The Greek Children's Doctor (Westerling)

‘Not yet maybe, but she obviously thinks that it’s going to happen soon.’

Andreas gave an impatient growl and slammed his fist down on the table.

‘Libby, less than half an hour ago I told you that I loved you. Do you really think I would say those words when I was planning to marry another woman?’

‘Of course I do! Men do things like that all the time!’ Libby’s chest rose and fell as she struggled to breathe. What usually happened naturally now seemed to take considerable effort. ‘Are you seriously trying to tell me that you had no relationship with her?’

He ran long fingers through his hair in an impatient gesture. ‘I’m not saying that, but—’

‘But you conveniently forgot to mention her,’ Libby interrupted hoarsely. ‘When I asked you about other women, you said that there wasn’t anyone special—’

‘Because there wasn’t,’ he said wearily, his hands dropping to his sides.

‘She thinks she’s going to marry you, Andreas.’ Libby heard her voice wobble and hated herself for it. ‘That sounds pretty special to me.’

There was a long silence and when he looked up his eyes were tired. ‘For a short time I did think that I would marry her, but it’s history now. On the other hand, perhaps we should both be grateful that you found that note because it’s proved to both of us that you just aren’t capable of trusting anyone.’ His voice seemed to have lost all its warmth. ‘I’ve told you that I love you more times than I can count, and I’ve shown you in as many ways as I know. If you still can’t trust my feelings or your own then there’s definitely no future for us. No relationship can work without trust and you just can’t give it. You damn me without even listening to my side of the story.’

Libby looked at him, wondering how anyone could survive such highs and lows of emotions over such a short time. Less than an hour ago he’d been promising to make babies with her. Now their relationship appeared to be in pieces.

And he was blaming her.

In fact, he looked angrier than she’d ever imagined he could be. She was used to him being good-humoured and relaxed about everything, but he certainly wasn’t relaxed now.

How could he blame her? She shook her head incredulously. ‘Look at it from my point of view, Andreas. If you’d found that letter in my bedroom, what would you have done?’

‘What would I have done?’ His handsome face was devoid of emotion. ‘I would have asked you about it, Libby, knowing that you would have had a perfectly innocent explanation. Knowing that I was the man you loved. You see, I trust you, agape mou.’

She looked at him in stunned silence and he shook his head slowly, his expression sad. ‘I love you, Libby, and I know you love me, but it’s never going to work between us unless you break down that great big wall you’ve built around yourself and learn to trust me, too.’

‘Andreas—’

‘Forget it.’ His jaw tightened. ‘There’s a flight leaving for Heathrow late this afternoon. I’ll book you on it. Our date is over, Libby.’

Chapter 10

‘AlL right, what happened?’ Katy dragged Libby into the treatment room, her expression serious. ‘It’s been a whole week now and you still haven’t told me anything. Even Alex is worried about you. He’s ready to kill Andreas but he doesn’t know what the motive is.’

Libby looked at her. ‘It’s just the usual.’

Katy frowned. ‘What do you mean, the usual?’

Libby’s eyes filled. ‘Andreas had someone else.’

Katy stared at her for a moment and then shook her head. ‘No. No way.’

‘It’s true.’

Katy wrinkled her nose and shook her head again. ‘It can’t be. Not Andreas. He loves you, Lib, I know he does.’

Libby shrugged and tried to look casual but it was impossibly hard. She felt raw inside. ‘So? Since when has that stopped a man from forming other relationships?’

‘You’ve had some rotten experiences,’ Katy admitted quietly, ‘and I know how badly it’s affected you, but I’m sure that this time you’re wrong. Andreas is crazy about you. I know he is. Tell me what happened.’

‘I found a letter…’ Libby found herself telling every detail of that awful afternoon while Katy listened.

‘But it doesn’t make sense, Lib,’ her sister said finally. ‘Why would he virtually propose to you if he was planning to marry another woman? There must be a simple explanation.’

‘The explanation is that he’s the same as every other man,’ Libby said stiffly, and Katy shook her head.