable on the sofa, and I’ll let Monty out of the conservatory. Make sure you keep that foot out of his way,” Nathan warned.
Nathan hovered around her as Jessica worked her way through the hallway and into the sitting room. She was very wobbly, so it probably was a good idea that he stayed close by. She could hear Monty whining from the other side of the house. Nathan helped her down onto the sofa and put some cushions behind her, before gently putting some more under her broken foot. Then he went to get Monty, Dennis following in his wake.
A moment later, Monty came running in. “Careful,” Nathan warned, and Monty slowed down. “Is he usually fed in the evening?” Nathan asked.
“Oh yes! At six! He must be starving by now!”
“Not to worry, I’ll feed him. Where’s his food kept?”
“There are some very overly complicated instructions on the fridge,” Jessica explained. “Oh, make sure Dennis has some too if he’s hungry,” she called out after Nathan.
“OK, thanks,” he shouted back.
Monty seemed much calmer when he re-emerged after his supper.
“What would you like to eat?” Nathan asked Jessica in a tone which brooked no argument.
“You don’t need to . . .” began Jessica.
“I do need to. There is no one else here and you are supposed to be resting and keeping your foot elevated, so you can’t cook, and you’re going to feel rubbish if you don’t eat. Now, is there some pasta or something I can make for you?”
“I don’t eat pasta,” Jessica said.
“Are you coeliac?”
“No.”
“What do you eat?” asked Nathan, an edge to his voice. Jessica couldn’t blame him. She knew she wasn’t being very nice, but she wasn’t interested in eating or in having someone to keep her company. She just wanted him to leave so that she could feel sorry for herself.
“Honestly, I’m not hungry. I had a big lunch,” Jessica said. She could feel her eyes beginning to fill with tears.
“Are you OK?” Nathan asked, he stepped towards her.
“I’m fine,” Jessica reassured him, waving him away, but the tears had already begun to fall.
Nathan crouched down next to her and put his arms around her, bringing her into an unexpected hug which she surprised herself by sinking into. “Are you in a lot of pain?”
“No,” Jessica managed to say. “The hospital gave me painkillers, and as long as I keep it still, it’s not too bad.”
“Then what is it? The thought of me cooking for you can’t be that bad.” Nathan released her and her body felt the loss immediately.
“It’s not that.” Jessica accepted the tissue he passed her from the box on the coffee table. Monty put his head on Jessica’s good leg, making her flinch.
“Off, Monty,” Nathan said gently. He perched on the edge of the sofa. “You don’t have to tell me what’s upsetting you so much if you don’t want to, but it might help if you do.”
Jessica took a deep breath. Maybe it would help to speak to Nathan. Someone who didn’t know her properly.
“I’m a dancer,” she blurted out.
“Oh,” said Nathan, realisation flooding his face. “So breaking your foot is really bad news for you.”
“You could say that. I’m a ballet dancer and I’m supposed to be starting rehearsals for a new production of The Sleeping Beauty . I’ve been cast as Aurora.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah, it’s my first role as a principal dancer.”
“I’m sorry,” Nathan said. His kind words set Jessica off crying again.
“This is ridiculous,” she said. “I never cry.”
“You’ve had a huge disappointment,” Nathan reasoned. “There’s nothing wrong with having a bit of a cry about it. It’s completely understandable.”
“Thanks. I’m trying not to even think about the possibility that there might be permanent damage.”
“Take it one step at a time. You did the right thing getting it checked out as soon as possible. You’re young and healthy. If you follow the hospital’s instructions, it should heal up fine. Did they say how bad a break it was?”
“They thought it looked clean, but the X-ray wasn’t very clear. They said that my foot’s been under a lot of strain for years, though, with the dancing, which might affect it. They could see there had been a sprain on the same area previously that hadn’t healed quite right.”
“Have you been in pain with that?”
“Every ballet dancer is in pain with their feet. How can you tell what’s regular pain and what’s something that hasn’t healed properly?”
“I’ll have to take your word for it.”
“Well, regardless, there’s no way I’ll be able to start rehearsals.”
“No,” agreed Nathan. “And if you attempt to dance on that foot too soon, you really will end up with permanent damage. What time is it in New York now? Would someone be at your dance company for you to talk to?”
