‘You’re sure? Isn’t there a bit more for us to see?’
‘I’ve done everything I wanted to do. More...’ Adam looked around the hall from his vantage point, perched on the throne.
‘Okay. Just one more photo. Shift up a bit.’ Laurie sat down on the wide seat, next to Adam, holding out her phone for a selfie. ‘Smile, Adam. This is what winning feels like.’
* * *
‘Who knew those conventions were so hard on the feet?’ Laurie flopped down onto Ross’s bed.
‘Foot rub?’
&n
bsp; ‘Oh, Ross. You say the nicest things. I don’t suppose you could take your clothes off first, could you?’
He chuckled. ‘No, I don’t suppose I could. One thing at a time.’
‘Really? I can do two things at once, I’ve been devouring you with my lustful gaze all day.’
‘Have you?’ Ross obviously liked the idea. ‘I wish you’d mentioned that. I thought you were a hundred percent focussed on getting Adam out of that wheelchair. You did a fine job of it, by the way.’
Laurie smiled at the memory. ‘It was so good of the people on that stand, wasn’t it? All the sword-raising and the pictures.’
‘It was great. And I was so proud of you. You have a real talent for inspiring these kids, you know.’
‘I was thinking, I’d love to be able to do more of that kind of thing. Working at the emergency GP centre in London is great, and it fits in well with my schedules, but I don’t get to follow through on patients the way I have here.’
‘Isn’t that the problem, though?’ Ross sat down on the bed, propping one of her feet up on his leg. ‘Can you fit that kind of long-term care around your rowing schedule?’
He started to massage her foot and Laurie sighed. ‘That’s so nice. You have wonderful fingers, Ross. And, no, I’m not sure that kind of job would be possible during the rowing season. But I won’t be competing for ever.’
Maybe she was crazy to think like this. To wonder if there was a place for her here with Ross, doing a job that she loved. To think that he even wanted her to stay, he was so sure that nothing could ever change, and that a new relationship would end as badly as his last.
‘You’re competing now. You’ll have plenty of time when you retire and that might not be for another few years.’
‘Yes. I guess so. I should just make the most of it while I can.’
‘We both should. Every night and every day.’ He laid her foot back down on the bed, shifting forward to kiss her.
If she could just make him believe that she would be happy without a family. But how could she do that when she didn’t even know whether it was true? Things had changed so much, in such a short time, and she needed time to catch up. Maybe Ross was right, and letting go was the only way to save them both from pain.
‘Every single night? Sure you can keep up the pace?’ she teased him.
‘Watch me. Sure you can?’
‘I can only give it my best shot.’ She pulled him close, feeling his weight pin her down on the bed. This was the way it was with her and Ross—the power of their lovemaking could chase away everything but the here and now. And he was right here, right now.
* * *
Ross watched as Tamara walked across the gravel drive from the entrance to the clinic. Her gait was so much better now that her prosthetic had been refitted, and she was gaining confidence with every day that passed. She was chatting to Laurie, who waved when she saw him sitting by himself on the cast-iron seat that was placed amongst the shrubbery at the front of the building. For all the world as if she wasn’t expecting to see him there, and as if her and Tamara’s arrival wasn’t perfectly timed.
‘Nice day.’ Laurie grinned at him, plumping herself down on the seat.
‘Yeah. I think it’s going to be hotter today than yesterday.’
‘I’d say you’re right.’
That was probably enough said about the weather. Tamara had lowered herself down between them, and she might begin to suspect that something was up if they went into any more detail. Laurie had planned this so carefully for Tamara, and Ross was looking forward to it as much as she was.