‘Sure.’ Touched by the girl’s gratitude, Libby decided that she’d done the right thing. ‘As long as you promise to smile and not argue with my taste. And then, when we’ve shopped, I’ll do your hair. I’m great with hair. I’ve been practising for twenty-nine years on my own.’
Before Adrienne could reply, Andreas strode up and Libby stiffened, wondering how he’d react to the fact that his niece had run away from school. She remembered with appalling clarity her father’s furious response when she’d done the same thing. She’d never, ever done it again.
But Andreas didn’t look furious at all. He looked concerned.
‘Adrienne?’ His tone was incredibly gentle as he stopped in front of the trembling girl. He said something to her in Greek and she took a shuddering breath and looked him in the eye, replying in English.
‘I’m so homesick. I want to live with you. Please, let me live with you—I won’t be any trouble, I promise. I know that it’s supposed to be temporary but I can’t bear it. Please, don’t send me back there.’
Swallowing back an unexpected lump in her throat, Libby glanced at Andreas, noting the tension in his wide, muscular shoulders.
‘You’re too young to be in the house on your own, koratsaki mou, and I haven’t found a suitable housekeeper yet,’ he said roughly.
Adrienne wrapped her arms around her waist. ‘I don’t care about being on my own. I’d rather be on my own than with those—those…’ Her English failed her and she looked pleadingly at Libby. ‘Tell him not to make me go back. Please.’
Libby glanced at Andreas helplessly. She really had no idea what to do or say. She knew nothing about the situation but she did know that Adrienne was obviously miserable.
Before she could speak, Bev hurried up, looking worried. ‘Dr Christakos, A and E are looking for you. They’ve got a child with a nasty asthma attack. They want you down there urgently.’
Andreas sucked in a breath and cast a look at Adrienne. ‘Of course.’ He raked long fingers through his black hair, his frustration evident. ‘Adrienne, we can’t sort this out now. You’ll have to wait in the staffroom until I finish.’
‘Why don’t I take her home with me?’ Libby said quickly, putting a protective hand on the child’s arm. ‘I’m off duty now anyway and it would be much nicer for her. You can collect her from my flat when you’re ready. Bev will give you my address.’
His mouth tightened. ‘I’ll have to take her straight back to school—’
Adrienne gave a moan of protest. ‘No!’
‘Adrienne, I have no choice!’ He sounded tired and frustrated. ‘If I could see another way, believe me, I’d take it. It’s just for the short term.’
Libby wondered exactly what was going on.
Why was his niece living with him?
Bev touched his arm. ‘Dr Christakos—’
‘I’m on my way. Adrienne, we’ll discuss this later.’ His dark eyes rested on Libby. ‘I don’t particularly want her waiting around here so if you’re sure it’s all right, I’ll take you up on your offer. Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome.’
She watched as he strode out of the ward and then turned to Bev who was watching open-mouthed. ‘What are you staring at?’
‘You.’ Bev’s eyes twinkled merrily. ‘So you’re definitely avoiding him, then.’
Libby gritted her teeth. ‘This is nothing to do with Andreas.’
Bev nodded solemnly. ‘Of course it isn’t. I’m sure you’ll manage to avoid him when he comes to pick her up from your flat.’
Libby glared at her friend. ‘Mammoth rat factor, remember?’ Turning her back on Bev, she held out a hand to Adrienne and gave her a warm smile. ‘Come on. Time to go and raid my fridge I think.’
This had absolutely nothing to do with Andreas, she repeated firmly to herself.
Nothing.
Chapter 3
Libby let herself into the flat.
‘Let’s get something to eat. I’m starving.’ She dropped her keys on the hall table and walked through to the kitchen.
A dark-haired man with wicked blue eyes was lounging at the table, nursing a cup of coffee and reading a medical journal.
‘You’re in big trouble, buster,’ Libby muttered, glaring at him as she tugged open the fridge door. ‘This is Adrienne, by the way. Adrienne, this is my brother, Alex. Don’t be taken in by the blue eyes and the charismatic smile, he’s a total menace and I’m about to kill him.’
‘Hello, Adrienne.’ Alex smiled easily and then glanced back at his sister. ‘Why are you going to kill me? You should be thanking me.’