Jessica checked her watch. “Probably.”
“It might be good to rip the Band-Aid and tell them what’s happened.”
Jessica nodded. This wasn’t a telephone call she wanted to make, but it needed to be done. She may as well do it earlier rather than later.
“Could you pass me my phone, it’s in my bag?”
“Sure.” Nathan handed her the bag. “Why don’t I take Monty out for a walk round the block while you’re on the phone so he doesn’t disturb you? I’ll make you a hot drink when I get back. What would you like?”
“A coffee would be great,” Jessica admitted, suddenly grateful that Nathan had hung around. “The decaf in the cupboard above the kettle, please.”
“No problem, see you in a bit.” Nathan left with the dogs.
Jessica steeled herself and dialled the office of her company.
* * *
It took less than ten minutes for Jessica to explain what had happened to the head of the company. She’d been sympathetic, but had dealt with such a number of injured dancers in her career that it had become par for the course.
The good news was that the company’s insurance would cover Jessica while she was incapacitated so at least she could still afford her rent and to eat until she was able to work again, as well as medical care for her foot once she was back in the US. The call ended with Jessica promising to keep the company updated, but having formally resigned her part in the Sleeping Beauty production.
Jessica heard Nathan and the dogs return as she was finishing the call and was surprised that her reaction was relief at not being alone. Nathan was going to make her a cup of coffee and, right at this moment, that seemed like a really lovely thing.
Nathan stuck his head around the door. “You all done?” he asked.
“Yes, thanks.”
“How do you take your coffee?”
“Black, no sugar.”
“One sec.”
A moment later, Nathan was back with a mug of coffee and a large bowl of food.
“I went to the Chinese and got you some steamed chicken and broccoli,” he explained.
“You didn’t have to do that!” Jessica exclaimed, though it looked and smelled amazing and her stomach gave a rumble as he handed the bowl over.
Nathan shrugged. “You should eat and I was starving as well and you said you didn’t want pasta...”
“Sorry. I’m in a really funny mood this evening and I can be fussy about what I eat because of needing to keep in shape for work.”
“It’s not a problem, I get it.” Nathan went back out of the room. He reappeared soon afterwards with his own bowl of food: beef in black bean sauce, and a container of egg fried rice.
He sat on the other sofa opposite Jessica’s and Monty and Dennis lay down on the rug in front of the fireplace, keeping a watchful eye out in case either of the humans dropped any food.
“Do you know, I don’t think I’ve ever been allowed to eat in this room before,” Jessica said.
“Seriously?”
“Yeah. It was something my mum was really strict about for some reason. We couldn’t even have popcorn in here.”
“I’m sure she’d allow it this once.”
“Maybe,” admitted Jessica.
“Do you want some rice with that?”
“Sure, thanks,” she said and Nathan brought the rice over and served her. She marvelled at this bizarrely domesticated scene she found herself in with a person she hadn’t seen for more than twenty years.
“You chose well for me, thank you,” Jessica said in between mouthfuls.
“I just went for the healthiest thing on the menu,” admitted Nathan.
“Good strategy.”
“So, how long are your parents away for?” Nathan asked.
“They only left today and are booked in for ten nights.”
“Will they come back early when they hear what’s happened to you?”
“They’ll probably want to,” Jessica admitted. “But no way am I going to let them. They’re away with my brother and his family and they’ve all been really looking forward to it. Plus my brother’s car doesn’t have enough space for his family to bring back all of their stuff — my mum and dad had to take some of it in their car, so that would be a complete pain for them.”
“How are you going to manage here by yourself, though? Especially with a large dog to look after.”
“I haven’t finished working that out yet,” Jessica said honestly.
“There isn’t even a loo on the ground floor here, is there?”
“No, the only bathroom’s upstairs.”
“You’ll have to somehow get up and down the stairs every time you need a pee.”
“Yeah... I guess I’ll go up and down on my bum.”
Nathan didn’t say anything for a moment and appeared to be thinking.
Finally, he looked up from his bowl and said, “I think you should come back to my house and stay with me.”
“What?”
“My study downstairs has a bed in it, and it even has an en suite with a shower. You can bring Monty with you. I’ll have to go to work, but at least I can let the dogs out in the morning and at lunchtime, and then walk them when I finish.”
