Picking up the Pieces

He was incredible, but so easy to dance with. His movements were fluid, his body graceful, but always in tune with hers, sometimes leading, sometimes following, always together. It was like being in Theatre with him, she thought, perfectly attuned, anticipating each other as if they had danced together for years.

After a few dances the band struck up a rock ‘n’ roll number, and Nick pulled her close. ‘Can you jive?’ he asked.

She laughed in delight. ‘Can a bird fly?’

He kissed her briefly and then threw her out to the end of his arm, reeling her in again and twirling her under before turning her to face him.

She matched him move for move, and, as his steps grew more complicated and daring, so she kept up without missing a beat.

As the dance finished he pulled her close and kissed her soundly. ‘You’re fantastic!’ he laughed breathlessly. ‘Oh, Cass…’

They jived again and again, and then when the tempo slowed they came together, swaying gently in each other’s arms, trapped by the spell of the music and the magic they found in each other’s eyes.

At last he led her back to their table and asked Carlo to call them a taxi.

‘You wanted an early night,’ he said apologetically.

She realised with amazement that it was almost three o’clock, but she didn’t care.

‘It doesn’t matter,’ she said softly, and there were stars in her eyes.

‘Cassie…’

He took her hand and wrapped it in his, then led her to the door.

The receptionist gave Cassie an envious look but she ignored it, too wrapped up in Nick even to notice.

There was no question in her mind, no doubt, no hesitation.

As the taxi dropped them off at the hospital gates, Nick turned to her.

‘I don’t think I’d better come to your room with you tonight. I made you a promise — somehow I have a feeling I’ll end up breaking it.’

She slid her hand up his arm and on to his chest, feeling the heavy beating of his heart against her palm. Her own heart was beating faster, too, racing against her ribs and making it hard to breath. Her voice was soft, deep, a little husky.

‘What if I release you from that promise?’

He swallowed convulsively. ‘Cassie…’

‘Come on.’

She slid her hand back down his arm and threaded her fingers through his. They tightened protectively, and she felt a wave of tenderness wash over her.

It would be wonderful. He would be gentle, and caring, and the heat would flare between them, melting away any last reservations and leaving them complete …

‘I have to get something from my room,’ he said softly, and they walked swiftly down the corridor, impatient to be alone.

He paused at his door, a frown of consternation on his face as he read the note pinned to it.

Oh, damn…’

‘What?’

‘I’m needed in Theatre for some reason. I’ll have to go.’

‘Trevor,’ she said heavily. ‘Again.’

He turned to her, his eyes still dark with passion. ‘Cassie, I’m sorry…’

She swallowed her disappointment. ‘There’ll be another day.’

‘I must go…’

She watched him stride away, his legs eating up the corridor, until he turned at the end and was gone.

Because New Year’s Day had been a Saturday, the following Monday was a bank holiday and so the hospital didn’t get back to its normal routine until Tuesday, and it was Tuesday morning in Theatre before she saw Nick again.

As he walked in, her heart stopped in its tracks and then crashed back to life again, and he headed straight for her, a smile lighting up his eyes.

‘Hi.’

‘Hi, yourself. How’ve you been getting on?’

He laughed shortly. ‘Busy. I seem to have alienated Trevor — whenever he’s supposed to be on call, he shoves off and tells them to get me.’

‘Doesn’t that make you sick? Just because his father’s a big shot he thinks he can do whatever he likes.’

‘Who is his father?’ Nick asked curiously.

‘Old man Armitage? He’s the top cardio-thoracic surgeon — and he’s a big wheel in the trust, as well.’

Nick groaned. ‘That’ll teach me to open my mouth.’

‘What?’

He laughed softly. ‘He threatened me the other day — told me not to make waves about him being drunk. I told him I didn’t frighten easily, and ever since then he’s gone AWOL. Maybe I ought to report him.’

Cassie snorted. ‘Not if you want to survive. You’ll find your contract abbreviated or your budget cut or your beds disappearing if you do that.’

Nick looked incredulous. ‘Are you joking? The guy’s a total waste of space.’

‘He’s also Daddy’s golden boy, and nothing and nobody gets away with anything.’

Nick snorted in disgust. ‘We’ll see. Right, let’s get down to work. We’ve got a nice, steady list this morning — a hip, an arthroscopy and a thumb.’

‘How boring!’

‘And amen to that! Frankly, after the weekend I could do with being bored. I’ll see you in there.’