The Doctor's Engagement

Anna bit her lip. ‘I haven’t tried that.’

‘Have you got one?’ Holly asked, and Anna nodded.

‘Yes. You know what it’s like with your first. You get given piles of things. There’s one upstairs under the bed.’

‘Why don’t you go and find it and, in the meantime, we’ll undress Harry and see if he likes massage,’ Holly suggested, delving in her bag for some oil.

‘What’s that?’ Mark laid the baby down gently on the sofa and watched while she undid the poppers of his blue sleepsuit.

‘Almond oil.’ Holly rubbed the oil into her palms to smooth and warm them just as Anna returned. ‘I’m just about to start, Anna. Can you take off his vest for me, please?’

Anna slipped off the vest and Holly gently massaged the tiny body, moving her hands gently and slowly down in soothing waves. At first Harry seemed a bit fretful, but then he seemed to settle down.

‘He’s enjoying it,’ Anna whispered in amazement. ‘Look at his little face.’

‘Yes, he’s relaxed now,’ Holly agreed. ‘You’re right that his tummy was very tense. I think that might well have been the problem.’

‘Oh, it’s bliss not to hear him screaming,’ Anna breathed. ‘Can I do it?’

‘Of course.’ Holly moved to one side. ‘Just rub some oil into your palms. That’s it. Now, very gently just move your hands... That’s it... Perfect...’

Together they stroked the baby and with each touch Anna’s spirits seemed to lift.

By the time Mark and Holly climbed back into the car, Anna was looking relaxed and almost cheerful.

‘Phone me if there’s a crisis,’ Holly instructed, ‘otherwise see Debra in clinic next week. Please?’

‘I promise I’ll go,’ Anna said with a shy smile. ‘And thank you.’

As they drove off Mark grinned at her. ‘I didn’t know you were such a dab hand at massage. I’ve got this terrible pain in my stomach. I don’t suppose you’d—?’

‘No, you’re right,’ Holly replied with a reproving look, ‘I definitely wouldn’t. You’re much too big and ugly. I only do babies.’

‘I’m a baby,’ Mark said firmly. ‘You should see me with spiders.’

‘You, Mark Logan, aren’t afraid of anything,’ Holly said dryly, and he gave her broad smile and a wink.

‘Oh, well, you can’t blame a chap for trying.’ He swung the car into the drive and pulled on the handbrake. ‘How about tomorrow during our kiss? Maybe some massage would work then. What do you think?’

For a brief moment Holly’s eyes dropped to his firm mouth and she wondered what it would be like to be kissed by a man like Mark.

She swallowed hard. She was going crazy!

‘What I think is that you’ve gone nuts! We do not need to kiss each other to prove that we’re together,’ she said hastily, climbing out of the car quickly to try and escape the strange feelings that were swamping her. ‘I promise to look at you adoringly. That should be fine.’

Mark slammed the door and walked round the car towards her. ‘Don’t be a spoilsport. I’ve been planning this great romantic scenario...’

Holly ignored him and hurried towards the front door. The more she thought about it, the more she was dreading this barbecue. She only hoped he was joking about the kiss.

* * *

‘Smugglers’ Bay’, as it was called by the locals, was easily reached by a narrow coast road which ended in a tiny car park right next to the beach.

It was the perfect spot for a beach barbecue and Holly soon discovered that the event had been planned like a military operation, with each practice taking responsibility for a different aspect of the evening. Her practice had provided all the drinks and Ian and Mark were busy unloading crates of various beverages and mixing a punch.

The bay was beautiful, a perfect curve of yellow sand with rock pools and caves and a steep cliff path that rose away from the tiny car park.

Holly was staring at the yachts bobbing in the evening sunshine when Mark called her.