“I know you feel bad about my foot, but that’s insane. I can’t move into your home! And especially not with Monty. I promised Dad I’d look after him — I have no idea what he would do in a different house. He seems like a bit of a loose cannon.”
“Monty will be fine. You can keep an eye on him. And you’re not moving in, you’d just be staying for a week and a half. I’m guessing you don’t really know people around here anymore to help you out, and you won’t be safe going up and down those stairs.”
The suggestion was so crazy, Jessica honestly didn’t know where to begin with all the reasons why it was a really bad idea. “But you don’t even know me. I don’t even know you!”
“I’ve known you since we were five years old.”
“You haven’t seen me since we were eleven! You know nothing about me and I know nothing about you!”
“I know that you hate maths and that you have a Furby called Harriet and collect Power Rangers stickers,” Nathan joked. “You know that I also collect Power Rangers stickers and like ham sandwiches for lunch.”
“Seriously.”
“OK, seriously. I don’t want you to injure your foot any more than you already have. It’s not sensible for you to stay here by yourself, especially not with Monty to look after. I have to walk Dennis anyway, and I always come home at lunchtime to check on him. It’s no more work for me to walk Monty — unless he pulls me down a riverbank as well. And my house is a lot better set up for an invalid than your parents’ house is.”
“That still doesn’t change the fact that I don’t know you.”
“You used to know me and you used to know my family. Plus, as a doctor, I’ve had criminal record checks so I’m unlikely to be planning to murder you.”
“Why would you do this for me though?” Jessica asked. Offering her and Monty use of his home was surely going above and beyond what anyone would generally offer in this situation.
“Because I remember how much you loved to dance. I remember watching you in shows at school — you were brilliant. And the best chance of you being able to get back on that foot as soon as possible is if you have someone to help you.”
As crazy as Nathan’s plan seemed, there were parts of it that did make sense to Jessica. It would be really hard for her to look after Monty here by herself. But she’d feel she was taking advantage of Nathan if she and her dad’s dog took over Nathan’s home.
“I’m guessing you live alone, and you don’t have a wife or girlfriend you need to check this arrangement with first?”
A shadow clouded Nathan’s face. “I live by myself and I’m single,” he said quickly.
Jessica wasn’t sure he felt very happy about that fact.
“Your idea is completely nuts, but I’ll admit it seems like the most sensible thing to do from my point of view. But the deal has to be that you tell me if you want Monty and me to leave. If we get too annoying, or you just want your place back, you have to say so.”
“Deal,” said Nathan. He came over to Jessica and held out his hand to her — she shook it.
“Right, in that case, let’s get your stuff sorted and over to mine. It’s getting late and some of us have to work in the morning. Tell me what you need me to pack.”
“That’s easy. All my stuff is still in my case on the floor of the bedroom next to the bathroom. The only thing I need from the bathroom is my toothbrush. It’s the one in the holder on the sink.”
“OK, I’ll be right back.”
Nathan went upstairs and soon returned with Jessica’s case. “I’ll put this in the car and then come back for Monty’s stuff,” he said.
Jessica managed to heave herself off the sofa and get upright on her crutches. Nathan was coming back in the front door as she entered the hall. “You all right?” he asked.
“Yeah, it doesn’t hurt as much as earlier.”
“Let me put the dogs in the car so they’re out of your way.” He made sure Jessica was safely in the kitchen before calling the dogs and putting their leads on. “Is there a seat belt for Monty in the other car outside? I’m guessing it belongs to your parents.”
“Yes, Dad said about it in his notes. The car keys are in the pot by the front door,” Jessica said.
“Cool.” The dogs obediently followed Nathan out to his Land Rover.
Jessica grabbed her dad’s instructions for Monty and started pulling things out of Monty’s cupboard that he would need. Was she completely crazy doing this? Would she be better off managing by herself, like she usually did? At least that way she could be as miserable as she wanted and not have to worry about hurting anyone’s feelings... But she’d promised to look after Monty, and she couldn’t do that properly with a broken foot. There was no one else around who could help her, so it looked like the only sensible solution was to accept Nathan’s very kind offer.